Devotion for Week of May 18 - Trinity Sunday
And Jesus came to them and spoke unto them, saying, “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Matt 28:18-20 American Standard Version)
The Sunday School teacher asked her young students which person in the Bible they would like to be. She got some Davids, a Noah, a Moses, a Naomi, a Ruth, and one Lo. She asked the young man, "Did you mean Lot?” “No,” he said, “Lo.” Confused, the teacher asked, “Why?” The young student answered, “Because Jesus said, ‘Lo, I am with you always.’”
For a child, or those with a child-like faith, having Jesus with us every minute of every day is a comforting thought. Having Jesus with us to protect us from the Devil and his evil ways shows us God’s loving, gracious nature. But for adults, there is another side to that constant presence. Do we really want Jesus around every minute of every day? Maybe some time on Sunday is enough. After all, if Jesus is with us 24/7, then does that mean we are expected to behave the way he wants us to behave 24/7? Does that mean that even on Monday through Saturday I am expected to:
- Love my enemies and pray for them unceasingly?
- Love the outcast and those on the edge of existence?
- Do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with my God?
- Share my resources of time and money with those who need them?
- Use my voice for those who have no voice or are not heard?
- Speak His love to those who need to hear it?
- Be merciful?
It is a tall order, but it is exactly what Jesus expects of us. And looking at the mission with a child-like faith can help. Our God not only gives us His love, grace and protection against evil, God gives us His Spirit to become His hands and heart and voice.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are with us always. Help us to use the power you give us to do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
