LBW #36, "On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry"
Devotion
Recently a letter came to me, "Let me be your broker; I can guarantee a successful financial future, even in the worst of times." Is that possible? Is that what I really need? Our gospel text tells about another broker sent from heaven who can assure us of a future -- a life of service now and a life eternal with forgiven sinners around the throne. Listen to the words of the hymn "On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry":
On Jordan's banks the Baptist's cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh.
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of Kings.
Then cleansed be every life from sin,
Make straight the way for God within ...
We hail you as our Savior, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward.
What reward, what success is most important? All of us have human needs to live, work and play. But if we fail to hear the Baptist's cry that the Lord is nigh with his love, forgiveness and spirit, what is our future? What does it profit if we gain all other successes and lose our soul?
Prayer
Jesus, stretch forth your hand, forgive our sins, lift us up to see your face and walk with us to bring your light and love to all your precious people. Especially use us to reach out to the hungry, the homeless and all who suffer from injustice and discouragement. May your presence give us life with new strength, new hope and a new dimension that is everlasting. Amen.