Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
I was a little under the weather and missed last weeks not-so-random rev's rambling. I have decided to post last weeks reflection and this week's reflection in the same post. The reflections were written by Ruth Swanson and Augustana is indebted to her for her lovely writing. Enjoy!
2 God’s people, see Him coming: Your own eternal king! Palm branches strew before Him! Spread garments! Shout and sing! God’s promise will not fail you! No more shall doubt assail you! (Refrain) Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word! Dirt. Dirt is under everything. Right now we see the fresh dirt revealed as farmers till the ground where they have just harvested. In warm weather children and adults alike enjoy going barefoot or wear flip-flops. And feet get dirt-y. When we think of a child being born today, we can’t imagine the floor of a hospital being a dirt floor. But that is exactly what the floor was where Jesus was born. Mary and Joseph were turned away from the inns but given a stable with animals and a dirt floor for His birth. Where were the palm branches? In Jesus’ time a good host would wash the feet of his guests when they arrived. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples when they met for the Passover meal. Jesus is not unaware of dirt, of being dirty. He KNOWS we are ALL dirty within. We are dirty with sin. He came to clean us of this dirt. Not the dirt on our feet but the dirt of sin within us. He is our Savior! He is our King! As followers of Him, we KNOW that now. But it was a long hard road for He and His disciples to trod and spread the Word. It was not a Royal Highway. It was a dirt road leading from town to town with dirty people needing not just their feet cleaned but their hearts within them needing cleaned. Because we KNOW He is our Savior and King, let us prepare the Royal Highway spreading the Gospel as we do so. Points to Ponder: 1. Do remember a time when you like to play in the dirt? When was it no longer okay to do so? Why is that? 2. Jesus cleansed us from sin. Next time you go to wash your hands think of the soap as God's love and the water as Christ's death on the cross. 3 Then fling the gates wide open To greet your promised king! Your king, yet ev’ry nation Its tribute too should bring. All lands, bow down before Him! All nations, now adore Him! (Refrain) Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word! Weddings. Joyous occasions. We recently heard the announcement of Prince Harry and his plan to marry. A Royal wedding! The kingdom rejoices!!! Do you expect to be invited? I’m doubting an invitation. I am filled with joy to know that I have been given and I have accepted an invitation from the King of Kings for eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven! Our God left His kingdom to become a man; to be like a human, so He could unite us with Him to become heirs to His kingdom! England will prepare a Royal Highway for the Prince and his bride to travel on their wedding day. We will likely have the ability to watch the Prince and his bride travel this highway, along with the ceremony and glamour involved, on television since we won’t be invited in person. And I am good with that. I have a King and a mansion in His kingdom waiting for me. And so do you. Because we have a Savior and King, let us prepare the Royal Highway spreading the Gospel as we do so. Ponder Points: 1. Jesus said he goes to prepare a room for us. What do you think would be in your room? 2. If we are heirs to God's kingdom that means we are royalty. Jesus has made this so for us. Sit in your favorite chair and look out at your house. Does this feel royal? Why or why not? How might Jesus be making it royal for you?
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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