by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Our Greatest Mission

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 English Standard Version

Though the sky was blue, the north wind was strong and cold as I walked with my brother-in-law along the shore in Edmunds, Washington. It was so cold that the wind caused your eyes to water. Despite these conditions, this grandfather was teaching his grandson something that was important, even something that was close to his heart.

Moses encouraged the people to talk to their children about God’s words. He speaks this command to people who experienced the power of God. As the Israelites were about to enter the land that God promised to their patriarchs, they were to remember all that he had done for them in calling them out of slavery in Egypt and forming them as a nation. Moses’ words are a passionate call for God’s people to live a passionate life.

Moses speaks to us today as we are on the cusp of a new church year and a time when we focus on what God has done for us in Jesus. It is a passionate call for us to be passionate about Jesus. It is easy to instruct our children and grandchildren about Jesus when we are zealous about his presence in our lives and his never-ending mercy.

And to you grandparents, your job is not finished and will not be until your last breath. Your grandchildren are your mission as you bend over and whisper into their ears the word of Jesus’ mercy.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado