Thursday, 26 August, 2004

The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.



For those who are in Christ, there is no damnation despite the fact that they still are more or less sinful (Romans 8:1). Luther says: “The reason why there is no condemnation is not that men do not sin…but because – as Paul says – they are in Jesus Christ; that is, they repose under the shadow of his righteousness as do chicks under a hen. Or as is said more clearly in Romans 5, they have grace and the gift through his grace.”



Here is that wonderful notion of the rest that comes from God alone. It would do us all well to consider the fact that we can begin and end our day “under the shadow of (Christ’s) righteousness. The metaphor of the hen and the chicks is always one that brings clarity to me about the place Jesus puts himself for us. What is seen is the hen alone. When we are “in Christ” that is what informs us each day so that we can both be assured of our status before God and we can know how we will begin this day as we set out to be among others.



Connection: Today will be filled with opportunities to let the light of Christ shine even when we are persistently falling into the trap of our brokenness. Remember, you are given a light to let shine under all conditions.

You, O Gracious Lord, are the one who holds us and gives us a place to rest and then sends us off with a way to take on the day. When we stumble, remind us of your presence and your power to renew us. Amen.