August 12 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 12 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

Colossians 1:18 “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”

Who is in charge of the Church?  Some would say it is the pastor.  Others would say it is the president of the congregation.  Still others who know a bit more about church polity would say it is the President of the Synod or Church Denomination.  Actually, none of these individuals are in charge.

Who then is in charge? “And God placed all things under His (Christ’s) feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:22-23) The Church is totally dependent upon Jesus Christ.  This is the point of Paul in Ephesians 1:22-23 and Colossians 1:18 saying that He is the head of the Church.  The Church’s very existence , growth and strength is dependent upon Him.

As your torso, internal organs, external appendages are all controlled and coordinated by your head, so the Church is totally dependent upon Jesus as its head.  God’s grace is secured through Christ.  Through Him the Holy Spirit brings together all true believers in Him to form His body, the Church.  Christ directs all the parts of the body to work together in harmony and unity with one faith, one mind, one understanding but with many different gifts.

Martin Luther wrote, “Thank God. . . a seven-year-old child knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd. . .”(SA III XII 2-3)  After all, Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28)

This is why Luther in his explanation of what we mean when we say in the Apostle’s Creed, we believe in . . . the holy Christian Church . . . we believe the Holy Spirit “(who). . .calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ (my emphasis) in the one true faith. . .” (Small Catechism, page 147)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, work in me faith to listen to Jesus’ voice as He speaks to me by His Word as my head to lead me along the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s head, You are her one foundation;

In You she trusts, before You bows, And waits for Your salvation.

Built on this rock secure, Your Church shall endure Though all the world decay

And all things pass away.  O hear, O hear us, Jesus!

O Lord, let this Your little flock, Your name alone confessing,

Continue in Your loving care, True unity possessing.

Your sacraments, O Lord, And Your saving Word To us, Lord, pure retain.

Grant that they may remain Our only strength and comfort.

Help us to serve You evermore With hearts both pure and lowly;

And may Your Word, that light divine, Shine on in splendor holy

That we repentance show, In faith ever grow; the pow’r of sin destroy

And evils that annoy.  O Make us faithful Christians.

And for Your Gospel let us dare To sacrifice all treasure;

Teach us to bear Your blessed cross, to find in You all pleasure.

O Grant us steadfastness  In Joy and distress, Lest we, Lord, You forsake.

Let us by grace partake Of endless joy and gladness.

(LSB 647)