25 Oct November 3rd Daily Devotion

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

CONNECTED WITH CHRIST

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Driving on HI way 40 from Flagstaff eastward to the boarder of Arizona and through the entire state of New Mexico, you will see very long trains.  At the head of each train is a set of locomotives.  Behind the locomotives are tens, upon tens of rail cars filled with various goods or empty being taken eastward to become filled for a return trip west.  Those rail cars can do nothing without the locomotives pulling them.  They would be dead on the tracks.

Connected with the locomotives, the rail cars are moved, reach their destination, accomplishing their purpose.  This image is found in today’s devotional verse.  “If anyone is in Christ. . .” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  If anyone is united with Christ.  If anyone is connected to Christ.  Like a rail car connected to a locomotive reaches its destination so you, connected to Christ, in union with Him, become a new person.

St. Paul fully explains how you become united with Christ in Romans 6:3-4, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” The Holy Spirit united, connected, joined you with Christ through the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

Connected to Christ you have been given a new way of living.  He is leading you along a “new set of tracks” to a “new destination.”  He says to you, “come, follow me.”  The Psalmist David says He will lead you to “green pastures and quiet waters.”  In Christ you will not fear even death itself because He makes you a conqueror over death giving you a victorious resurrected life in heaven.  Following Jesus “goodness and mercy shall be yours all the days of your life.” (quotes are from Psalm 23)

Jesus says, “If you really know Me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:7) Connected to Jesus connects you to your heavenly Father.  Through Him you are able to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven . . .”  Because you are connected to Him you have the sure and certain hope of everlasting life.

Prayer:  Jesus, lead me through this life to my eternal life.  In Your holy name.  Amen.

Jesus, lead Thou on till our rest is won;

And although the way be cheerless,

We will follow calm and fearless,

Guide us by Thy hand

To our fatherland.

If the way be drear, If the foe be near,

Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;

Let not faith and hope forsake us;

For through may_a woe

To our home we go.

When we seek relief From a long-felt grief,

When temptations come alluring,

Make us patient and enduring.

Show us that bright shore

Where we weep no more.

Jesus, lead Thou o Till our rest is won.

Heav’nly leader, still direct us,

Still support, console, protect us,

Till we safely stand

In our fatherland.

(LSB 718)