saved

Opening Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you came to earth not to condemn, but to save.  Help us, this day, to rejoice in that salvation.  And help us to consider the ways we are still in need of your saving power in our lives.  Amen.

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Journal: How do you need to be saved today?  From what?

Reflection: An elderly man meditated every morning under a big tree on the bank of the Ganges River. One morning, after he had finished praying, the man opened his eyes and saw a scorpion floating helplessly in the water. As the scorpion washed nearer to the tree, the man quickly stretched himself out on one of the long roots that extended over the river and reached out to save the drowning creature. As soon as he touched it, the scorpion stung him. Instinctively, the man withdrew his hand. A few moments later, when he had regained his balance, he stretched himself again on the tree roots to save the foundering scorpion. Again, the scorpion stung him. This time the sting was so severe that the man’s hand became swollen and bloody and his face contorted with pain. At that very moment, a passerby saw the old man stretched out on the tree root, still struggling with the uncooperative scorpion. He shouted, “Hey, stupid old man, what’s the matter with you? Only a fool would risk his life for the sake of an ugly, evil creature! Don’t you know you could kill yourself trying to save that ungrateful scorpion?” At that, the old man turned and, looking directly into his detractor’s eyes, calmly replied, “My friend, just because it is in the scorpion’s nature to sting, that does not change the fact that it is in my nature to save.” (The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning)

Prayer

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that it is your nature to save.  Save me, in whatever ways I need saving, again this day.  Amen.