Devotional 4-18-11

For many years the Upper Room Disciplines has been one of the devotional resources that I use. This publication is a sister piece to the bi-monthly devotional resource that is available through our church. The primary difference in the Upper Room Disciplines is that it follows the Common Lectionary and the writers are responsible for an entire week’s devotional pieces.

Last week’s devotions were written by Ray Waddle of Yale Divinity School. He reminded readers of a phrase first made popular in the 1990's. The phrase asked the question: What Would Jesus Do or W. W. J. D.? Obviously that phrase was intended to challenge believers to live a more Christ centered life. It was, and it is, something that we all need to follow throughout our lives.

Ray though, in these devotional meditations has taken it a step further. He added three letters: D., U., and T. So, now the letters make up the acronym W. D. J. W. U. T. D. Can you guess what the difference is? Spelled out the message now becomes What Does Jesus Want Us To Do? In some ways the message and its implication are the same. The implication being that we are to live so others might see Jesus in us.

Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday and the triumphantal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The crowds had received him gladly. What a difference the next few days would bring. These same crowds and even the disciples themselves would betray him. What will this week reveal about our own following of Jesus and our willingly putting him first within our thoughts and actions? Will W. D. J. W. U. T. D. enter our thought at all? When all is going well in our lives it is easy to profess our faith and our loyalty to Christ Jesus but what about when the dark clouds of doubt and despair darken the horizon. Will we too fall asleep at a time when our witness is most needed? Will we too deny that we know him by our actions and words?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may WDJWUTD be in our thoughts and actions this day and every day. Amen.

Thom Malcolm