September 17 | Hebrews 2:10-13; Psalm 22

David Thompson
Sep 16, 2025
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

The Peace of Jesus

By Dave Thompson

The passages of today are much different than each other. However parts are the same. Hebrews 2:10-13 tells us of the suffering of Christ, not for His own salvation but for ours. Christ being perfect didn't need to earn His salvation. Even as a human, He was perfect. So why all of the dissention in the world then and today?

I can't turn on the local news without hearing of a shooting somewhere in the Hilltop or elsewhere. Why is it that there is so much strife that people can't seem to understand when one or so happenings of violence happens, As I started writing this devotional, I stopped and shook my head and wondered why. I thought about the original sin of Adam and Eve and what effect that has on all of us.

When I was in elementary school, I found myself caught up in violence or at least a plan to create violence. I remember a lot of things through my life, sometimes I think I don't forget anything. This incident was a plan hatched by about 15 fifth graders at the lunchroom table. We decided that we didn't like another group of kids because of their religion. You see my friends and I were Protestants and the other group were Catholics. We decided that we were going to challenge the other group to a snowball fight. Why them, what was the magic difference that perhaps would be rectified? Looking back at it now, I see it was the devil dividing us. Luckily for us, no snow fight happened. We all had a good laugh at the audacity of the idea.

Looking at the Irish and the English comes to mind about that same time we were planning our fight. There were car bombs and hate galore. And for what? Why did that happen? It was a long believed feud and one that no one seemed to be able to get over. The devil was having his heyday with some 10 year old's and a world away with a similar situation among the Irish and English.

What can save us from this horrible hate and prejudice just because someone is different, supports the opposite political party or causes fear. Jesus can. As Hebrews shares the grace of Jesus and working God's plan can bring us together. My prayer for all at UALC is to put differences aside and pray for the Holy Spirit to work on each one of us to give us love for others. All others!

PRAYER

Dear Lord, I pray that you will help me and all the people in our church, in Columbus and in the world to get to know you and your life changing grace. Help us to accept people as they are and not make negative judgements of all. Help us at UALC to be the "beacon on the hill" and love others always. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE THOMPSON

I am the administrator of the Daily Worship Blog. My wife, Carla, and I have been attending UALC for seven years at the 9 o'clock service at Mill Run. We have two children, Catherine and Aaron. I have been a Christian for 53 years and am thankful that my Savior has given me two spiritual gifts that have carried me both spiritually and vocationally all my life: they are teaching and administration. I look forward to spending many years here at UALC to serve my Lord and Savior.