Ephesians 2:4-10 (Contemporary English Version)
"God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you. God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and God has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so that in the future God could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Jesus has done. You were saved by faith in God, who treats us better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. God planned for us to do good things and to live as God has always wanted us to live. That's why God sent Christ to make us what we are."

I'm not sure what day you will read this devotion, but on September 21, the church celebrates St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. The Bible reading above is appointed for that day. Why? Because of its emphasis on God's grace and mercy which has the power to transform lives, even sinful lives, into righteousness. Why? Because Matthew was a tax collector; someone who would charge more tax than was necessary and pocket the profits. In other words, Matthew was a thief, a liar, a cheat. And Jesus called him to come follow him. By the power of God's Holy Spirit, Matthew's life was changed forever. And through him, so were others.

Matthew may seem like a far away Biblical character with very little connection to us, but that's not true. For we are not that far apart. We don't always like to think of all the ways we fail to live up to our calling as God's beloved children, but the reality is that we fail quite often. We lie, to ourselves and others; we judge those who are different from us; we are selfish and unwilling to share what we've been given; we are mean to our children, our spouse, our neighbor; we are sinful and unclean.

And it is precisely because of that fact, that God sent Jesus to wash us clean, to forgive our sins, to give us new life. God gives us far more than we deserve, not because we are good, but because God is good. God showers us with grace and mercy beyond what we can even comprehend. God in Christ Jesus transforms our lives every day, so that we, too are counted among the saints. Hard to believe, but true!

Let us pray: Good and gracious God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus into the world to give us life. Thank you for holding us in your care and washing away our sins. Thank you for those in the faith who have gone before us, especially Matthew. Thank you for new life in Jesus' name each and every day. Amen

Contributed by Pastor Tracie
Published Monday September 15, 2003
Week 42 of Liturgical Year B