To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 8, Day 5 - Our Legacy Begins with Love, Continues with Teaching, and Ends with Integration
To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 4, Day 1 – Though We Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, God Is There
Photo by Colton Duke on Unsplash
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I go away, and I will come to you.” If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
John 14:27–31
One of the most beautiful and amazing truths about Jesus is that, even though he was going to face one of the cruelest forms of torture ever devised and a spiritual anguish no other man could endure, he did so knowing joy. In fact, the Bible says that Jesus despised the shame of the cross and took upon himself all our sins for the joy before him — his ultimate triumph over sin and death (see Heb 12:2). In his darkest hour, his love for his disciples — and for all of us — was first and foremost in his mind. He sought to do the Father’s will out of love for humanity. He conquered death, hell, and the Devil, and brought comfort, peace, and salvation for all who would believe.
Jesus endured the pain of death so that he could leave us a lasting legacy of hope — a hope that can never fade. As we follow our Savior through the valley of the shadow of death, we know that he has paved the way to the resurrection. Our lives can forever be part of the story of salvation, the story of self-sacrifice and obedience to the Father’s will. As we share in that story, we help to empower others to join in the story as well.
Questions for reflection
When have you experienced God’s powerful presence in your darkest trials?
How does knowing Jesus walks with you help you to overcome your struggles and experience the joy of submitting to the Father’s will?
What are some practical ways you can offer God’s comfort to someone who is longing for that same peace today?
Praying with Scripture
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. (Ps 23:4)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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About the Author
Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
