The Upper Room 2nd February 2024 Devotional Message
The Upper Room 2nd February 2024 Devotional, Friday Message by Pete Velander (Tennessee, USA)
TOPIC: Given for You
TODAY’S READING
Luke 18:15-17
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” – Luke 18:16 (NIV)
It was an exciting Sunday for my daughter Petra. She would be receiving Communion for the first time at our new church.
Petra was excited. Finally our turn came to receive the elements. When Petra stood in front of the pastor, he instinctively placed his hand on her head and offered the children’s blessing, forgetting that she was supposed to receive Communion that Sunday. As she turned to walk back to our pew I could see the crestfallen look on Petra’s face. “It’s okay,” I said, “he just forgot.” “I know, Dad. It’s fine.” But I could see that it wasn’t.
But then, as the pastor was covering the Communion elements, he took one wafer and one small cup and began walking down the aisle toward the back of the church. He made his way to the middle of the row where Petra was sitting and spoke the words, “The Body of Christ broken for you, the Blood of Christ shed for you.” That experience remains for me a powerful and tender reminder that Jesus comes to each of us. We are not forgotten.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Inviting God, we are grateful that you come to each of us with signs that we belong to you. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God sees me; I am not forgotten.
PRAYER FOCUS
Children receiving Communion for the first time
The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.