Each Wednesday evening throughout Lent, we will be meeting at Indian Valley Lutheran Church at 7pm to study the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Passion of Christ.
1. Suffering in the Garden
2. The Scourging
3. Crowning with Thorns
4. Carrying the Cross
5. The Crucifixion
If you are in the area and would like to join us, please visit www.ivlc.org for directions.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Evening Prayer Wednesday Lent 1
Reading:
Mark 4:1-20
"The Sower"
As we go through the season of Lent, there is much talk about repentance. Repentance is the turning away from sin and moving in the complete opposite direction. So for us it is turning from our sinful desires and nature towards God who is loving and ready to give us the righteousness, not the righteousness that we think we posses, rather He is giving to us the righteousness of Christ. But who does the turning?
In today's parable we see the sower who goes out and spreads the seed. Some fall on different soil. Some fell along the roadside and are picked off quick. Some fall on ground but have no roots and die off quickly. Others get choked with cares of this world. Finally some fall on good soil. But what is the good soil?
The good soil is a person who is broken, who realizes that they can not of their own reason and accord come to God. It is a person who realizes that they are a sinner and that their sin separates them from God. This person when they hear the Word of God, they will be changed by the Word because their soul will be comforted by the fact that it is no longer about their works, but rather it is about the work of God. We are passive in salvation. It is God who calls us by the Spirit, the Spirit brings us to the Son, and the Son shows us the Father. We can not do anything but decide to walk away from God's grace and mercy. That is what the other soil showed us. Those that choose to not hear the Word at all are easily picked off by Satan. Others receive it with joy, but then they realize that it is not about them and their works, or the temptations get to great or the suffering too much and they die off because they feel they are unworthy. Others start to sprout up but get distracted. In all of these it is man choosing to walk away from God. God is there with His mercy in the face of His Son.
But to those that are broken, the Word of God becomes powerful and alive. For they realize that by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the Gospel is not a theory, it is a Person and that Person is Jesus Christ. He is the one that died on the Cross to save you from your sins and make you right with His Father.
May we continue to repent daily of our sins, return to the promises of our Baptism and allow the Spirit to change the soil of our hearts so that we can produce good works for the Kingdom.
Mark 4:1-20
"The Sower"
As we go through the season of Lent, there is much talk about repentance. Repentance is the turning away from sin and moving in the complete opposite direction. So for us it is turning from our sinful desires and nature towards God who is loving and ready to give us the righteousness, not the righteousness that we think we posses, rather He is giving to us the righteousness of Christ. But who does the turning?
In today's parable we see the sower who goes out and spreads the seed. Some fall on different soil. Some fell along the roadside and are picked off quick. Some fall on ground but have no roots and die off quickly. Others get choked with cares of this world. Finally some fall on good soil. But what is the good soil?
The good soil is a person who is broken, who realizes that they can not of their own reason and accord come to God. It is a person who realizes that they are a sinner and that their sin separates them from God. This person when they hear the Word of God, they will be changed by the Word because their soul will be comforted by the fact that it is no longer about their works, but rather it is about the work of God. We are passive in salvation. It is God who calls us by the Spirit, the Spirit brings us to the Son, and the Son shows us the Father. We can not do anything but decide to walk away from God's grace and mercy. That is what the other soil showed us. Those that choose to not hear the Word at all are easily picked off by Satan. Others receive it with joy, but then they realize that it is not about them and their works, or the temptations get to great or the suffering too much and they die off because they feel they are unworthy. Others start to sprout up but get distracted. In all of these it is man choosing to walk away from God. God is there with His mercy in the face of His Son.
But to those that are broken, the Word of God becomes powerful and alive. For they realize that by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the Gospel is not a theory, it is a Person and that Person is Jesus Christ. He is the one that died on the Cross to save you from your sins and make you right with His Father.
May we continue to repent daily of our sins, return to the promises of our Baptism and allow the Spirit to change the soil of our hearts so that we can produce good works for the Kingdom.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Evening Prayer 3-10-11
Reading:
Mark 1:14-28
"the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel"
Jesus is beginning to call His disciples. These men that He chose were not men of stature within the Jewish life. They were not the teachers and scribes or priests that were always in and around the Temple. Rather Jesus begins this Apostolic ministry with choosing some brothers that were fishermen.
Notice that the disciples did not choose Jesus. He first calls them. This is how it is for each and everyone of us. God's Word calls us to faith by a work of the Holy Spirit. I do not choose God, but He chose me. He chose me because He loves me and He sent His Son to die for my sins and the sin of the whole world. You and I do not have to try to muster up the faith to be able to come to Jesus. Rather He has done it all and then out of His grace and mercy calls you to Himself. This is grace. The response to this graciousness of God is one of love and adoration. We should want to immediately leave the other stuff behind and follow after Jesus. He has called us and allowed us to share in His ministry.
So we go out into the world like fishermen. We cast out the nets into the world. Our nets are made up of the two chords of Law and Gospel. One without the other makes a net that does not stay together. The Law sends up an S.O.S. - show our sins. It shows our short comings and how we are not perfect nor are we ever going to be good enough for God. The Gospel sends up another S.O.S.- show our Savior. This is where we preach that you don't have to be good enough because God already forgave you when His Son died on the cross for you. Just accept the gift that Jesus did it all and paid it all. Many fish (men) will fall through our net because they will still cling to trying to be righteous on their own, or they will negate the Law fully and believe it does not matter how you live. Either way they fall out of the net and back into the cesspool of despair.
May as we continue our Lenten journey, may we bold in proclaiming the Law and Gospel to a lost world in need of the only Savior Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:14-28
"the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel"
Jesus is beginning to call His disciples. These men that He chose were not men of stature within the Jewish life. They were not the teachers and scribes or priests that were always in and around the Temple. Rather Jesus begins this Apostolic ministry with choosing some brothers that were fishermen.
Notice that the disciples did not choose Jesus. He first calls them. This is how it is for each and everyone of us. God's Word calls us to faith by a work of the Holy Spirit. I do not choose God, but He chose me. He chose me because He loves me and He sent His Son to die for my sins and the sin of the whole world. You and I do not have to try to muster up the faith to be able to come to Jesus. Rather He has done it all and then out of His grace and mercy calls you to Himself. This is grace. The response to this graciousness of God is one of love and adoration. We should want to immediately leave the other stuff behind and follow after Jesus. He has called us and allowed us to share in His ministry.
So we go out into the world like fishermen. We cast out the nets into the world. Our nets are made up of the two chords of Law and Gospel. One without the other makes a net that does not stay together. The Law sends up an S.O.S. - show our sins. It shows our short comings and how we are not perfect nor are we ever going to be good enough for God. The Gospel sends up another S.O.S.- show our Savior. This is where we preach that you don't have to be good enough because God already forgave you when His Son died on the cross for you. Just accept the gift that Jesus did it all and paid it all. Many fish (men) will fall through our net because they will still cling to trying to be righteous on their own, or they will negate the Law fully and believe it does not matter how you live. Either way they fall out of the net and back into the cesspool of despair.
May as we continue our Lenten journey, may we bold in proclaiming the Law and Gospel to a lost world in need of the only Savior Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ash Wednesday
During the forty days of Lent, God's baptized people cleanse their hearts through the discipline of Lent: repentance, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lent is a time which God's people prepare with joy for the Paschal Feast (Easter). It is a time in which God renews His people's zeal in faith and life. It is a time in which we pray that we may be given the fullness of grace that belongs to the children of God.
--Treasury of Daily Prayer pg. 26
--Treasury of Daily Prayer pg. 26
Evening Prayer 3-9-11
Reading:
Mark 1:1-13
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Today is Ash Wednesday. It is the first day of the Great 40 Days of Lent. This great season of the Church calls us right from the beginning to remember who we really are. When the ashes are placed upon our heads, the Pastor recalls the words..."Remember O man that dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return." We are dust that had breathed into it the breath of God so we are made in His image.
However, because of the choice of Adam and Eve in the Garden we have a problem that has marred the image that God placed in us. We have a sin problem that separates us from God. This sin problem is so great that we can not make ourselves right before God or begin to make the steps towards God. Sin makes us think that we can do it on our own and that we somehow have what it takes to stand before God. This is pride and self-righteousness that gets in our way. You are lost in your sins and need to repent from them. To repent means to turn around and walk in a different direction.
We are not without hope because as we read today, God is well pleased with His Son. His Son who is the perfect Lamb of God who has come into the world to bear the sins of all humanity is that One that He is well pleased with. He is not pleased with us, but He is pleased with His Son who died on the Cross for us and calls us by the Gospel to new life. In Baptism God causes the change in you when He removes your sinful garments and places on you the righteous robe of Christ. So when He sees you, He no longer sees your shortcomings, but the perfect life and work of His Son with whom He is pleased. Wow, that is comforting news that God does not see my imperfection but the perfection of Jesus and He accounts Jesus' righteousness to me.
May we take the time this Lenten season to really look at our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin in our lives so that we can keep a Holy Lent. By repenting may we receive the comfort of the Gospel and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:1-13
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Today is Ash Wednesday. It is the first day of the Great 40 Days of Lent. This great season of the Church calls us right from the beginning to remember who we really are. When the ashes are placed upon our heads, the Pastor recalls the words..."Remember O man that dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return." We are dust that had breathed into it the breath of God so we are made in His image.
However, because of the choice of Adam and Eve in the Garden we have a problem that has marred the image that God placed in us. We have a sin problem that separates us from God. This sin problem is so great that we can not make ourselves right before God or begin to make the steps towards God. Sin makes us think that we can do it on our own and that we somehow have what it takes to stand before God. This is pride and self-righteousness that gets in our way. You are lost in your sins and need to repent from them. To repent means to turn around and walk in a different direction.
We are not without hope because as we read today, God is well pleased with His Son. His Son who is the perfect Lamb of God who has come into the world to bear the sins of all humanity is that One that He is well pleased with. He is not pleased with us, but He is pleased with His Son who died on the Cross for us and calls us by the Gospel to new life. In Baptism God causes the change in you when He removes your sinful garments and places on you the righteous robe of Christ. So when He sees you, He no longer sees your shortcomings, but the perfect life and work of His Son with whom He is pleased. Wow, that is comforting news that God does not see my imperfection but the perfection of Jesus and He accounts Jesus' righteousness to me.
May we take the time this Lenten season to really look at our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin in our lives so that we can keep a Holy Lent. By repenting may we receive the comfort of the Gospel and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Evening Prayer 3-6-11
Reading:
John 12:20-36a
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Jesus is beginning to teach those who would listen about what is going to have to happen to Him. He knows that everything that He is doing is moving Him step by step closer to the moment when He will have to die for the sins of the world. He begins to experience in His humanity a troubled soul. The One that is perfect and without sin is beginning to feel what is expected of Him, to experience death.
Jesus in saying this that when He is lifted up will draw all people to Himself, is teaching that He will die by crucifixion. He will be nailed to the cross for the sin of the world. He will then be lifted up on high on the cross. To many it will look like complete foolishness but to those that God is saving it will become the power of God. Jesus on the Cross shows us the depth of the love of God, in that He would become man and die for His people. He did not deserve to die because He had no sin. But He came to live among us to fulfill the Law perfectly and then to die the death that we deserve. He did it though so that He could make atonement for our sins. He spilled His precious blood to cover our sins. It is when we stop looking at our works and our righteousness and focus fully on Jesus lifted high on the cross that we are drawn to Him and we are saved.
It is in the cross that we are assured of our salvation because of this perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ as our High Priest willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for all of the sin of the world. He died on the cross and then took His life back up three days later so that He could give His life to us. He defeated sin, death and Devil so that we who are in Christ have nothing to fear. There is the great hymn that states,
"Lift high the cross,
the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore His sacred name." (LSB 837)
John 12:20-36a
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Jesus is beginning to teach those who would listen about what is going to have to happen to Him. He knows that everything that He is doing is moving Him step by step closer to the moment when He will have to die for the sins of the world. He begins to experience in His humanity a troubled soul. The One that is perfect and without sin is beginning to feel what is expected of Him, to experience death.
Jesus in saying this that when He is lifted up will draw all people to Himself, is teaching that He will die by crucifixion. He will be nailed to the cross for the sin of the world. He will then be lifted up on high on the cross. To many it will look like complete foolishness but to those that God is saving it will become the power of God. Jesus on the Cross shows us the depth of the love of God, in that He would become man and die for His people. He did not deserve to die because He had no sin. But He came to live among us to fulfill the Law perfectly and then to die the death that we deserve. He did it though so that He could make atonement for our sins. He spilled His precious blood to cover our sins. It is when we stop looking at our works and our righteousness and focus fully on Jesus lifted high on the cross that we are drawn to Him and we are saved.
It is in the cross that we are assured of our salvation because of this perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ as our High Priest willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for all of the sin of the world. He died on the cross and then took His life back up three days later so that He could give His life to us. He defeated sin, death and Devil so that we who are in Christ have nothing to fear. There is the great hymn that states,
"Lift high the cross,
the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore His sacred name." (LSB 837)
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Evening Prayer 3-5-11
Reading:
John 12:1-19
"You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him."
As Jesus prepares for the Passover He is attending a meal with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Many are trying to push their way into the place to see if Lazarus was really raised from the dead. It states that many people believed because of this. Then it is on to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. This time He is greeted with loud Hosannas and praise from the people as He rides into the Holy City.
The people are at times following Him because of miracles that He performs. Often times is this not the case that people are looking for a "miracle". They want to see the face of Jesus in a piece of toast, or the Blessed Virgin in the tree. All of these things they look for to try to stimulate their faith. When they are looking for these "physical" miracles, they miss out on the miracle that really matters.
The miracle that really matters is the one where God takes flesh upon Himself and goes to a cross to die for His people. This is not as exciting as Jesus in piece of toast. It is certainly a lot less offensive then seeing God nailed to a cross. However, Jesus in a piece of toast does not save you. Jesus, God in the Flesh on the cross shedding His perfect blood for you, that is priceless. This is the miracle that is applied to your life in Holy Baptism where God takes off your filthy rags of self righteousness and changes them for the beautiful garment of Christ's righteousness that He gives you. This miracle is brought to fruition under the veil of bread and wine where you eat and drink the precious Body and Blood of Jesus. The real miracle is everytime that the Word of God is proclaimed and a sinner if called to believe in Jesus as His Lord and Savior.
But we often look in the wrong place. When we stay in God's Word and participate in the Sacraments we partake of the greatest miracle. This miracle then changes our lives so that others can see that we have been with Jesus and glorify our Father in heaven. It is when the Church, acts like the Church by preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments that people will say ," look, the world has gone after him." Amen.
John 12:1-19
"You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him."
As Jesus prepares for the Passover He is attending a meal with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Many are trying to push their way into the place to see if Lazarus was really raised from the dead. It states that many people believed because of this. Then it is on to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. This time He is greeted with loud Hosannas and praise from the people as He rides into the Holy City.
The people are at times following Him because of miracles that He performs. Often times is this not the case that people are looking for a "miracle". They want to see the face of Jesus in a piece of toast, or the Blessed Virgin in the tree. All of these things they look for to try to stimulate their faith. When they are looking for these "physical" miracles, they miss out on the miracle that really matters.
The miracle that really matters is the one where God takes flesh upon Himself and goes to a cross to die for His people. This is not as exciting as Jesus in piece of toast. It is certainly a lot less offensive then seeing God nailed to a cross. However, Jesus in a piece of toast does not save you. Jesus, God in the Flesh on the cross shedding His perfect blood for you, that is priceless. This is the miracle that is applied to your life in Holy Baptism where God takes off your filthy rags of self righteousness and changes them for the beautiful garment of Christ's righteousness that He gives you. This miracle is brought to fruition under the veil of bread and wine where you eat and drink the precious Body and Blood of Jesus. The real miracle is everytime that the Word of God is proclaimed and a sinner if called to believe in Jesus as His Lord and Savior.
But we often look in the wrong place. When we stay in God's Word and participate in the Sacraments we partake of the greatest miracle. This miracle then changes our lives so that others can see that we have been with Jesus and glorify our Father in heaven. It is when the Church, acts like the Church by preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments that people will say ," look, the world has gone after him." Amen.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Evening Prayer 3-4-11
Reading:
John 11:38-57
"Unbind him, and let him go."
This story continues with the resurrection of Lazarus. Our Lord goes to the burial site of his dear friend after he wept. He asks to have the stone removed from the entrance of the tomb. They are concerned because he had been dead for 4 days and that the body would smell. But Jesus is not concerned with this and the people do as Jesus asks.
They remove the stone and Jesus calls out "Lazarus, come out." The creator of life is calling into the tomb of death and by the power of His Word He brings forth life. Lazarus rises from the dead and comes walking out of the tomb still wearing his burial clothes. What a site this must have been. As the mourning turned to I am sure at first a bit of fear to see a dead man walking, then to joy to realize that death did not have dominion over Lazarus any longer. The Word of God does what it says, it brings about life.
It is the same with us. In the waters of Holy Baptism, God calls out and adopts you as His son. He calls out into the sinful life of our humanity and the plunges us into the waters of Baptism which is the water and the Word. We come forth out of the darkness and into the light of Christ. Because of our Baptism and being united to Jesus, Jesus says to us as well unbind him and let him go. Sin, death and the Devil no longer have you bound because you have been set free by Jesus Christ. You are free because Jesus Christ has set you free to set your mind on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. To Him be the glory. Amen.
John 11:38-57
"Unbind him, and let him go."
This story continues with the resurrection of Lazarus. Our Lord goes to the burial site of his dear friend after he wept. He asks to have the stone removed from the entrance of the tomb. They are concerned because he had been dead for 4 days and that the body would smell. But Jesus is not concerned with this and the people do as Jesus asks.
They remove the stone and Jesus calls out "Lazarus, come out." The creator of life is calling into the tomb of death and by the power of His Word He brings forth life. Lazarus rises from the dead and comes walking out of the tomb still wearing his burial clothes. What a site this must have been. As the mourning turned to I am sure at first a bit of fear to see a dead man walking, then to joy to realize that death did not have dominion over Lazarus any longer. The Word of God does what it says, it brings about life.
It is the same with us. In the waters of Holy Baptism, God calls out and adopts you as His son. He calls out into the sinful life of our humanity and the plunges us into the waters of Baptism which is the water and the Word. We come forth out of the darkness and into the light of Christ. Because of our Baptism and being united to Jesus, Jesus says to us as well unbind him and let him go. Sin, death and the Devil no longer have you bound because you have been set free by Jesus Christ. You are free because Jesus Christ has set you free to set your mind on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. To Him be the glory. Amen.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Evening Prayer 3-3-11
Reading:
John 11:17-37
"I am the resurrection and the life."
Lazarus was a close friend whom Jesus loved. Today's reading includes the shortest verse and yet one of the most profound verses in the Bible, "Jesus wept." Our Savior and God experienced in His humanity what it felt like to lose a loved one to the cold grave of death. He saw and experienced the mourning that occurs when a family loses someone whom they love to the grave. He saw and experienced that lost and it touched His heart. God who knew that because of mankind's sin had to die, saw it, felt the effect on those left behind and He wept. Death is the cruel equalizer, because unless Jesus returns before hand, it is the one thing that every human being must and will experience.
But this reading today is really filled with such hope and comfort. Jesus is quite clear when speaking with Martha that she will see her brother again. She did not understand that Lazarus was going to be raised again in front of her. But Jesus goes on to say "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." This is profound for you see we are not just physical beings and when we die we go to nothing. Rather we have a soul that is created in the image of God. This soul lives for eternity. Though we lay the body in the ground, we know that the soul lives on and as we profess in our great Creeds of Faith we believe in the resurrection of the body. When Jesus returns to reign, we will all receive our resurrected bodies and be like Him in glorification.
There is such hope in these words of Jesus when being faced with death. We need not fear death because Jesus Christ overcame death and the grave. He swallowed it up when He rose again victorious on Easter morning. This is the hope that all Christians have that He overcame the power of death and it no longer has dominion. Death has no more power because Jesus Christ lives. His perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection assures us that we have nothing fear because our salvation is based fully on that perfect work of His. Trust Jesus that He will forgive you of your sins and lead you to everlasting life. Amen.
John 11:17-37
"I am the resurrection and the life."
Lazarus was a close friend whom Jesus loved. Today's reading includes the shortest verse and yet one of the most profound verses in the Bible, "Jesus wept." Our Savior and God experienced in His humanity what it felt like to lose a loved one to the cold grave of death. He saw and experienced the mourning that occurs when a family loses someone whom they love to the grave. He saw and experienced that lost and it touched His heart. God who knew that because of mankind's sin had to die, saw it, felt the effect on those left behind and He wept. Death is the cruel equalizer, because unless Jesus returns before hand, it is the one thing that every human being must and will experience.
But this reading today is really filled with such hope and comfort. Jesus is quite clear when speaking with Martha that she will see her brother again. She did not understand that Lazarus was going to be raised again in front of her. But Jesus goes on to say "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." This is profound for you see we are not just physical beings and when we die we go to nothing. Rather we have a soul that is created in the image of God. This soul lives for eternity. Though we lay the body in the ground, we know that the soul lives on and as we profess in our great Creeds of Faith we believe in the resurrection of the body. When Jesus returns to reign, we will all receive our resurrected bodies and be like Him in glorification.
There is such hope in these words of Jesus when being faced with death. We need not fear death because Jesus Christ overcame death and the grave. He swallowed it up when He rose again victorious on Easter morning. This is the hope that all Christians have that He overcame the power of death and it no longer has dominion. Death has no more power because Jesus Christ lives. His perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection assures us that we have nothing fear because our salvation is based fully on that perfect work of His. Trust Jesus that He will forgive you of your sins and lead you to everlasting life. Amen.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Evening Prayer 3-2-11
Reading:
John 11:1-16
"This illness does not lead to death."
Lazarus has a special place in the heart of Jesus. He was one whom it specifically mentions that Jesus loved. Jesus was also very close with Mary and Martha. So when Lazarus became ill, it would be perfectly expected of Mary and Martha that they would call for Jesus. However, in this situation, Jesus did not just immediately respond. Instead He waits a few days and then goes to see them.
Jesus tells the disciples that Lazarus has died. But He tells them that this has occurred so that He can show forth the glory of God and that He may be glorified in it. Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead again and that this was just a temporary "falling asleep". Jesus is preparing to shine the light of His divinity on this situation and show that He is the resurrection and the life.
Lazarus' illness, may have only led to a temporary death for him. But we have a problem called sin. Sin leads to eternal death. It causes us to be separated from God and nothing that WE do can ever bring us back into a right relationship with Him. We fall short every day of what God intended us to be. You know the Law and feel it's bite everytime you make a mistake and miss the mark. You know that you are not in a right standing with God.
But there is Good News. This sin illness does not have to make us die and eternal death. Jesus Christ came to live among us so that He could give Himself up for us. This means that Jesus Christ is the perfect God Man. He took all of the sin of the world upon Himself and He nailed it to the Cross of Calvary where He spilled His precious blood to cover them all. This is your hope that Jesus who laid down His life and then took it back up on Easter morning is your righteousness. He is the one that stands blameless before the Father and pleads for us. "Lord forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus is your way to Heaven. He is the one that lights the way. He is the one that promises that death no longer has a hold on you. He has given you a free gift, it is yours without ever having asked for it. May you hear the Word of God that you are saved on account of Jesus Christ alone and trust in Him for your salvation. Amen.
John 11:1-16
"This illness does not lead to death."
Lazarus has a special place in the heart of Jesus. He was one whom it specifically mentions that Jesus loved. Jesus was also very close with Mary and Martha. So when Lazarus became ill, it would be perfectly expected of Mary and Martha that they would call for Jesus. However, in this situation, Jesus did not just immediately respond. Instead He waits a few days and then goes to see them.
Jesus tells the disciples that Lazarus has died. But He tells them that this has occurred so that He can show forth the glory of God and that He may be glorified in it. Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead again and that this was just a temporary "falling asleep". Jesus is preparing to shine the light of His divinity on this situation and show that He is the resurrection and the life.
Lazarus' illness, may have only led to a temporary death for him. But we have a problem called sin. Sin leads to eternal death. It causes us to be separated from God and nothing that WE do can ever bring us back into a right relationship with Him. We fall short every day of what God intended us to be. You know the Law and feel it's bite everytime you make a mistake and miss the mark. You know that you are not in a right standing with God.
But there is Good News. This sin illness does not have to make us die and eternal death. Jesus Christ came to live among us so that He could give Himself up for us. This means that Jesus Christ is the perfect God Man. He took all of the sin of the world upon Himself and He nailed it to the Cross of Calvary where He spilled His precious blood to cover them all. This is your hope that Jesus who laid down His life and then took it back up on Easter morning is your righteousness. He is the one that stands blameless before the Father and pleads for us. "Lord forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus is your way to Heaven. He is the one that lights the way. He is the one that promises that death no longer has a hold on you. He has given you a free gift, it is yours without ever having asked for it. May you hear the Word of God that you are saved on account of Jesus Christ alone and trust in Him for your salvation. Amen.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Lutheran Confession Quote
"On the other hand, we hold and believe, according to the simple words of Christ's testament, the true, yet supernatural eating of Christ's body and also the drinking of His blood. Human senses and reason do not comprehend. But, as in all other articles of faith, our reason is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
Formula, Epitome VII Lord's Supper 42
Formula, Epitome VII Lord's Supper 42
Evening Prayer 3-1-11
Reading:
John 10:22-42
"I and the Father are one."
This is one of the more important facets of the teachings of Jesus Christ. In this statement Jesus is teaching that He is God in the flesh. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is one that is hard to grasp. The Father is not Son, the Son is not the Father, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father or the Son. Yet they are not three god's but one God. St. Athanasius was an early Christian Father who penned the Athanasian Creed. This Creed attempts to spell out the correct teaching of the Holy Trinity as understood by the Church catholic. You can read this creed here.
Jesus then teaches that we are sheep that follow the voice of the Shepherd. Sheep are really dumb animals however, they will not follow just anyone's voice. They will follow the voice of the Shepherd. Jesus promises us that since we are His sheep no one will be able to snatch us from Him. He is the protector of the sheep and this is why we follow Him, because He loves us to the point that He will lay down His life for the sheep.
Christianity is so hard to understand from our viewpoint. Why would God do this? Why would God leave His throne in Glory to become man and then die for us? He does it because He loves you and He is showing you His love by laying down His life for you. In doing so, He then imparts His divine life to you through the Word and the Sacraments. So Jesus calls you to Himself and then gives you His life to flow through you by partaking of the Sacraments. In doing so you have the Divine life flowing through you so that you can go and do good works and bring the love of Jesus to others.
John 10:22-42
"I and the Father are one."
This is one of the more important facets of the teachings of Jesus Christ. In this statement Jesus is teaching that He is God in the flesh. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is one that is hard to grasp. The Father is not Son, the Son is not the Father, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father or the Son. Yet they are not three god's but one God. St. Athanasius was an early Christian Father who penned the Athanasian Creed. This Creed attempts to spell out the correct teaching of the Holy Trinity as understood by the Church catholic. You can read this creed here.
Jesus then teaches that we are sheep that follow the voice of the Shepherd. Sheep are really dumb animals however, they will not follow just anyone's voice. They will follow the voice of the Shepherd. Jesus promises us that since we are His sheep no one will be able to snatch us from Him. He is the protector of the sheep and this is why we follow Him, because He loves us to the point that He will lay down His life for the sheep.
Christianity is so hard to understand from our viewpoint. Why would God do this? Why would God leave His throne in Glory to become man and then die for us? He does it because He loves you and He is showing you His love by laying down His life for you. In doing so, He then imparts His divine life to you through the Word and the Sacraments. So Jesus calls you to Himself and then gives you His life to flow through you by partaking of the Sacraments. In doing so you have the Divine life flowing through you so that you can go and do good works and bring the love of Jesus to others.
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