Grace Evangelical-Lutheran: February 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Acts 16,9-15. Sexagesima Sunday

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum

Acts 16,9-15 1414

Sexagesimä 021

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, and disciple of the Apostle John. Martyr 155

Serenus the Gardener, Martyr at Sirmium, Serbia 307

23. Februar 2014

1. O Most, Loving Father, who wills us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing except the loss of You, and to cast all our cares on You who cares for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which You have manifested unto us in Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord (The Book of Common Prayer 165).

2. »And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying: „Come over to Macedonia and help us.“ And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying: „If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.“ And she prevailed upon us.«

3. Jesus teaches us in this morning’s Gospel Lection that the gospel proclamation does not yield faith in every location where it is preached. This, however, should not discourage the proclamation of the gospel, for we do not know when and where such preaching will create faith in those who hear it. In Acts 16, the Apostle Paul, along with Silas, Luke and Timothy, travelled to Philippi to preach the gospel. The city had a thriving Greek population and it was popular with Roman legionaries who retired there. The Jewish population was so sparse that there was no synagogue in the city. On the Sabbath they only found a few Jewish women gathered for prayer. St. Paul spoke to them of Jesus, His crucifixion and resurrection. Only Lydia heard the gospel and believed. She and her household were then baptized, and a small church was established. We see in this how grace is passively received.

4. Since grace is passively received, then it can be resisted and rejected. There are three (3) ways the gospel is rejected:

1. The devil arrives and takes away the gospel from people before faith is created.

2. Times of testing prove too great, and the person leaves the faith.

3. The cares, riches and pleasures of life become more important than faith, and in the end a person’s faith is choked out.

These reasons explain why, despite our faithful efforts to preach the gospel, many either do not believe or simply fall away after a time. But where is it with you? The devil has not snatched the gospel from you since you now believe. But what of times of testing? Are you wrestling with some trial that is putting your faith to the test? Are you pondering whether it is worth all the hardship and struggle that attends being a Christian? It reminds me of an old spiritual:

”These clothes may be ragged that I’m wearing,

heavy is the load that I’m bearing,

these burdens that I’m carrying“ (Johnson, Verse 2).

5. Listen to the Apostle James’ exhortation on spiritual tests: »Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Blessed are you who remain steadfast under trial, for when you have stood the test you will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him« (James 1,2-4.12). God gives you spiritual tests, not to dismantle your faith, but to make your faith stronger and your trust in Him more secure. The end result is the reward of sanctification in this life and eternal life in heaven. Thus the old spiritual reassures us:

„The road is rough,

the going gets tough,

and the hills are hard to climb.

I started out a long time ago,

there’s no doubt in my mind;“ (Johnson, Chorus)

I rejoice in Jesus, God’s choice!

6. Or perhaps the riches and pleasures of this world threaten to become more important to you than God and His Church. How many people do you see on TV who have it all: cars, houses, a lavish bank account and all that without any acknowledgement of Christ? They are living the life of luxury, and that lure of money and ease tempts you to follow likewise. How easy it would be to obtain your own prosperous lifestyle if you did not have your Christian faith and piety holding you back from doing whatever is necessary to reach the good life. The old spiritual sums this attitude up:

„Some folks would rather have houses and land,

some folks choose silver and gold,

these things they treasure and forget about their souls.“ (Johnson, Verse 1).

The Apostle Paul describes true wealth that all Christians should strive for: »Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written:„Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.“ To the contrary, „if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.“ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good« (Romans 12,9-21).

7. The Holy Spirit desires to bring each of you to the fruition of faith which is that the gospel reaches you, it creates faith in you and it grows to a harvest of an hundredfold. You may struggle against this harvest, tempted by harsh testings or worldly wealth to forsake the Spirit and His Word, but the Holy Spirit is determined to bring each of you into a bountiful harvest. Jesus promises: »Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or spouse or siblings or parents or children, for the sake of the reign of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life« (Luke 18,29-30).

8. Such promises comfort us because often it seems as if the gospel is thwarted and hindered at every turn. People reject it, our culture continues to turn its back on the Christian principles that form the foundation of our civilization and we are ridiculed and mocked for our faith in Christ Jesus. After Paul’s first sermon in Philippi, only Lydia and her family were converted by the Holy Spirit. Her family had left their old life and beliefs and had embraced the Christian faith. In doing so, they gained far more than they lost. They received the assurance of forgiveness, the promise of salvation and were brought into the larger Church family that was now leaving the confines of Judea and Jerusalem and was now being planted in Europe. The small church in Philippi was among the first of these European congregations to be established by the apostles and their gospel preaching.

9. In many ways, we are like that newborn Philippian church. The opportunities around us are promising and ripe for planting. Let us throw the gospel seed about us and trust in the Holy Spirit to create and cultivate faith in Christ from our proclamation. Let us support this preaching with our prayers, our talents and our offerings. Let us trust the Holy Spirit to do great works through us in this place so that the Name of Jesus is glorified and people believe in Him. Amen.

10. Let us pray. O Holy Spirit, today we have heard Christ’s voice; help us to have hearts wide open to receive the comfort You bring so that whatever we face in this life we know that we face with Christ beside us who will see us through for His glory.

To God alone be the Glory

Soli Deo Gloria

✠

All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 by the Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 27. Edition © 1993 by Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart.

Johnson, Harrison. I’ve Decided to Make Jesus My Choice.

Löhe, Wilhelm. Seed-Grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians. Wartburg Publishing House, Chicago circa 1912. Concordia Publishing House; Concordia on Demand.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Romans 8,14-24. Septuagesima Sunday

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum

Romans 8,14-24 1314

Septuagesimä 020

Onesimus, disciple and helper of Paul, Bishop of Byzantium, Martyr at Rome, 90 or 95

Philip Melanchthon (birth), Confessor

16. Februar 2014

1. O Heavenly Father, gracious in mercy and justice, You sent Your Only-begotten Son to redeem us from sin and the curse of sin. We are prideful. We are demanding. We fail to fully comprehend Your good will. Pour out upon us God the Holy Spirit and give us the same mind as Your Beloved Son, Christ Jesus, for as He teaches us in today’s parable, You give eternal life equally to all people regardless of who they are. Help us to spread the joy of this parable to our borough and neighbors for in doing so we are pointing them to Jesus who brings the good gift of life everlasting. Amen.

2. »For For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry: „Abba! Father!“ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, since we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?«

3. Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel Lection: »For the reign of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.... And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman: „Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.“ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. So the last will be first, and the first last.« (Matthew 20,1.8-9.16).

4. In this parable, Jesus teaches that His grace is undeserved. The last are first, the first are last and everyone, including those in the middle, all receive a generous payment. In the parable, the vineyard owner pays everyone a full day’s wage. In the spiritual realm, Jesus teaches that all who believe, whether it is from their infancy, their adolescence or on their deathbed, all who believe in Jesus as their Savior are saved. The Apostle Paul writes it this way in his Epistle to the Romans: »For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons« (Romans 8,14-15). The Gospel according to Matthew and the St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans both show us the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5. In a capitalist economy, the action of the vineyard owner might be viewed as unfair to those who have worked longer hours in their labor. Where is their overtime or bonus for working all day as opposed to those who put in a mere hour in the vineyard? In an economic setting, such questions are rightly asked and overtime or bonuses rightly may be expected, although not always demanded. Likewise, an adopted child might ask his or her parents: Do you love your natural born children more than me? Siblings often ask at some point when they are young: Do you love me equally with my brothers and sisters. If some siblings are adopted, this question may take be an anxious concern. Usually, the question is asked by a sibling to quell their concerns that maybe mom and dad love their brothers and sisters more than him or her. Perhaps they see how they are treated differently or encouraged to participate in other activities or hobbies. They want reassurance that mom and dad really do love them. On the other hand, the sibling may be asking the question for selfish reasons because they feel they deserve to be loved more because they are the firstborn, the better student or the best behaved child in the family. It is easy to imagine how a sibling might tease an adopted brother or sister by telling them that mom and dad don’t love them as much as they do me because you’re adopted. We all want the validation that me, and me alone, deserve love above and beyond everyone else in the family.

6. In human families, parents obviously love all their children, but clearly they love each child differently. Some children need more encouragement, attention or discipline than their siblings. It is the way it is. Even Jesus loved his apostles and disciples differently. Peter, Andrew, James and John seem to form an inner circle with Jesus as they are privileged to experience activities and dialogues of Jesus that the other eight did not. Take last week’s Gospel Lection: only Peter, James and John witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. Mary Magdalene was also a close disciple, and she alone was the first to see the risen Lord on Easter. But these instances do make the case that Jesus did not love all His apostles and disciples. He did indeed love them, but some were closer to Him than others. We experience this in our families and friendships: we are closer to some siblings, but we love all of them; we have close friends among our group of friends, but we love all of them. Thus we share certain events and activities with certain siblings and friends but not others.

7. In His parable, Jesus reveals that the workers hired at the beginning of the day are slighted and offended when they receive the same daily wage as those hired later. This attitude reveals our corrupt human nature that feels and believes that we are owed our wage. We were hired, we worked all day long and we earned our wage. Those who worked a single hour did not earn their daily wage. In the spiritual realm, this sinful attitude manifests itself with the belief that we earn our salvation; but Jesus condemns this wrong attitude which boasts that we deserve it as one who has faithfully served Yahweh all our lives. First in the Gospels, Jesus challenges and condemns this attitude as it was expressed by many of His Jewish peers. Most of the Pharisees believed that you earned your way into heaven and eternal life. Many of them honestly believed that they had indeed earned the right to sit at the heavenly banquet feast because they had kept, nay, they had gone beyond what the Mosaic covenant demanded. They were righteous, pious, saved and the first in line because all their good works obedient to the law proved them to be those who gave 200% of what the covenant demanded. Christians are still prone to fall into this phariseeism too. We might even say we are justified by faith through grace without the works of the law, but deep down in our corrupt heart we hold onto the thought: „yes, but I do deserve it because I’ve tried to be a good Christian.“ We are loathe to give up that little bit of works-righteousness on our part that tells us we did at least earn it in some small, infinitesimal manner. We often convince ourselves that we earned our salvation with our small contribution to believe the gospel. Truly our human nature is corrupt because we want to hold on for dear life some tiny semblance of earning our righteousness instead of just receiving it as a gift freely given by God.

8. Jesus is trying to get this idea of gift and Giver past our thick skulls so that it permeates our minds and hearts and sets us free in gospel liberty. In the parable, Jesus explains that it does not matter if you are first or last, righteous or sinner, because all of you are going to enjoy the benefits of eternal life in heaven based on the gospel that He gives you the gift of salvation and righteousness. It doesn’t matter if you are a natural son of God (a Jewish person who believes in Christ) or an adopted son of God (a Gentile person who believes in Christ), because God loves them both as His sons and both are saved on account of Christ.

9. This is a challenging teaching to comprehend. Even the apostles, yes, the closest of Jesus’ apostles did not comprehend the vastness of God’s mercy. Following today’s Gospel Lection, Jesus tells His apostles for the third time that He is going up to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise again (Matthew 20,17-19). Then James and John ask Jesus to grant them the prestigious honor of being seated at His right and left when He enters into His glory. They did not understand what they were asking, for the places of honor at Jesus’ glory were the crosses to His right and left sides on Good Friday.

10. On that cross, Jesus became last in the eyes of His Heavenly Father so that we would become first in God’s eyes. Jesus became the sinner, bearing all the world’s sinfulness, so that we would become righteous. Jesus fulfilled the law, so that we would be set free in the gospel. Jesus became the son dishonored on the cross so that we would become sons and daughters adopted into His family. The crucified Christ is the Christ who is seated in His glory, for there He is the Son of God laying down His life for all mankind.

11. By this act of obedience and vicarious sacrifice, Jesus has redeemed all mankind back to God the Father. In Holy Baptism, the Triune God washes our sins clean and adopts us into the Heavenly family. In this Holy Sacrament, the Triune God declares us first in His sight. Thus the Apostle Paul writes: » The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, since we share the same suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.« Being a child of God does not exempt us from suffering and tribulation. Jesus Himself endured such contempt from the world, and we who bear His Name will also suffer for the mere fact that we are heirs of heaven. But Paul will not let us dwell on that suffering, for he quickly moves us to the glory of heavenly life: »We consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.«

12. „Al those who have left anything behind for the sake of Jesus’ Name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. In light of this promise, all comparing now must be put aside. For this is how it is in the reign of God. The last will be first, and the first will be last“ (Gibbs 993). We are not to compare ourselves to others and boast that we have been a Christian longer than they have been. We are not to boast that we have toiled longer, suffered more and patiently endured it while other Christians have suffered less and complained more than have we. Everyone is equal in the heavenly reign. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with Peter who preached the gospel in Rome and was martyred for his faith, Paul who traveled 10,000 miles across the Mediterranean preaching the gospel and was also martyred in Rome, Mary Magdalene who first beheld and embraced the risen Jesus and Martin Luther who preached the gospel in all its purity, yes, we stand with them as heirs who receive the same reward and inheritance of everlasting life, because every Christian receives the same gracious gift of salvation. And yet, even more, for Jesus promises that in His heavenly reign we will recoup one hundredfold what we suffered as loss in this temporal life because we remained steadfast in the Christian faith. The gift of eternal life and the rich blessings that await us in Yahweh’s presence are incomparable to all the wealth on this terrestrial earth. Do not despair. Be of good cheer. Remain steadfast in the faith that clings to Jesus alone for salvation and forgiveness. For the gift of eternal life by God’s grace is a treasure that surpasses all others. „God has His own way with each one of us. He is the Lord; we are given to by Him who is bountiful beyond deserving or calculation“ (Nagel 66). Amen.

12. Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, we present our pleas before You because of Your great mercy; hear our petitions and graciously answer them so that we may remain steadfast on You when the tribulations of this world would drive us from You. Amen.

To God alone be the Glory

Soli Deo Gloria

✠

Löhe, Wilhelm. Seed-Grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians. Wartburg Publishing House, Chicago circa 1912. Concordia Publishing House; Concordia on Demand.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

2. Peter 1,16-21. The Last Sunday after Epiphany (Transfiguration)

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum

2. Peter 1,16-19[20-21] 1214

Letzter Sonntag nach Epiphanias 019

Apollonia, well-known Virgin at Alexandria, Martyr 249

9. Februar 2014

1. O God, whose Blessed Son was manifested so that He might destroy the works of the devil, make us the sons of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant us, we beseech Thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as He is pure; so that, when He shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom; where with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, He liveth and reigneth, ever O God, world without end. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer 76).

2. In his 2. Epistle, the Apostle Peter recounts the events from today’s Gospel Lection: For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the Voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory: »This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,« we ourselves heard this very Voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

3. St. Peter begins by reminding us that the apostolic gospel proclamation of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is not some »cleverly devised myth«. We need to pause and unpack that for a moment, because the way we understand myth is different from the way 1. century Greeks, Romans and Jews understood myth. Your average 21. century American hears the word „myth“ and understands it as an invented story or an imaginary person. Examples of such an understanding of myth are: the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny. We know these creatures do not exist but their stories serve as important events in a our children’s lives. This is not how people in the 1. century understood a myth. For them, a myth was a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning an hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that was concerned with deities and explained some practice, rite or natural phenomenon. The Greeks and Romans had a well-devised mythology of gods and goddesses to explain creation and why things happened in the world. One such ancient myth is the Flood. Every culture, on every continent, has a Flood myth. The specific details differ from one culture to another, but at the core these Flood myths share four common details: 1. There was a universal destruction of the human race and all land creatures by water; 2. An ark or boat was provided as the means to escape the Flood’s destruction; 3. A family or small group of people was preserved from the global deluge and they perpetuated the human race; and 4. The wickedness of man is often given as the cause of the Flood (Rehwinkel 128). Another interesting connection to this myth is the Chinese word for „boat“ which is comprised of three characters: vessel, eight and people. Here we see how the ancient understanding of myth actually involves an historic event and attempts to explain that event for succeeding generations.

4. So when the Apostle Peter says: »We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ« he is stating that the gospel of Christ is not some myth like Zeus or Poseidon who were created to explain the world, but the gospel of Christ is grounded in historical facts and events. The apostle then declares: »we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.« The event Peter is referring to specifically in this epistle is the transfiguration of Jesus. No one has seen Zeus ride the clouds and hurl thunderbolts during a storm. No one has seen Poseidon rise from the waves and direct a catastrophic flood. Peter, however, says he and his fellow apostles saw Jesus in His Divine Glory.

5. The two great prophets of the old testament descended at Jesus’ transfiguration to discuss with Jesus His impending death (Luke 9,31). Six days earlier Jesus had spoken to His disciples about this very topic. Matthew tells us: »From that time on, Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, but on the third day be raised from the dead« (Matthew 16,21-22).

6. The disciples were uncomfortable with this talk of suffering and dying, for this did not fit their idea of who the Christ was supposed to be. Peter even tried to prevent Jesus from walking down this path of the Suffering Servant (Matthew 16,22), but Jesus’ transfiguration impressed upon Peter, James and John that the Law and the Prophets were all about Jesus and His death and resurrection. On Mt. Tabor these three disciples saw with their own eyes that Jesus is the very God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Jesus is the Son of God who appeared to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24,9-18). Jesus is the Son of God who spoke to Elijah on Mt. Horeb (1. Kings 19). Jesus is the Son of God, incarnate in human flesh, who was born of the virgin Mary so He could suffer, be crucified and rise again. This Jesus, transfigured in His glory, is God in their midst who had arrived to save you, me and all mankind from our sinfulness.

7. The apostle also testifies that he heard the very Voice of God the Father who said: »This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.« The apostle proclaims that this Divine Voice is the very prophetic word that God has spoken to His people since the creation of the world. This word, recorded by the Prophets in the old testament, is the sure and certain word of God. This prophetic word is grounded in human history that is witnessed by people. Jesus was born, and angels, shepherds and magi bore witness of His birth. Jesus was crucified, and Roman legal records, John and the women testify to that grim event. Jesus rose from His tomb, and Mary Magdalene, the apostles and even 500 disciples stood among this risen Jesus. This historical connection is what separates the gospel from myth. The gospel is a legendary story of a Divine Hero that is attested to by witnesses, history and documentation. People saw Jesus. They were healed by Him. He made a real difference in their lives. These events were passed on to others via oral traditions and written accounts.

8. There are always people who challenge the historicity of the Gospels. They might argue that the Evangelists embellished the words and deeds of Jesus in their Gospels. They might claim that there is no evidence of Jesus and His life. In the end, the inerrancy and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures are called into question, so that at the end of the debate they argue that the Bible is nothing more than a Christian myth on par with the Greco-Roman myths from the 1. century. All this deconstruction of the Bible occurs to cast doubt upon Jesus and His ministry.

9. Peter challenged these creative theories two thousand years before they became foundational planks in many liberal theologians’ worldview. Peter says the Holy Scriptures are sure and certain, for they are not the creative interpretation of men but they are the very words of God who inspired the prophets, evangelists and apostles to speak and record them. Thus God connects His word with His actions in history. People might deny that the Flood occurred, but every culture has a Flood story that agrees on several key points. The Flood did occur, and it so impacted the sons of Noah that they passed on the story to their descendants who after Babel continued to tell the story in their own languages. Jesus was crucified, and Pilate and Roman historians attest to that event. Jesus rose from the grave, and over 500 witnesses claim to have seen and touched Him. These historical connections lend evidence to the veracity of God’s Word. Thus the Apostle Paul tells Timothy: »All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work« (2. Timothy 3,16-17). The Apostle Peter writes: »No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.« Both apostles are speaking about the inspiration and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures.

10. The Apostle Peter says He saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain. He saw Moses and Elijah converse with Him. He realized this was another epiphany of Jesus’ Divinity. Jesus is greater than Moses, Elijah and all the old testament. Jesus is God in the flesh, and this Son of God died and rose again in order to redeem every man, woman and child from sin, death and Hades. The apostles proclaimed this gospel, people believed, churches were established and the gospel continued to be proclaimed. It is our responsibility and duty as Christians who are gathered in this local church to ensure that the gospel continues to be preached in purity. We live in a world darkened by sin, corrupted by vices and enamored with reason. The gospel of Christ Jesus is a light that shines in these dark places and liberates those bound to their sins. Jesus’ transfiguration gives us a glimpse of His Divine Glory, and each week His Scriptures are read and preached for the edification of our faith in Him so that we can go out and be lights to our neighbors in their darkest hour of need. Amen.

11. Let us pray. O Christ Jesus, the Brilliance of the Eternal Light and a Stainless Mirror of that Divine power and an Icon of goodness, pour upon us the Holy Spirit so that as we are returned to everyday life after experiencing the Glory of Jesus in the Word and Sacraments, we take with us the shining light of Christ and His mercy so as to endure the world and the suffering that attends it in our lives (ELKB).

To God alone be the Glory

Soli Deo Gloria

✠

Löhe, Wilhelm. Seed-Grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians. Wartburg Publishing House, Chicago circa 1912. Concordia Publishing House; Concordia on Demand.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Genesis 8,1-12. 4. Sunday after Epiphany

✠ One Message: Christ crucified and risen for you ✠

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum

Genesis 8,1-12 1114

4. Sonntag nach Epiphanias 017

Purification of Mary and the Presentation of our Lord

2. Februar 2014

1. O Almighty and Everlasting God, who does govern all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of Your holy and redeemed people, and in our time grant us Your peace (Book of Common Prayer 164), for we live in a world that is cursed by You on account of Adam’s sin, and although he was the first human being to sin, we, too, are born with the Old Adam’s original sin in our bodies and souls, so that we also are sinful by nature through and through, and therefore we indeed bear the burden of this world’s thorns and thistles. In the winter, the cursed sky pounds us with heavy snowfalls, freezing temperatures, and howling winds, and if it were not for Your Fatherly Providence, we would soon perish just as the disciples feared would happen to them upon the Sea of Galilee. Be merciful to us, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ, whose voice the storms and snowfalls of this earth heed and obey, and grant us relief from our sufferings that we endure through the toils and tribulations of this accursed creation, so that we, and creation itself, may be granted a gracious reprieve and praise You as our Creator and Provider in all things. Amen.

2. »But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore.«

3. The Holy Scriptures tell us that Yahweh is the God who created all things and who has authority over all creation, including the wind and the waves. In Genesis 8, we hear after The Flood had deluged the world: »Now God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters continually receded from the earth.« (Genesis 8,1-3). The Psalmist later proclaims: »Yahweh rebuked the Reed Sea, and it became dry, and He led Israel through the deep as through a desert« (Psalm 106,9). And again: »Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven« (Psalm 107,28-30).

4. In the Scriptures I quoted, the wind and waves are threatening God’s chosen people, and He thus acts to save them from that threat. In Genesis, the Flood waters had covered the earth for five months, and God dried up the water so the ark can ground itself on dry land and Noah and his family disembark to become stewards over the world. In the Psalms, the Psalmist is recounting the Exodus where the sea blocked Israel’s escape from Pharaoh, and God parts the waters so they can safely escape on dry ground. In our Gospel Lection, Jesus has been preaching, teaching and healing in his hometown province of Galilee. Most of His ministry is centered in and around Galilee, particularly along the seashore of the Sea of Galilee. When He enters the boat and crosses over to the other side, He is leaving Jewish territory and entering Gentile territory with its ten Gentile towns scattered among Jewish settlements. While in transit, a storm arises on the Sea of Galilee that threatens to sink the boat upon which Jesus and His disciples are traveling.

5. In the first four chapters of the Gospel according to Mark, Jesus has been quite busy in Galilee. He has preached in numerous towns, called many of His disciples and done several miracles. Such demonstrations of His Divine power included: exorcizing an unclean spirit (Mark 1,21-28), healing many who were sick or oppressed with demons (1,30.32), cleansed a leper (1,40-45), healed and forgiven a paralyzed man (2,1-12) and healed a man with a withered hand (3,1-6). Each of these showed His Divine power and authority, particularly when He forgave the paralyzed man of his sins and then healed his paralysis as proof of His authority to forgive sin (2,10-12). Calming the wind and the waves is a further manifestation of His Divine authority and power.

6. His disciples witnessed these miracles and were profoundly challenged by them. They were amazed that Jesus could not only heal a paralytic, but also forgive his sins by His very own authority (2,12). Only God may forgive sin by His very own authority. When they had crossed over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, the disciples were greatly afraid because even the forces of nature obey Jesus will and word (4,41).

7. In Mark’s Gospel fear relative to Jesus is a sign of Divine activity, especially Divine saving activity (Voelz 337). The disciples are confused by the ambiguous picture presented by Jesus, who sleeps through a storm, seems unconcerned by their plight, then exerts control over nature with a mere word, even as does Yahweh (Voelz 337). This is also a challenge that we face: How often does Jesus seem unconcerned about our trial or tribulation, seemingly sleeping peacefully in heaven when we are fervently praying to Him to rescue us? Such a concern is the result of our doubting, sinful nature. In the first four chapters of the Gospel according to Mark, the evangelist points out that Jesus is indeed concerned about us and our tribulations. Jesus came to this earth to save fallen men and women, and His calming of the storm is yet another manifestation of His saving activity.

8. The Gospel according to Mark (like the other three Gospels) presents a Divine Jesus who is fully God and fully man in one person. The Gospel challenges the conventional wisdom of who Jesus is. Some argue that Jesus is merely a moral teacher and preacher. Mark tells us that Jesus did indeed teach and preach, and such teaching involved some moral codes of conduct. But if you only look to Jesus as a great teacher and philosopher (which is the favorite approach in 21. century America), then you do not have the complete Jesus. Others might emphasize the miracles and healings of Jesus, such as is common among many televangelists on TV. Again, Jesus did miracles and healed people; Mark records a number of these signs. But if you only look to Jesus as a great physician who exists only to be at your prayerful beck and call to intervene in every minuté aspect of your life, then you do not have the Jesus of the Gospels. Furthermore, the Gospels tell us that Jesus is the Son of God who forgives sins. Many people are not comfortable with this sort of Jesus. People will balk at such discussion of Jesus because now you are moving from the realm of a comfortable Jesus who does not make demands upon me to the realm of a challenging Jesus who expands our religious horizons. If Jesus is God, and if He forgives sins, then that calls for a decision: do I accept and follow this Jesus or do I not?

9. This is where the disciples are at early in Jesus’ ministry in Mark 4. The disciples know that humans cannot control the waves of the sea, but they see that Jesus can, and it confuses and frightens them (Voelz 338). No doubt they were particularly confused by Jesus’ mastery of the sea, not only because such control is the domain of Yahweh, but also and especially because human attempts to control the sea were seen as the ultimate hubris, a blasphemous statement of exaggerated self-worth that challenged deity itself (Voelz 337).

10. Thus the disciples ask the question: „Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?“ (Mark 4,41). The answer is dawning upon them that Jesus is far more than a teacher and a prophet, for the miracles He perform exude a Divine quality to them that far surpasses the miraculous deeds Yahweh did through His prophets of old. This man can make the paralyzed walk, commands the forces of nature and even forgives people their sin all by His own authority. Only God can do such things by His own authority and word. If Jesus can do all this, then what does this mean for death, Hades and the devil? Jesus must surely have command and control over those forces too. The Gospel according to Mark records miracles and instances where Jesus does exhibit command over death, Hades and even the devil himself.

11. All these teachings and signs point us to confess that Jesus is God. Yet St. Mark withholds that confession till the end of his Gospel. After Jesus had been crucified, gave up His spirit and died, then the confession is made by the Roman centurion who stood there: »Truly this man was the Son of God« (Mark 15,39). Yes, there on the cross we see God Himself saving His fallen creation by delivering men and women from the hands of death and hell. Jesus’ death and resurrection proclaims that His authority over the forces of nature will be revealed in His authority over all creation. On the last day Jesus will restore creation to its pristine perfection. Jesus’ own death and resurrection is the first fruits of the great heavenly harvest when all Christians will be raised up to new life to enjoy the heavenly reign. Until that day, there will be storms on this earth that threaten our lives and livelihood. Not every storm will be miraculously calmed. We’ve suffered the cold and snow of Polar Vortex I and II; there may yet be more polar vortexes before we welcome the warmer days of spring. Even Christians must endure the tribulations in their lives. Such tribulations may be a natural disaster, an illness or some other horrible calamity. Such disasters will be with us, as the effect of this cursed creation, until Jesus Christ Himself returns on the last day to restore creation in accordance with His Divine will. On that day, neither storms nor death will keep us apart from Christ’s presence, for He is the Lord of heaven and earth. Until that day arrives, we have the assurance of Jesus’ protection. The Church is not a refuge that promises the uncertainties and insecurities of this world will never afflict us (Garland 200). The Church does proclaim Christ Jesus our Savior. Through such preaching, we learn to trust in a Savior who does not deliver us from storms but who delivers us through the storms (Garland 200). The ark did not spare Noah and his family from the worldwide Flood, but the ark delivered them through the destruction wrought from the wind and the waves. Jesus has quieted the violent storm, and we have no reason to fear anything from nature or the supernatural, from life or death (Garland 200). The ark came to rest on Mount Ararat where Noah and his family disembarked to tame creation once again as Yahweh’s stewards. On the last day the Church will come to rest on God’s holy, heavenly mountain to enjoy the fruit of a restored creation as the redeemed of Yahweh. Amen.

12. Let us pray. O Christ Jesus, whose deeds are awesome toward the children of men, send us the Holy Spirit so that we see what good things our Heavenly Father has done for us in You, His only and beloved Son, creation’s Lord, and our Victor over death and the grave. Amen.

To God alone be the Glory

Soli Deo Gloria

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Löhe, Wilhelm. Seed-Grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians. Wartburg Publishing House, Chicago circa 1912. Concordia Publishing House; Concordia on Demand.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Monday, February 24, 2014

Acts 16,9-15. Sexagesima Sunday

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Romans 8,14-24. Septuagesima Sunday

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Monday, February 3, 2014

Genesis 8,1-12. 4. Sunday after Epiphany