"Today's Devotion" For April 28, 2006
Read: Psalm 118:1-24; Lamentations 3:19-27
BLESSED BY GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-22)
As I write this morning, it's a typical spring day in Wisconsin. The air's a little "nippy," but the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the tulips are blooming, the grass is green again, and myriad perennials are poking their noses through the soil, seeking the warm of the sun, ready to burst forth with their blossoms and blooms for another season. It's a marvelous day that even the news in the morning paper, much of which reminds me that we live in an imperfect, sinful world, can't dampen my enthusiasm for the possibilities of today.
Over the past week in Milwaukee, where I live, three off-duty police officers accused of nearly beating a man to death, were found "not guilty." The reason for the verdict, according to some of the jurors, was that, despite the fact the beating took place at a party and continued even after on-duty officers were called to the scene, no one saw anything or could identify the assailants. As an added dimension to this acquittal for many in the community is the fact that the accused officers are white, the victim is mixed race, and the jury was all-white. To add fuel to the fire (at least in some quarters), four young men, three of them African-American (one was white), were found guilty of slashing tires on 25 vans which were to be used by the opposing political party in the last Presidential election to get people to the polls. The judge gave them jail time (no more than six months for any of them) because their actions weren’t just a harmless prank but messed with the right of people to vote.
Of course, the response has been less than positive, both because of the earlier acquittals of the police officers in the beating trial, but also because two of the young men sentenced in the tire-slashing trial are the sons of two prominent political figures. Tensions are mounting in the city - enough that it's quite possible that people won't even notice how beautiful a day God has given us - and how sad is that? All too often, when we're faced with situations that challenge our sense of justice or our belief in the institutions that are supposed to protect and serve the people, we go blind to the blessings God is giving us at the same time. All too often, in such circumstances, instead of recognizing such situations as opportunities to further trust in the Lord and look for His compassion, mercy, grace, and love at work, we get tied up by the emotions the apparent injustices and inequities of life throw at us.
As far as God is concerned, such a positive outlook on life in the face of the inequities and hardships of life, is very much in keeping with His Will for us. We are encouraged by the Psalmist to see each day as a "day that the Lord has made," and to, therefore, "rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps. 118:24). The Prophet Jeremiah reminds us that "because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning..." (Lamentations 3:22-23a) and sustain us in the face of everything that would bring harm to us in body, soul, or spirit.
As Jeremiah wirtes in response to the awesome presence and blessings of God in the world and in our lives, "great is Your faithfulness" (Lam. 3:23b). As you go about your day today, and every other day as well, take a look around you. See God's faithfulness in the birds of the air, the trees and the grass, the flowers, the bees, the animals, the people, and all the other things in creation that make life on earth a beautiful thing. Watch for God's hand at work in the myriad places and ways He touches people's lives and give them their "daily bread." Be filled with the sure and certain trust and confidence that God is ever faithful to His promises and each day He fulfills them in us - forgiving us of all our sins, providing for our "daily bread," and filling us with His peace and presence through the power of His Word and the blessings of Holy Baptism. It is, truly, a marvelous, glorious day, today, for "this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Ps. 118:24)
Prayer: Father, thank You for the glorious day today is - whether it's the bnght, sunny, marvelous day where I am, or even a cold and dreary day in another part of the world. Help me to realize that each day, regardless of its "brightness" or "dreariness" is nevertheless a day that You have made. Each day, in Your faithfulness, You provide "daily bread" for me and all of creation. Too often Lord, I ignore Your faithfulness and that You keep Your promises, even in the little things, and set my eyes on those things I want that are not good or pleasing to You. Forgive me, Father, for my unfaithfulness to You even as You are being faithful to me. Grant me the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit, working through the Word, so that I might have eyes that see Your hand in all things, and a heart that truly trusts Your faithfulness and the blessings I receive from You because You are faithful. Help me to live a grateful life as a true witness to others of Your faithfulness and Your blessings to all. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Knowing What's Necessary For Salvation
"Today's Devotion" For April 27, 2006
Read: John 5:31-40; II Timothy 3;14-17
KNOWING WHAT'S NECESSARY FOR SALVATION
"This is the disciple who testifies to these thins and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them was written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:24-25)
We live in an information age. According to some sources, more information is published every week than in all of human history up to 1800. With so much information, no one can know it all. The sheer volume of information that challenges us every day makes it quite difficult to differentiate truth from fiction and falsehood. Sometimes, because of the sheer volume of information and our own limitations, we take a "leap of faith" and believe things to be the truth that are later proven to be false. Often the only way we can make decisions about information is to fall back old axioms, such as "if it's too good to be true, it usually is." Sadly, that old axiom doesn't always hold true, and people miss out on some important and valuable pieces of knowledge or opportunity because they don't know any better.
John writes that he is the one who has given testimony of what he saw and heard as he followed Jesus and learned from Him during His ministry on earth. He provides us with a great deal of information about Jesus and shows us the very heart of the Savior in His prayers and teaching John describes and shares. He attests to the truth of his words, having lived them as he walked with Jesus. At the same time, John notes that what he's shared in his Gospel is but a small fragment of what Jesus did while He walked the earth, noting that "Jesus did many more things as well" but that the whole world couldn't hold all the books it would take to share them with everyone.
As those redeemed by Jesus' blood and righteousness, we have the assurance that we're not missing anything we need to know about Him. There are no secrets; no "lost information" - no lost "gospels" - that can possibly give us anything more of importance for our faith and salvation, than what God has already revealed to us in His Word. John reminds us that God's Word gives us the information we need to know God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus. Jesus reminds us of this when He addresses those who wanted to kill Him and reminds them that Scriptures are a testimony to who He is (cf. John 5:31ff.). St. Paul reiterates the same point as he reminds Timothy that "from infancy" he had "known the Holy Scriptures" by which Timothy and all of us are blessed to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior from Sin (II Timothy 3:15).
By God's grace, we have received His Word of truth in Jesus Christ so that we might know our Father's forgiveness in Jesus. Can there be any doubt that there's a lot more God has done, does, and will do in our lives and the world than what is contained in John's Gospel, or even all of Scripture for that matter? What joy and comfort there is for God's people to know that they have all the information they need from God's Word so we can be assured of our salvation in Jesus. By the power of the Word and Sacraments, we know what's necessary for salvation and are at peace with God. With this assurance in our hearts, we receive the power to share God's love in Christ with others, confidently and courageously, so that they, too, may come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Prayer: Father, as I look around my environment every day, I'm grateful and thankful to You for providing me with my "daily bread." You bless me with the spiritual food I need to keep me in Jesus and live in Your forgiveness. By the power of Your almighty and gentle hand, You bless me with everything I need to believe in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, having led me to faith in Him and continuing to keep me faithful. I pray that You would continue to work in my life to focus me on the simple truths of the Gospel, knowing that the many things You do and blessings You give are far more than I could ever know - but what I do know is what's necessary for salvation and eternal life. Let my life be a living witness to Your love and forgiveness in Jesus, that others may know "what's necessary for salvation." In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 5:31-40; II Timothy 3;14-17
KNOWING WHAT'S NECESSARY FOR SALVATION
"This is the disciple who testifies to these thins and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them was written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." (John 21:24-25)
We live in an information age. According to some sources, more information is published every week than in all of human history up to 1800. With so much information, no one can know it all. The sheer volume of information that challenges us every day makes it quite difficult to differentiate truth from fiction and falsehood. Sometimes, because of the sheer volume of information and our own limitations, we take a "leap of faith" and believe things to be the truth that are later proven to be false. Often the only way we can make decisions about information is to fall back old axioms, such as "if it's too good to be true, it usually is." Sadly, that old axiom doesn't always hold true, and people miss out on some important and valuable pieces of knowledge or opportunity because they don't know any better.
John writes that he is the one who has given testimony of what he saw and heard as he followed Jesus and learned from Him during His ministry on earth. He provides us with a great deal of information about Jesus and shows us the very heart of the Savior in His prayers and teaching John describes and shares. He attests to the truth of his words, having lived them as he walked with Jesus. At the same time, John notes that what he's shared in his Gospel is but a small fragment of what Jesus did while He walked the earth, noting that "Jesus did many more things as well" but that the whole world couldn't hold all the books it would take to share them with everyone.
As those redeemed by Jesus' blood and righteousness, we have the assurance that we're not missing anything we need to know about Him. There are no secrets; no "lost information" - no lost "gospels" - that can possibly give us anything more of importance for our faith and salvation, than what God has already revealed to us in His Word. John reminds us that God's Word gives us the information we need to know God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus. Jesus reminds us of this when He addresses those who wanted to kill Him and reminds them that Scriptures are a testimony to who He is (cf. John 5:31ff.). St. Paul reiterates the same point as he reminds Timothy that "from infancy" he had "known the Holy Scriptures" by which Timothy and all of us are blessed to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior from Sin (II Timothy 3:15).
By God's grace, we have received His Word of truth in Jesus Christ so that we might know our Father's forgiveness in Jesus. Can there be any doubt that there's a lot more God has done, does, and will do in our lives and the world than what is contained in John's Gospel, or even all of Scripture for that matter? What joy and comfort there is for God's people to know that they have all the information they need from God's Word so we can be assured of our salvation in Jesus. By the power of the Word and Sacraments, we know what's necessary for salvation and are at peace with God. With this assurance in our hearts, we receive the power to share God's love in Christ with others, confidently and courageously, so that they, too, may come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Prayer: Father, as I look around my environment every day, I'm grateful and thankful to You for providing me with my "daily bread." You bless me with the spiritual food I need to keep me in Jesus and live in Your forgiveness. By the power of Your almighty and gentle hand, You bless me with everything I need to believe in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, having led me to faith in Him and continuing to keep me faithful. I pray that You would continue to work in my life to focus me on the simple truths of the Gospel, knowing that the many things You do and blessings You give are far more than I could ever know - but what I do know is what's necessary for salvation and eternal life. Let my life be a living witness to Your love and forgiveness in Jesus, that others may know "what's necessary for salvation." In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Living And Dying For Jesus
"Today's Devotion" For April 26, 2006
Read: John 21:19-23; I Peter 2:20-25
LIVING AND DYING FOR JESUS
"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
(Romans 14:7-8)
None of us is a stranger to the, "But everyone else is doing it" mentality. In an attempt to justify one's behavior, it's the classic way of trying to lay the responsibility of one's actions at the feet of the "masses" of people who are having the same behavior "excused." Then, of course, there's the take off on this theme - the "equality of opportunity" questions - "Why can't I do it? You let him do it" and "Why can she do it and I can't?" Whenever it comes to taking responsibility for their actions - particularly when they're harmful or wrong (Oh, I know this isn't "politically correct" - "wrong" is relative, isn't it?>:) - human beings have a strong desire to foist that responsibility onto others. At the same time, when prohibited from doing something that others are allowed to do - for a multitude of legitimate reasons (that aren't "unfair") - people frequently believe they're being treated unfairly.
According to John's account, just before this conversation with Peter, Jesus had "reinstated" him after his fear-filled, triple denial of Jesus on the night Judas betrayed Him. Apparently walking by themselves (v.20), Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him. Three times Peter replied, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You," and feeling hurt that Jesus would ask him over and over. All three times Jesus points to His purpose for Peter with the responses, "Feed My lambs" (once) and "Feed My sheep" (twice). His last response to Peter includes a warning about the manner in which Peter was to die when his service of "feeding" Jesus' "lambs" and "sheep" was over.
We're told that it was at that moment that Peter turned and saw "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John himself - v. 24) following them. Peter's response to John's presence and the obvious reference of Jesus to Peter's manner of death was to ask Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Peter doesn't want to be the "only one" to suffer for Jesus. If he was going to suffer an ignominious death, how about “the disciple whom Jesus loved?” Would he share the same fate? The question seems to imply that it would be unfair if the other disciple didn’t.
Jesus' response, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me," is a response for all of us to hear. It doesn't matter if we know and understand God's purpose to be carried out in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It's only important for us to know that He has a purpose for each of us, personally, in Christ. Each of us, individually, hears Jesus' call - "Follow Me." He calls each of us to follow Him in the various vocations of life in which His call comes to us - parents, grandparents, spouses, aunts, uncles, children, pastors, teachers, postal workers, firefighters, attorneys, politicians, "butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers." Our concern in following Him is not how His purpose is accomplished in and by others, only how His purpose is accomplished in and through you and me.
As St. Paul reminds the Roman Christians, "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord." We are His witnesses, in word and deed, of His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness for a lost and fallen world. Moreover, by the power of His Word and Spirit, He works in us to touch the lives of others with the special gifts He has given to each of us. Peter was reminded by Jesus that his life belonged to his Lord and Savior. Jesus' call of "follow Me" to Peter, was Jesus' call to Peter. Jesus' call to each of us of "follow Me" is a call to each of us individually. It's a call we answer individually, but also a call which we support in one another as well. After all, our lives belong to our Lord, who lifts us up and sustains us every day. While each of us is called to Jesus' specific purpose for us in our lives and can't be transferred to others, we also support each other's callings - vocations - so that we might, as the redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ, reach many with His love and serve Him faithfully in all of life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You called on Peter to follow You according to Your purpose for his life and ministry in Your name. You also call me to Your purpose as well, issuing the same call, "Follow Me," as Peter heard from You. At the same time, I, too, like Peter, am inclined to find out if You're treating me "fairly" - I want to know if others have been called to the same purpose in the same way. My sinful nature wants to "share the burden" that it often sees Your call to follow You to be. Forgive me, Lord, for my reluctance to trust Your purpose in my life and humbly and faithfully heed Your call as it comes to me. Help me to pay attention to how You want me to serve You and be grateful, rather than jealous, for how You choose to use others to serve You. Help me to keep my focus on sharing Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness as a witness to others in the way You provide for me to do so. Use me, precious Savior, as a willing and effective instrument of Your grace so that many may come to know Your love through me Hear me, gracious Lord. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 21:19-23; I Peter 2:20-25
LIVING AND DYING FOR JESUS
"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
(Romans 14:7-8)
None of us is a stranger to the, "But everyone else is doing it" mentality. In an attempt to justify one's behavior, it's the classic way of trying to lay the responsibility of one's actions at the feet of the "masses" of people who are having the same behavior "excused." Then, of course, there's the take off on this theme - the "equality of opportunity" questions - "Why can't I do it? You let him do it" and "Why can she do it and I can't?" Whenever it comes to taking responsibility for their actions - particularly when they're harmful or wrong (Oh, I know this isn't "politically correct" - "wrong" is relative, isn't it?>:) - human beings have a strong desire to foist that responsibility onto others. At the same time, when prohibited from doing something that others are allowed to do - for a multitude of legitimate reasons (that aren't "unfair") - people frequently believe they're being treated unfairly.
According to John's account, just before this conversation with Peter, Jesus had "reinstated" him after his fear-filled, triple denial of Jesus on the night Judas betrayed Him. Apparently walking by themselves (v.20), Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him. Three times Peter replied, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You," and feeling hurt that Jesus would ask him over and over. All three times Jesus points to His purpose for Peter with the responses, "Feed My lambs" (once) and "Feed My sheep" (twice). His last response to Peter includes a warning about the manner in which Peter was to die when his service of "feeding" Jesus' "lambs" and "sheep" was over.
We're told that it was at that moment that Peter turned and saw "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John himself - v. 24) following them. Peter's response to John's presence and the obvious reference of Jesus to Peter's manner of death was to ask Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Peter doesn't want to be the "only one" to suffer for Jesus. If he was going to suffer an ignominious death, how about “the disciple whom Jesus loved?” Would he share the same fate? The question seems to imply that it would be unfair if the other disciple didn’t.
Jesus' response, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me," is a response for all of us to hear. It doesn't matter if we know and understand God's purpose to be carried out in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It's only important for us to know that He has a purpose for each of us, personally, in Christ. Each of us, individually, hears Jesus' call - "Follow Me." He calls each of us to follow Him in the various vocations of life in which His call comes to us - parents, grandparents, spouses, aunts, uncles, children, pastors, teachers, postal workers, firefighters, attorneys, politicians, "butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers." Our concern in following Him is not how His purpose is accomplished in and by others, only how His purpose is accomplished in and through you and me.
As St. Paul reminds the Roman Christians, "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord." We are His witnesses, in word and deed, of His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness for a lost and fallen world. Moreover, by the power of His Word and Spirit, He works in us to touch the lives of others with the special gifts He has given to each of us. Peter was reminded by Jesus that his life belonged to his Lord and Savior. Jesus' call of "follow Me" to Peter, was Jesus' call to Peter. Jesus' call to each of us of "follow Me" is a call to each of us individually. It's a call we answer individually, but also a call which we support in one another as well. After all, our lives belong to our Lord, who lifts us up and sustains us every day. While each of us is called to Jesus' specific purpose for us in our lives and can't be transferred to others, we also support each other's callings - vocations - so that we might, as the redeemed children of God in Jesus Christ, reach many with His love and serve Him faithfully in all of life.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You called on Peter to follow You according to Your purpose for his life and ministry in Your name. You also call me to Your purpose as well, issuing the same call, "Follow Me," as Peter heard from You. At the same time, I, too, like Peter, am inclined to find out if You're treating me "fairly" - I want to know if others have been called to the same purpose in the same way. My sinful nature wants to "share the burden" that it often sees Your call to follow You to be. Forgive me, Lord, for my reluctance to trust Your purpose in my life and humbly and faithfully heed Your call as it comes to me. Help me to pay attention to how You want me to serve You and be grateful, rather than jealous, for how You choose to use others to serve You. Help me to keep my focus on sharing Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness as a witness to others in the way You provide for me to do so. Use me, precious Savior, as a willing and effective instrument of Your grace so that many may come to know Your love through me Hear me, gracious Lord. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Restored And Following Jesus
"Today's Devotion" For April 25, 2006
Read: John 21:15-25; Luke 22:54-62
RESTORED AND FOLLOWING JESUS
"Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, 'Do you love Me?' He said, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep." (John 21:17)
Have you ever been in the "doghouse?" You know what I mean - you messed up, blew it, and otherwise did a lousy job of being true to your word or following through on a promise - and the person or persons who were affected by the mess you made won't let you forget about it. There's the classic we all know - a husband forgets his wife's birthday or their anniversary. To extricate himself from those fiascos of relationship requires herculean effort and a lot of groveling in order to get out of the "doghouse." Then there's the executive who blows an ostensibly simple deal for a contract, the company loses money, and the executive ends up resigning because know one will let him live it down. Certainly we could continue to name circumstances in which "living it down” and "getting out of the doghouse" affect people's relationships and their lives.
There's no getting away from it - none of us can ever say we won't ever "blow it," "mess it up," or perpetrate a colossal "screw up." In the same way, no one can honestly say they've never been in the "doghouse," because of a foul up, something they said, or failed to do. Being in the "doghouse" is a subject for commiserating among friends and colleagues, particularly those to whom we have a close relationship. Yet no amount of "mea culpas" or commiserating is going to prevent anyone from ever being in the "doghouse," because, ultimately Sin is at the heart of every such situation. Perhaps there's no better Biblical example of this than Peter's blatant and vigorous denial of Jesus as Jesus was led before the Sanhedrin after His arrest in Gethsemane.
We're told by Luke that Peter went out and wept bitterly over his denial of Jesus. He had sworn it would never happen, but it did. He saw the look Jesus gave him, one, I suspect, of disappointment. Yet it can also be said that Jesus' look was also full of compassion and understanding. After all, it was He who told Peter that he would in fact deny Jesus three times. Imagine, then, after Jesus' resurrection and His appearance to His disciples, how guilty Peter must have felt. Even in his exuberance to get to Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius after the massive catch of fish, one senses an eagerness, perhaps born of guilt, to be with Jesus - to see if there was a barrier between himself and His Lord because of his denial of Him.
Jesus, however, isn't going to allow Peter to continue to feel awkward around Him. After breakfast, He asks Peter, three times (hmmmm! isn't that the number of times Peter denied Jesus?), "Simon, son of John, do you truly love Me?" The Son of God and the Son of Man, asks the son of John, who the most important person is in his life. In fact, Jesus questions start out with the added phrase, "more than these," most likely referring to the rest of the disciples. Each time Peter responds that he does in fact love Jesus and each time Jesus responds to him by telling him to "feed My sheep."
Jesus' words reflect His love for Peter, His confidence in Peter, and His certainty that Peter did love Him. Only to one that we can trust would any of us entrust the care and feeding of our children. Jesus words to Peter, "feed Me sheep," are words of trust and confidence in Peter's faithfulness. They are also words of restoration - Peter's not in the "doghouse" with Jesus, unless its a "doghouse" of Peter's own making. Jesus leads Peter to focus on service to others rather than on himself, just as He calls us to service to others in His name, putting the needs of others ahead of our own in faithful, loving service to our Lord and Savior. Through such service we give powerful testimony to His love and His forgiveness which gives our lives hope and meaning.
The power of Jesus' resurrection for Peter and for us, is that it confirms that God has restored us to Himself in Christ. The sacrifice is complete; His forgiveness is real; eternal life is assured in Jesus. Lifted up and restored by faith to our Lord and Savior, living forgiven becase of His sacrifice on the Cross, we are moved to follow Him, and with Peter, "feed His sheep" and "feed His lambs." so that all might hear His Good News, believe, and live forever. What a wonderful gift to be "restored and following Jesus."
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You forgave Peter of his sins, especially of his denial of You, and restored him so that he was filled with zeal for Your Word and carried Your Gospel all the way to his death as a martyr. As You did this for him, I pray that You would also do so for me. According to Your promises, forgive me of all my sins and daily restore me in Your love, grace, mercy and forgiveness to faithful service to You and others in Your name. Lord, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, restore me from the "doghouse of sin" which would keep me from Your love and forgiveness and empower me in service to You as a living and fearless witness to Your Word and love. In Your precious name I pray, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 21:15-25; Luke 22:54-62
RESTORED AND FOLLOWING JESUS
"Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, 'Do you love Me?' He said, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said, 'Feed My sheep." (John 21:17)
Have you ever been in the "doghouse?" You know what I mean - you messed up, blew it, and otherwise did a lousy job of being true to your word or following through on a promise - and the person or persons who were affected by the mess you made won't let you forget about it. There's the classic we all know - a husband forgets his wife's birthday or their anniversary. To extricate himself from those fiascos of relationship requires herculean effort and a lot of groveling in order to get out of the "doghouse." Then there's the executive who blows an ostensibly simple deal for a contract, the company loses money, and the executive ends up resigning because know one will let him live it down. Certainly we could continue to name circumstances in which "living it down” and "getting out of the doghouse" affect people's relationships and their lives.
There's no getting away from it - none of us can ever say we won't ever "blow it," "mess it up," or perpetrate a colossal "screw up." In the same way, no one can honestly say they've never been in the "doghouse," because of a foul up, something they said, or failed to do. Being in the "doghouse" is a subject for commiserating among friends and colleagues, particularly those to whom we have a close relationship. Yet no amount of "mea culpas" or commiserating is going to prevent anyone from ever being in the "doghouse," because, ultimately Sin is at the heart of every such situation. Perhaps there's no better Biblical example of this than Peter's blatant and vigorous denial of Jesus as Jesus was led before the Sanhedrin after His arrest in Gethsemane.
We're told by Luke that Peter went out and wept bitterly over his denial of Jesus. He had sworn it would never happen, but it did. He saw the look Jesus gave him, one, I suspect, of disappointment. Yet it can also be said that Jesus' look was also full of compassion and understanding. After all, it was He who told Peter that he would in fact deny Jesus three times. Imagine, then, after Jesus' resurrection and His appearance to His disciples, how guilty Peter must have felt. Even in his exuberance to get to Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius after the massive catch of fish, one senses an eagerness, perhaps born of guilt, to be with Jesus - to see if there was a barrier between himself and His Lord because of his denial of Him.
Jesus, however, isn't going to allow Peter to continue to feel awkward around Him. After breakfast, He asks Peter, three times (hmmmm! isn't that the number of times Peter denied Jesus?), "Simon, son of John, do you truly love Me?" The Son of God and the Son of Man, asks the son of John, who the most important person is in his life. In fact, Jesus questions start out with the added phrase, "more than these," most likely referring to the rest of the disciples. Each time Peter responds that he does in fact love Jesus and each time Jesus responds to him by telling him to "feed My sheep."
Jesus' words reflect His love for Peter, His confidence in Peter, and His certainty that Peter did love Him. Only to one that we can trust would any of us entrust the care and feeding of our children. Jesus words to Peter, "feed Me sheep," are words of trust and confidence in Peter's faithfulness. They are also words of restoration - Peter's not in the "doghouse" with Jesus, unless its a "doghouse" of Peter's own making. Jesus leads Peter to focus on service to others rather than on himself, just as He calls us to service to others in His name, putting the needs of others ahead of our own in faithful, loving service to our Lord and Savior. Through such service we give powerful testimony to His love and His forgiveness which gives our lives hope and meaning.
The power of Jesus' resurrection for Peter and for us, is that it confirms that God has restored us to Himself in Christ. The sacrifice is complete; His forgiveness is real; eternal life is assured in Jesus. Lifted up and restored by faith to our Lord and Savior, living forgiven becase of His sacrifice on the Cross, we are moved to follow Him, and with Peter, "feed His sheep" and "feed His lambs." so that all might hear His Good News, believe, and live forever. What a wonderful gift to be "restored and following Jesus."
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You forgave Peter of his sins, especially of his denial of You, and restored him so that he was filled with zeal for Your Word and carried Your Gospel all the way to his death as a martyr. As You did this for him, I pray that You would also do so for me. According to Your promises, forgive me of all my sins and daily restore me in Your love, grace, mercy and forgiveness to faithful service to You and others in Your name. Lord, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, restore me from the "doghouse of sin" which would keep me from Your love and forgiveness and empower me in service to You as a living and fearless witness to Your Word and love. In Your precious name I pray, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, April 24, 2006
"It Is The Lord!"
"Today's Devotion" For April 22, 2006
Read: John 21:1-14; Matthew 14:22-36
"IT IS THE LORD!"
"Therefore the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' (John 21:7)
It's already a week after Easter. Many children are heading back to school on Monday after an Easter vacation. Teachers also will be getting back in their classrooms, greeting their charges as they've done almost everyday of the school year. There's a familiarity and fondness that develops between teachers and their students for the most part, especially among the younger children. While they've had a break from each other, teachers and children will go back to their "familiar spaces" with each other. Of course, such familiarity doesn't just apply to teachers and their students. Perhaps you have a good friend that you haven't seen for awhile. Have you ever noticed how seeing such a friend again after, perhaps, a long while, brings back fond memories and feelings for that person? Perhaps you've noticed that the last conversation you had with your friend is where you pick up - never missing a beat.
A comparison of the two readings for today gives some support to the aforementioned circumstances. Earlier in His ministry, Jesus had fed the five thousand and sent the Twelve ahead of Him while He remained behind to pray. In the middle of the night, while the disciples were experiencing some heavy seas, Jesus came walking to them on the water. Matthew tells us that they were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus called out to calm their fears and assure them that it was He. Peter, ever the "prove it" sort of guy, responded, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water" (Mt. 14:28).
Well, we know the rest of the story. Peter got out of the boat, starting walking on the water, lost his focus on Jesus, got lost in the waves, and began to sink. Jesus reached out to save him and said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt. 14:31). Of course, it's not too difficult for us to relate to Peter's doubts. Would any of us attempted to walk on the water? Who can say? Yet, we can be certain that the power of Sin in our lives, just as it was in Peter life, has the strong tendency to get us to take our focus off of Jesus.
Yet the final chapter wasn't written in Peter's life with Jesus as he was sinking below the waves. As time went on and Jesus got closer and closer to the Cross and His crucifixion, the disciples began to know Him better. Peter, for one, really knew Him well. He loved Him. He also continued to fall flat on his face spiritually because of his stubbornness and brashness. Yet Jesus held him close to His heart. They were not just Teacher and student; they were also friends.
Fast forward to the days following Jesus' resurrection. Peter and others of the disciples went fishing - their livelihood. After a long night of fruitless fishing they were ready to give it up. Along comes a stranger on the shore who tells them to put their nets into the sea on the other side of the boat. Having nothing to lose, they did so. Lo and behold, they had a catch of fish so big they couldn't haul it in. At that, John (he's usually understood to be "the disciple whom Jesus loved") recognizes his good friend, Jesus, and lets Peter know. And there goes Peter. Forgetting the nets and the help needed to pull the catch in, he leaps out of the boat and gets to shore. He's excited to see Jesus and his behavior, as always, shows his love for his Lord.
The last time Peter and Jesus got together on the water, followed Jesus' miraculous feeding of the Five Thousand with a little bread and a few fish. When the rest of the fishing party returned to shore, they saw that familiar meal again - fish and bread - and received Jesus' invitation to eat. Peter jumps into the boat, drags in the catch of fish by himself, and they all had breakfast. John is very clear that none of them dared ask who Jesus' was - they knew. And, when He took the bread and the fish and gave it to them, their certainty couldn't have been any greater - just as had been the case with the Emmaus disciples.
"It is the Lord!" The disciples were certain of it. His familiar words and actions, especially after the trauma of His crucifixion and the wonder of His resurrection, gave them hope and peace. He brought the fish into their nets, giving them their daily bread, and He carried on with breakfast and fellowship as if nothing had ever happened. "It is the Lord!" is also our cry of hope, joy, and peace as we experience Jesus touching our lives each day with "our daily bread" - not just with food and clothing but also with His love, grace, and mercy. These are His familiar ways with us - ways we know He is with us and brings His forgiveness to bear in our lives. With John we cry, "It is the Lord!", as we recognize Jesus' hand at work in the world around us - as He works through us to touch the lives of others with His love and forgiveness. "It is the Lord!" is a cry of familiarity and confession as we live our lives for Jesus, confident in His presence with us each day in every circumstance and situation. "It is the Lord!" gives us hope and confidence to do His Will and live for Him - confidence unto eternal life with Him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for taking my sins upon Your head and bearing the punishment for Sin that I deserve to pay. I thank You for assuring me of Your resurrection through the testimony of the apostles, to whom You appeared in order to assure them that You had overcome death and the grave for us all. As I see their response to Your actions, knowing it was You who walked among them once again because You continue to do the familiar things such as providing their daily bread in body, soul, and spirit. Help me to see You with the same familiarity, so that when things are at their worst, I will always see You at Your best - knowing, despite all indications to the contrary, that You are with me and uplift me with Your grace and love. Help me to share You with others that they, too, might become familiar with You and see Your work in their lives - Your blessings, Your love, and Your forgiveness - everyday. Hear my prayer, precious Savior. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 21:1-14; Matthew 14:22-36
"IT IS THE LORD!"
"Therefore the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' (John 21:7)
It's already a week after Easter. Many children are heading back to school on Monday after an Easter vacation. Teachers also will be getting back in their classrooms, greeting their charges as they've done almost everyday of the school year. There's a familiarity and fondness that develops between teachers and their students for the most part, especially among the younger children. While they've had a break from each other, teachers and children will go back to their "familiar spaces" with each other. Of course, such familiarity doesn't just apply to teachers and their students. Perhaps you have a good friend that you haven't seen for awhile. Have you ever noticed how seeing such a friend again after, perhaps, a long while, brings back fond memories and feelings for that person? Perhaps you've noticed that the last conversation you had with your friend is where you pick up - never missing a beat.
A comparison of the two readings for today gives some support to the aforementioned circumstances. Earlier in His ministry, Jesus had fed the five thousand and sent the Twelve ahead of Him while He remained behind to pray. In the middle of the night, while the disciples were experiencing some heavy seas, Jesus came walking to them on the water. Matthew tells us that they were terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus called out to calm their fears and assure them that it was He. Peter, ever the "prove it" sort of guy, responded, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water" (Mt. 14:28).
Well, we know the rest of the story. Peter got out of the boat, starting walking on the water, lost his focus on Jesus, got lost in the waves, and began to sink. Jesus reached out to save him and said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt. 14:31). Of course, it's not too difficult for us to relate to Peter's doubts. Would any of us attempted to walk on the water? Who can say? Yet, we can be certain that the power of Sin in our lives, just as it was in Peter life, has the strong tendency to get us to take our focus off of Jesus.
Yet the final chapter wasn't written in Peter's life with Jesus as he was sinking below the waves. As time went on and Jesus got closer and closer to the Cross and His crucifixion, the disciples began to know Him better. Peter, for one, really knew Him well. He loved Him. He also continued to fall flat on his face spiritually because of his stubbornness and brashness. Yet Jesus held him close to His heart. They were not just Teacher and student; they were also friends.
Fast forward to the days following Jesus' resurrection. Peter and others of the disciples went fishing - their livelihood. After a long night of fruitless fishing they were ready to give it up. Along comes a stranger on the shore who tells them to put their nets into the sea on the other side of the boat. Having nothing to lose, they did so. Lo and behold, they had a catch of fish so big they couldn't haul it in. At that, John (he's usually understood to be "the disciple whom Jesus loved") recognizes his good friend, Jesus, and lets Peter know. And there goes Peter. Forgetting the nets and the help needed to pull the catch in, he leaps out of the boat and gets to shore. He's excited to see Jesus and his behavior, as always, shows his love for his Lord.
The last time Peter and Jesus got together on the water, followed Jesus' miraculous feeding of the Five Thousand with a little bread and a few fish. When the rest of the fishing party returned to shore, they saw that familiar meal again - fish and bread - and received Jesus' invitation to eat. Peter jumps into the boat, drags in the catch of fish by himself, and they all had breakfast. John is very clear that none of them dared ask who Jesus' was - they knew. And, when He took the bread and the fish and gave it to them, their certainty couldn't have been any greater - just as had been the case with the Emmaus disciples.
"It is the Lord!" The disciples were certain of it. His familiar words and actions, especially after the trauma of His crucifixion and the wonder of His resurrection, gave them hope and peace. He brought the fish into their nets, giving them their daily bread, and He carried on with breakfast and fellowship as if nothing had ever happened. "It is the Lord!" is also our cry of hope, joy, and peace as we experience Jesus touching our lives each day with "our daily bread" - not just with food and clothing but also with His love, grace, and mercy. These are His familiar ways with us - ways we know He is with us and brings His forgiveness to bear in our lives. With John we cry, "It is the Lord!", as we recognize Jesus' hand at work in the world around us - as He works through us to touch the lives of others with His love and forgiveness. "It is the Lord!" is a cry of familiarity and confession as we live our lives for Jesus, confident in His presence with us each day in every circumstance and situation. "It is the Lord!" gives us hope and confidence to do His Will and live for Him - confidence unto eternal life with Him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for taking my sins upon Your head and bearing the punishment for Sin that I deserve to pay. I thank You for assuring me of Your resurrection through the testimony of the apostles, to whom You appeared in order to assure them that You had overcome death and the grave for us all. As I see their response to Your actions, knowing it was You who walked among them once again because You continue to do the familiar things such as providing their daily bread in body, soul, and spirit. Help me to see You with the same familiarity, so that when things are at their worst, I will always see You at Your best - knowing, despite all indications to the contrary, that You are with me and uplift me with Your grace and love. Help me to share You with others that they, too, might become familiar with You and see Your work in their lives - Your blessings, Your love, and Your forgiveness - everyday. Hear my prayer, precious Savior. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, April 21, 2006
You Can Depend On It!
"Today's Devotion" For April 21, 2006
Read: John 20:30-31; Psalm 119:105-112
YOU CAN DEPEND ON IT!
"But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)
People are not generally trusting souls. Most of us have been "burned" not just a few times by those who say one thing and do another. We've found ourselves trusting what others have said, only to find out later on that they've either lied to us or "streched" the truth a lot. Over time, many of us have become a bit "jaded" when it comes to what others tell us, particularly if what they're saying seems to be either "too good to be true," or extraordinarily impossible.
No doubt all the accounts of Jesus being alive - that He had resurrected from the grave - were met with grave doubt by more people than Thomas (cf. John 20:24-29). How could this be? How is it possible that He could be alive? Besides the disciples' account to Thomas about Jesus' first appearance to them on Easter night, no doubt Thomas had heard the story of Mary Magdalene as well as the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Incredible, unbelievable, and "you've got to be kidding," were no doubt the expressions going through Thomas's mind. What's more, based on John's statement of his purpose for writing His Gospel, there were quite probably a whole lot of people who had doubts about Jesus' purpose, His life, His ministry, and His resurrection.
John has given us a "sampling" of Jesus' "miraculous signs" proving He has risen from the dead according to His promise. He seems to be telling us that if the accounts he has written aren't enough, then giving us more won't increase the likelihood of anyone believing Jesus truly is risen. Sin always looks for any excuse to disregard God's Word and promises, often continuing to "seek signs" that what God says is the truth. We are reminded of this in Luke's account of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). As he suffers the torments of Hell, the "Rich Man" saw "Poor Lazarus" in heaven at "Abraham's bosom." In agony he cries out to Abraham to send Lazarus from heaven to earth to warn his father and brothers about the torment to come if they don't repent and believe God's Word. Abraham's response put things in perspective, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31).
What a powerful reminder of what happened when Jesus' did, in fact, rise from the dead. As John tells us, "these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you might have life in His name" (John 20:31). All the evidence anyone needs of God's salvation of humanity in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ is written in Scripture for all to see, hear, and believe for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God in heaven. Jesus victory over Sin, Death, and Satan as shown by His resurrection is clearly documented and attested by the Word of God and the testimony of John, Peter, the Twelve, Paul, and over 500 witnesses at the same time (I Corinthians 15:5ff.).
The power of God's promises of salvation throughout history comes to rest on Jesus' resurrection. Because He has risen and has overcome death and the grave for us, we have hope and peace, knowing that everything God promises is true and certain. Our sins are forgiven in Jesus' blood and righteousness. Hope and peace with God are restored to humanity through faith in Jesus, as He has paid the ultimate price and given the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins. His resurrection is God's sure and certain statement that Christ's sacrifice for the sins of the world is complete, acceptable, and efficacious for all. John calls us to believe so that God's salvation of us in the resurrected Christ might be ours and heaven might be, finally, our home. John is telling us "You can depend on it!" Believing God's Word, we live it and share it so others, too, might believe and live forever.
Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are persistent in both telling and showing me how much You love me in Jesus. The final proof of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Him isn't His death on the Cross, but Your raising Him from the dead, thereby stating His sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the world was complete and acceptable to You. Father, Your mercy and grace are infinite; Your patience great. I pray that You would continue to shower Your mercy and grace upon me so that I might always trust in Your Word and hold tightly to the joy of the resurrection of Jesus and the hope and promise of my own resurrection on the Last Day. Be patient with me, Father, when I fail to obey You and continue to sin against You. Let Your mercy and grace, as well as Your patience, flow through me - through my words and deeds - that I may be a powerful witness to salvation in Jesus, that others may believe and come to You forever. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 20:30-31; Psalm 119:105-112
YOU CAN DEPEND ON IT!
"But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:31)
People are not generally trusting souls. Most of us have been "burned" not just a few times by those who say one thing and do another. We've found ourselves trusting what others have said, only to find out later on that they've either lied to us or "streched" the truth a lot. Over time, many of us have become a bit "jaded" when it comes to what others tell us, particularly if what they're saying seems to be either "too good to be true," or extraordinarily impossible.
No doubt all the accounts of Jesus being alive - that He had resurrected from the grave - were met with grave doubt by more people than Thomas (cf. John 20:24-29). How could this be? How is it possible that He could be alive? Besides the disciples' account to Thomas about Jesus' first appearance to them on Easter night, no doubt Thomas had heard the story of Mary Magdalene as well as the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Incredible, unbelievable, and "you've got to be kidding," were no doubt the expressions going through Thomas's mind. What's more, based on John's statement of his purpose for writing His Gospel, there were quite probably a whole lot of people who had doubts about Jesus' purpose, His life, His ministry, and His resurrection.
John has given us a "sampling" of Jesus' "miraculous signs" proving He has risen from the dead according to His promise. He seems to be telling us that if the accounts he has written aren't enough, then giving us more won't increase the likelihood of anyone believing Jesus truly is risen. Sin always looks for any excuse to disregard God's Word and promises, often continuing to "seek signs" that what God says is the truth. We are reminded of this in Luke's account of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). As he suffers the torments of Hell, the "Rich Man" saw "Poor Lazarus" in heaven at "Abraham's bosom." In agony he cries out to Abraham to send Lazarus from heaven to earth to warn his father and brothers about the torment to come if they don't repent and believe God's Word. Abraham's response put things in perspective, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead" (Luke 16:31).
What a powerful reminder of what happened when Jesus' did, in fact, rise from the dead. As John tells us, "these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you might have life in His name" (John 20:31). All the evidence anyone needs of God's salvation of humanity in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ is written in Scripture for all to see, hear, and believe for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God in heaven. Jesus victory over Sin, Death, and Satan as shown by His resurrection is clearly documented and attested by the Word of God and the testimony of John, Peter, the Twelve, Paul, and over 500 witnesses at the same time (I Corinthians 15:5ff.).
The power of God's promises of salvation throughout history comes to rest on Jesus' resurrection. Because He has risen and has overcome death and the grave for us, we have hope and peace, knowing that everything God promises is true and certain. Our sins are forgiven in Jesus' blood and righteousness. Hope and peace with God are restored to humanity through faith in Jesus, as He has paid the ultimate price and given the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins. His resurrection is God's sure and certain statement that Christ's sacrifice for the sins of the world is complete, acceptable, and efficacious for all. John calls us to believe so that God's salvation of us in the resurrected Christ might be ours and heaven might be, finally, our home. John is telling us "You can depend on it!" Believing God's Word, we live it and share it so others, too, might believe and live forever.
Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are persistent in both telling and showing me how much You love me in Jesus. The final proof of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Him isn't His death on the Cross, but Your raising Him from the dead, thereby stating His sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the world was complete and acceptable to You. Father, Your mercy and grace are infinite; Your patience great. I pray that You would continue to shower Your mercy and grace upon me so that I might always trust in Your Word and hold tightly to the joy of the resurrection of Jesus and the hope and promise of my own resurrection on the Last Day. Be patient with me, Father, when I fail to obey You and continue to sin against You. Let Your mercy and grace, as well as Your patience, flow through me - through my words and deeds - that I may be a powerful witness to salvation in Jesus, that others may believe and come to You forever. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Blind Faith?
"Today's Devotion" For April 20, 2006
Read: John 20:24-29; Hebrews 11:1-13, 39-40
BLIND FAITH?
"Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen but yet have believed." (John 20:29)
One of the least creative, but, perhaps, most used "put downs" of Christians is that we have "blind faith." In fact, it's often Christians, when hard-pressed to come up with “reasonable" responses to the queries of others about faith in Jesus, who frequently say, "You just gotta' believe!"
Perhaps one of the most poignant lessons of faith surrounding Jesus' resurrection occurred when Jesus appeared to the disciples a week after His first appearance to them. It seems Thomas wasn't with them the first time, so he only had their word on it that Jesus was alive, and he didn't find them credible. As most of us know, that's where the expression, "Doubting Thomas," has its origin.
It's kind of hard to blame Thomas for doubting the word of the disciples. From a "modern" perspective, based on the psychology of death and dying, we might presume, as Thomas did, that the disciples were hallucinating. They were in denial, the psychologists would tell us. Perhaps they were suffering from having had a "few too many," having been drowning their sorrows at the loss of their Teacher and friend. Not only that, but His body was missing from the tomb. It was enough to "drive anyone to drink." Even more, there were incredible stories flying around that He was alive - He had risen as He had said He would. Thomas wasn't about to fall down that "slippery slope." He was too practical to fall for any such tomfoolery. He was no advocate of "blind faith" and certainly wasn't about to be made out a fool.
So, after hearing the testimony of all those witnesses (we recall that in Jewish culture the word of two or three witnesses was considered bonafide proof of the truth), Thomas still didn't believe Jesus' was alive. His cautious and measured response to the disciples' "proof" of Jesus' resurrection was, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it." Imagine his surprise when a week later Jesus again appeared to the disciples in the same house as before, and specifically addresses Thomas and his doubts.
Thomas's response to Jesus is wonderful. He sees and believes. Yet, Jesus lovingly chastises him, noting that his belief is a result of his seeing with his eyes, not believing the testimony of others nor remembering Jesus' promises in his heart. Now some would say that Thomas's approach to faith is the only reasonable approach - if you can't see it, taste it, touch it, or hear it, it doesn't exist, it has no reality. To believe in something that can't be seen, tasted, touched, or heard is to believe blindly - to have "blind faith" - and that's just not reasonable. Yet, as we hear and weigh Jesus' words to Thomas, we also learn that "proof" isn't just found in the physical reality of life, but in the spiritual as well.
The writer to the Hebrews vigorously develops this truth, building upon his earlier statement, "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything" (Hebrews 3:4). He notes that even though we haven't seen God, the very existence of the world and the universe is evidence that He exists and has created all things. He writes, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews 11:3). From Abel, to Enoch and Noah, from Abraham and the patriarchs to the days of Israel in the wilderness, and from David to Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, those who believed God's promises of a Savior, a Messiah to come, were saved from and forgiven of their sins and received eternal life. For them, faith was not blind, but simply trusting the reality of God's presence in their lives as He provided for their every need, even in the most difficult times.
Contrary to the world's view of God's people, we do not believe blindly. Our evidence for faith is found in the lives and testimony of the people of God who have gone before us - Adam and Eve, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, the prophets, etc. They saw God's hand at work in their lives and, because of His care and providence in their lives, they also had faith in His promise of their coming salvation in Jesus. By God's grace, we have been blessed to draw upon this evidence for our own faith; seeing God's hand at work in their lives, helps us to see Him at work in ours as well. Our faith isn't blind, for faith sees what others are blind to seeing, and trusts what others cannot understand.
Here's a footnote to this lesson from Thomas. Tradition tells us that Thomas headed east to spread the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. That tradition says that Thomas ended up in India, declaring God's love in Christ to the lost souls in that far country. He died because he shared Jesus with others, yet today, there is a group of Christians in India, The Evangelical Christian Church of India, which considers Thomas to be their spiritual father (my doctor grew up in that church). They didn't see Jesus, they didn't hear His voice, they didn't put their fingers in His hands, or their hands into His side. They only heard the testimony of one who had first doubted, but then believed; and they took him at his word and believed in Jesus by the power of God's Word and Spirit. Their's was and is no "blind faith," for they believed because a witness told them. Guess what! That's what we are, too - Witnesses to God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ that is evident in our lives each and every day. "Blind faith" my eye! Just take a look around!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You graciously and lovingly showed Yourself to Your disciples once again in order to make certain Thomas truly saw You and believed that You had truly risen from the grave as You had promised. You were not willing that he should be lost to You, just as You asked the Father (cf. John 17:6-19). You wanted Thomas, just as the rest of the disciples, to be confident of Your resurrection, rejoice in it, and be Your witnesses and proof of it to all the world - to all who would believe because of their report (cf. John. 17:20-26). Because of their testimony, and the power of Your Word and Spirit, I, too, have believed. My faith isn't blind, as the world would entice me to believe, but is based fully on the testimony of those who have come before me and Your blessings to me every day. According to Your promises I receive Your forgiveness and love each day through Your Word and the touch of those around me who love You and share You with me. Help me to be a faithful and loving witness to Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in my life, so that others might believe in You, Whom they cannot see, except as You work through me. Hear me precious Savior for Your name's sake. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 20:24-29; Hebrews 11:1-13, 39-40
BLIND FAITH?
"Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen but yet have believed." (John 20:29)
One of the least creative, but, perhaps, most used "put downs" of Christians is that we have "blind faith." In fact, it's often Christians, when hard-pressed to come up with “reasonable" responses to the queries of others about faith in Jesus, who frequently say, "You just gotta' believe!"
Perhaps one of the most poignant lessons of faith surrounding Jesus' resurrection occurred when Jesus appeared to the disciples a week after His first appearance to them. It seems Thomas wasn't with them the first time, so he only had their word on it that Jesus was alive, and he didn't find them credible. As most of us know, that's where the expression, "Doubting Thomas," has its origin.
It's kind of hard to blame Thomas for doubting the word of the disciples. From a "modern" perspective, based on the psychology of death and dying, we might presume, as Thomas did, that the disciples were hallucinating. They were in denial, the psychologists would tell us. Perhaps they were suffering from having had a "few too many," having been drowning their sorrows at the loss of their Teacher and friend. Not only that, but His body was missing from the tomb. It was enough to "drive anyone to drink." Even more, there were incredible stories flying around that He was alive - He had risen as He had said He would. Thomas wasn't about to fall down that "slippery slope." He was too practical to fall for any such tomfoolery. He was no advocate of "blind faith" and certainly wasn't about to be made out a fool.
So, after hearing the testimony of all those witnesses (we recall that in Jewish culture the word of two or three witnesses was considered bonafide proof of the truth), Thomas still didn't believe Jesus' was alive. His cautious and measured response to the disciples' "proof" of Jesus' resurrection was, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it." Imagine his surprise when a week later Jesus again appeared to the disciples in the same house as before, and specifically addresses Thomas and his doubts.
Thomas's response to Jesus is wonderful. He sees and believes. Yet, Jesus lovingly chastises him, noting that his belief is a result of his seeing with his eyes, not believing the testimony of others nor remembering Jesus' promises in his heart. Now some would say that Thomas's approach to faith is the only reasonable approach - if you can't see it, taste it, touch it, or hear it, it doesn't exist, it has no reality. To believe in something that can't be seen, tasted, touched, or heard is to believe blindly - to have "blind faith" - and that's just not reasonable. Yet, as we hear and weigh Jesus' words to Thomas, we also learn that "proof" isn't just found in the physical reality of life, but in the spiritual as well.
The writer to the Hebrews vigorously develops this truth, building upon his earlier statement, "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything" (Hebrews 3:4). He notes that even though we haven't seen God, the very existence of the world and the universe is evidence that He exists and has created all things. He writes, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews 11:3). From Abel, to Enoch and Noah, from Abraham and the patriarchs to the days of Israel in the wilderness, and from David to Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, those who believed God's promises of a Savior, a Messiah to come, were saved from and forgiven of their sins and received eternal life. For them, faith was not blind, but simply trusting the reality of God's presence in their lives as He provided for their every need, even in the most difficult times.
Contrary to the world's view of God's people, we do not believe blindly. Our evidence for faith is found in the lives and testimony of the people of God who have gone before us - Adam and Eve, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, the prophets, etc. They saw God's hand at work in their lives and, because of His care and providence in their lives, they also had faith in His promise of their coming salvation in Jesus. By God's grace, we have been blessed to draw upon this evidence for our own faith; seeing God's hand at work in their lives, helps us to see Him at work in ours as well. Our faith isn't blind, for faith sees what others are blind to seeing, and trusts what others cannot understand.
Here's a footnote to this lesson from Thomas. Tradition tells us that Thomas headed east to spread the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. That tradition says that Thomas ended up in India, declaring God's love in Christ to the lost souls in that far country. He died because he shared Jesus with others, yet today, there is a group of Christians in India, The Evangelical Christian Church of India, which considers Thomas to be their spiritual father (my doctor grew up in that church). They didn't see Jesus, they didn't hear His voice, they didn't put their fingers in His hands, or their hands into His side. They only heard the testimony of one who had first doubted, but then believed; and they took him at his word and believed in Jesus by the power of God's Word and Spirit. Their's was and is no "blind faith," for they believed because a witness told them. Guess what! That's what we are, too - Witnesses to God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Christ that is evident in our lives each and every day. "Blind faith" my eye! Just take a look around!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You graciously and lovingly showed Yourself to Your disciples once again in order to make certain Thomas truly saw You and believed that You had truly risen from the grave as You had promised. You were not willing that he should be lost to You, just as You asked the Father (cf. John 17:6-19). You wanted Thomas, just as the rest of the disciples, to be confident of Your resurrection, rejoice in it, and be Your witnesses and proof of it to all the world - to all who would believe because of their report (cf. John. 17:20-26). Because of their testimony, and the power of Your Word and Spirit, I, too, have believed. My faith isn't blind, as the world would entice me to believe, but is based fully on the testimony of those who have come before me and Your blessings to me every day. According to Your promises I receive Your forgiveness and love each day through Your Word and the touch of those around me who love You and share You with me. Help me to be a faithful and loving witness to Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in my life, so that others might believe in You, Whom they cannot see, except as You work through me. Hear me precious Savior for Your name's sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
The Power Of Our Resurrection Peace In Jesus
"Today's Devotion" For April 19, 2006
Read: John 20:19-23; Daniel 10:4-6, 10-12, 18-21
THE POWER OF OUR RESURRECTION PEACE IN JESUS
"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)
When things go horribly wrong in our lives, we're not too likely to look at them with "rose colored glasses." Pessimism and despair are our more likely companions as we face the troubles, trials, and tribulations of the world. How often don't we seek to "bury our heads in the sand," in order to avoid the pain and anguish of a tragedy in our lives or the lives of those we love? Not only are we often inclined to act this way when tragedy hits our personal lives, but also when things are happening in our communities and the world which are hurtful and harmful to others.
It is, therefore, not too difficult for us to understand and appreciate the dilemma in which the disciples found themselves on the evening of Easter. The stone had been rolled away and stories of Jesus' resurrection had been making the rounds - Peter and John had seen the empty tomb, Peter had heard an angel say Jesus had arisen, Mary Magdalene had been told by an angel Jesus' was alive again and she also saw Jesus - yet, no matter the power of these accounts, fear was still the dominate force in their lives. In fact, John tells us that they were locked away for "fear of the Jews" (Jn. 20:19), totally uncertain as to what should be their next steps. And, as is always the case, when things seemed the bleakest, God's peace and hope were presented once again to give them strength.
Jesus' appearance to the disciples wasn't an incidental "haunting." He was truly there in His flesh and blood to encourage and strengthen the disciples. His very presence must have sent a chill up the spine of each disciple as the Lord of lords and King of kings, He who had been slain and put in a tomb, was now standing in their midst, whole and truly alive. His first words to them, "Peace be with you" (a common greeting among the Jews), was fully intended to assuage their fears, calm their trembling, and draw their attention to the reality of His resurrection. He took the time to show them His hands and side to prove that He was truly present, in the flesh. His greeting and actions had its desired effect. We're told that the disciples "were overjoyed when they saw the Lord" (Jn. 20:20).
Filled with joy, the disciples again heard Jesus say, "Peace be with you," only this time He added a new dimension to the power of His peace. Filled with His peace, the disciples were sent by Him to tell others the Good News of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in the resurrected Jesus. Jesus' gift to them was not only His peace, His presence, or the privilege of telling others the Good News. His gift to them was also the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus' breathed upon them and through whom we are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus' name.
Jesus' gift of peace in His resurrection calms our fears and gives us hope in the face of even the most dire circumstances. Jesus' resurrection shows us we have no need to fear death and the grave - that death is not the end of life, but the beginning of eternal life with Jesus. In Jesus' resurrection we not only are at peace with God, but we also have the power to live for Jesus each day and touch others with God's love and forgiveness in Him. As we walk daily with Jesus, filled with His peace and His Holy Spirit, we are filled with His power and His strength. We don't walk alone, talk alone, live alone, or witness alone. Our witness is made in His presence and with His widsom and strength. The power of our resurrection peace so fills us with peace, joy and hope - God's gifts to us in Jesus - that we are able to face any hardship, any persecution, any threat of death because we follow Jesus, or any derision and in justice we may face because we belong to Him. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! What hope and peace this gives!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, just as You brought Your peace into the locked room and put it in the hearts and minds of Your disciples, so also do I ask that You would fill me with that same peace - a peace made certain and sure by Your resurrection from the grave. By Your resurrection I am assured that my hope in You is not misplace, but that You have overcome and conquered both death and the grave. Grant me an extra measure of Your Holy Spirit so that I may always live with Your peace and joy in my heart, the assurance of the resurrection unto eternal life in my life, and the willingness to serve You by going to others with Your love and forgiveness. Hear my prayer, gracious and precious Savior, for Your name's sake. Amen.
*************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 20:19-23; Daniel 10:4-6, 10-12, 18-21
THE POWER OF OUR RESURRECTION PEACE IN JESUS
"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)
When things go horribly wrong in our lives, we're not too likely to look at them with "rose colored glasses." Pessimism and despair are our more likely companions as we face the troubles, trials, and tribulations of the world. How often don't we seek to "bury our heads in the sand," in order to avoid the pain and anguish of a tragedy in our lives or the lives of those we love? Not only are we often inclined to act this way when tragedy hits our personal lives, but also when things are happening in our communities and the world which are hurtful and harmful to others.
It is, therefore, not too difficult for us to understand and appreciate the dilemma in which the disciples found themselves on the evening of Easter. The stone had been rolled away and stories of Jesus' resurrection had been making the rounds - Peter and John had seen the empty tomb, Peter had heard an angel say Jesus had arisen, Mary Magdalene had been told by an angel Jesus' was alive again and she also saw Jesus - yet, no matter the power of these accounts, fear was still the dominate force in their lives. In fact, John tells us that they were locked away for "fear of the Jews" (Jn. 20:19), totally uncertain as to what should be their next steps. And, as is always the case, when things seemed the bleakest, God's peace and hope were presented once again to give them strength.
Jesus' appearance to the disciples wasn't an incidental "haunting." He was truly there in His flesh and blood to encourage and strengthen the disciples. His very presence must have sent a chill up the spine of each disciple as the Lord of lords and King of kings, He who had been slain and put in a tomb, was now standing in their midst, whole and truly alive. His first words to them, "Peace be with you" (a common greeting among the Jews), was fully intended to assuage their fears, calm their trembling, and draw their attention to the reality of His resurrection. He took the time to show them His hands and side to prove that He was truly present, in the flesh. His greeting and actions had its desired effect. We're told that the disciples "were overjoyed when they saw the Lord" (Jn. 20:20).
Filled with joy, the disciples again heard Jesus say, "Peace be with you," only this time He added a new dimension to the power of His peace. Filled with His peace, the disciples were sent by Him to tell others the Good News of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in the resurrected Jesus. Jesus' gift to them was not only His peace, His presence, or the privilege of telling others the Good News. His gift to them was also the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus' breathed upon them and through whom we are empowered to forgive sins in Jesus' name.
Jesus' gift of peace in His resurrection calms our fears and gives us hope in the face of even the most dire circumstances. Jesus' resurrection shows us we have no need to fear death and the grave - that death is not the end of life, but the beginning of eternal life with Jesus. In Jesus' resurrection we not only are at peace with God, but we also have the power to live for Jesus each day and touch others with God's love and forgiveness in Him. As we walk daily with Jesus, filled with His peace and His Holy Spirit, we are filled with His power and His strength. We don't walk alone, talk alone, live alone, or witness alone. Our witness is made in His presence and with His widsom and strength. The power of our resurrection peace so fills us with peace, joy and hope - God's gifts to us in Jesus - that we are able to face any hardship, any persecution, any threat of death because we follow Jesus, or any derision and in justice we may face because we belong to Him. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! What hope and peace this gives!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, just as You brought Your peace into the locked room and put it in the hearts and minds of Your disciples, so also do I ask that You would fill me with that same peace - a peace made certain and sure by Your resurrection from the grave. By Your resurrection I am assured that my hope in You is not misplace, but that You have overcome and conquered both death and the grave. Grant me an extra measure of Your Holy Spirit so that I may always live with Your peace and joy in my heart, the assurance of the resurrection unto eternal life in my life, and the willingness to serve You by going to others with Your love and forgiveness. Hear my prayer, gracious and precious Savior, for Your name's sake. Amen.
*************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hearing The Voice Of Our Master
"Today's Devotion" For April 18, 2006
Read: John 20:10-18; Psalm 91
HEARING THE VOICE OF OUR MASTER
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)
Years ago, one of the most famous advertisements, seen on television, billboards, in newspapers, and in magazines was for RCA Victor. It advertised "Hi-Fi" equipment manufactured by RCA Victor and was notable for its trademark image of a St. Bernard sitting at the end of a gramophone sound bell. The trademark words accompanying this image went something like this, "The voice of his master," and were intended to emphasize the quality of the sound produced by the company's products.
When I was a child, I remember a television program by the name of , "This Is Your Life." One of the features of the program that always stood out for me was the "voice from behind the curtain" (so to speak), during which time a significant person or persons from the "honoree's" life spoke about something familiar and special in the "honoree's" life. The "honoree" was to try to guess who fit that "voice." What always amazed me wasn't how often the "honoree" knew who was speaking, but how often he or she didn't know.
Obstetricians and pediatricians have long noted that it's important for parents to talk to a baby in the womb. Anecdotal evidence, enough to fill dozens of warehouses I suppose, exists to support this assertion. Pediatric nurses in the nurseries of hospitals have often shared their observations of the soothing, calming effect a mother's voice has for her newborn infant immediately after birth.
Mary Magdalene, like all of Jesus' followers, was devastated by the events that had transpired during the previous four days in Jerusalem. Jesus had been tried and convicted of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin and sentenced to die by crucifixion. Hurriedly buried in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb as the Sabbath was approaching at Friday's sunset, Jesus' body hadn't been properly prepared for burial and some of the women closest to Jesus went to the tomb the morning after the Sabbath had ended to finish its preparation. Horror of horrors! The tomb was empty! Jesus' body was nowhere to be found. "Stolen" was Mary's first thought as she raced to tell the disciples (John 20:1, 2).
Later on, Mary stood outside the empty tomb, hurt, wounded in spirit, and crying. As she looked into the empty tomb she saw two angels in white who asked her why she was crying. Even seeing the angels didn't seem to give Mary a clue to the truth. Her response, "They have taken my Lord away and I don't know where they have put Him," shows her thoughts and feelings were all in a jumble. As she turns away she sees Jesus, but doesn't recognize Him. He, too, asks her why she was crying and who she was looking for. Her only response is, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him." To this, Jesus said one word, "Mary."
Suddenly, all the pain and anguish, horrible memories and sorrow were blown away. "Rabboni!" - "Teacher" - flies off Mary's lips. She is overjoyed and filled with hope as she reaches for Him. She knew His voice. Even though she didn't recognize Him (and Biblical scholars have long said Jesus' appearance must have been changed by His resurrection), she knew His voice. It was a voice of hope, peace, joy, comfort, love, and forgiveness. It was the voice of her Lord and Savior, the voice of the "Master," who had shed His life's blood as the once and final sacrifice for the sins of the world - her's included.
Through the power and presence of God's Word and Spirit in our lives of faith, we, too, as Mary did, recognize the voice of our Lord and Master, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus. In the midst of a world full of turmoil, pain, suffering, hatred, destruction, and death; amidst the din of angry voices full of hatred, scorn, derision, and lies, the redeemed in Christ hear His voice and follow Him. Jesus, Himself, the Good Shepherd, tells us that "My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). As we hear His voice through the din and tumult of this world, we are uplifted and encouraged in our lives of faith. Jesus words, "If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20), give us hope and peace in the midst of the world's troubles. As His dearly beloved children, hearing the voice of our Master, we boldly step forward in faith to serve Him and others in His name - sharing the Good News so that others might also "hear the voice of their Master" as well.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your suffering, death, and resurrection bring hope and peace into my life as I face the horrible things that Sin does in the world. Thank You for sending Your Word and Spirit into my life that I might know Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Above all, help me to always listen for Your voice and, hearing it, be an obedient servant and witness of Your Good News to the world around me. Guide me and strengthen me in my faith that I may never be stopped in my sharing of Your love and forgiveness by my fears and the threats of the world. By Your grace and blessing You have declared me Your redeemed and restored child - a child of my Father in heaven. Let my every word and action be acceptable in Your sight and a true witness to Your love and redemption for the world. Hear my prayer, precious Savior. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 20:10-18; Psalm 91
HEARING THE VOICE OF OUR MASTER
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)
Years ago, one of the most famous advertisements, seen on television, billboards, in newspapers, and in magazines was for RCA Victor. It advertised "Hi-Fi" equipment manufactured by RCA Victor and was notable for its trademark image of a St. Bernard sitting at the end of a gramophone sound bell. The trademark words accompanying this image went something like this, "The voice of his master," and were intended to emphasize the quality of the sound produced by the company's products.
When I was a child, I remember a television program by the name of , "This Is Your Life." One of the features of the program that always stood out for me was the "voice from behind the curtain" (so to speak), during which time a significant person or persons from the "honoree's" life spoke about something familiar and special in the "honoree's" life. The "honoree" was to try to guess who fit that "voice." What always amazed me wasn't how often the "honoree" knew who was speaking, but how often he or she didn't know.
Obstetricians and pediatricians have long noted that it's important for parents to talk to a baby in the womb. Anecdotal evidence, enough to fill dozens of warehouses I suppose, exists to support this assertion. Pediatric nurses in the nurseries of hospitals have often shared their observations of the soothing, calming effect a mother's voice has for her newborn infant immediately after birth.
Mary Magdalene, like all of Jesus' followers, was devastated by the events that had transpired during the previous four days in Jerusalem. Jesus had been tried and convicted of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin and sentenced to die by crucifixion. Hurriedly buried in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb as the Sabbath was approaching at Friday's sunset, Jesus' body hadn't been properly prepared for burial and some of the women closest to Jesus went to the tomb the morning after the Sabbath had ended to finish its preparation. Horror of horrors! The tomb was empty! Jesus' body was nowhere to be found. "Stolen" was Mary's first thought as she raced to tell the disciples (John 20:1, 2).
Later on, Mary stood outside the empty tomb, hurt, wounded in spirit, and crying. As she looked into the empty tomb she saw two angels in white who asked her why she was crying. Even seeing the angels didn't seem to give Mary a clue to the truth. Her response, "They have taken my Lord away and I don't know where they have put Him," shows her thoughts and feelings were all in a jumble. As she turns away she sees Jesus, but doesn't recognize Him. He, too, asks her why she was crying and who she was looking for. Her only response is, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him." To this, Jesus said one word, "Mary."
Suddenly, all the pain and anguish, horrible memories and sorrow were blown away. "Rabboni!" - "Teacher" - flies off Mary's lips. She is overjoyed and filled with hope as she reaches for Him. She knew His voice. Even though she didn't recognize Him (and Biblical scholars have long said Jesus' appearance must have been changed by His resurrection), she knew His voice. It was a voice of hope, peace, joy, comfort, love, and forgiveness. It was the voice of her Lord and Savior, the voice of the "Master," who had shed His life's blood as the once and final sacrifice for the sins of the world - her's included.
Through the power and presence of God's Word and Spirit in our lives of faith, we, too, as Mary did, recognize the voice of our Lord and Master, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus. In the midst of a world full of turmoil, pain, suffering, hatred, destruction, and death; amidst the din of angry voices full of hatred, scorn, derision, and lies, the redeemed in Christ hear His voice and follow Him. Jesus, Himself, the Good Shepherd, tells us that "My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). As we hear His voice through the din and tumult of this world, we are uplifted and encouraged in our lives of faith. Jesus words, "If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20), give us hope and peace in the midst of the world's troubles. As His dearly beloved children, hearing the voice of our Master, we boldly step forward in faith to serve Him and others in His name - sharing the Good News so that others might also "hear the voice of their Master" as well.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your suffering, death, and resurrection bring hope and peace into my life as I face the horrible things that Sin does in the world. Thank You for sending Your Word and Spirit into my life that I might know Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Above all, help me to always listen for Your voice and, hearing it, be an obedient servant and witness of Your Good News to the world around me. Guide me and strengthen me in my faith that I may never be stopped in my sharing of Your love and forgiveness by my fears and the threats of the world. By Your grace and blessing You have declared me Your redeemed and restored child - a child of my Father in heaven. Let my every word and action be acceptable in Your sight and a true witness to Your love and redemption for the world. Hear my prayer, precious Savior. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, April 17, 2006
A Glorious And Saving Message To Share
"Today's Devotion" For April 17, 2006
Read: Job 19:25-27; Matthew 28:16-20
A GLORIOUS AND SAVING MESSAGE TO SHARE
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh will I see God." (Job 19:25, 26)
Well, here we are, the morning after Easter. As I look out the kitchen window I see a bright, sunshine filled day. It's still cool; I expect it will be a bit warmer later. The three of our children still left at home have the day off from school and my wife has the whole week off from teaching as she has an Easter break. I have some things to do today, but nothing that I have to hurry to complete (except, of course, this devotion:>). All in all, it's just another day, even though it's the day after Easter.
I'm quite certain, however, that such was not the case for Jesus' disciples the day after the first Easter. They had heard from the women who had found the tomb of Jesus empty. Mary Magdalene had reported a strange tale of meeting a "stranger" in the area of the tomb who had called her name, "Mary," in that familiar way that Jesus had when He had always addressed her She was telling everyone that Jesus was alive!
And then came the accounts of Peter and John, who upon hearing the news from the women raced to the tomb to check out the story. What they found was that Jesus was, in fact, no longer in the tomb. On top of that, Peter reported having an angel speak to him and tell him He had arisen according to His promise! That same evening, while the disciples were locked away, fearful of the religious authorities, Jesus appeared to them. Sharing His peace with them and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, He commissioned them to get out and tell everyone the Good News of forgiveness in Him (John 20:21,22).
In addition, on the first day after that first Easter, there also came the account of the disciples who had just raced back to Jerusalem from Emmaus. Traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus the night before, they had encountered a stranger on the road. While they were walking He saw their crestfallen expressions. He asked them about their obvious discomfiture. They discussed with Him the events of the past few days and He shared the Scriptures with them concerning those events. Inviting Him to stay with them for the night they sat down to eat. As their guest, He was asked to break the bread and give the blessing. As He did so, they realized the stranger was their Lord Jesus Christ Himself. At that point He disappeared from their sight and they immediately raced back to Jerusalem (late at night - not a safe of wise thing to do) to bring the news to the disciples.
What a first day after Easter that must have been for the Apostles and all the other disciples of Jesus! The events of the previous day were no doubt sending waves of relief and joy, anxiety and despair, thanksgiving and fear undulating over and through them with great intensity. They had seen Jesus alive! But was it really Jesus? Was it a ghost as Thomas said it must have been because he didn't believe their accounts? Uncertainty was no doubt overwhelming faith. What was happening? Who's playing these "games" on us? Why is this going on? What should we make of all of this?
All in all it can be reasonably asserted that the first day after Easter nearly two thousand years ago was a day full of conflicting emotions and incredible reports. What had happened since the previous Sunday when Jesus had entered into Jerusalem was unprecedented in the annals of the history of God's people. To hear that He was truly alive was almost too good to be true! The doubts and fears the disciples had experienced over the past week were struggling with the new waves of joy, peace, faith, and hope that were tugging at their hearts. Resurrection! It had happened! Could it really be believed? What did it all mean? Certainly the first day after that first Easter wasn't a quiet or "normal" day as we're experiencing today.
What it does mean for this day, however, is that we have glorious and saving message of forgiveness and hope to share with the world. It's a message that needs to be proclaimed on a daily basis as people face the intense injustices that permeate society (whether in our courts or in our communities), disregard for human life and dignity, starvation and homelessness, and a host of other societal maladies that degrade God's gift of life because of Sin. With joy and confidence our Lord not only calls upon us to share Job's confession, "I know that my Redeemer lives...," but He also gives us the comfort and power of His Holy Spirit so that we can confidently and joyfully share the message and power of His resurrection for the salvation of the world. As we live by faith in the risen Christ, we are filled with His peace and joy, His forgiveness and love in such great quantities that we just can't keep it to ourselves. He is risen! His people cry. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! His Church proclaims. And the people said, "Amen!"
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the marvelous grace and mercy You shower upon me in Christ Jesus every day of my life. Even when I fail You miserably because I give in to Sin and unbelief, You nevertheless shower me with Your grace and blessings, touching me with Your presence through Word and Sacraments, and offer me Your free and certain forgiveness in my risen Savior Jesus Christ. Strengthen my faith, Father, today and every day that I might boldly and proudly proclaim the glorious message and meaning of Jesus' resurrection to everyone I meet. Help me by Your almighty power to live fully in Your forgiveness and confidently in Your love that I may never shy away from living for Jesus and sharing Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with others, even to the point of death. Because Jesus lives, I know that I will live also with You in heaven and in this I have true peace, confidence and hope. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Job 19:25-27; Matthew 28:16-20
A GLORIOUS AND SAVING MESSAGE TO SHARE
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh will I see God." (Job 19:25, 26)
Well, here we are, the morning after Easter. As I look out the kitchen window I see a bright, sunshine filled day. It's still cool; I expect it will be a bit warmer later. The three of our children still left at home have the day off from school and my wife has the whole week off from teaching as she has an Easter break. I have some things to do today, but nothing that I have to hurry to complete (except, of course, this devotion:>). All in all, it's just another day, even though it's the day after Easter.
I'm quite certain, however, that such was not the case for Jesus' disciples the day after the first Easter. They had heard from the women who had found the tomb of Jesus empty. Mary Magdalene had reported a strange tale of meeting a "stranger" in the area of the tomb who had called her name, "Mary," in that familiar way that Jesus had when He had always addressed her She was telling everyone that Jesus was alive!
And then came the accounts of Peter and John, who upon hearing the news from the women raced to the tomb to check out the story. What they found was that Jesus was, in fact, no longer in the tomb. On top of that, Peter reported having an angel speak to him and tell him He had arisen according to His promise! That same evening, while the disciples were locked away, fearful of the religious authorities, Jesus appeared to them. Sharing His peace with them and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, He commissioned them to get out and tell everyone the Good News of forgiveness in Him (John 20:21,22).
In addition, on the first day after that first Easter, there also came the account of the disciples who had just raced back to Jerusalem from Emmaus. Traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus the night before, they had encountered a stranger on the road. While they were walking He saw their crestfallen expressions. He asked them about their obvious discomfiture. They discussed with Him the events of the past few days and He shared the Scriptures with them concerning those events. Inviting Him to stay with them for the night they sat down to eat. As their guest, He was asked to break the bread and give the blessing. As He did so, they realized the stranger was their Lord Jesus Christ Himself. At that point He disappeared from their sight and they immediately raced back to Jerusalem (late at night - not a safe of wise thing to do) to bring the news to the disciples.
What a first day after Easter that must have been for the Apostles and all the other disciples of Jesus! The events of the previous day were no doubt sending waves of relief and joy, anxiety and despair, thanksgiving and fear undulating over and through them with great intensity. They had seen Jesus alive! But was it really Jesus? Was it a ghost as Thomas said it must have been because he didn't believe their accounts? Uncertainty was no doubt overwhelming faith. What was happening? Who's playing these "games" on us? Why is this going on? What should we make of all of this?
All in all it can be reasonably asserted that the first day after Easter nearly two thousand years ago was a day full of conflicting emotions and incredible reports. What had happened since the previous Sunday when Jesus had entered into Jerusalem was unprecedented in the annals of the history of God's people. To hear that He was truly alive was almost too good to be true! The doubts and fears the disciples had experienced over the past week were struggling with the new waves of joy, peace, faith, and hope that were tugging at their hearts. Resurrection! It had happened! Could it really be believed? What did it all mean? Certainly the first day after that first Easter wasn't a quiet or "normal" day as we're experiencing today.
What it does mean for this day, however, is that we have glorious and saving message of forgiveness and hope to share with the world. It's a message that needs to be proclaimed on a daily basis as people face the intense injustices that permeate society (whether in our courts or in our communities), disregard for human life and dignity, starvation and homelessness, and a host of other societal maladies that degrade God's gift of life because of Sin. With joy and confidence our Lord not only calls upon us to share Job's confession, "I know that my Redeemer lives...," but He also gives us the comfort and power of His Holy Spirit so that we can confidently and joyfully share the message and power of His resurrection for the salvation of the world. As we live by faith in the risen Christ, we are filled with His peace and joy, His forgiveness and love in such great quantities that we just can't keep it to ourselves. He is risen! His people cry. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! His Church proclaims. And the people said, "Amen!"
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the marvelous grace and mercy You shower upon me in Christ Jesus every day of my life. Even when I fail You miserably because I give in to Sin and unbelief, You nevertheless shower me with Your grace and blessings, touching me with Your presence through Word and Sacraments, and offer me Your free and certain forgiveness in my risen Savior Jesus Christ. Strengthen my faith, Father, today and every day that I might boldly and proudly proclaim the glorious message and meaning of Jesus' resurrection to everyone I meet. Help me by Your almighty power to live fully in Your forgiveness and confidently in Your love that I may never shy away from living for Jesus and sharing Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness with others, even to the point of death. Because Jesus lives, I know that I will live also with You in heaven and in this I have true peace, confidence and hope. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
*****************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Our Resurrection Epitaph In Jesus
"Today's Devotion" For April 15, 2006
Read: I Corinthians 15; Job 19:25-27
OUR RESURRECTION EPITAPH IN JESUS
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you..." (I Peter 1:3-4)
Tomorrow Christians all over the world will celebrate the Resurrectionof Jesus Christ, the Son of God, from the grave. At the same time, somewhere in the world today (and tomorrow) people are and will be dying. Death is a very real part of life. For some of those who are dying today or will die tomorrow, the hope of the resurrection in Jesus that is their hope by faith in Him fills their hearts and puts a song on their lips. Death holds no terror for them because they are filled with the pure joy and peace that is the blessing of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior from Sin, Death, and Satan. At the same time countless others are and will be dying alone - empty, afraid, and lost in the despair of Sin and unbelief. Rather than dyingwith the certain hope of eternal life as a forgiven sinner in Christ, they will enter into an eternity without the presence of God.
As we contemplate and remember the events of that "Good Friday" almosttwo thousand years ago and anticipate our resurrection celebration tomorrow, it's very important for us, as God's people in Christ to take the time to absorb the marvelous grace and mercy of God. God's great gift in Jesus is a faith that trusts in the promise of the resurrection and fills the believer with wonder, peace, and joy. In the face of a lost and dying world and all the "troubles" we've seen, it's really very easy to get overwhelmed by them and lose sight of the power of the Word and Spirit which continue to fill us with the wonder of the resurrection. To know and believe in the resurrection of the dead unto eternal life because of the sacrifice of Christ Jesusis to take heart in the words of Job when he says, "I know that my Redeemer lives...(and) in my flesh I shall see God when He calls me to Himself on the Last Day.
It's quite amazing how God gets the message of the Resurrection out to the world. He sometimes uses some incredible events and things to focus our attention on His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness for us- blessings from Him He will never take away. No less a statesman thanBenjamin Franklin was caught up in the spirit of the resurrection as St. Paul shares it in I Corinthians 15. Benjamin Franklin, in tribute to God's grace wrote the epitaph for his tombstone which goes like this:
The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer
Like the cover of an old book, its contents
torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding
lies here, food for worms.
But the work will not be lost,
For it will appear once more
In a new and more elegant edition,
Revised and corrected by the Author.
By faith in Jesus Christ, we are blessed to have Mr. Franklin's attitude about death. It frees us to live life in marvelous and wondrous ways, as we are filled with God's peace. Our lives as witnesses to God's love in Christ reflect the power of the resurrection to give people hope and peace in the midst of the worst possible circumstances. Although epitaphs are for tombstones, the resurrection is the gift of life for those who are alive in Christ. Live in the assurance of this promise of God today and everyday.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christmy Lord and Savior, You showed that You had accepted His sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the world. Your forgiveness is mine in Him for which I give You humble and hearty thanks. Help me to live in anticipation of the resurrection on the Last Day, drawing strength and courage from Your promise as I live each day for You, giving testimony in word and deed to Your love, grace, and mercy for all to see. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Corinthians 15; Job 19:25-27
OUR RESURRECTION EPITAPH IN JESUS
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you..." (I Peter 1:3-4)
Tomorrow Christians all over the world will celebrate the Resurrectionof Jesus Christ, the Son of God, from the grave. At the same time, somewhere in the world today (and tomorrow) people are and will be dying. Death is a very real part of life. For some of those who are dying today or will die tomorrow, the hope of the resurrection in Jesus that is their hope by faith in Him fills their hearts and puts a song on their lips. Death holds no terror for them because they are filled with the pure joy and peace that is the blessing of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior from Sin, Death, and Satan. At the same time countless others are and will be dying alone - empty, afraid, and lost in the despair of Sin and unbelief. Rather than dyingwith the certain hope of eternal life as a forgiven sinner in Christ, they will enter into an eternity without the presence of God.
As we contemplate and remember the events of that "Good Friday" almosttwo thousand years ago and anticipate our resurrection celebration tomorrow, it's very important for us, as God's people in Christ to take the time to absorb the marvelous grace and mercy of God. God's great gift in Jesus is a faith that trusts in the promise of the resurrection and fills the believer with wonder, peace, and joy. In the face of a lost and dying world and all the "troubles" we've seen, it's really very easy to get overwhelmed by them and lose sight of the power of the Word and Spirit which continue to fill us with the wonder of the resurrection. To know and believe in the resurrection of the dead unto eternal life because of the sacrifice of Christ Jesusis to take heart in the words of Job when he says, "I know that my Redeemer lives...(and) in my flesh I shall see God when He calls me to Himself on the Last Day.
It's quite amazing how God gets the message of the Resurrection out to the world. He sometimes uses some incredible events and things to focus our attention on His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness for us- blessings from Him He will never take away. No less a statesman thanBenjamin Franklin was caught up in the spirit of the resurrection as St. Paul shares it in I Corinthians 15. Benjamin Franklin, in tribute to God's grace wrote the epitaph for his tombstone which goes like this:
The body of Benjamin Franklin, printer
Like the cover of an old book, its contents
torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding
lies here, food for worms.
But the work will not be lost,
For it will appear once more
In a new and more elegant edition,
Revised and corrected by the Author.
By faith in Jesus Christ, we are blessed to have Mr. Franklin's attitude about death. It frees us to live life in marvelous and wondrous ways, as we are filled with God's peace. Our lives as witnesses to God's love in Christ reflect the power of the resurrection to give people hope and peace in the midst of the worst possible circumstances. Although epitaphs are for tombstones, the resurrection is the gift of life for those who are alive in Christ. Live in the assurance of this promise of God today and everyday.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christmy Lord and Savior, You showed that You had accepted His sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the world. Your forgiveness is mine in Him for which I give You humble and hearty thanks. Help me to live in anticipation of the resurrection on the Last Day, drawing strength and courage from Your promise as I live each day for You, giving testimony in word and deed to Your love, grace, and mercy for all to see. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Our Salvation In Christ - "It Is Finished"
"Today's Devotion" For April 14, 2006
Read: John 19:16-30; Isaiah 53:1-12
OUR SALVATION IN CHRST - "IT IS FINISHED
"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."(Jn.19:30)
At the time of the writing of "Today's Devotion" it is 12:47pm, Central Daylight Savings Time. It's Good Friday and we're almost through one-third of the time (from noon to 3pm - the sixth to the ninth hours) during which Jesus' was hanging on the Cross, being crucified for sins of the world. Based on our current calendars (with some questionable accuracy), we Christians are observing Good Friday for the 1, 976th time.On that day, according to Scripture, we're told the sun disappeared and darkness came over the whole earth. In sharp contrast to the gloom and doom of the first Good Friday, today is a bright, warm, sunshiny day, at least here in Milwaukee.
While there are places in this city and other cities around the nation where there are "killing fields," there's no place quite like Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull," the hill outside of Jerusalem that the Romans used for the execution by crucifixion of the enemies of Rome and criminals that sought to disrupt a peaceful society. It's the place where the Lord of life, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the Christ, the Messiah promised by God gave His life as full payment for our sins. An innocent man, wrongly convicted through deceit and lies, but all according to God's plan to save the world, His creation, from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan.
It's on the cross, at the end of the three hours of agony, that our Lord finally finished the task the Father had given Him. In a sense, the purpose for Jesus being on the Cross - as the sacrifice for the sins of the world - was no different from the purpose for the moneychangers and sellers of doves and other livestock that Jesus drove out of the temple courts earlier in the week. The original purpose of that "commerce" in the temple courts was to provide the necessary animals for the sacrifices of a repentant and worshipful people. Over time, as Sin continued to do its insidious work in the lives of God's people, that original purpose of the moneychangers and sellers, blurred into the regular commerce of the city. Its primary, original purpose had become blurred and degraded. Instead of being a special exercise of service it had devolved into a money making, clamoring, and tumultuous exercise that disrupted the worship of people, particularly Gentile believers. The words spoken in our text, words we've come to know as the "sixth word from the cross," bear the full brunt of the meaning of Jesus' unjust suffering and death. That unjust suffering and death brought God's perfect justice to bear on the sins of the whole world, on your sins and mine, that we might, once and for all time be declared righteous before Him and enabled to receive His forgiveness, mercy, and love.
After millennia, the final action of God to redeem His Creation, and restore it to Himself was finishing up on the Cross. Jesus was the full and complete, ultimate sacrifice for Sin, once and for all time. His sacrifice wasn't just for those attending the Temple in Jerusalem, but for all people. His sacrifice completelypaid the price God's perfect righteousness, perfect justice, and holiness requires. As our Lord Jesus cries out, "It is finished," He declares that His work is done, the sacrifice for sins is complete, and God's promises to Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and on throughout Israel's history have no been fulfilled.
Jesus' cry, "It is finished," puts a finality on God's Plan of Salvation. Nothing more is needed; no more sacrifices for sin are necessary, and God's perfect justice and righteousness are fulfilled by Jesus. Our salvation is a free gift of God's grace (Ephesians 2:8,9). It has been purchased and won for us by Jesus. We don't earn it and we certainly don't deserve it, but it is nevertheless completed in us by Jesus. No matter what we do in our lives, no matter where we go or what we accomplish, we can be certain we'll never be truly "finished" with anything. There's always room for improvement and there's always something more to do, places to go, people to see, battles to win, fights to fight, and...well, you know the drill. When Jesus' said, "It is finished," His task was truly finished. There was nothing more, nor is there anything more to be done to save the world from Sin.
As we once more wait in anticipation of the Easter celebration on Sunday, we do so with great joy and confidence, filled with the certainty that our salvation is complete and there's nothing we need to do to save ourselves. By faith, God's own gift to us, we are saved. "It is finished." There's nothing more to do. These words of Jesus Christ while on the Cross resound like the clear pealing of a bell. "It is finished" is the dying utterance of the Son of God, the Savior of the world, declaring that once and for all time, God's peace rests upon this world and its inhabitants. "It is finished" sounds the death knell for Sin's power over us. "It is finished" means the job is done, it can't be improved upon, it will never need doing over, nor will it ever fade away.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You gave Yourself as a ransom for many, paying the ultimate price for my sins and the sins of the whole world. On the Cross You suffered the indignity of the innocent being punished in the place of the guilty. You became "guilty" for the whole world so that I and all people might be forgiven and restored to the Father once and for all times. As I remember Your words, "It is finished," help me to also hear the finality and completeness of those words. Help me to understand and believe that there truly is nothing that I can do to save myself, but that You have done it totally and completely for me. Lead me to share that fully with others as I live in its total message of forgiveness each and every day. Thank You Lord for this marvelous gift that gives me life and hope. In Your name I pray. Amen.
******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: John 19:16-30; Isaiah 53:1-12
OUR SALVATION IN CHRST - "IT IS FINISHED
"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."(Jn.19:30)
At the time of the writing of "Today's Devotion" it is 12:47pm, Central Daylight Savings Time. It's Good Friday and we're almost through one-third of the time (from noon to 3pm - the sixth to the ninth hours) during which Jesus' was hanging on the Cross, being crucified for sins of the world. Based on our current calendars (with some questionable accuracy), we Christians are observing Good Friday for the 1, 976th time.On that day, according to Scripture, we're told the sun disappeared and darkness came over the whole earth. In sharp contrast to the gloom and doom of the first Good Friday, today is a bright, warm, sunshiny day, at least here in Milwaukee.
While there are places in this city and other cities around the nation where there are "killing fields," there's no place quite like Golgotha, the "Place of the Skull," the hill outside of Jerusalem that the Romans used for the execution by crucifixion of the enemies of Rome and criminals that sought to disrupt a peaceful society. It's the place where the Lord of life, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the Christ, the Messiah promised by God gave His life as full payment for our sins. An innocent man, wrongly convicted through deceit and lies, but all according to God's plan to save the world, His creation, from the power of Sin, Death, and Satan.
It's on the cross, at the end of the three hours of agony, that our Lord finally finished the task the Father had given Him. In a sense, the purpose for Jesus being on the Cross - as the sacrifice for the sins of the world - was no different from the purpose for the moneychangers and sellers of doves and other livestock that Jesus drove out of the temple courts earlier in the week. The original purpose of that "commerce" in the temple courts was to provide the necessary animals for the sacrifices of a repentant and worshipful people. Over time, as Sin continued to do its insidious work in the lives of God's people, that original purpose of the moneychangers and sellers, blurred into the regular commerce of the city. Its primary, original purpose had become blurred and degraded. Instead of being a special exercise of service it had devolved into a money making, clamoring, and tumultuous exercise that disrupted the worship of people, particularly Gentile believers. The words spoken in our text, words we've come to know as the "sixth word from the cross," bear the full brunt of the meaning of Jesus' unjust suffering and death. That unjust suffering and death brought God's perfect justice to bear on the sins of the whole world, on your sins and mine, that we might, once and for all time be declared righteous before Him and enabled to receive His forgiveness, mercy, and love.
After millennia, the final action of God to redeem His Creation, and restore it to Himself was finishing up on the Cross. Jesus was the full and complete, ultimate sacrifice for Sin, once and for all time. His sacrifice wasn't just for those attending the Temple in Jerusalem, but for all people. His sacrifice completelypaid the price God's perfect righteousness, perfect justice, and holiness requires. As our Lord Jesus cries out, "It is finished," He declares that His work is done, the sacrifice for sins is complete, and God's promises to Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and on throughout Israel's history have no been fulfilled.
Jesus' cry, "It is finished," puts a finality on God's Plan of Salvation. Nothing more is needed; no more sacrifices for sin are necessary, and God's perfect justice and righteousness are fulfilled by Jesus. Our salvation is a free gift of God's grace (Ephesians 2:8,9). It has been purchased and won for us by Jesus. We don't earn it and we certainly don't deserve it, but it is nevertheless completed in us by Jesus. No matter what we do in our lives, no matter where we go or what we accomplish, we can be certain we'll never be truly "finished" with anything. There's always room for improvement and there's always something more to do, places to go, people to see, battles to win, fights to fight, and...well, you know the drill. When Jesus' said, "It is finished," His task was truly finished. There was nothing more, nor is there anything more to be done to save the world from Sin.
As we once more wait in anticipation of the Easter celebration on Sunday, we do so with great joy and confidence, filled with the certainty that our salvation is complete and there's nothing we need to do to save ourselves. By faith, God's own gift to us, we are saved. "It is finished." There's nothing more to do. These words of Jesus Christ while on the Cross resound like the clear pealing of a bell. "It is finished" is the dying utterance of the Son of God, the Savior of the world, declaring that once and for all time, God's peace rests upon this world and its inhabitants. "It is finished" sounds the death knell for Sin's power over us. "It is finished" means the job is done, it can't be improved upon, it will never need doing over, nor will it ever fade away.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You gave Yourself as a ransom for many, paying the ultimate price for my sins and the sins of the whole world. On the Cross You suffered the indignity of the innocent being punished in the place of the guilty. You became "guilty" for the whole world so that I and all people might be forgiven and restored to the Father once and for all times. As I remember Your words, "It is finished," help me to also hear the finality and completeness of those words. Help me to understand and believe that there truly is nothing that I can do to save myself, but that You have done it totally and completely for me. Lead me to share that fully with others as I live in its total message of forgiveness each and every day. Thank You Lord for this marvelous gift that gives me life and hope. In Your name I pray. Amen.
******************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Emulating Our Savior's Willing Spirit
"Today's Devotion" For April 13, 2006
Read: Mark 14:32-42; Psalm 51
EMULATING OUR SAVIOR'S WILLING SPIRIT
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." (Psalm 51:10, 12)
We human beings are often challenged by the battle between that is waged between our spiritual and physical beings. How often don't we make promises to ourselves that we have every intention of keeping, only to fall short of the goal because our "flesh" was weak. A good example of such a challenge is that of weight loss and weight management. How often don't people, filled with good intentions and seeking to accomplish positive, physical changes in their lives by losing weight, even going so far as to have gastric bypass surgery, end up overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge, breaking their spirits. All their good intentions fly out the window and losing weight becomes an "impossibility." Physical maladies are often treated with drugs, especially to alleviate pain. Unfortunately, the use of such drugs can be addicting, and while a person may want to "kick" the habit, the physical challenges of doing so often overwhelm the "willingness of the spirit." We could probably list such situations of the willingness of the spirit but the weakness of the flesh until "next year, two o'clock," and still not scratch the surface of this challenge.
As we look once more at the events of that first Maundy Thursday, especially the events following the Passover meal Jesus ate with the Twelve, we are brought face to face with the reality of the battle between the flesh and the spirit. We see Jesus engaged in a spiritual struggle against the forces of Satan arrayed against Him. We watch as He struggles with the burden of bearing the sins of the world upon His shoulders (He wasn't agonizing about the dying part). We listen as He seeks His Father's strength to overcome the temptation of the flesh to avoid the agony and obey the Father's will. Yet, even as Jesus' spirit is strengthened by the Father, Peter, James, and John, brought along to "watch and pray" with Him, are overcome by their flesh and fall asleep, in spite of their "good intentions" to share Jesus' spiritual battle with Him.
We are as guilty as Peter, James, and John of "falling asleep" instead of facing the challenges of Sin in our lives. We need God to create a "pure heart" and a "steadfast spirit" in us (Ps. 51:10). We need the encouragement of Jesus' willing spirit as, in fervent prayer, He faced His task of redeeming the world and the agony of that mission. By God's grace, through the power of His Word and Spirit, we are empowered to overcome the temptations and weakness of the flesh so that we might live as redeemed and forgiven people of God. Forgiven in Christ of all our sins and we are empowered to "watch and pray" with Him so that we may "not fall into temptation." Through prayer and dependence on our Father in heaven we are led to emulate Jesus' willing spirit so that we might be willing and faithfulness witness of the Gospel, serving the Father's will in all things. Emulating Jesus' willing spirit, we, too, trust that our Father in heaven will strengthen us to do His will and touch the lives of others with His salvation in Jesus'.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You gave Your all for me, regardless of my sin and disobedience to You and the Father. Watching You bear the burden of my sins, as well as those of the whole world for all times and places, is both heartbreaking and encouraging. That You needed to suffer for me and bear my sins upon Your holy head and shoulders is painful for me to see and understand. At the same time, Your willingness to do so, to bear the wrath of the Father for my sins and the sins of the world is incomprehensible and wonderful all at the same time. Precious Savior, I am guilty of too often allowing the "flesh" to overcome my "spirit" so that I fail to do Your Will and live my life as a witness and testimony to the Father's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness that He showers on the world in You. Forgive me for those times of weakness and strengthen me by Your Word and Spriit, so that I might withstand the onslaughts of Sin and emulate Your willing spirit in service to the Gospel. Hear my prayer, O Christ. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Mark 14:32-42; Psalm 51
EMULATING OUR SAVIOR'S WILLING SPIRIT
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." (Psalm 51:10, 12)
We human beings are often challenged by the battle between that is waged between our spiritual and physical beings. How often don't we make promises to ourselves that we have every intention of keeping, only to fall short of the goal because our "flesh" was weak. A good example of such a challenge is that of weight loss and weight management. How often don't people, filled with good intentions and seeking to accomplish positive, physical changes in their lives by losing weight, even going so far as to have gastric bypass surgery, end up overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge, breaking their spirits. All their good intentions fly out the window and losing weight becomes an "impossibility." Physical maladies are often treated with drugs, especially to alleviate pain. Unfortunately, the use of such drugs can be addicting, and while a person may want to "kick" the habit, the physical challenges of doing so often overwhelm the "willingness of the spirit." We could probably list such situations of the willingness of the spirit but the weakness of the flesh until "next year, two o'clock," and still not scratch the surface of this challenge.
As we look once more at the events of that first Maundy Thursday, especially the events following the Passover meal Jesus ate with the Twelve, we are brought face to face with the reality of the battle between the flesh and the spirit. We see Jesus engaged in a spiritual struggle against the forces of Satan arrayed against Him. We watch as He struggles with the burden of bearing the sins of the world upon His shoulders (He wasn't agonizing about the dying part). We listen as He seeks His Father's strength to overcome the temptation of the flesh to avoid the agony and obey the Father's will. Yet, even as Jesus' spirit is strengthened by the Father, Peter, James, and John, brought along to "watch and pray" with Him, are overcome by their flesh and fall asleep, in spite of their "good intentions" to share Jesus' spiritual battle with Him.
We are as guilty as Peter, James, and John of "falling asleep" instead of facing the challenges of Sin in our lives. We need God to create a "pure heart" and a "steadfast spirit" in us (Ps. 51:10). We need the encouragement of Jesus' willing spirit as, in fervent prayer, He faced His task of redeeming the world and the agony of that mission. By God's grace, through the power of His Word and Spirit, we are empowered to overcome the temptations and weakness of the flesh so that we might live as redeemed and forgiven people of God. Forgiven in Christ of all our sins and we are empowered to "watch and pray" with Him so that we may "not fall into temptation." Through prayer and dependence on our Father in heaven we are led to emulate Jesus' willing spirit so that we might be willing and faithfulness witness of the Gospel, serving the Father's will in all things. Emulating Jesus' willing spirit, we, too, trust that our Father in heaven will strengthen us to do His will and touch the lives of others with His salvation in Jesus'.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You gave Your all for me, regardless of my sin and disobedience to You and the Father. Watching You bear the burden of my sins, as well as those of the whole world for all times and places, is both heartbreaking and encouraging. That You needed to suffer for me and bear my sins upon Your holy head and shoulders is painful for me to see and understand. At the same time, Your willingness to do so, to bear the wrath of the Father for my sins and the sins of the world is incomprehensible and wonderful all at the same time. Precious Savior, I am guilty of too often allowing the "flesh" to overcome my "spirit" so that I fail to do Your Will and live my life as a witness and testimony to the Father's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness that He showers on the world in You. Forgive me for those times of weakness and strengthen me by Your Word and Spriit, so that I might withstand the onslaughts of Sin and emulate Your willing spirit in service to the Gospel. Hear my prayer, O Christ. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
By Whose Authority?
"Today's Devotion" For April 12, 2006
Read: Mark 11:2-35; Psalm 3
BY WHOSE AUTHORITY?
"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
One of the more colorful ways of asking our question for today, "By whose authority?," is the flippant query, "Who died and made you boss?" Quite possibly, if such flippancy had been a part of their demeanor, the religious leaders in Jerusalem (known as the Sanhedrin) might have asked that very question of Jesus following His Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem. Up to this point in Jesus' ministry, they had looked at Him with derisively and had spoken quite derogatively about Him and to Him. From Mark's account of the events following Jesus entrance into Jerusalem to the shouts of "Hosanna!", the attitude of these leaders - the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders - became even more negative toward Jesus. Mark tells us that they now feared Him because the people were "amazed at His teaching" (Mark 11:18).
When we last saw Jesus, He had been turning over the tables of the moneychangers, the benches of the sellers of doves, and preventing people from using the temple courts as a shortcut for their merchandise from the city to the Mount of Olives, teaching the people in the process. The next day, Mark tells us, Jesus returned to the Temple and was walking in the temple courts, presumably "patrolling" and, quite probably, teaching subsequent to the events of the day before. And, as is the case with most bureaucracies that have their "authority" challenged, the members of the Sanhedrin again approached Jesus with the challenge "And who gave You authority" ("Who died and made You boss?") to do this?" (Mark 11:28). If they hoped to intimidate Jesus, as they might have done to any of the rest of us, they were to be disappointed.
Jesus responds to them, not in defense of Himself or His ministry, but as One who is has authority. Instead of answering their question directly, He asks them one of more critical importance for their relationship with God. Asking the question, "John's Baptism - was it from heaven, or from men?”, Jesus put them on the spot. They were between "a rock and a hard place" because to answer the question would have revealed either their disregard of God's Will or put them at odds with the people, who believed John to be a prophet. At the heart of the question is the truth that Jesus isn't acting of His own accord, just as John the Baptist didn't act of His own accord, but in obedience to the Father. Jesus' entire life and ministry had been pointing to this one event - going the way of the Cross for the salvation of the world. His answer to their question is found in His laying down His life for our salvation and taking it up again in His resurrection.
As Jesus heads to the Cross, He does so in accordance with the Will of the Father. While the authorities are concerning themselves with "authority," Jesus is focused on serving the Father's Will. He wasn't about to ask the Sanhedrin for permission to teach God's Word, call people to repentance and faith, or accomplish our salvation. His way to the Cross was willingly followed and lovingly accomplished, according to the Will of the Father. By that very act of compassion and love for humanity, Jesus established His authority once and for all time. Having gone the way of the Cross and having risen from the dead, Jesus could state unequivocally at His Ascension, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18 -19a).
Prayer: Father, the world is concerned about such things as "Whose in charge?" and "Whose got the authority?" "Who died and made you boss?" is the typical response of us sinners to those things which call into question our life and actions. I know that I'm not always willing to listen to Your Word, much less obey it. I don't want anyone else to tell me what to do, which also includes You. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake, for so stubbornly believing that I'm in control of my life and I can handle things quite will without anyone's help, especially Yours. Forgive me for so often acting as if I need permission from others in order to live for You and share Your love in Christ with others. Give me the courage and strength to seek Your Will at all times, be obedient to You as Jesus was, and, regardless of the circumstances arrayed against me, declare Your Good News to everyone I meet - both in word and deed. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Mark 11:2-35; Psalm 3
BY WHOSE AUTHORITY?
"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
One of the more colorful ways of asking our question for today, "By whose authority?," is the flippant query, "Who died and made you boss?" Quite possibly, if such flippancy had been a part of their demeanor, the religious leaders in Jerusalem (known as the Sanhedrin) might have asked that very question of Jesus following His Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem. Up to this point in Jesus' ministry, they had looked at Him with derisively and had spoken quite derogatively about Him and to Him. From Mark's account of the events following Jesus entrance into Jerusalem to the shouts of "Hosanna!", the attitude of these leaders - the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders - became even more negative toward Jesus. Mark tells us that they now feared Him because the people were "amazed at His teaching" (Mark 11:18).
When we last saw Jesus, He had been turning over the tables of the moneychangers, the benches of the sellers of doves, and preventing people from using the temple courts as a shortcut for their merchandise from the city to the Mount of Olives, teaching the people in the process. The next day, Mark tells us, Jesus returned to the Temple and was walking in the temple courts, presumably "patrolling" and, quite probably, teaching subsequent to the events of the day before. And, as is the case with most bureaucracies that have their "authority" challenged, the members of the Sanhedrin again approached Jesus with the challenge "And who gave You authority" ("Who died and made You boss?") to do this?" (Mark 11:28). If they hoped to intimidate Jesus, as they might have done to any of the rest of us, they were to be disappointed.
Jesus responds to them, not in defense of Himself or His ministry, but as One who is has authority. Instead of answering their question directly, He asks them one of more critical importance for their relationship with God. Asking the question, "John's Baptism - was it from heaven, or from men?”, Jesus put them on the spot. They were between "a rock and a hard place" because to answer the question would have revealed either their disregard of God's Will or put them at odds with the people, who believed John to be a prophet. At the heart of the question is the truth that Jesus isn't acting of His own accord, just as John the Baptist didn't act of His own accord, but in obedience to the Father. Jesus' entire life and ministry had been pointing to this one event - going the way of the Cross for the salvation of the world. His answer to their question is found in His laying down His life for our salvation and taking it up again in His resurrection.
As Jesus heads to the Cross, He does so in accordance with the Will of the Father. While the authorities are concerning themselves with "authority," Jesus is focused on serving the Father's Will. He wasn't about to ask the Sanhedrin for permission to teach God's Word, call people to repentance and faith, or accomplish our salvation. His way to the Cross was willingly followed and lovingly accomplished, according to the Will of the Father. By that very act of compassion and love for humanity, Jesus established His authority once and for all time. Having gone the way of the Cross and having risen from the dead, Jesus could state unequivocally at His Ascension, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18 -19a).
Prayer: Father, the world is concerned about such things as "Whose in charge?" and "Whose got the authority?" "Who died and made you boss?" is the typical response of us sinners to those things which call into question our life and actions. I know that I'm not always willing to listen to Your Word, much less obey it. I don't want anyone else to tell me what to do, which also includes You. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake, for so stubbornly believing that I'm in control of my life and I can handle things quite will without anyone's help, especially Yours. Forgive me for so often acting as if I need permission from others in order to live for You and share Your love in Christ with others. Give me the courage and strength to seek Your Will at all times, be obedient to You as Jesus was, and, regardless of the circumstances arrayed against me, declare Your Good News to everyone I meet - both in word and deed. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The Savior For All The Nations
"Today's Devotion" For April 11, 2006
Read: Mark 11:15-19; Isaiah 56:1-8
THE SAVIOR FOR ALL THE NATIONS
"Is it not written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations?'" (Mark 11:17)
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the cries of "Hosanna ("hosha' na" - "Save us") Son of David!" rang out loudly and clearly. The ancient cry of God's people, the descendants of Abraham, was raised as the Savior of the world entered Jerusalem on His way to the Cross - an inevitability known or understood by few. On the surface it appeared to have been nothing more than another aggravation to the scribes and Pharisees caused by the "radical Rabbi," Jesus of Nazareth. But that isn't the end of the story.
It seems that Jesus also went to the Temple after entering Jerusalem and "cleaned house." It's a story every child that has ever attended Sunday School has learned - at least in my day. Imagine that! Jesus, the gentle Shepherd of our early childhood pictures, wreaking havoc in the temple area (the "Court of the Gentiles" which was the only part of the Temple in which Gentiles could worship God and gather for prayer). There He was overturning the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves, and preventing anyone from carrying merchandise through the temple court which, it seems, many were using as a shortcut between the city and the Mount of Olives. And, for as long as I can remember, we've talked about how Jesus was upset with the "commercialization" of the Temple - a seemingly reasonable explanation of this event, and not altogether incorrect.
But this event is much more than Jesus' anger at the "commercialization" of the Temple. No doubt it was a stinking, smelly, noisy place to be. Pilgrims to Jerusalem, coming to the Temple to offer their sacrifices and prayers to Yahweh, certainly needed these "services." From earliest childhood I can remember being taught that all these activities occurred because the religious leaders saw it as a convenience for the pilgrims as well as a source of income for the Temple. I can remember being taught that the church was not a place for conducting "sales" - although, to be sure, bake sales, Girl Scout cookie sales, Boy Scout popcorn sales, and other "money changing" activities still have always seemed to take place in the areas surrounding where we worship. Yet, to understand Jesus' anger and actions in only this way is to miss His full purpose.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem with "Hosannas" ringing in His ears was the first day of the week in which He would make the ultimate sacrifice for the Sin of the world. And it was for the Sin of the world that He was going to suffer and die - for everyone, of every time, every nation, every people, every place. That His sacrifice for Sin was for all people, Jews and Gentiles is reflected for us in His assault on the "commercialization" of the one place in the Temple the Gentiles were allowed to worship - a gross denial of their rightful place of worship and praise of Him who was also their God, Creator, and Savior. Mark even notes that Jesus was teaching while engaged in these actions, noting (v.17) that part of His teaching was from Isaiah 56:7 - "Is it not written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?' But you have made it a den of robbers."
What an awesome Savior we have. All people are precious to Him - He died for all so that all might receive God's forgiveness and the hope and promise of eternal life through faith in Him. Even while facing the impending suffering and hatred He was soon to experience, the full onslaught of Satan to prevent Him from His work of salvation, Jesus love and concern were for the "lowest" of the "low," for while the Messiah was understood by the people to be the Savior of Israel, He was not supposed to be the Savior of the Gentiles as well. You and I are the recipients of God's grace in Christ for all people. We are made His own, chosen ones through faith in Jesus. As we walk to "Via Dolorosa" - the "Way of Sorrow" - with Jesus this week, we do so with the absolute certainty that He went through all the suffering and the dying for us, so that we might be forgiven of all our sins and have eternal life with Him. He is, praise God, the Savior for all the nations."
Prayer: Father, from the Fall into Sin in Eden, to the events in Jerusalem during "Holy Week," You have constantly made Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness available to everyone. You have consistently called for the repentance of Your people and their faithful sharing of Your love with others so they, too, might become Your people by faith in Jesus. I thank and praise You that I, too, am counted among Your redeemed children. Help me to take Your gift of salvation to heart so that I may never take it for granted, nor fail to share it with others. Guide me in my life and living as Your redeemed and forgiven child so that I may see the value of every human being in Your eyes and make it a point to share love them in Your name and share Your forgiveness in Christ so they, too, might praise Your holy name and enter into Your eternal presence, forgiven and restored in Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Mark 11:15-19; Isaiah 56:1-8
THE SAVIOR FOR ALL THE NATIONS
"Is it not written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer for all nations?'" (Mark 11:17)
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the cries of "Hosanna ("hosha' na" - "Save us") Son of David!" rang out loudly and clearly. The ancient cry of God's people, the descendants of Abraham, was raised as the Savior of the world entered Jerusalem on His way to the Cross - an inevitability known or understood by few. On the surface it appeared to have been nothing more than another aggravation to the scribes and Pharisees caused by the "radical Rabbi," Jesus of Nazareth. But that isn't the end of the story.
It seems that Jesus also went to the Temple after entering Jerusalem and "cleaned house." It's a story every child that has ever attended Sunday School has learned - at least in my day. Imagine that! Jesus, the gentle Shepherd of our early childhood pictures, wreaking havoc in the temple area (the "Court of the Gentiles" which was the only part of the Temple in which Gentiles could worship God and gather for prayer). There He was overturning the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of those selling doves, and preventing anyone from carrying merchandise through the temple court which, it seems, many were using as a shortcut between the city and the Mount of Olives. And, for as long as I can remember, we've talked about how Jesus was upset with the "commercialization" of the Temple - a seemingly reasonable explanation of this event, and not altogether incorrect.
But this event is much more than Jesus' anger at the "commercialization" of the Temple. No doubt it was a stinking, smelly, noisy place to be. Pilgrims to Jerusalem, coming to the Temple to offer their sacrifices and prayers to Yahweh, certainly needed these "services." From earliest childhood I can remember being taught that all these activities occurred because the religious leaders saw it as a convenience for the pilgrims as well as a source of income for the Temple. I can remember being taught that the church was not a place for conducting "sales" - although, to be sure, bake sales, Girl Scout cookie sales, Boy Scout popcorn sales, and other "money changing" activities still have always seemed to take place in the areas surrounding where we worship. Yet, to understand Jesus' anger and actions in only this way is to miss His full purpose.
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem with "Hosannas" ringing in His ears was the first day of the week in which He would make the ultimate sacrifice for the Sin of the world. And it was for the Sin of the world that He was going to suffer and die - for everyone, of every time, every nation, every people, every place. That His sacrifice for Sin was for all people, Jews and Gentiles is reflected for us in His assault on the "commercialization" of the one place in the Temple the Gentiles were allowed to worship - a gross denial of their rightful place of worship and praise of Him who was also their God, Creator, and Savior. Mark even notes that Jesus was teaching while engaged in these actions, noting (v.17) that part of His teaching was from Isaiah 56:7 - "Is it not written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?' But you have made it a den of robbers."
What an awesome Savior we have. All people are precious to Him - He died for all so that all might receive God's forgiveness and the hope and promise of eternal life through faith in Him. Even while facing the impending suffering and hatred He was soon to experience, the full onslaught of Satan to prevent Him from His work of salvation, Jesus love and concern were for the "lowest" of the "low," for while the Messiah was understood by the people to be the Savior of Israel, He was not supposed to be the Savior of the Gentiles as well. You and I are the recipients of God's grace in Christ for all people. We are made His own, chosen ones through faith in Jesus. As we walk to "Via Dolorosa" - the "Way of Sorrow" - with Jesus this week, we do so with the absolute certainty that He went through all the suffering and the dying for us, so that we might be forgiven of all our sins and have eternal life with Him. He is, praise God, the Savior for all the nations."
Prayer: Father, from the Fall into Sin in Eden, to the events in Jerusalem during "Holy Week," You have constantly made Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness available to everyone. You have consistently called for the repentance of Your people and their faithful sharing of Your love with others so they, too, might become Your people by faith in Jesus. I thank and praise You that I, too, am counted among Your redeemed children. Help me to take Your gift of salvation to heart so that I may never take it for granted, nor fail to share it with others. Guide me in my life and living as Your redeemed and forgiven child so that I may see the value of every human being in Your eyes and make it a point to share love them in Your name and share Your forgiveness in Christ so they, too, might praise Your holy name and enter into Your eternal presence, forgiven and restored in Jesus; in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
*********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Lessons Of The Fig Tree
"Today's Devotion" For April 10, 2006
Read: Mark 11:12-14, 20-25; Matthew 21:18-21; Acts 5:1-11
LESSONS OF THE FIG TREE
"The Lord says, 'These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.'" (Isaiah 29:13)
There are two events that immediately (within the same or the next day) follow Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. One of them is the cleansing of the Temple, the other, the focus of our thoughts today, Jesus' cursing of the fig tree. Both of them are intricately and intimately tied to Jesus' purpose for entering Jerusalem and beginning His final steps to the Cross. Tomorrow we'll talk about the meaning and importance of the cleansing of the Temple. Today let's take a look at "The Lessons of the Fig Tree."
Depending on one's perspective, Jesus' cursing the fig tree, causing it to wither and die, can seem to be either the petulant act of a spoiled child, or the act of an all-powerful, vengeful God whose wrath is absolute, final, and without mercy. Yet, as we look closely at this event through the eyes of faith, we come to an entirely different conclusion. While on the surface this event seems "out of whack," the details tell us that this is an event full of powerful symbolism and makes a statement about our own life of faith and trust in God.
In the area around Jerusalem and Bethany, the fig trees normally begin to get their leaves in March or April, or just about the time of the celebration of Passover. Since they only produce fruit when they're in full leaf, June is generally the first month they will produce fruit. Yet, the fig tree in question was in full leaf bloom. It gave the false impression that it was bearing fruit, a false impression which could be correlated to the people of Israel as they went about the motions of worshiping God. God notes through the Prophet Isaiah that while they're going through the motions, "their hearts are far from Me" (Is. 29:13). It's a picture in that also includes us, as all to often we too make confession of our faith in Jesus and then turn right around and present a different picture to the world.
When it comes to Sin and disobedience to God, God's judgment can be swift. The terrible immediacy of God's judgment toward Sin is very real and not to be ignored, as the immediate withering and dying of the fig tree shows. God doesn't have to give anyone a second chance. God is totally and completely righteous and just. His justice is perfect. Living in obedience to Him isn't optional to a relationship with Him - it's necessary and required. Those who don't produce the "fruits" of righteousness before God are subject to His swift, terrible, perfect, and just judgment.
But this is also a lesson about God's mercy and patience toward us. Unlike with the fig tree, God had continued to be patient with Israel, as He also is with us. God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness toward humanity stands in stark contrast to what happened to the fig tree, and, by rights, should be our lot as well. In fact, as the disciples wondered about the immediate response of the fig tree to Jesus' curse, Jesus teaches them, and us, another lesson.
"How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" the disciples asked. Jesus' response wasn't about the power and majesty of God - and His own position as the Son of God. Rather, His response was to lead the disciples to know and believe that by faith, they, too, would receive God's power to overcome the world and do great things in Jesus' name. He encouraged them to take everything to God in prayer, believing that God will answer their prayer and lift them up to serve Him faithfully and others in His name. Mark tells us that Jesus didn't stop with this point, however. He also tells us to remember that our relationship with God, who forgives us of all our sins, requires that we share that same forgiveness with other.
By faith, according to Jesus, we can "move mountains." By faith, according to Jesus, we receive God's forgiveness and are empowered to share that same forgiveness with others. By God's grace and mercy we have received the gift of His Son, Jesus the Christ, upon whom He has placed His wrath toward Sin. He is the One who grants us faith in Jesus so that we can move those "mountains." Our Father in heaven calls us to come to Him in prayer with our most heartfelt needs and desires, promising that He will hear and answer us. He calls us to experience His mercy and grace as He gives us every opportunity to repent and bring forth much "fruit." These are "the lessons of the fig tree" which give us hope and peace in Jesus.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great mercy and grace. You put Your wrath toward Sin on Jesus on the Cross. He bore my sins and the sins of all upon Himself so that no one has to suffer the fate of the fig tree. By the power of Your Word and Spirit strengthen my faith in Jesus so that I might fully trust that with You, nothing shall be impossible for me to do in serving You and others in Your name. As You have forgiven me, so also help me to share that forgiveness with others - even when they, like me, are unforgiveable. Let my life be a true reflection of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus so that others might see Jesus through me, believe in Him and be saved. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
***************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Mark 11:12-14, 20-25; Matthew 21:18-21; Acts 5:1-11
LESSONS OF THE FIG TREE
"The Lord says, 'These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.'" (Isaiah 29:13)
There are two events that immediately (within the same or the next day) follow Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. One of them is the cleansing of the Temple, the other, the focus of our thoughts today, Jesus' cursing of the fig tree. Both of them are intricately and intimately tied to Jesus' purpose for entering Jerusalem and beginning His final steps to the Cross. Tomorrow we'll talk about the meaning and importance of the cleansing of the Temple. Today let's take a look at "The Lessons of the Fig Tree."
Depending on one's perspective, Jesus' cursing the fig tree, causing it to wither and die, can seem to be either the petulant act of a spoiled child, or the act of an all-powerful, vengeful God whose wrath is absolute, final, and without mercy. Yet, as we look closely at this event through the eyes of faith, we come to an entirely different conclusion. While on the surface this event seems "out of whack," the details tell us that this is an event full of powerful symbolism and makes a statement about our own life of faith and trust in God.
In the area around Jerusalem and Bethany, the fig trees normally begin to get their leaves in March or April, or just about the time of the celebration of Passover. Since they only produce fruit when they're in full leaf, June is generally the first month they will produce fruit. Yet, the fig tree in question was in full leaf bloom. It gave the false impression that it was bearing fruit, a false impression which could be correlated to the people of Israel as they went about the motions of worshiping God. God notes through the Prophet Isaiah that while they're going through the motions, "their hearts are far from Me" (Is. 29:13). It's a picture in that also includes us, as all to often we too make confession of our faith in Jesus and then turn right around and present a different picture to the world.
When it comes to Sin and disobedience to God, God's judgment can be swift. The terrible immediacy of God's judgment toward Sin is very real and not to be ignored, as the immediate withering and dying of the fig tree shows. God doesn't have to give anyone a second chance. God is totally and completely righteous and just. His justice is perfect. Living in obedience to Him isn't optional to a relationship with Him - it's necessary and required. Those who don't produce the "fruits" of righteousness before God are subject to His swift, terrible, perfect, and just judgment.
But this is also a lesson about God's mercy and patience toward us. Unlike with the fig tree, God had continued to be patient with Israel, as He also is with us. God's grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness toward humanity stands in stark contrast to what happened to the fig tree, and, by rights, should be our lot as well. In fact, as the disciples wondered about the immediate response of the fig tree to Jesus' curse, Jesus teaches them, and us, another lesson.
"How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" the disciples asked. Jesus' response wasn't about the power and majesty of God - and His own position as the Son of God. Rather, His response was to lead the disciples to know and believe that by faith, they, too, would receive God's power to overcome the world and do great things in Jesus' name. He encouraged them to take everything to God in prayer, believing that God will answer their prayer and lift them up to serve Him faithfully and others in His name. Mark tells us that Jesus didn't stop with this point, however. He also tells us to remember that our relationship with God, who forgives us of all our sins, requires that we share that same forgiveness with other.
By faith, according to Jesus, we can "move mountains." By faith, according to Jesus, we receive God's forgiveness and are empowered to share that same forgiveness with others. By God's grace and mercy we have received the gift of His Son, Jesus the Christ, upon whom He has placed His wrath toward Sin. He is the One who grants us faith in Jesus so that we can move those "mountains." Our Father in heaven calls us to come to Him in prayer with our most heartfelt needs and desires, promising that He will hear and answer us. He calls us to experience His mercy and grace as He gives us every opportunity to repent and bring forth much "fruit." These are "the lessons of the fig tree" which give us hope and peace in Jesus.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great mercy and grace. You put Your wrath toward Sin on Jesus on the Cross. He bore my sins and the sins of all upon Himself so that no one has to suffer the fate of the fig tree. By the power of Your Word and Spirit strengthen my faith in Jesus so that I might fully trust that with You, nothing shall be impossible for me to do in serving You and others in Your name. As You have forgiven me, so also help me to share that forgiveness with others - even when they, like me, are unforgiveable. Let my life be a true reflection of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus so that others might see Jesus through me, believe in Him and be saved. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
***************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Save Us, Son Of David!
"Today's Devotion" For April 8, 2006
Read: Matthew 21:6-11; Psalm 118
SAVE US, SON OF DAVID!
"'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'" (Matthew 21:9)
Today's devotion is going to be a little more "instructive" than usual. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of the Christian observance of Holy Week, culminating in Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday and in full anticipation of the celebration of His Easter resurrection next Sunday. As I read Matthew's account of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, which is the traditional Christian focus for Palm Sunday, I felt something tugging at my brain concerning the word, "Hosanna." It's been a Christian tradition to understand "hosanna," which is not translated into English, as an expression of praise. There's no doubt that in English it has come to have such a meaning, but "hosanna" is a Hebrew word with a much deeper meaning.
It seems that the Hebrew word, "hosanna," is an English form of the Hebrew "hosha' na," which expresses a "request for salvation." So, if translated accordingly, we might render the text as "Save us, Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Save us in the highest!" Here we have an acknowledgment of Israel's hope in the Christ as well as a song of praise for the Messiah sent from heaven. As at the birth of Jesus, when the choir of angels came to the shepherds proclaiming the Lord's coming and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth"(Lk.2:14), so the people acknowledged Jesus' purpose and their hope in Him as He rode into Jerusalem.
How fitting the "hosannas" are as Jesus is about to go to the Cross to save His people from their sins. The very thing that Jesus is about to do is proclaimed by the people as He enters Jerusalem. The events of Holy Week, right around the corner, will fulfill God's promises of salvation made since the Fall in Eden. The humble and meek Jesus, the Christ, the King of the Jews, the Son of David, promised for long ages has come to the city of God, Jerusalem to accomplish salvation for all Creation. The prophets are about to be fulfilled - "Hosanna," "Save us," is the appropriate response of a people longing for and hoping in God's mercy.
Jesus comes "In the name of the Lord." He comes as the Father's gift to this world. He is the promised Messiah, the Savior from Sin, death and Satan. He is the One and only Son of the Father, fully obedient to Him as we could not be. His purpose was to bear the burden of and punishment for the sins of all humanity. "Save us, Son of David" is the appropriate cry of prayer and praise from all people everywhere, as they acknowledge their sins and know their need for a Savior. And, filled with God's forgiveness and love in Christ, we who believe are called to the same humble life and service as our Savior Jesus Christ showed us in obedience to the Father. As the lost and dying cry out "save us!" we share His love, proclaim His forgiveness, and share His mercy and grace so they, as we, might be certain of eternal life and filled with God's peace forever. "Hosanna! Save us!" is our cry as we live in Him each day.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were determined to be obedient to Your Father and mine. You knew You had to go to Jerusalem, be arrested, falsely tried and accused, beaten and scourged, blasphemed and cursed. You did all this for me, becoming the obedient Son of the Father I could never be, so that I could be redeemed and forgiven. In my heart and life, with my voice and actions, I, too, cry out "Hosanna, save me, Son of David." By Your grace I know Your salvation and have the sure and certain hope of a forgiven sinner - the promise of eternity with You in heaven. Help me to touch the lives of others, especially those who don't yet believe in You, so they too may learn to cry, "Hosanna, save us, Son of David!" Hear my prayer, precious Savior. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: Matthew 21:6-11; Psalm 118
SAVE US, SON OF DAVID!
"'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'" (Matthew 21:9)
Today's devotion is going to be a little more "instructive" than usual. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of the Christian observance of Holy Week, culminating in Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday and in full anticipation of the celebration of His Easter resurrection next Sunday. As I read Matthew's account of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, which is the traditional Christian focus for Palm Sunday, I felt something tugging at my brain concerning the word, "Hosanna." It's been a Christian tradition to understand "hosanna," which is not translated into English, as an expression of praise. There's no doubt that in English it has come to have such a meaning, but "hosanna" is a Hebrew word with a much deeper meaning.
It seems that the Hebrew word, "hosanna," is an English form of the Hebrew "hosha' na," which expresses a "request for salvation." So, if translated accordingly, we might render the text as "Save us, Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Save us in the highest!" Here we have an acknowledgment of Israel's hope in the Christ as well as a song of praise for the Messiah sent from heaven. As at the birth of Jesus, when the choir of angels came to the shepherds proclaiming the Lord's coming and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth"(Lk.2:14), so the people acknowledged Jesus' purpose and their hope in Him as He rode into Jerusalem.
How fitting the "hosannas" are as Jesus is about to go to the Cross to save His people from their sins. The very thing that Jesus is about to do is proclaimed by the people as He enters Jerusalem. The events of Holy Week, right around the corner, will fulfill God's promises of salvation made since the Fall in Eden. The humble and meek Jesus, the Christ, the King of the Jews, the Son of David, promised for long ages has come to the city of God, Jerusalem to accomplish salvation for all Creation. The prophets are about to be fulfilled - "Hosanna," "Save us," is the appropriate response of a people longing for and hoping in God's mercy.
Jesus comes "In the name of the Lord." He comes as the Father's gift to this world. He is the promised Messiah, the Savior from Sin, death and Satan. He is the One and only Son of the Father, fully obedient to Him as we could not be. His purpose was to bear the burden of and punishment for the sins of all humanity. "Save us, Son of David" is the appropriate cry of prayer and praise from all people everywhere, as they acknowledge their sins and know their need for a Savior. And, filled with God's forgiveness and love in Christ, we who believe are called to the same humble life and service as our Savior Jesus Christ showed us in obedience to the Father. As the lost and dying cry out "save us!" we share His love, proclaim His forgiveness, and share His mercy and grace so they, as we, might be certain of eternal life and filled with God's peace forever. "Hosanna! Save us!" is our cry as we live in Him each day.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You were determined to be obedient to Your Father and mine. You knew You had to go to Jerusalem, be arrested, falsely tried and accused, beaten and scourged, blasphemed and cursed. You did all this for me, becoming the obedient Son of the Father I could never be, so that I could be redeemed and forgiven. In my heart and life, with my voice and actions, I, too, cry out "Hosanna, save me, Son of David." By Your grace I know Your salvation and have the sure and certain hope of a forgiven sinner - the promise of eternity with You in heaven. Help me to touch the lives of others, especially those who don't yet believe in You, so they too may learn to cry, "Hosanna, save us, Son of David!" Hear my prayer, precious Savior. Amen.
*****************************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Friday, April 07, 2006
"I Can't Wait 'Til Morning!"
"Today's Devotion" For April 7, 2006
Read: I Peter 1:3-9; II Samuel 23:1-5
"I CAN'T WAIT 'TIL MORNING!"
"In His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade - kept in heaven for you." (I Peter 1:3b-4)
Isn't life a wonderful thing? No doubt not just a few people would answer this question in the negative, the burdens and stresses of life and living overwhelming them on a daily basis. Yet, for all their frustrations, when push comes to shove - unless someone's not in their right mind - even those frustrated with their lives will fight to live when faced with the threat of death. It's true that life can be a burden - even a living "hell" - but it is the most precious of possessions, the most wonderful of gifts, and something worth preserving and defending.
Personally, I'm hung up on life. Oh, don't get me wrong. Life has its ups and downs, ins and outs, plusses and minuses. It's not always fun, rarely easy, and frequently frustrating. Yet one of the most valuable aspects of being alive is that life has such challenges. If you think about it, life would be awfully dull and boring if it didn't, in some way, challenge us on an almost daily basis. Because this is true, I really like being alive. I like the challenges life presents each day, even though I have to admit to grumbling and complaining about them all too frequently.
On top of all these pros and cons of life and living is the marvelous creation in which we get to live and work. Life's beauty isn't just measured by your life or mine but also by greening of the earth in the Spring, the bright warm days of Summer, the colorful leaves and blustering winds of Fall, and the snowy, brisk, and cold days of Winter (as you can tell I live in the northern climes). Besides the physical characteristics and aesthetics of each season we've been blessed with a variety of animals and birds that share them with us - the majestic bear, the wilely fox, the magnificent elk, the bounding deer, the leaping fish, the hopping rabbits, the chattering squirrels, the singing birds, the croaking frogs, the roaring lion, the screeching owl, just to name a few. All these things are reminders for each of us of how beautiful God's creation really is and how marvelous a gift life is. No matter how terribly we treat the earth and each other, because all that exists is God's Creation, it's good to be part of that Creation.
As marvelous a blessing life is and as wonderful an experience it might be, it is, sad to say, only a transient existence. While some people (and only a miniscule number) may live for as many as a hundred and more years, life on earth is only a relatively short span of time in the grand scheme of things. We all eventually have to face death. It's the inevitability foisted upon God's Creation because of humanity's fall into Sin. The result of that Sin is both separation from God and death - which can be both physical and eternal. It's a sad thing that death is part of life; that we must all die and leave the beauty of God's Creation. Yet, death isn't the end for us, only the beginning. Death can either be eternal separation from God in the eternal throes of hell, or it can be the open door into eternal life with Christ, because we have faith in Him who suffered and died for us - paying the penalty and punishment for Sin that we deserve to pay. His resurrection is not only God's assurance that Jesus' sacrifice as payment for our sins is acceptable to our Father in heaven, but also that our sins are forgiven and we have new life with God. That new life with God in Jesus is our heavenly Father's assurance that there is an inheritance reserved for us in heaven which is unaffected by any of the trials and tribulations of this world. It's a gift of life and hope we await with eager longing.
A little boy came home from school with a high fever. Thinking it was no more than a cold or the flu, his father didn't think too much about it, treating it as any of us woud treat those illnesses. Yet the little boy's condition deteriorated rapidly and the father rushed him to the doctor. A diagnosis was made that the boy had a virulent form of meningitis which is fatal, and he was admitted to the hospital. The father, knowing that his son was going to die, and loving him with all his heart, kept a death vigil at his son's hospital bed. Around the middle of the day it became apparent that the little boy was rapidly losing strength and his brain was getting cloudy. Mustering up what was left of his failing strength the little boy said, "Daddy, it's getting dark, very dark." A little later he said, "Daddy, I guess it's time to go to sleep, isn't it?" "Yes, Son," the father replied, "it's time for you to go to sleep." The father, with a heavy heart, loving fluffed his son's pillows, tucked him in, and laid his hand on his head. "Good night, Daddy," the boy said, "I'll see you in the morning." Then he closed his eyes and stepped into heaven, his hand in Jesus' hand.
As he tells this story, the little boy's father always closes it saying, "I can't wait 'til morning." May our Lord lead us to be eagerly "waiting for the morning" when we will see Him in heaven.
Prayer: Father, by the power of Your Word and Spirit You have brought me to faith in Jesus so that my life has more than just a passing meaning. By Your grace and mercy I pray that You would keep me from getting so hung up on living on this earth that I fail to realize my home is in heaven. Fill me with a living hope in Jesus that I may truly appreciate, relish, and enjoy the life You have given me, both physically and spiritually. Lead me to live my life as a life of service to You and others in Your name. Give me the wisdom and faith necessary to put every gift, talent, and ability I have from You to the best possible use for the benefit of others. Keep me from fearing death, trusting that Jesus has overcome Sin and Death for me, so that "I can't wait 'til morning." In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
Read: I Peter 1:3-9; II Samuel 23:1-5
"I CAN'T WAIT 'TIL MORNING!"
"In His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade - kept in heaven for you." (I Peter 1:3b-4)
Isn't life a wonderful thing? No doubt not just a few people would answer this question in the negative, the burdens and stresses of life and living overwhelming them on a daily basis. Yet, for all their frustrations, when push comes to shove - unless someone's not in their right mind - even those frustrated with their lives will fight to live when faced with the threat of death. It's true that life can be a burden - even a living "hell" - but it is the most precious of possessions, the most wonderful of gifts, and something worth preserving and defending.
Personally, I'm hung up on life. Oh, don't get me wrong. Life has its ups and downs, ins and outs, plusses and minuses. It's not always fun, rarely easy, and frequently frustrating. Yet one of the most valuable aspects of being alive is that life has such challenges. If you think about it, life would be awfully dull and boring if it didn't, in some way, challenge us on an almost daily basis. Because this is true, I really like being alive. I like the challenges life presents each day, even though I have to admit to grumbling and complaining about them all too frequently.
On top of all these pros and cons of life and living is the marvelous creation in which we get to live and work. Life's beauty isn't just measured by your life or mine but also by greening of the earth in the Spring, the bright warm days of Summer, the colorful leaves and blustering winds of Fall, and the snowy, brisk, and cold days of Winter (as you can tell I live in the northern climes). Besides the physical characteristics and aesthetics of each season we've been blessed with a variety of animals and birds that share them with us - the majestic bear, the wilely fox, the magnificent elk, the bounding deer, the leaping fish, the hopping rabbits, the chattering squirrels, the singing birds, the croaking frogs, the roaring lion, the screeching owl, just to name a few. All these things are reminders for each of us of how beautiful God's creation really is and how marvelous a gift life is. No matter how terribly we treat the earth and each other, because all that exists is God's Creation, it's good to be part of that Creation.
As marvelous a blessing life is and as wonderful an experience it might be, it is, sad to say, only a transient existence. While some people (and only a miniscule number) may live for as many as a hundred and more years, life on earth is only a relatively short span of time in the grand scheme of things. We all eventually have to face death. It's the inevitability foisted upon God's Creation because of humanity's fall into Sin. The result of that Sin is both separation from God and death - which can be both physical and eternal. It's a sad thing that death is part of life; that we must all die and leave the beauty of God's Creation. Yet, death isn't the end for us, only the beginning. Death can either be eternal separation from God in the eternal throes of hell, or it can be the open door into eternal life with Christ, because we have faith in Him who suffered and died for us - paying the penalty and punishment for Sin that we deserve to pay. His resurrection is not only God's assurance that Jesus' sacrifice as payment for our sins is acceptable to our Father in heaven, but also that our sins are forgiven and we have new life with God. That new life with God in Jesus is our heavenly Father's assurance that there is an inheritance reserved for us in heaven which is unaffected by any of the trials and tribulations of this world. It's a gift of life and hope we await with eager longing.
A little boy came home from school with a high fever. Thinking it was no more than a cold or the flu, his father didn't think too much about it, treating it as any of us woud treat those illnesses. Yet the little boy's condition deteriorated rapidly and the father rushed him to the doctor. A diagnosis was made that the boy had a virulent form of meningitis which is fatal, and he was admitted to the hospital. The father, knowing that his son was going to die, and loving him with all his heart, kept a death vigil at his son's hospital bed. Around the middle of the day it became apparent that the little boy was rapidly losing strength and his brain was getting cloudy. Mustering up what was left of his failing strength the little boy said, "Daddy, it's getting dark, very dark." A little later he said, "Daddy, I guess it's time to go to sleep, isn't it?" "Yes, Son," the father replied, "it's time for you to go to sleep." The father, with a heavy heart, loving fluffed his son's pillows, tucked him in, and laid his hand on his head. "Good night, Daddy," the boy said, "I'll see you in the morning." Then he closed his eyes and stepped into heaven, his hand in Jesus' hand.
As he tells this story, the little boy's father always closes it saying, "I can't wait 'til morning." May our Lord lead us to be eagerly "waiting for the morning" when we will see Him in heaven.
Prayer: Father, by the power of Your Word and Spirit You have brought me to faith in Jesus so that my life has more than just a passing meaning. By Your grace and mercy I pray that You would keep me from getting so hung up on living on this earth that I fail to realize my home is in heaven. Fill me with a living hope in Jesus that I may truly appreciate, relish, and enjoy the life You have given me, both physically and spiritually. Lead me to live my life as a life of service to You and others in Your name. Give me the wisdom and faith necessary to put every gift, talent, and ability I have from You to the best possible use for the benefit of others. Keep me from fearing death, trusting that Jesus has overcome Sin and Death for me, so that "I can't wait 'til morning." In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
********************
--Pastor Boeck
Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.
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