The Wandering Sheep
On June 10, 1973, Rev. Paul Steinke brought me before St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Philadelphia and recited my Confirmation vows. I, along with Tommy Stark and Melissa Renfer, accepted these vows as our own and agreed, "yes, with the help of God."
On that day, I was given a special verse as a guide for my life. It was John 10:27: "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can pluck them from my hand."
In a month, it will be 40 years since I took that vow, and a lot has happened since then: high school, college, seminary, ordination ... marriage, kids, various congregations ... the death of my parents, surgery, a car accident ...
God didn't promise it would always be easy, but He did promise to guide and lead me, and to keep me in His embrace. And, while I have not always been faithful to Him, He has always been faithful to me -- forgiving my sins, strengthening me with His love, and holding forth the promise of eternity.
I am so thankful for the Good Shepherd, who journeys with us through this vale of tears. While we wander and stray, He keeps leading us back to the path. And, in the end, we know that He will open the gate to the green pastures, where we will join all the other sheep of His flock and celebrate the Lamb who saved us.
Thanks Jesus, for tending the flock. Help me not to stray or be distracted. Help me to be a good shepherd as I tell others of the Good Shepherd.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Tuesday, April 30 - John 9
Sharpening the Knife
In today's reading, notice the following exchange between the formerly blind man and the religious leaders:
24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Surprisingly it almost seems like the man's faith grows during his inquisition. He begins by saying, "whether he is a sinner or not I do not know" and ends by saying "if this man were not from God he could do nothing." The Pharisees meant to break him down and unwittingly seem to have strengthened his resolve to believe in Jesus as his Savior.
But isn't it often the case that our faith grows through controversy, difficulty and challenge? Isn't hardship often the honing device to sharpen us as God's people?
In 1996, my faith was challenged by an automobile accident that left me with a fractured vertebrae in my neck. As I lay on a hospital bed uncertain of my future, I found a deeper strength from God's presence than I had known before. Relying on His healing hand and not on my own ingenuity or insight helped me know how utterly dependent I was on His love.
So, if you are walking in the middle of difficulty and hardship, keep your eyes focused upward. Strength might be on its way in the most surprising form.
In today's reading, notice the following exchange between the formerly blind man and the religious leaders:
24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Surprisingly it almost seems like the man's faith grows during his inquisition. He begins by saying, "whether he is a sinner or not I do not know" and ends by saying "if this man were not from God he could do nothing." The Pharisees meant to break him down and unwittingly seem to have strengthened his resolve to believe in Jesus as his Savior.
But isn't it often the case that our faith grows through controversy, difficulty and challenge? Isn't hardship often the honing device to sharpen us as God's people?
In 1996, my faith was challenged by an automobile accident that left me with a fractured vertebrae in my neck. As I lay on a hospital bed uncertain of my future, I found a deeper strength from God's presence than I had known before. Relying on His healing hand and not on my own ingenuity or insight helped me know how utterly dependent I was on His love.
So, if you are walking in the middle of difficulty and hardship, keep your eyes focused upward. Strength might be on its way in the most surprising form.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 29 - John 8
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The religious leaders accusing Jesus of being from the Devil boldly declare: "We have Abraham as our father."
Jesus responds with "if you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me."
With these words Jesus challenges what it means to be a "son of Abraham." And in God's eyes it ultimately has very little to do with one's lineage, but rather has to do with one's faith. A true "son of Abraham" believes that Jesus is the Son of God -- the Messiah -- the Savior of the world. A true "son of Abraham" understands that Abraham's greatest descendent -- the Christ -- is worthy of our trust.
Therefore, the religious leaders who accuse Jesus, though they tout themselves as blessed "sons of Abraham," are really just his blood relatives. Nothing more. Nothing less.
In modern days, the term Christian is frequently used. And some think about this name in the same way the Jewish religous leaders thought about "son of Abraham." That is, for many, to be a Christian is about one's family heritage -- is about doing the rituals of the Christian faith.
But Jesus makes clear that to be His follower has little to do with traditions and rituals and everything to do with faith. A Christian lives His name when he honors Christ as Lord.
And what does it mean to honor Christ as Lord? Two things: 1) to believe in Him and lay our lives into His care. 2) to serve Him with the actions of faith -- that is, holy living, and compassionate love.
The religious leaders accusing Jesus of being from the Devil boldly declare: "We have Abraham as our father."
Jesus responds with "if you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me."
+ + +
With these words Jesus challenges what it means to be a "son of Abraham." And in God's eyes it ultimately has very little to do with one's lineage, but rather has to do with one's faith. A true "son of Abraham" believes that Jesus is the Son of God -- the Messiah -- the Savior of the world. A true "son of Abraham" understands that Abraham's greatest descendent -- the Christ -- is worthy of our trust.
Therefore, the religious leaders who accuse Jesus, though they tout themselves as blessed "sons of Abraham," are really just his blood relatives. Nothing more. Nothing less.
In modern days, the term Christian is frequently used. And some think about this name in the same way the Jewish religous leaders thought about "son of Abraham." That is, for many, to be a Christian is about one's family heritage -- is about doing the rituals of the Christian faith.
But Jesus makes clear that to be His follower has little to do with traditions and rituals and everything to do with faith. A Christian lives His name when he honors Christ as Lord.
And what does it mean to honor Christ as Lord? Two things: 1) to believe in Him and lay our lives into His care. 2) to serve Him with the actions of faith -- that is, holy living, and compassionate love.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Friday, April 26 - John 7
Friday April 26th- John 7
Popularity
“No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world. For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” (Jn 7:4-5).
Take a moment to think about all of the celebrities in our culture today. What does it take to become a celebrity? We tend to focus our fame around successful accomplishments: number of movies starred in, number of Oscars won, number of football games won. We are a success based culture, and our celebrities are all popular because they are successful.
Jesus’ brothers had the same attitude in our text for today. They saw Jesus doing all of these miraculous signs and wonders, and thought that He should go to Jerusalem in public to be exalted as king. His brothers were on the bandwagon to get rid of the Romans and establish a sovereign Jewish state. It is clear that Jesus’ brothers have no idea what they are talking about, as verse five makes very clear.
If they do not believe, they do not understand what Jesus came to the earth to accomplish. I find it interesting that Jesus becomes a celebrity in Jerusalem, but for a very different reason than His brothers expect. Not long after this, the people accuse Jesus of blasphemy against the Most High God and yell “Crucify.” He is hung on a tree and cursed, becoming a celebrity for the worst of all reasons.
Yet we know that Jesus became a celebrity for an entirely different reason. He rose from the dead, conquering over sin, death, and the power of the devil. And he gives this victory to us, that we too may share in the fame and victory of Him who died for us. It kind of makes the 14 Oscars seem a little worthless, doesn’t it? May the Lord grant us a sense of awe over the great thing that our God has done for us.
Popularity
“No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world. For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” (Jn 7:4-5).
Take a moment to think about all of the celebrities in our culture today. What does it take to become a celebrity? We tend to focus our fame around successful accomplishments: number of movies starred in, number of Oscars won, number of football games won. We are a success based culture, and our celebrities are all popular because they are successful.
Jesus’ brothers had the same attitude in our text for today. They saw Jesus doing all of these miraculous signs and wonders, and thought that He should go to Jerusalem in public to be exalted as king. His brothers were on the bandwagon to get rid of the Romans and establish a sovereign Jewish state. It is clear that Jesus’ brothers have no idea what they are talking about, as verse five makes very clear.
If they do not believe, they do not understand what Jesus came to the earth to accomplish. I find it interesting that Jesus becomes a celebrity in Jerusalem, but for a very different reason than His brothers expect. Not long after this, the people accuse Jesus of blasphemy against the Most High God and yell “Crucify.” He is hung on a tree and cursed, becoming a celebrity for the worst of all reasons.
Yet we know that Jesus became a celebrity for an entirely different reason. He rose from the dead, conquering over sin, death, and the power of the devil. And he gives this victory to us, that we too may share in the fame and victory of Him who died for us. It kind of makes the 14 Oscars seem a little worthless, doesn’t it? May the Lord grant us a sense of awe over the great thing that our God has done for us.
Thursday, April 25 - John 6. (From Ryan Andersen)
Thursday April 25th- John 6
Spoiled
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (Jn 6:27).
I am sure that we have all accidentally left something in the refrigerator or cupboard for far longer than the expiration date. What was your reaction when this mysterious food item was discovered? One time my family and I found a box of oatmeal that had expired four years earlier. Holding at arms-length and throwing into the trash would best sum up our reaction.
Jesus talks about two kinds of food in this passage. There is the food that spoils and the food that does not spoil. After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowds wanted the Miracle Maker to make them some more bread to eat. They wanted food that spoils and rots away. This is similar to manna from the Old Testament, which Jesus references later in the chapter. If manna was not consumed within the day it was given, maggots would come and eat it.
There is something distinctive about the food that Jesus mentions in this chapter. It does not spoil or fade away; in fact, it endures to eternal life. What is this food we may ask? It is in fact Christ Himself. How do we eat of Christ? A healthy Christian diet involves regular participation in the Word and Sacraments. These are the gifts of food that Christ has given us to eat. He has also granted us the faith to believe and partake of these things, that they may be beneficial to us.
Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life, which sustains all men. Jesus came to give life to the world, and the gift of Jesus does not spoil. Thanks be to God for our eternal Savior and life-giving bread!
Spoiled
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (Jn 6:27).
I am sure that we have all accidentally left something in the refrigerator or cupboard for far longer than the expiration date. What was your reaction when this mysterious food item was discovered? One time my family and I found a box of oatmeal that had expired four years earlier. Holding at arms-length and throwing into the trash would best sum up our reaction.
Jesus talks about two kinds of food in this passage. There is the food that spoils and the food that does not spoil. After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowds wanted the Miracle Maker to make them some more bread to eat. They wanted food that spoils and rots away. This is similar to manna from the Old Testament, which Jesus references later in the chapter. If manna was not consumed within the day it was given, maggots would come and eat it.
There is something distinctive about the food that Jesus mentions in this chapter. It does not spoil or fade away; in fact, it endures to eternal life. What is this food we may ask? It is in fact Christ Himself. How do we eat of Christ? A healthy Christian diet involves regular participation in the Word and Sacraments. These are the gifts of food that Christ has given us to eat. He has also granted us the faith to believe and partake of these things, that they may be beneficial to us.
Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life, which sustains all men. Jesus came to give life to the world, and the gift of Jesus does not spoil. Thanks be to God for our eternal Savior and life-giving bread!
Wednesday, April 24 - John 5
THEY MISSED THE POINT
In today's lesson, Jesus heals a lame man and enables him to take up his mat. The Pharisees, wrapped up in their rituals which they think justify them before God, condemn the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath day.
Later on (v. 16) we learn that the Jewish leaders and other Jews persecuted Jesus because He was daring to show mercy and compassion on a day when their dogmatic laws and traditions required no activity.
To this, Jesus replies, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
After this, the text says, "the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calliing God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."
Imagine the riduculousless of valuing Sabbath rules over showing mercy and compassion -- making the rituals of faith more important than faith itself. These religous leaders, in their attempts to turn faith into something you could quantify, managed to miss the point of God's law entirely.
And don't we often do the same thing? We get the mistaken notion that following God's laws actually contributes to our salvation -- that doing the things we deem godly somehow make us godly.
Consequently, we judge our own (and others') righteousness based on our success or failure at keeping the laws we deem to be commanded by God.
But Jesus declares emphatically: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned." In short, our holiness is based not on what we do, but solely on our relationship with Him who makes us right with God by His sacrificial death on the cross.
The law of God is intended primarily to make us realize how much we need this relationship -- not to be interpreted as our ladder to climb to make ourselves right with God. The religious leaders, instead of pointing out anothers failures, should have been on their knees seeking forgiveness for their own failures -- and finding, in Christ, the relationship between God and man.
That's what we need, too. Not a whole new set of rules and laws and traditions. Faith in Him.
In today's lesson, Jesus heals a lame man and enables him to take up his mat. The Pharisees, wrapped up in their rituals which they think justify them before God, condemn the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath day.
Later on (v. 16) we learn that the Jewish leaders and other Jews persecuted Jesus because He was daring to show mercy and compassion on a day when their dogmatic laws and traditions required no activity.
To this, Jesus replies, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working."
After this, the text says, "the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calliing God His own Father, making Himself equal with God."
Imagine the riduculousless of valuing Sabbath rules over showing mercy and compassion -- making the rituals of faith more important than faith itself. These religous leaders, in their attempts to turn faith into something you could quantify, managed to miss the point of God's law entirely.
And don't we often do the same thing? We get the mistaken notion that following God's laws actually contributes to our salvation -- that doing the things we deem godly somehow make us godly.
Consequently, we judge our own (and others') righteousness based on our success or failure at keeping the laws we deem to be commanded by God.
But Jesus declares emphatically: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned." In short, our holiness is based not on what we do, but solely on our relationship with Him who makes us right with God by His sacrificial death on the cross.
The law of God is intended primarily to make us realize how much we need this relationship -- not to be interpreted as our ladder to climb to make ourselves right with God. The religious leaders, instead of pointing out anothers failures, should have been on their knees seeking forgiveness for their own failures -- and finding, in Christ, the relationship between God and man.
That's what we need, too. Not a whole new set of rules and laws and traditions. Faith in Him.
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