Ashes to Ashes and Life!

"By the sweat of your face
    you shall eat bread
until you return to the ground,
    for out of it you were taken;
you are dust,
    and to dust you shall return." Gen 3:19


To the dust you shall return was the sentence. For eating of the tree of knowledge which God had forbidden, Adam's sentence was death. His sentence (and ultimately ours) was that he would return to the dust from which he was formed.

There in the middle of the garden was also the tree of life. Had he eaten of the free gift of the fruit from the tree of life, he would have lived. But, he did not. Adam and Eve neglected the food that was good for them; that God had desired for them to eat, and chose that thing that they were not to have. How often it is that we, too, neglect the free gift of life given to us through the sacrifice of His Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ! How often we neglect to come to the table that He has prepared for us! There Jesus is! "Come and eat." He says. "This is my body given for you for the forgiveness of sins." Do not neglect this life-giving gift!

In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther wrote that the benefit of receiving the Lord's Sacrament of Holy Communion "...is shown us in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation."

That is the Good News. Today is Ash Wednesday. This evening we will remember with the imposition of ashes that from dust we have come and to dust our bodies shall return. But, we will also eat at the Lord's Table and remember that in Him there is life and salvation.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

I Saw You

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”  Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:47-49 NRSV

Some of us take a long time before we make the move to get to know Jesus. It is sometimes even longer before we begin to actually follow him. It was not so with the first disciples. They pretty much dropped everything immediately to get to know him and to follow him. Nathanael was amazed that Jesus knew who he was before he met him. This knowledge was enough to get Nathanael to want to know Jesus.

It might take us some time to even begin to get an inkling as to who this Jesus is. But, it takes no time for Jesus to get to know us. Whether we know him or not. He knows us. He has always known us. He is always with us. He knows what we are doing even before we do it. He is the Son of God, after all. Won't you take the time to get to know the King of Israel; the King of Kings?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 22:6-21 A Final Warning and Promise

Rev 22:6-21 NIV
Well, today brings us to the end of the book of Revelation and to the end of the Holy Scriptures.
Some of you may wonder why I have been such a light-weight as we went through Revelation; why I have not a more in-depth interpretation as many others have; why I have not done more finger pointing as to who or what the anti-Christ is. The answer to that is found in this last reading: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." (vss 18-19)

I take this warning seriously. As we read or hear the Holy Scriptures, we need to understand that our sinful natures may well inspire an interpretation according to our own wills; our own egos, our own agendas. Revelation, in particular, because it is a vision, should not be taken literally. That does not lessen the fact that it is prophecy and includes, very much, a warning to those who have fallen from "the way." It is a warning to those who would follow in a way that they should not go and a blessing to those who worship the one true God.

The revelation to John is not just a horrific warning to the world. It is indeed a blessing of promise and hope to all who believe. "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." (vs 17)

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (vs 21)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 22:1-5 Tree of Life

Rev 22:1-5 NIV

In the beginning humankind had access to the tree of life. The book of Genesis tells us that rather than eat from this tree of life, they ate of the tree which would guarantee their deaths; the tree that God told them not to eat from. As a consequence they were kicked out of the garden in which it grew so that they would no longer have the opportunity to eat the fruit from the tree of life. (Gen 3:22-24)

Those first people made an awful decision when they chose to listen to the serpent rather than God. The world has not changed much. We long for eternal life; yet, our sinful natures continue to steer us toward the very things that will bring us death. We often listen to the world rather than God.

In this last chapter and book of the Holy Scriptures we once again see the tree of life. All who believe; all whose names are written in the book of life are granted access to this fruit which will heal the nations. Thanks be to God for life in His eternal presence; for His eternal peace.

God's Peace be with you all. Pr. J

Revelation 2:1-7 Remember Your First Love

Revelation 2:1-7 NIV
Bishop Frederic Baraga, missionary to the Ojibwa, during the 1800's, often reminded the people to "remember their first love." In his vision, St. John was instructed to warn the church at Ephesus about their falling away from their first love, who is Jesus the Christ.

Whenever we put anything or anyone before our God, we are committing idolatry. God must always come first and everything else will fall into it's proper place. How often we neglect to put God first in our lives! It is so very disheartening to see those who profess to be Christians putting so many other things of this world before worship and service to God.

The message to the people of Ephesus is an excellent example of both law and gospel. Jesus, in John's vision, commends the church for their hard work and perseverance; for the fact that they cannot tolerate wicked people; and have confronted those who claim to be apostles and are not. Even as they are being commended for their faithfulness in these areas; they and we are being warned against idolatry. Remember your first love. Remember him and keep him first in your life.

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (vs 7)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 19:1-10 Come Down From Your Tree

Luke 19:1-10 NIV
"Zacchaeus was a wee little man." I have no clue how many children I have taught the words of this song to; too many to count. Personally, I prefer the words from the KJV over the NIV, "And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature." (vs 3)

Zacchaeus was of little stature not only in physical height; but, in social stature as well. He was a tax collector and had made himself wealthy by cheating his own people. Therefore, he was not a popular fellow. No one in the crowd that day was going to move out of his way so that he could see Jesus so he climbed a tree to get a look from a distance. Jesus knew of his desire to see him and so he arranged to make it up front and personal. He told Zacchaeus: "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." Today, (and every day) Jesus wants to be welcomed into your home. If you want to see Jesus, just climb down from whatever tree that you've chosen to watch Jesus from and welcome Him into your life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 13:1-9 Repent; Bear Good Fruit

Luke 13:1-9 NIV
In the parable of the fig tree that refused to produce fruit, Jesus sounds a bit harsh. He says, "Cut it down!" (vs 7) But the man's whose vineyard the fig tree was living in intercedes with Jesus for the life of the fig tree. Give it another chance. Give it one more year.

It may well be time to consider and give thanks for all those people who have interceded for us throughout our lives. There have been times when we have been totally unfruitful, deserving of no more chances. Yet, we have been given what seems to be unlimited opportunities to bear fruit for the Kingdom. But, the opportunities are not quite unlimited. I officiated at another funeral yesterday. The death of a loved one is a reminder that our days are indeed numbered; a reminder that our opportunities on earth to bear fruit are indeed limited.

Repent and bear good fruit for the Kingdom of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 6:43 - 49 Stand Firm; Bear Fruit

Luke 6:43-49 NIV
There's a familiar children's song about the wise man who built his house upon a rock and a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. The house built upon the sand will fall in stormy weather. The house that is built upon the rock, who is Jesus the Christ, will stand no matter what attempts to destroy it. In fact, the home of the wise man, like the good tree, will bear much fruit for our Lord.

Be wise and live life bearing good fruit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 3:1-20 - Repent!

Luke 3:1-20 NIV
Now John baptized people for the forgiveness of sins. According to Luke, he admonished people to repent of their sins. It does not appear that he was a light-hearted jokester. His words were not meant to please the itching ears of humankind. He appears to be a pretty serious character and an unafraid character, as well. The people who came to him to be baptized, he called a "brood of vipers." He rebuked Herod Antipas for divorcing his wife and marrying his brother's wife. He was not afraid to be a truth teller. He was thrown into prison for it.


People flocked out to be baptized by John; yet, he was hated by many.  And, so goes the way of the those who strive to speak the truth. It and the purveyor of truth will be accepted by some. Others will do all they can to destroy the truth sayer in hopes of destroying the truth with him.

Repent and receive forgiveness. Let your sins be washed away. Repentance is not as easy as some may think. Because, before we can repent of our sins, we must first acknowledge them. If we cannot recognize our sin, our brokenness, then what is it that we think we are going to repent of? How are we going to change if we refuse to acknowledge that maybe there is room for change in our lives?


John's words may sound harsh to our ears at times. “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (3:7-9)

It sounds harsh to those who refuse to repent; to change their lives and follow Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 17:14-26 - Mustard Seed

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20-21 NIV)

It is almost unbelievable to me that we do not have the faith of a mustard seed. I said, almost. The evidence is there. No mountains have been moved that I know about, lately. There are plenty of sick people to be healed, hungry to be fed, and a world full of lonely people who know no peace.

But, again, I said "almost unbelievable." Remember the story of the mustard tree? "Then Jesus asked, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.'” (Luke 13:18-19)

The mustard seed does not miraculously grow into a tree overnight. It takes times. It is more of a process.  A seed is planted. It is watered and fertilized. The mustard seed actually has to do nothing to make itself grow. It grows because that is in the nature of the mustard seed. Such is the Kingdom of God. All our hard work at trying to fix things and create a utopia here on earth amounts to nothing without faith in the One who provides the increase. It is God who provides the blessings.

Indeed, I have seen some pretty miraculous healings in my lifetime. I have seen things accomplished for the good of man that many would have thought were not possible. But, like the mustard seed growing into a full blown tree that will feed the multitudes of birds, so the Kingdom of God is growing. Slowly (at least according to our reckoning of time), but surely it is advancing bringing with it wholeness and peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 15 - What To Wear?

“Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 'Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat.'”  (Matt 15:1-2 NRSV)

On occasion, I have heard a whisper or two about how someone dresses "for church" or how a child misbehaves in "in church." (I have church in quotes, because the term in church is used rather than the term "at worship.") Tradition has taught us that there are certain ways we should dress for and act in "church." These are traditions that have come down through the generations. I'm thinking Jesus probably did not change clothes to go to the temple or to preach as he was traveling from city to city. During the time Jesus ministered, here on earth, one of the big "no, no's" was to not wash before you eat. There were whole rituals set up to ensure that hands were washed - rituals that were not to be broken.

We have the religious and we have the faithful. The religious might also be faithful, but often they will remind us of the Pharisees and scribes who faithfully accused and persecuted Jesus. The man-made laws and traditions certainly set them apart from other people; but did they set them apart because of their faith in God or because of the faithfulness to man-made traditions and laws?

Not long ago, one of our members was dropped off by one of their children for Worship. I invited the daughter to join us - but - she said she couldn't come in because she had a pair of those pants on that sort of look like pajamas. Consider this, who exactly are you dressing for? Who are you afraid of offending? Man or God? Do you not pray at home, in the shower, in your pajamas, in the garden, in your running clothes, at work? Do you run to change clothes before you go before God to speak with Him, in prayer, on all of these occasions? Personally, I don't think God cares what we're wearing.

As that child of God, who felt that she was not dressed for "church" declined my invitation to join us at Worship, I thought of Adam and Eve in that garden, naked. God didn't care that they were naked. After they ate of the tree of knowledge, it was they who cared, not God. Since they were ashamed, God made them clothes to cover themselves with and then closed the garden off to them so that they might not eat of the tree of life and live forever.

I like tradition almost as much as the next person; however, let us be mindful that sometimes these traditions separate us from God rather than bring us (and others) closer to him. It is faith in the One who shed His blood for us and not what we wear that reconciles us to God, our Father, in His eternal kingdom.

"This people honors me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,    teaching human precepts as doctrines." (Matt 15:8-9)

God's Peace - Pr. J
P.S. The winter that I was snow-mobile trail boss in southern Ontonagon County, I often went to Worship Services in my snow-mobile suit, simply because I did not have time to change and had to get back out on the trails immediately after worship. It was either not change or not Worship. Which would you choose?

Jonah 4 - Jonah Is An Angry Man

God calls some of the most unlikely people to do His will. Jonah is an angry man. He's upset because after going through the ordeal with the fish; then relenting and doing God's will by going to the people of Nineveh to warn them to repent; they repent and God saves them! And... Jonah is angry. After all of his trouble, God saves the people, anyway. Jonah is angry because God did not destroy the people.

Jonah goes out to the wilderness to pout under the shade of the tree that God provides for him. God sends a worm to destroy the tree and Jonah is angry because God destroyed the tree.

"But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:10 NIV)

Jonah is an angry man. Are you an angry person, as well? Have you ever considered the trivialness of those things that upset you; that make you angry? Think about some of those little things that you allow to take away your peace. Is it really worth it? Should we rather not take pity and pray for those who can't figure out their right hand from their left rather than lose our peace by being angry with them?

Trust in the LORD. Trust that all that He does is for the good of those whom He loves and He loves you.

May the peace of the LORD be with you always.  Pr. J

Ezekiel 31 - Trees Falling

"Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon,
    with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest;
it towered on high,
    its top above the thick foliage." (Ezekiel 30:3 NIV)

Pharaoh is warned, even though Egypt stands tall like a tree towering over everything; Assyria once stood even taller. But, for its pride it came crashing down at the hand of God. So shall Egypt fall.

There was a huge pine, over 80 feet tall, not many feet from our home. It was a beautiful tree, towering above the others. It existed until this summer. It had grown so large that we knew if it ever fell that there would be nothing left to our home. It had grown too big and had become a danger. We had it taken down this summer so that it would not come crashing down on us. Sometimes God's people (and governments) get too big... We are in danger of causing others harm and God has to cut us down to size (prune us) or let us crash where we can do the least harm to others. 

Again, those who have ears, hear the warning from Proverbs: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 8 - There Is A Balm In Gilead

 "Is there no balm in Gilead,
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no recovery

For the health of the daughter of my people?" (Jer 8:22 NKJV)

 

Today our reading reminds me of another popular hymn. At the least, it is a favorite of mine. 

Jeremiah grieves for the people of God who are heading for destruction. Been there. Done that. Do it all the time. Such a sad thing to watch God's children following on a path of destruction. Jeremiah asks: "Is there no balm in Gilead?"

 

The balm of Gilead was actually the resin of a tree found in Gilead that was used as a healing ointment. (Bringing back memories of my father using the sap of the balsam tree to heals cut and abrasions - but I digress!) 

 

Jeremiah wonders if there is a cure for the hurt that the people live in and will encounter even more fully as they have wandered away from God. He asks, "Is there a balm in Gilead?" The answer to that question is heard in the African American Spiritual of the same name. I could not find the name of an author for this hymn as it was sung in early America and now today. It was born out of a time of much trial and suffering and was and is a reminder that the only balm to be found for the suffering soul was and is the love of God through Jesus Christ, our LORD.
 

Refrain

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul

Sometimes I feel discouraged
And think my work's in vain
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again Refrain

Don't ever feel discouraged
For Jesus is your friend
And if you lack of knowledge
He'll ne'er refuse to lend Refrain

If you cannot preach like Peter
If you cannot pray like Paul
You can tell the love of Jesus
And say, "He died for all." Refrain
 

I'm thinking we're going to be singing this at Zion again, soon, as I remember Bertha singing this to us at our last Worship and Music Committee meeting. If you live locally, hopefully, I will see you there! And, if you don't... attend worship wherever you are so that you might be reminded of God's love for you and receive (the balm of Gilead) the healing power of the Spirit of Christ.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 2 - Return To The LORD

For those of you who have been reading the Bible daily along with this blog, you probably recognize the message of the LORD through Jeremiah. It appears to be pretty predominant in our readings.

 

Return to the LORD and get rid of your false idols! They are worthless!

The LORD says through Jeremiah:
"Has a nation ever changed its gods?
    (Yet they are not gods at all.)
But my people have exchanged their glorious God
    for worthless idols.
Be appalled at this, you heavens,
    and shudder with great horror,”
declares the Lord.
“My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
    the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,    
    broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (Jer 2:11-13 NIV)

The water of life is free to all who would receive it, yet we would rather dig our own muddy pits to quench our thirst. Muddy pits never quench the thirst of anyone. So why would we turn to the work of our own hands, the worthless "unwork" of false idols? Why would we sabotage ourselves in this way?

It is such a sad state that we have become our own worst false gods. In this day of everything is about me and for me.... me... me... me... We have deceived ourselves into thinking that we can take care of our own wants and worship God as we lay around on our couches or whatever it is that gives us momentary pleasure and self-reward and that this is not sin. 

The Word of the LORD according to Jeremiah 2:31-35

"“You of this generation, consider the word of the Lord:

“Have I been a desert to Israel
    or a land of great darkness?
Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam;
    we will come to you no more’?
Does a young woman forget her jewelry,
    a bride her wedding ornaments?
Yet my people have forgotten me,
    days without number.
How skilled you are at pursuing love!
    Even the worst of women can learn from your ways.
On your clothes is found
    the lifeblood of the innocent poor,
    though you did not catch them breaking in.
Yet in spite of all this
    you say, ‘I am innocent;
    he is not angry with me.’
But I will pass judgment on you    because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’"

Indeed, how many who say they worship the one true and Almighty God would forget their jewelry, yet they forget to give God glory and honor! They forget to worship the One who gave His very life  that we might drink from the waters of life, eat from the tree of life. And, in all this they are arrogant enough to say that it is not a sin.

Return to the LORD and destroy the false images that you worship. They will do nothing for you! They can do nothing! They are worthless! But, the One who can and has, loves you enough to save you by dying for you.

There is just so much more to meditate upon in this second of chapter two of Jeremiah; please don't neglect to read it.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 118 - Two-Edge Sword or Blessed Is He

^"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Sound familiar? We hear it every Palm Sunday. This verse is found not only in Psalm 118:26, but Matt 21:9, 23:39, Mark 11:9, Luke 13:35, 19:38, John 12:13 (NIV) as well.

 

In these passages we hear Jesus reminding the people that they had rejected and had killed God's prophets before him. He tells them that their houses have been left desolate and they will not see him again until they say: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.  The other incident in Jesus' life that these verses refer to is his triumphant entry into Jerusalem for the Passover, riding on a donkey, with all of the people greeting him with joy as they shout these same words: "Blessed is he (the king) who comes in the name of the Lord" We know what happened at the end of the week.... God's chosen one, Jesus Christ, was also put to death. Hung high on a tree, the people He came to save, had Him put to death.

 

Those who come in the name of the LORD are not always welcomed. The prophets before Jesus were not. Jesus, himself, was not. Do we expect a better reception? The Good News, I must say, is not always welcomed. Those who bring the Word of God are still attacked on all sides. That Word of God, the Good News is like a two edged sword. One edge "penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb 4:12) The other edge of the sword is used to heal the nations. The sword, in times when swords were used in battle, could be heated and used to cicatrize the wound. That is what the Word of God does. It can heal the nations or it can scatter the people who cower in fear of the Word. 

 

If hearing the Word of God makes you feel good about yourself all of the time, you're probably not really hearing the Word. Nobody is that good that we don't need to be reminded now and then that we might be straying from the way. The Word, out of love, also corrects us, confronts us, to change.  It does not just say, don't worry about it, you can deny me, you can attack me. It says, "I am the way and the truth and the life." "Follow me."  So, when we are called to change our direction and follow, sometimes, people reject this Word and the one who brings it. Sometimes, they get down right angry on hearing this call to follow.

 

I have these words framed in my home office where I read them many times I day. "Comfort the disturbed. Disturb the Comfortable." It was given me a few years ago, by my friend, Jennifer Lynn. It reminds me that the Word which I share with people is a two edged sword. It is their to comfort the people who are in distress, but it is also there to disturb those who are too comfortable in the ways of the world. It will disturb those who have rejected Jesus as the "way, the truth, and the life." 

 

Verses 22-24 One more verse from Psalm 118 which is also found in the New Testament:

 

"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." (Psalm 118:22) is also found in the New Testament in Matt 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7.

In 1 Peter 2:6:8 we hear: "For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for."

 

Jesus is that cornerstone. He is the precious stone which brings salvation to all who believe. But, all who do not believe will stumble over the stone.

 

This Psalm 118 is just an awesome psalm. Please read it in it's entirety. But, just in case you don't, here's a few more verses for you.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
From the house of the Lord we bless you.
The Lord is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, nd I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (118:26-29)