Walk in the Truth

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
     -- 3 John 4 (NIV)

St. John the Evangelist wrote 3 John to his dear friend Gaius. Gaius was a faithful Christian who walked in the way of Christ. He showed hospitality to Christian missionaries and was devout in his faith. John was an apostle with the gifts of evangelism and encouragement. Gaius had the gifts of hospitality and faith. Everyone has their gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. John had his. Gaius had his. And we have ours. However, all of us can use our various gifts for the sake of the Truth. Jesus is the Truth, and it gives me no greater joy than to hear that any of my loved ones are walking in him.

-- Jonathan

Fight Heresy Everywhere

"Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son."
     -- 2 John 9 (NIV)

St. John the Evangelist wrote this beautiful letter in order to warn first-century Christians to be wary of false teachers and to refuse them hospitality if they enter your town. It is not out of hatred for the false teachers that John commands them to do this, but out of love for them and their neighbors. These heretics were seriously harming many people by spreading lies about their Lord Jesus Christ. The heresy these false teachers proclaimed was called Gnosticism. This taught that Jesus did not actually become man, and that our bodies are not important, but only our souls. To my great distress, many churches today flirt with this ancient heresy. It was the first-century Christians' duty to fight this and every other heresy wherever it was proclaimed... even by guests in their own homes. Even by trusted friends. And we must do the same. All heresy is evil, whether it is Gnosticism, Works Righteousness, or Antinomianism. It's all around us, and we must be wary of false teachers just as much as the Christians John was writing to had to be. For anyone who proclaims a gospel other than the good news of Jesus Christ does not have God. But, as John writes, whoever continues in Jesus' teaching has both the Father and the Son. I'm guilty of speaking heresy as well. Repent, and rejoice in the authentic Gospel of Jesus, the one who died and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins... Including the sin of preaching heresy.

-- Jonathan

Even in Exile

"'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'"
     -- Daniel 3:16b-18

In the book of Daniel (the final major prophet) we see two things: the faith and trust of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, the unfailing goodness and love of God. Judah had just been exiled into Babylon. These four men had reason to believe that God had abandoned them... but he hadn't. Even in these decades of exile, the LORD not only remained active in their lives (in saving the three men from the furnace and Daniel from the lions), but he even continued to communicate with them through prophets like Daniel. God never fails to be with us. The verses above shown how deliberate and immovable the faith of these men were. They knew God would be with them in their death sentence, either by saving them from the fire or by bringing them to eternal life. The former happened immediately. The latter happened a while later. In Daniel, we see that God never left his people, even when they were forced to leave their Promised Land. And he never leaves us either. Jesus surely is with us to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). He was with his people in exile, and he is with us today... Always.

-- Jonathan

Let Justice Roll Down

"'Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.' Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire; it will devour, and Bethel will have no one to quench it."
     -- Amos 5:4b-6

Blessed Lent to you all. An appropriate book to reflect on during this season of repentance is the book of Amos. Amos, a lowly shepherd from Judah, was chosen by God to pronounce judgment on Israel for their wickedness. Amos begins by declaring God's wrath on the nations bordering Israel, which his hearers undoubtedly rejoiced over. However, once judgment on the pagan nations had been prophesied, Amos condemned Israel and Judah: God's people. Judah and Israel were blessed with God's Law, and they spat on it. Judah rejected the Law, abandoned God's decrees, and turned to false gods (2:4). Israel "trampled on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and denied justice to the oppressed" (2:7). Therefore, God promised to punish the Israelites through death and exile. How could this have happened? After all the LORD had done for his people and given them, how could they have rejected him? The LORD gave them many warnings, yet they heeded none of them (4:6-11). How could they have been so evil?
Before we get carried away here, let us not forget one of the purposes of the Lenten season: self-examination. Israel had no pity on the poor (2:7). Do we not neglect the poor? Israel perverted justice. Do we not attempt to justify our sins? Israel partook in hollow worship (5:23-24). Is our worship always as reverent and Christ-centered as it should be? Do we not lose focus during worship? Israel, in their time of prosperity, lived in idle luxury (6:4). Are our hands not often idle? Do we not embrace the materialism of our Western society? Just like Edom, the pride of the Israelite's hearts deceived them (7:17). Do we not delude ourselves with foolish pride? And on top of all of these heinous sins, Israel did not even grieve over the ruin of their nation (6:6). How often do we turn a blind eye to the injustices occurring in our nation, such as abortion? How often do we grieve over the sins of our nation?
We are just as evil as they are... Repent.
For after all we have done, after all we have failed to do, after all we have been, God has mercy. "Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is" (5:14). "Hear the Word of the LORD" (7:16). God calls us by name, like he called Amos (7:8, 8:2). He sees our sins, forgives them, then remembers them no more... because of Jesus. God promised to restore David's fallen tent... Not to allow the Israelites to restore themselves, but to restore them himself (9:11). Sure enough, the Israelites came back from exile. And as surely as we are sinners, our sins are forgiven. For our Father sent Jesus to earth to restore salvation unto the Israelites and to us. Jesus is the one who restores us. We deserve nothing but exile and death, just like Israel did. But Jesus says no. He took the exile and death we deserved on himself. He carried that exile and death to the cross, making full atonement for our sins. Praise be to Christ! It is because of Jesus that we have the will to repent. It is because of Jesus that we are forgiven. And it is because of Jesus that we will one day see his glory in our restored bodies and souls.... Blessed Lent.

-- Jonathan

Deceptive Pride

"The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'"
     -- Obadiah 3

In his book, Obadiah warns the Edomites that the pride of their hearts has deceived them. In the recent past, they had boasted at their might and at Israel's recent defeat by an enemy nation. Edom prided itself in being hidden and well-fortified in the mountains around Judah. But here, the LORD says through Obadiah that the pride of their hearts has deceived them. They trusted in themselves instead of in God. Because of this, they had a false sense of security. This resulted in the destruction of Edom in the years following Obadiah's vision.
How often do we trust in our own abilities instead of in Jesus? When we do, we deceive ourselves with the pride of our hearts. We fool ourselves! Just like the Edomites relied on their rocky fortifications, we rely on our emotions, our good deeds, our reason, you name it! Our pride deceives us. But Jesus delivers us from our pride. "Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the LORD's" (Obadiah 21). Jesus is our deliverer, and heaven is his kingdom. And because he has delivered us from our deceitful sin, we will dwell in this kingdom as well.

-- Jonathan

A Minor Prophet Pushing Major Repentance and Mercy

"The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel."
     -- Joel 3:16

The book of Joel, like so many other prophetic books, is incredibly rich with language of repentance followed by restoration. Joel begins his book by assuring us that this is indeed the word of God that came to him (1:1). He continues by speaking of the sins of Judah, and their immediate result: an army of locusts that has devastated the nation. Joel speaks gently to his people, speaking the truth with loving respect, but not skimping out on the penetrating Law Judah needed. He called them to repent, pleading with them to rend their hearts to God instead of to sin (2:12-13). The reader almost gets the impression that the tender-hearted Joel is begging them to turn to their LORD. Following Judah's repentance, God answers them with abounding grace and blessings, for which one can tell Joel is eternally thankful.
Joel has a lot to say to us. It's a shame his book rarely gets cracked open. St. Peter found it worthy to base his first sermon on, leading the way for Christian preaching that came in the millenia following the first Pentecost. The message of repentance and restoration has its roots in Genesis 3, and continues to be preached by faithful pastors today. And while we don't experience earthly punishments such as locusts for our sin today, sin is equally destructive to our lives now as it was then. Joel does well to lead us to repentance. And in this Christmas season, we find our joy in the grace Jesus won for us on his cross, and the restoration that will come on, as Joel says, "the Day of the LORD." The LORD dwells in our hearts as surely as he dwells in Zion (3:21).

-- Jonathan

Our Kinsman-Redeemer

"'The LORD bless him!' Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. 'He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.' She added, 'That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers.'"
     -- Ruth 2:20 (NIV)

During this gracious time of the Judges, a kinsman-redeemer was a man who protected his extended family, provided for them, and redeemed relatives who had been enslaved, among other things. Not an easy task, eh? So why, in the end of the Book, would Boaz agree to be Ruth's and Naomi's kinsman-redeemer? Love. He loved Ruth and, in turn, her mother-in-law, and chose to redeem them. He bought the property of Elimelech, Kilio, and Mahlon (4:9), and gave Naomi a grandchild through Ruth. If only we had a kinsman-redeemer to provide for our needs and redeem us from our trials... See where this is going? Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer. He is related to us by blood through his incarnation, he was willing and able to pay our redemption price, and he is himself free. He meets the criteria. And through his grace, we not only receive earthly gifts like property and children. We receive eternal life. As Naomi says, "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." Jesus is our redemption. Jesus is our kinsman-redeemer.

-- Jonathan

God's Grace in the Judges

"But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died." 
     -- Judges 3:9-11 (NIV)

When most Christians read this violent Book of Judges, grace does not seem to come across as an abounding factor; but it is. These wicked Israelites deserved nothing but punishment and rebuke for the evil they did in the eyes of the LORD. But when they cried out to God, he gave them what they didn't deserve: a warrior by the name of Othniel, who defeated the Aramites for them and gave them peace for 40 years. This cycle happens several times in this Book with many different judges, and each time, the grace of our LORD abounds. When we cry out to God, he gives us what we don't deserve: forgiveness... Forgiveness through his son Jesus Christ... our deliverer... and the one who bring us peace. Not for 40 years, but for eternity.

-- Jonathan

Keep Me as the Apple of Your Eye

I was planning on blogging on Judges today, but after reading a verse in Deuteronomy a few days ago, I have to go back to the Torah for one more week.

"In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye."
     -- Deuteronomy 32:10 (NIV)

This verse, which is echoed in Psalm 17:8, appears in my favorite non-Divine service in the Liturgy: Compline. The apple of one's eye, in this context, refers to the pupil. This is the most sensitive and delicate part of the eye, and without it we wouldn't be able to see a thing. No wonder we protect our pupils so obsessively! By asking God to keep us as the apple of his eye, we are imploring him to protect us at all costs. And he does. He protects us so obsessively that he sent his Son to die for us so that we might be protected from the torment of hell. And through his protection, we will one day inherit his kingdom, and see with our own eyes the apple of his.

-- Jonathan

The Sinless Successor

"After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-- to the Israelites."
    -- Joshua 1:1-2 (NIV)

Moses was unable to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land and obtain victory here. So instead of abandoning His people, God chose a successor: Joshua. And through Joshua, Israel was able to obtain the Promised Land. But Joshua's victory did not abolish all that Moses had done for the Israelites. And in the same way, Jesus' life, work, death, and resurrection did not abolish the Mosaic law. But rather, He fulfilled the law. Jesus succeeds the Mosaic law in the same way Joshua succeeded Moses. Jesus leads us to everlasting life through His Word. Our sinless Successor... Our sinless Savior.

-- Jonathan

Just Like Moses... Except For That Sin Thing

"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him."
     -- Deuteronomy 18:15 (NIV)

I love the Book of Deuteronomy. It repeats the entire Law, explaining it to the younger group of Israelites. It clearly has a great deal of Law in it, which is a good thing. But perhaps my favorite verse from Deuteronomy is the promise of the Second Moses in Chapter 18. Moses tells the people that the LORD their God will raise up for them a prophet. It would mean nothing if it wasn't for them and for us. It says he will be from among their own brothers, and as we know, Jesus was from the Abrahamic lineage like many of them were. Moses says that the prophet (Jesus) will be like him. This is where the parallel finally slaps us in the face. Moses foreshadows the coming of Jesus, the one who will rescue his people from slavery (slavery to sin) and ultimately lead them to the Promised Land (heaven). However, Jesus lived the life that Moses (and Adam) should have lived. He was perfect in every way, without sin.
This verse says that the LORD our God will raise him up for us... and he certainly did. He raised him up from the grave on the third day. And it is because of that death and resurrection that we are no longer slaves to sin, but rather slaves to Christ. God raised up a Savior for the Israelites in Deuteronomy. God raised up a Savior for us.

-- Jonathan

The Vacuousness of Works Righteousness

"The fourth book [Numbers]... says much about the disobedience of the people and the plagues that came upon them... Indeed this is the way it always goes; laws are quickly given, but... they meet with nothing but hindrance; nothing goes as the law demands. This book is a notable example of how vacuous it is to make people righteous with laws; rather, as St. Paul says, laws cause only sin and wrath."
-- Martin Luther

If nothing else, the Book of Numbers shows us just how pathetic and unable we are as people to make ourselves righteous. It's not difficult to see connections with how the grumbling Israelites in Numbers acted and how we act when things don't go our way. The LORD gives his people a clear set of laws to obey in order for all to be well with them, and the first thing they do (and we do) is break it. We can never keep the Law. And to think for a second that we can be made righteous by the Law is beyond foolish. The Law shows us just how depraved we are, not how righteous we can become if we follow it. No, works righteousness is not the answer. Jesus Christ is. The Law is good... very good. But it does nothing to make us righteous. The Israelites in Numbers figured that out with difficulty. Abraham had faith, and God credited it to him as righteousness. And the same is true of the believing Israelites in Numbers... And the same is true of us.

-- Jonathan

Why Do I Need a Pastor?

I've decided to work on writing a blog post about a passage, verse, or topic from every Book in the biblical canon. For today's blog, I decided focus is on the Book of Leviticus. And instead of quoting a verse or passage from the Book, I've chosen to quote Luther on Leviticus. Luther says:

"The special topic of the third book [Leviticus] is the appointment of the priesthood, with the statutes and laws according to which the priests are to act and to teach the people. There we see that a priestly office is instituted only because of sin, to disclose sin to the people and to make atonement before God, so that its entire function is to deal with sin and sinners."

Upon reading this quote, I'm instantly reminded of people asking a version of the question, "Why do I need a Pastor?" Growing up in the church and never really questioning the Office of the Keys, it hasn't always been easy for me to answer this question when asked. But Luther makes it clear that Leviticus makes it clear that we do indeed need pastors. "Why?" Because of sin. "Huh?" We're sinful. "Oh yeah, I know that, but what does that have to do with me needing a pastor?" The Office of the Holy Ministry was instituted by God  in order to show people their sins clearly and to make atonement for said sins before God. In the stead and by the command of Jesus Christ, a pastor makes our sins known to us and forgives us in the Name of Jesus. So I reckon the better question would be, "Why would anyone not want a Pastor?"

-- Jonathan

The Dream Team's got Nothin' on Joseph

"When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected. He asked Pharaoh's officials who were with him in confinement in his master's house, 'Why are your faces so sad today?' Then they said to him, 'We have had a dream and there is no one to interpret it.' Then Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.'"
     -- Genesis 40:6-8 (NASB)

To those who claim that we should be open to all interpretations of morality and the Word, I would encourage them to read this text. Interpretations belong to God. And if our interpretations of morality, ethics, dreams, or anything else negates what the Word teaches, we can be certain that they have no merit. Shooting interpretations and philosophy from the hip seems to be --- well --- hip, these days. But if one's interpretations or worldview doesn't coincide with Scripture, it's not all that valuable, and it's certainly nothing new.

-- Jonathan

Again

When I was a kid, I remember my dad picking me up in his arms, tossing me up in the air, and catching me on my way down. The second my toes would touch the ground, my arms would shoot back up as I'd look at my dad and say, "Again! Again!" And, like the good father that he was and is, he'd pick me up and toss me in the air again. After a half dozen times or so, I'd still be saying "Again!" when he'd set me down, but at that point (quite understandably) he'd be too tired to continue. I was reminded of this memory the other night during my prayer, when I confessed the same sins I had confessed a hundred times before, asking God to forgive me... again. It made me feel like the child I was, reaching up to my dad to toss me in the air again. "Again Lord, again! Forgive me again." And He did... And He does. The difference here is that no matter how many times I plead forgiveness for the same old sins I've committed a thousand times, He never declines. He's never too tired. "Yes," He says, "Yes. You're forgiven... again." An undeserved shower of grace is poured down on me again... and again. And when any of Your children admit their sinfulness and ask for your mercy, what are you doing?

You are turning our hearts back to You...

Again.

-- Jonathan

Go Tell It on Mount Olympus

I'll be honest--- I'm an Olympics junkie. A Summer Olympics junkie that is. These are my 6th Summer Olympics. Of course, my first Olympics (Barcelona '92) occurred when I was still unborn and I can't exactly remember the next two either. But these past three Games, I've been inspired as well as glued to my television. I used to question the reason for my fascination with the Olympic Games. I like sports, but certainly not all the sports that somehow seem to make the Games. And I also like the historical significance of them. But my favorite part of the Olympics, and the real reason I am so inspired by them, is the unity it seems to bring to the world. There is no unity quite like the Olympics... Well, except that unity with our fellow Christians of the past and present when we partake of Christ's Body and Blood during Communion... And our unity with Christians of the past 2000 years when we read and hear the Word... Not to mention our unity with our LORD when we receive these things.... Come to think of it, the Olympics don't hold a candle (or should I say 'torch') to any given Sunday. After all, which is more astounding: An athlete breaking an Olympic record? Or Jesus Christ breaking apart our record of detestable sins, wiping our slate clean with His sacrifice? I'll go with the latter. So a happy Olympics to all! And to all, a life rich with Christ's blessings and gifts.

P.S. Go Team USA!

-- Jonathan

Untitled

This is my first entry ever! I want to talk about two trees. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, which I think must have been a pretty spectacular place (being perfect and all). There were two trees with special purposes and special rules- the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and also the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve were in paradise and were walking with God in the garden!!! Yet, even though this was true, they chose to eat of the first tree anyway. Though they only had one rule to follow and paradise to enjoy, they broke that rule and were banned from paradise.

We are sinful just as Adam and Eve were. We are born sinful and are naturally inclined to "have it our way" rather than God's way. We rebel, as Adam did, against God's will. We all think in our own minds that we know better than God, the God who gives breath and takes away, the God who created the entire universe in six days (though six seconds would have sufficed). 

We are wrong. We hurt ourselves when we sin. We are condemned because of it. We will always sin, but we must repent. We have no hope in our sin because our holy God has no tolerance for contaminated sinners. 

The second tree in the Garden was the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve were banned from it. But God had a plan. He was going to save His people. He would reconcile His people to Himself. A sacrifice was needed to atone for the sins of His people. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, down to earth. Jesus died upon the Tree at Calvary. Though Jesus died there, that tree is not a tree of death for us. It is the Tree of Life. From His sacrifice on Good Friday and resurrection victory on Easter, we have life after death. We have forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation because of His death for our sake. His death on that cross gives us life. This Jesus on that cross is our only hope for the forgiveness of sins that we so desperately need. We are now and forever clothed with Christ's righteousness. What a great thing! That's an understatement). Thanks be to God, who cares, guides, protects, and provides for us each and every day.

-- James (Guest Writer)

July 4th and the Church

Happy Independence Day, American blog-o-sphere! I want to wish the USA a happy 236th birthday. Not a day goes by when I'm not happy to live in America. So I'd like to thank all of the soldiers, politicians, and common American people who have worked so hard to make this country great. I'd also like to thank all of the faithful pastors out there (including my own) who focused on Christ last Sunday, and not on America. Every Sunday before the 4th of July, pastors all around this great country fall into the temptation to get patriotic from the pulpit. While these servants of Christ are almost always well-meaning, and while patriotism is objectively a good thing, bringing the 4th of July celebration into church is not appropriate. The Church exceeds all borders and ethnicities, and therefore sermons and church services need to reflect that fact. So while God Bless America is a wonderful song, let's not sing it in church. Let's sing songs that Christians around the World can join together in singing. Let's praise the One who died and rose again for the forgiveness of our many sins, including the sin of losing sight of Christ during the  n th Sunday after Pentecost. So thank you, pastors who preached sermons focused on the Gospel reading last Sunday instead of on the American flag. Thank you for fulfilling your vocations marvelously by the Grace of God through preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments to us. Because even on Independence Day, all Christians need a little break from national pride and a large dose of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for us. God bless you pastors, and God bless this country.

-- Jonathan

Why I love the Creeds

According to the Small Catechism, "A creed is a statement of what we believe, teach, and confess." And for a Scripture reference, it cites Romans 10:10 ("For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."). I'm reminded of another Scripture passage when I study and confess the three Ecumenical Creeds. In the 16th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" And Simon Peter answers, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This reminds me of the Creeds. Who do we say Jesus is? It's easy to think, "This is my perception of Jesus..." or "This is who I think Jesus is..." But who do we say He is? The Creeds answer this question. Who do we say God is? We believe in the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

-- Jonathan

Worldly vs. Biblical Philosophy

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." -- Colossians 2:8 (NASB)


As a college student, I run across many different philosophies and worldviews, and it's certainly a temptation to simply shrug them off and surrender to the whim that everyone's entitled to their own opinion and interpretation of the Bible. It's a temptation I've fallen into myself; but reading Paul's words here in Colossians, I see how immensely important it is to have a discerning heart and mind when it comes to worldly philosophies. Paul lived in the days of Greek philosophers who told the public to look within themselves to find fulfillment and meaning. It's easy to be taken captive by these ideas, but we must remember that Christ is where we should look to, not ourselves. We live in a world with countless corrupt philosophies including evolution and moral relativism. The world blindly accepts them, but we must be on our guard not to. Don't be like the world. We now have the mind of Christ. Don't corrupt that mind... But even as it is, if and when we do fall into these non-biblical worldviews and are taken captive through philosophy and empty deception, Christ forgives us, and welcomes us back to His Word and Sacraments, in which are no sinful philosophies to be found.

-- Jonathan