Category: Lectionary - Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry

Matthew 11:25-30 - Lectionary for the Commemoration of Matthias

2/21/2019

2/21/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel reading, from Matthew 11:25-30, shows Jesus rejoicing in the way the Father has revealed the things of eternal life to even little children. The sublime God of all is revealed through God the Son, who invites “all who labor and are heavy laden” (Matt. 11:28a, ESV) to himself.

This is a wonderful call. After all, it isn’t easy to carry on life in this sin-cursed world, where we work and toil, gaining our sustenance by sweat. Even our children, young and sheltered though they be, become frustrated. There’s always something to draw our labor and leave us burdened. Who does Jesus call? He calls us all. Follow along with him, learn from him, benefit from his willingness to humble himself, find rest, peace, hope, and finally life.

The walk of the unbeliever is not easy. Its end is death. The walk of the Christian is not easy. But we tired and heavy laden people find Jesus with us, and at last a death which passes into a glorious resurrection. This is life indeed.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Acts 1:15-26 - Lectionary for the Commemoration of Matthias

2/20/2019

2/20/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our New Testament reading this week is from Acts 1:15-26. Normally we have an Epistle at this point in the readings. Acts is a little different as it is really a history. However, it is sometimes used for the first or second reading.

Something really important happens in this passage. For the first time in recorded history, one of the apostles takes a passage of Scripture and applies it to a current situation. In the past, this was the work of a prophet, including John the Baptist, or of Jesus. But here Peter finds a passage in Psalms which tells him they should have another apostle. He then suggests some qualifications, which are not stated in the Old Testament but seem important and are agreeable to all the apostles. Matthias is eventually chosen at random of the two people proposed.

There’s a debate about whether twelve is the right number, about how to think of replacement apostles, and whether the apostolic office is restricted to those who had been present since Jesus’ baptism. The New Testament does not spell those answers out specifically. We can’t know with 100% confidence about the modern implications. What we do know is that Matthias was duly selected as an apostle and that he served as such in some way. We also know that Matthias is never again mentioned in the New Testament. He gives a model of someone who was recognized later than most and who is apparently working in obscurity. Is he any less valuable than the other apostles? Not at all, simply different. May the Lord continue to make us willing to live and die for him, regardless of our station in life.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Psalm 134 - Lectionary for the Commemoration of Matthias

2/19/2019

2/19/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

This very brief Psalm calls people to sing praises to the Lord, even at night in God’s house. The Psalmist assumes a worshiper in the temple of God in Jerusalem, the place designated by God for sacrifice and for receiving forgiveness. What’s odd about it? The servants of God are in the Lord’s house at night, the time when, culturally, everyone should be at home in bed. These servants of the Lord are workers who are stationed in God’s temple. They care for the building, they guard it from intruders or theft, they prepare the space for the morning sacrifice, even as they clean up from the evening sacrifice.

It is entirely possible that those at night in the Lord’s house are not there for worship, but for work. What is their attitude to be? They are to bless the Lord who also blesses them. The person who comes to the temple by day may never see those present at night. But their worship, their forgiveness, depends, in part, on this other team.

Many of our daily tasks receive no thanks from others, even though they are vital to our community. We can do it all with a heart of thanksgiving before the Lord, who blesses his people, often using our own works to bless others.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Isaiah 66:1-2 - Lectionary for the Commemoration of Matthias

2/18/2019

2/18/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

February 24 is often observed as a commemoration day for Matthias, the apostle selected to replace Judas, as recorded in Acts chapter one. Commemorations such as this are generally held on the day the individual died, as, in some ways, that is the day the person is finally born to eternal life. Churches which recognize a commemoration will often, in the case of important people, change the regular Sunday readings if the day itself falls on a Sunday, as Matthias’ day does this year.

In our reading from Isaiah 66:1-2, God declares that his throne is heaven and his footstool is the earth. For this reason, God wants nothing that we could build him. Many Christians will say, based on passages such as this, that God doesn’t want us to spend resources on fine buildings in his honor. They will speak of the historic churches and cathedrals and of how the elaborate decorations and furnishings were a waste of money which could have been used to help the poor. After all, God needs no dwelling place.

This attitude completely misses the point of building a church, as well as the second half of Isaiah 66:2. In our passage, God looks (with favor) upon the humble one, who values God’s Word. This shows a heartfelt care for the humble needy, who look to God for help. And I would remind us, if in doubt, to notice where all of us live - at the footrest of God. The footstool is not used to kick around or abuse, but to be a place of comfort and rest. God rests by having the earth he created close at hand. Just as the king’s royal cat can curl up on his footrest, we can approach close to God, seeking comfort with him. The church building or cathedral is not for God’s comfort, but for ours. He has made his comfort. We, honoring the Lord who rules over heaven and earth, make buildings to show his honor and glory. These buildings are also a means of providing for God’s people. How many laborers and craftsmen are employed by building that cathedral? How many hungry people are fed due to that payroll and the many businesses which spread out around it? How many people are welcome into the church or cathedral to hear he message of hope in Christ, a hope which brings eternal life? The earthly building is a place for God’s people, as the heavens and earth are the place for God.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Luke 6:17-26 - Lectionary for Epiphany 6C

2/14/2019

2/14/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

It’s so easy for us to misplace our priorities, isn’t it? We want to do well at work, in business, in school, in our families. We want to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. Then again, maybe we’re ready to settle for healthy and wealthy. In Luke 6:17-26 many people have come to hear Jesus and be healed (v. 18). Folks are being healed right and left. The power of God is there.

Make no mistake about it. This is definitely a good thing! Jesus doesn’t like you to have diseases any more than you like it. Trouble with unclean spirits troubles Jesus too, so much that, at least in this passage, when he is confronted with the spirits he casts them out. God does delight in bringing healing and life to his people.

How about that little element of wisdom? Let’s take a look at the content of the teaching here. There’s a significant content parallel in Matthew 5, though the discourses seem to take place at a different time and place. This is in a level place and is accompanied by healing beforehand. The passage in Matthew 5 is on a mountain and doesn’t have healing beforehand. But it shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus frequently talks about the same kind of issues in different places and at different times.

When Jesus teaches here, he tells about how his followers are blessed whether they are poor, hungry, sorrowful, or hated. Those who are confident in themselves will face troubles, but those who are looking to him will receive blessings. Do you notice how much Jesus talks about healing? About wealth? His only mention of wealth here has to do with the implication of not depending on it. He doesn’t mention healing physical maladies at all.

Jesus attracts people to him by doing things which are for their genuine momentary good. He then gives them words which they can live by forever. There’s the priority. May the Lord give us right priorities, that we can enjoy his blessings now and forever.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

1 Corinthians 15:1-20 - Lectionary for Epiphany 6C

2/13/2019

2/13/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

I was recently visiting some people in a retirement home. A man I had never met before came up to me and asked if he could talk with me for a while. Of course, I could spare a few minutes. He had some questions, serious questions, though by the end of the conversation I was not entirely sure where they were going. However, perhaps that didn’t matter as much as the fact that I took the time to work with him as he pursued answers to his questions.

What was the topic? Is there really going to be a bodily resurrection? Wasn’t the resurrection really just a spiritual thing? We looked briefly at the post-resurrection appearances of Christ in the Gospels. The testimony of the evangelists is that Jesus was raised from the dead, with his body, and did things that were in some way bodily. At the same time, his body seemed not to need to follow all the typical routines of bodily life. He seemed unhindered by things like space, walls, locks, and doors.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the great resurrection chapter of the New Testament, the apostle Paul observes that this risen lord Jesus was seen by many people, even many gathered together, which is not the way an hallucination or overwrought mind works. In verse six, he points out that many of the people who had seen Jesus after the resurrection were still alive. Paul’s claim could be trusted because if Jesus had not risen from the dead, everyone would rise up to prove him wrong.

While we don’t understand all the ins and outs of a bodily resurrection, here’s what we can tell from this passage. First, God cares about physicality. He has nothing against the bodily life of a human. It isn’t a bad thing. It’s just that we tend to use our physicality for bad purposes. But the human physicality itself is not something to be rejected or to escape. The frailty is, and in the resurrection, Jesus seems to take care of that. Second, Jesus shows by his resurrection that he is able to do what would appear impossible to all of us. This should give us confidence that he can keep his other promises, which also seem impossible. Can he take away my sin? Well, he was able to rise from the dead like he said, so I’m going to figure he can do something about sin also. Third, we can have confidence in eternity. We are told here that we have confidence in this life but also in the life to come. Jesus has conquered death. He’s able to take us into eternity, and it will be good. That’s the way he’s made it to work.

I don’t know where the man I was speaking with was going with his logical query, and he didn’t seem quite ready to tell me. I was genuinely on a deadline, as I had an appointment to visit with someone else who lived there. But I do know that, by the end of the conversation, he had been told that Jesus lovingly died for him and rose from the dead in order to be the firstfruits of the resurrection. Jesus’ intention is to raise this man to life and joy as well. I’ve got the same message for my readers. Jesus can do it.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Psalm 1 - Lectionary for Epiphany 6C

2/12/2019

2/12/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Psalm 1 comes up frequently in our lectionary readings. It is a beloved Psalm which gives hope and comfort to many. As such, it’s a little difficult to find something new to say.

I’m going to go out on a limb today and concentrate on verses four through six. We are frequently told by our current Western society that the Christian emphasis on judgment is out of line. After all, if God is good, doesn’t that mean that everyone would be all right? To sum it up, people will say, “I can’t believe in the kind of God who would judge people and call them sinners or make them perish.”

The fact is, our denial of a true statement doesn’t make it less true. Facts normally don’t care about our opinions. Our opinions should care about facts. What does the Scripture say? It says that there are righteous and wicked people, and that they are different. The righteous people trust in the God of the Bible. The wicked don’t. People on both sides act according to their character, at least a good part of the time. Righteous people sin and fail. Wicked people get some things right. But the orientation is still there. The Bible evaluates righteousness and wickedness based on trust in God. And there’s going to be a time of judgment one day. God will place a distinction between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will be destroyed, like the chaff you sweep off the threshing floor. Some of it blows away in the wind, some is heaped up into a pile and set on fire, then the ashes are worked into the soil. The righteous will be fruitful, the wicked will be discarded.

Is there any good news in here? Yes, a great deal. Remember that the righteous people are those who are trusting the God of the Bible. He hates sin and evil, so much that he will die for your sin and my sin. And he lovingly invites everyone to trust him. Yes, the Bible pictures a world where we can freely trust in Christ for us. Are we going to do it? Again, let’s deal with facts and not our opinions. If we want to trust in Christ, we are lovingly invited to do so. End of story. Some will not. It is indeed our concern to urge the loving invitation of Christ on others, but it will be accepted by some and rejected by others. The question at hand is whether we are going to trust in Christ. His invitation is for you and for me. I’m going to trust in Jesus. I want to be among the righteous, with life and hope, not among the wicked with the promise of being swept out and discarded. I hope you also wish to trust in Christ.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Lectionary for Epiphany 6C

2/11/2019

2/11/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Old Testament passage from Jeremiah 17 has very strong parallels to the better known text of Psalm 1. The one who trusts the Lord is like a tree with plenty of water. The one who trusts in man “is like a shrub in the desert” (v. 6, ESV). This may be a tough kind of plant. But what’s it good for? Yes, it stops erosion. Yes, some of the desert wildlife can find shelter there. Yes, it can furnish a scanty meal for that wild grazing animal. However, given the choice, we would rather pick out a fruitful tree with plenty of water, giving shelter and food to many.

What’s the difference between the successful man and the unsuccessful one in our passage? One trusts in God. One does not. The man who trusts in himself is bound for trouble. The one who trusts in God has no need for anxiety. There’s our difference. When all is said and done, what’s important in life is trusting the Lord.

This is played out differently for each person in real life. My trust in the Lord may look different from yours. It shouldn’t surprise us when there are some individual and group differences. Yet we always want to come back to a trust in God as revealed in Scripture. That’s the source of our stability, our life, our hope. Trust in the Lord. Soak up His Word. Be nourished with his peace and hope.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Luke 5:1-11 - Lectionary for Epiphany 5C

2/7/2019

2/7/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Experts hate to be shown that they are wrong. Really. Take it from me, since I’m an expert, and I think I’m right about it. We hate to be shown that we are wrong. In our Gospel passage from Luke 5 Simon Peter is the expert. He’s a prosperous fisherman, with a well established business. He knows fish and fishing. And he knows that, at least on this day, the fishing is really bad. They worked all night and it was a failure. No fish to sell today. Perhaps that’s why he was willing to let Jesus stand in the boat and use the lake water to help boost his voice and teach the people. He might as well get some use out of that boat.

We don’t know specifically what Jesus was teaching in verses three and four. The Bible doesn’t give us any clue at all. Apparently the content of Jesus’ teaching is not the important element in this passage. What does Luke want us to know? He wants us to know that Jesus showed himself in his power to Peter, James, and John, as well as to some other onlookers. He told them, the experts, to get their nets wet again, even though they had finished a long and frustrating night’s work and had finally managed to get everything in order again.

Simon Peter, the expert fisherman, knew it wouldn’t be worth doing. But he eventually agreed. All the while, he knew he was right. They weren’t going to catch anything. It’s a waste of time and effort.

How many times are we convinced that whatever we do will be a waste of time and effort? After all, we’re the experts! We know what we are doing. We have our priorities. We know the rhythm of our work. Yet sometimes, by his grace, the Lord puts us in a situation where we go against our instincts. Surely it’s worthless to go here, there’s no point in making that phone call, a visit to her will be useless. Suddenly, in the Gospel, the Lord provides a great catch of fish. And in our lives? He may take what seemed meaningless and promised no fruit and use it for the good of His kingdom. We never know what the Lord will accomplish.

We hate being wrong. What does Simon Peter realize when he is shown to be wrong? He confesses to the Lord that he is a sinful person. He contradicted God.

Here’s the good news. Jesus restores Simon Peter. He takes the sinful man who would argue with God about fishing, and he uses him to gather people into the kingdom of God. The Lord knows exactly what he is doing. And he does it for the good, not only of his disciples, but for the good of the whole world. Thanks be to God.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

1 Corinthians 14:12b-20 - Lectionary for Epiphany 5C

2/6/2019

2/6/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Epistle lesson for this week is frequently used like the pipe wrench in a game of Clue. You use it to smack down the person you disagree with, then you try to hide the evidence. What’s the topic here? Gifts of the Holy Spirit and reasoned understanding. The exciting element of this passage is that it is used as if we have an “either-or” distinction. Either you expect God to work supernaturally or you do things with your understanding.

Let’s see what the passage says. First, inverses 12-13, spiritual gifts are affirmed . They are good, and can be used tobuild up the church. In verse 18 the apostle is glad that he even has more evidence of spiritual gifts than his readers do. Make no mistake. Spiritual gifts are good.

The apostle doesn’t stop there, though. While spiritual gifts are good, they do not always build up the church just by themselves. A gift of wisdom or understanding might. But the less intelligible gifts, like speaking in tongues will not. After all, without interpretation, the speaking may remain a mystery to some. Paul asks in verse 16 how someone will know how to agree with thanksgiving if he can’t undersatnd it. So the apostle urges the Corinthians to seek that everyone should understand. This builds up the whole body of Christ.

If God gives spiritual gifts, that’s fine and good. He is blessing His people. If there’s a way to help others understand what God is doing, all the better. So we make every attempt to explain what we read, see, and hear, in terms that all can understand but which are nuanced enough to deal with the intricate give and take of the Christian life. Thanks be to God for His life-giving Spirit!

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Psalm 138 - Lectionary for Epiphany 5C

2/5/2019

2/5/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

A friend once said to me, “I wouldn’t have so much trouble with the God of the Bible if he didn’t seem so self-centered.” I asked what led to this conclusion, as it was not one I had ever reached. “He wants people to spend time telling him how great he is. That just doesn’t seem right.” Psalm 138 gives us a great chance to explore this issue. In the last half of verse two it says, “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word” (Ps. 138:2, ESV). God seems to think his name and his word are awfully important. What’s going on here?

To keep the answer short and sweet, the reason God thinks so highly of himself is that he is making a reasoned and fair assessment. He created and sustains everything. He understands it all. He is all wise, all good, all knowing, all powerful, and able to rescue any who are in need. He understands our struggle in this earthly life and our need for eternal salvation. He, and nobody else, is able to provide that. To my assessment, God ought to feel incredibly good about himself. We only object to it when we picture God as one of us.

With the Psalmist, then, I’m going to give thanks to God. With the leading of God, I will exalt the name God has exalted. When you show that you are truly like God, I’ll exalt your name. Until then, I know who is worthy of praise.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Isaiah 6:1-13 - Lectionary for Epiphany 5C

2/4/2019

2/4/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Last week’s Old Testament reading was the call of Jeremiah, who was told that despite his yough and inexperience he would be used to warn the people of troubles. This week we have the call of Isaiah, probably around 740 B.C., about 120 years earlier than Jeremiah. We see that Isaiah has a magnificent vision of the Lord in his temple. I’d like us to notice briefly Isaiah’s response to this vision, especially in Isaiah 6:5.

Isaiah is undone. He calls out to this effect. He confesses that he is “a man of unclean lips” (ESV) and that he lives among people who are the same. He has seen the Lord and cannot expect to stand. This is the normal response to God’s glory. We find God’s power and majesty too great to endure.

Peter Hitchens, in his insightful book The Rage Against God, says that when he and his brother, Christopher, were young, they went into cathedrals at times. They were intimidating places, with vast expanses, huge columns, and decorations which seemed more suited for another world. This always made him uncomfortable until he began to understand that God’s presence is supposed to be errifying. He is the Lord of all the heavenly armies. He is the all-powerful king ruling over all creation. He will accomplish his plan. This is an intimidating idea, to say the least. Isaiah is rightly terrified, and so are you and I. We would never want to come face to face with such a customer.

What hope is there? After all, we are used to thinking about God’s love. Many of my acquaintances who would consider themselves theologically more liberal than I would remind us that God is love. Yes, he is, but how are we going to see the enormity of his love without contrast? In verse seven one of the seraphim touches Isaiah’s lips with a buring coal. He proclaims that Isaiah’s guilt is gone and his sin atoned for. God’s love shows in the fact that he forgives real sinners of their real sin, and that he does it with no effort on the part of the sinner. The God of all who has every right to judge us, who shows us worthy of death, cleanses us from sin. When? When we realize our sin. He, by himself, removes our guilt, even as we realize we cannot remove that guilt.

We have to wonder how many more times in his long life as a prophet Isaiah must have seen his sin and remembered God’s forgiving grace. We cannot know in Isaiah’s life, we cannot count the times in our lives. Yet when we realize the glory of God and our poverty, we can also find hope in those words, “your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:7b, ESV).

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Luke 4:31-44 - Lectionary for Epiphany 4C

1/31/2019

1/31/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In our Gospel passage from Luke 4 we see two examples of Jesus healing people by His word. The first has a demon, the second has a fever. Thanks to popular culture, many in North America just now think of an exorcism and they think of someone who shows all sorts of supernatural powers and who attacks the exorcist. Maybe we can add eerie voices, pictures on the wall spurting blood, and things bursting into flame. We think of the exorcist and picture someone who is feebly hoping that God might be powerful enough to make a difference.

The pattern in Scripture is nothing like this. What does Jesus do when he confronts the evil spirit in the man in the synagogue? He tells the spirit to be quiet and come out the the man. Even if we picture a more extensive and forceful encounter, with the command repeated or with considerable noise while the man is being bothered by the spirit and thrown down on the ground, we still have a remarkably orderly encounter. It’s more like telling the family dog to get off the couch and go outside than it is like telling an invading pride of lions to get off the meatloaf. Jesus has power and authority that we can hardly imagine.

Likewise, when Jesus visits in Peter’s household and Peter’s mother-in-law has a fever, Jesus tells the fever to go away and it does. No fuss, no muss, no elaborate ritual. The illness obeys Jesus’ command.

One of the rituals I have conducted on several occasions is a house blessing. By the way, for local people, if you have moved or if you want to keep with the historic tradition held by many of asking for a house blessing every year or so, let me know. I’d be happy to come by. In this blessing, we call upon the Lord of all, asking him to protect the home and its occupants from any sin and evil, to expel any evil spiritual forces, and to lay his blessing on those who live and visit the house. We go around, room by room, and ask the Lord to use the home and family for his purposes. It’s an exorcism, among other things. No fuss, no muss, just asking the Lord of all to guard and protect the dwelling and the people for his purposes.

What if there evil spirits acting where we are? There certainly seem to be some people and places where there’s something that appears demonic. It’s maybe more common in some parts of the world than others, especially in cultures where people give more credence to folk religions, earthly spirits, and the like. The encounter may just get a little more heated. It may need to be repeated more. In some instances, it can look like someone trying to get the pride of lions off the meatloaf. But we trust that as we are people who have been baptized into Jesus we are also acting in His name and authority when we ask His will to be done where we are.

Why do we let Hollywood govern our expectations about spiritual things? Let us rather trust the Lord of all to have His way in our midst.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13 - Lectionary for Epiphany 4C

1/30/2019

1/30/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

1 Corinthians 13. What a beautiful passage to read at a wedding or at another event when a family member is being celebrated. I do hope that we all can speak in love, act in love, and keep our focus on the characteristics of love. Yes, we need to be told to be patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not arrogant, not rude, to allow others to have their way, to be not irritable, not resentful, rejoicing with the truth, bearing all, believing all, hoping all, and enduring all, with everlasting love.

In some of our Bible studies recently we have been studying the distinction between law and gospel. Here we are confronted by the law. We are told what to do. And rightly so, for we should all strive for love. But we also need to remember that a prime characteristic of the law is that it always accuses us. That’s not the only thing it does, but it always does do that. How does this teaching of love accuse us? Quite plainly because we don’t do it perfectly. We may be told by our pop culture that love is our religion, that all we need is love, that true love is the thing worth living for. Of those three statements, only the last one is true. And true love is not something I can give you or that you can give me. It will always break down at some point. The Bible has language to describe that. It’s that we all have a sinful nature. And what do we do? We act according to our nature. Though we try not to, and sometimes we try very hard, we will eventually end up sinning against one another. In a common statement of confession, Christians confess that we have sinned against God in thought, word and deed, in what we have done and in what we have not done. We have not loved God with our whole heart and we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.

The fact is, we can live very kind, friendly, helpful, and moral lives while still failing in this respect. It only takes a little bit of failure. As we think about it in these terms, 1 Corinthians 13 doesn’t draw us a very good picture of ourselves, but it does draw a great picture of God and His love. He is the one who will never fail. He will never sin against us in any way. His love is perfect in all regards. And it is to that love which we flee for protection. When we fear, when we doubt, when we are troubled by others, when we are troubled by ourselves, we look to God and His perfect love.

As long as 1 Corinthians 13 is about us, it is law and it will condemn. As soon as it is about God, it is gospel and will bring forgiveness, life, and salvation.

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Psalm 71:1-11 - Lectionary for Epiphany 4C

1/29/2019

1/29/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our reading this week from Psalm 71 speaks eloquently to the toils of this life. The Psalmist doesn’t find himself in a secure position. Though he can run to God for refuge, the Psalm has a repeated theme of opposition. We need to come to God for protection continually. God has commanded the protection of the Psalmist, but he asks yet again for rescue. The enemies continue to come and accuse the author.

I’ve recently interacted with several people who are afraid that they have sinned in such a way that God would abandon them. They think there is no reliable hope for them. They can’t feel the fervor within themselves that they have been led to expect in the Christian. They begin questioning whether the Holy Spirit has left them. This Psalm speaks to that very situation. When we doubt, when we are under pressure, when others are accusing us, what do we do? We look to the Lord who has been our rock and our fortress in the past. After all, we realize that God never changes. He always remains the strong tower, a place of protection for all who are trusting in him.

A quick illustration, if I may. As with all illustrations, it can break down if we push it too far. But God will not break down, because we can’t push him too far. A relative of mine was sick and was not able to care for herself. She didn’t know what was going on around her. What happened? She was brought into a place of safety and healing. She had no idea that was going on at the time. It took a little while before she realized that she had the protection she needed. In fact, she has probably still not discovered all the ways people were watching out for her.

When we are weak, when we are weary, when we are hard pressed on every side, and we look to the Lord for his care, we may have no idea what he is doing for us. As we look back on it, we might be able to learn of some of the circumstances of his protective care. In the midst of the trial, all we do is look to the Lord and trust that he will be able to show himself to be the great and mighty God who watches over his people.

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Jeremiah 1:4-19 - Lectionary for Epiphany 4C

1/28/2019

1/28/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In our Old Testament reading for this week we find the prophet Jeremiah receiving his call from God. God’s call to Jeremiah is not unlike the way he appoints Jesus to care for the people of Israel, or the way he appoints pastors to care for their congregations. Let’s unpack just a few of the concepts.

First, God calls Jeremiah to be his spokesman. Jeremiah recognizes that he is thoroughly unprepared for the task. He is young, he doesn’t think he is particularly articulate, he is not ready. Surely there must be other people who would fit the bill better. I recognize this (except for the “young” part) in myself on a daily basis. I don’t have the wisdom and knowledge I wish I did. I am not the most articulate, the most persuasive, the most patient, or the most other-centered person out there. Why would the Lord use me? God’s response to Jeremiah is that he is the one appointed for the task and he is to stick with it. Really? Really. When the Lord calls us to do something, he knows what he is doing. We can trust him and follow his call.

Second, what is Jeremiah called to do? He is to lead the people of Jerusalem even though they are being opposed by many nations and kings. That certainly seems like overwhelming odds, and they are not in Jeremiah’s favor. One professor once put to me the odds against a pastor. We try to change people’s lives and values, giving them hope of eternity in a world that is perishing, and we normally have about 20 minutes a week to do it. This seems pretty much impossible. Yet I will ask the question which is implicit in the passage from Jeremiah. What is impossible for God? We are often brought into difficult and even seemingly impossible situations so as to show God’s glory. We couldn’t win the battle. When all is said and done, it is God who wins the battle, through His sovereign grace.

Finally, where is Jeremiah’s strength? God will make him a fortified tower, a pillar of strength, someone who will be able to withstand all the strengths of the enemy. It is not Jeremiah who is strong. It is God who is strong. May the Lord so do in our midst, giving us words, letting us stand for the truth, and making us suitable for the task.

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Luke 4:16-30 - Lectionary for Epiphany 3C

1/24/2019

1/24/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel reading this third week in Epiphany is a bold revelation of Jesus. Here, in the synagogue, Jesus reads the words of Isaiah where God proclaims the day of salvation. Jesus then boldly says that this word is fulfilled in him. What is Jesus saying here?

How did the people who heard him respond? They understood Jesus to be claiming that he had divine authority to forgive sin, to set captives free, and deliver God’s free grace. They understood that Jesus was saying he had the power and authority of God. They understood this so very well that they tried to execute him for making himself out to be God.

What did Jesus do in this instance? He continued to show his divine power, first by his proclamation, then by keeping the people from throwing him off a cliff. He continued then to proclaim the day of deliverance from God. He healed the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He gave sight to the blind. He raised the dead. He took the sins of the world onto himself, died the death we deserve, then rose from the dead as the firstfruits of the resurrection.

May this same Jesus, the risen Lord, reign in our hearts and minds, proclaiming the day of salvation to each of us. This is the day of salvation. God’s Word is fulfilled in Jesus.

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1 Corinthians 12:12-31a - Lectionary for Epiphany 3C

1/23/2019

1/23/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Epistle reading for this week speaks of the many different roles people play within the body of Christ. All the different parts of the body are important. As the Holy Spirit has given gifts, they are all for use in the body. None is without its function.

It strikes me as odd that people are so ready to assign motives and assess values within the body of Christ. I recall an encounter which illustrated this well. When on my way to visit someone in a hospital I as greeted on the elevator by a lady wearing a clerical collar. She engaged me in conversation and it turned out that she was one of the hospital chaplains and had recently visited the person I was going to see. She rather offhandedly told me that she was glad to find out I wasn’t from one of those denominations “that hates women.” Yes, quite the contrary, we think women are an integral part of God’s creation and a very valuable part of the body of Christ.

It turned out very quickly that the chaplain was assuming we didn’t “hate women” and therefore ordained women to pastoral ministry. I didn’t tell her specifically that my church body doesn’t ordain women. Frankly, I didn’t want to have to explain to her that we didn’t find any examples in Scripture of women carrying on the apostolic ministry and the work specifically identified for elders in the Bible, nor did we feel comfortable appointing women to roles which the Scripture only assigns to men. That has no bearing on loving or hating women. One could even make the argument that it is hateful to someone to place him or her into a role which he is not fit for.

That’s the essence of our passage from 1 Corinthians 12. Different people have different roles. They aren’t better or worse, they are different. The eye is not a stomach. It can’t ever digest food. The stomach isn’t an eye. It can never take in a visual image to be processed by the brain. We need them both, as with all our other organs. All are to be valued. All are cherished. All are appointed and used as gifts of God.

Beloved, let us love one another.

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Psalm 19 - Lectionary for Epiphany 3C

1/22/2019

1/22/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Psalm for this week begins with a declaration of God’s glory as shown in creation. This is most certainly true. I have spoken with several scientists who have said quite candidly that they became convinced of the existence of a creative and orderly God as they evaluated the created order. One told me that she had to stop being an evolutionist when she started working with molecular biology. It simply couldn’t work by accident. Others have had similar experiences. The more they look at the complexities of creation the less sense it makes to think there was anything random about it.

Sadly, though, I have also been subjected to many pop theologians, usually of the elderly occasional churchgoing variety, who say that because the heavens declare the glory of God they can just enjoy God’s self-revelation in creation. There’s no need to look carefully at Scripture.

My part of the country recently endured a significant snowstorm. I’m writing this almost a week ahead of the time it is due to post. It isn’t snowing now, but the forecast doesn’t rule it out, and we’re expecting some very cold weather. Why do I mention that? Very simply put, if we want to enjoy God’s self-revelation in creation, I would observe that God is pretty frightening. If we go out without protective equipment, at some times and in some places, we are asking to be put to death by the force of nature. For that matter, if we go out into some parts of nature, we are asking for trouble just about any time. When I last checked, there were plenty of carnivorous animals in this world. They are wonderfully made. Amazing creatures! And, if they are hungry and you are available, the would be happy to experience the wonders of digestion, with you as the main course.

The created order does not give us hope. It doesn’t tell us how to live in society before God. That’s why the Psalm goes on to reflect on how good God’s word is. That’s where we’ll find God’s wisdom. That’s where his order is described in some detail. That’s where we will find forgiveness and life. The natural order is based on survival of the fittest. God’s Word alone gives us words of life and salvation. We wonder at the creation, which declares God’s glory. But we depend on the God of glory, who has revealed Himself in the Scripture. Thanks be to God for explaining this in His Word.

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Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 - Lectionary for Epiphany 3C

1/21/2019

1/21/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our reading this week from Nehemiah takes place at the time of the restoration of Israel to their homeland in Jerusalem. The center of the celebration is a reading of the Word of God. We notice especially in verse eight that not only is there a reading, but also explanation, giving the sense of the Scripture so the people will all understand what they are hearing.

Recent studies have led many Christian theologians to the conclusion that the average person who identifies as a Christian has no concept of what historic Christianity is all about. Some claim to be Christians but also adherents of other religions which have contradictory truth claims. Some claim to be Christians but deny the deity of Christ. Some claim to be Christians but deny other core biblical concepts, such as the creation, a fall into sin, or the necessity of redemption from sin.

It’s important that Ezra the priest not only read the Scripture but also explained what it meant. We notice that it was the job of a priest, not of popular opinion. Truth was handled very carefully, and with reverence and attention on the part of the people. While Christians will confess that the words of Scripture make sense and that the Bible can be plainly understood by the person of average or even below average intelligence, we also remember that someone who has given his life to a study of Scripture, who has pursued advanced theological degrees, learning the historic understanding of biblical teaching, striving to master the biblical languages is of great value. Do you want your medical condition to be assessed by a qualified physician? How about having your spiritual condition assessed by a qualified physician of souls? The pastoral office is inherently valuable.

What was the response to God’s Word? The people were moved to tears, partly from their own poverty of soul, partly from a recollection of the former glory of Jerusalem, partly from thanksgiving to God who had restored them. They were urged to put aside tears and look to God with joyful thanksgiving, for He is the one who had brought them back into the land and restored their nation. May we likewise learn from God’s Word about our condition and God’s promises, looking to him with thanksgiving.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

John 2:1-11 - Lectionary for Epiphany 2C

1/17/2019

1/17/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Our Gospel for this week, from John 2:1-11, is a text very frequently used at wedding celebrations. The gist of it is that, while attending a wedding party, Jesus turns some water into wine, which proves to be the very best wine anyone can imagine. This passage is difficult to deal with, primarily because most of us already think we have exhausted it. But I’ll try to pull something useful out of it.

Please observe with me that in verse six the stone water jars are there for purification. Ceremonial washings were typical in Jewish homes which were dedicated to the Mosaic law. The fact that this household had six water jars and that each held about 20-30 gallons indicates that this is not only an observant home, but that it is a large household. This was not bathing water. It was water for purification. We can imagine that on a regular basis many people in the household would engage in a ceremonial washing that woule cleanse them from sin.

Again, note that upon Jesus’ command, the jars were filled with water, the normal substance that would be used within Judaism for cleansing. It was also, of course, something that could be used to quench thirst, but it would not be appropriate to drink this water once it was placed into the jars. They were special. Once you put the water into the jar, it was dedicated for its purpose.

See also that Jesus, and John the Evangelist, is vague about exactly what happens to the water. By the time it gets to the master of the feast, it is wine. It’s unclear whether the servants drawing it out of the jars found it to be water or wine when they drew it out. The specific timing of the change is not of consequence to God in the Scripture.

Finally, notice that this is a sign Jesus did to manifest his glory. It resulted in the disciples believing in him.

Many have made extensive comparisons of this miracle to Jesus’ atoning death and the symbolism surrounding communion. In communion, Jesus claims to give his body and blood to forgive. We don’t understand how the wine can also be blood, but historically Christians have accepted this statement, just as we have accepted the statement that the water became wine. We also don’t understand how partaking of the body and blood of Christ can bring forgiveness of sin, only that Jesus says it does. Again, historically Christians have accepted the statement, rather than trying to explain it. The jars are for purification. Jesus’ blood is for purification. Let’s see just one last element. There’s a whole lot of wine at this event. The master of the feast observes that the people have already had just about enough to drink. They can no longer tell the difference between good wine and not so good wine. But here Jesus makes anywhere from 120-180 gallons of very good wine. That’s a lot for any party, even from beginning to end. How much forgiveness does Jesus provide in his body and blood? He provides all that we might ever need. It’s overly abundant.

When Jesus is welcomed to our life’s events, we can know that there will be more than enough. What do we need? The big thing is God’s forgiving love. And it’s there, abundant and free. Jesus is welcome at the wedding.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - Lectionary for Epiphany 2C

1/16/2019

1/16/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In our Epistle reading for this week, from the beginning of 1 Corinthians 12, we are told that the apostle wants Christians, at least those in Corinth, to be informed about spiritual gifts. Our current society’s need to be better informed about the things of God is very obvious. All we need to do is look briefly at public opinion, social media, and even the mainstream print and audio/video media. It doesn’t take long to see that there’s very little unity surrounding even basic Christian doctrines. People will identify themselves as Christians but not think Jesus is God. They will say they are Christians but think there are three separate gods, or that they need to earn their way into heaven by being good enough, by their good outweighing the bad, or some other foolish and unbiblical idea.

Central to a biblical understanding of God is that God is communicative. He is the one who initiated contact with the man in the garden after the fall into sin (Genesis 3). He is the one who has spoken in these last days to his people through Jesus (Hebrews 1). He is the living Word of God (John 1). And, in contrast to the false gods of the folk religions (1 Corinthians 12:2), God is the one who speaks about himself clearly. He is the one who, in God the Son, Jesus, is the true Lord. That’s something we are to recognize through the work of the Holy Spirit, not through our own wisdom or skill.

Does God give just one gift? Not at all. In 1 Corinthians 12:4 we are told that there are different gifts, but they come from the same God. The repetition of the idea in verses five and six may well be included to remind the Christian of a trinitarian view of the world. There’s the same “Spirit” (3rd person of the Trinity), the same “Lord” (2nd person of the Trinity), the same “God” (1st person of the Trinity). The triune God gives gifts according to His good will, and those gifts may be different. However, they are always for good, and good to the many, not just to the inidual recipient. If we think a spiritual gift is there to enrich us to the exclusion of our neighbor, it doesn’t seem so much like spiritual gift. In verse seven we are told that the work of the Spirit is “for the common good” (ESV).

What are the gifts the apostle mentions at this point? Though some have identified thirty or more activities in the New Testament which are specifically called “gifts,” here there are nine gifts listed. It isn’t an exhaustive list, but we can know that if God works out these attributes in the Christian, they are very likely to be seen as a gift from the Holy Spirit. Again, not everyone has all these gifts. They are also not necessarily permanent, like an attribute. But sometimes someone will speak in a special way by divine wisdom or knowledge. Sometimes someone will have supernatural faith, sometimes someone will end up healing another person or doing other miracles. Sometimes people will speak forth God’s truth with power that is unusual. Some people find themselves distinguishing whether spirits are good or evil. Sometimes people will say things in unknown languages or interpret unknown languages. There are various gifts, but they all have one thing in common. If they are gifts from God they will be unusual in their power or accuracy, and they will not be merely a way the Christian often operates. They are specifically given for the good of others by the Holy Spirit.

In the end, we find that the work of God is to build up the people of God, encouraging them, protecting them, guiding them. He is the God who communicates, not like the mute idols. And his gifts bring glory to God, not to man. These are truly gifts of God. May the Lord use us in His gifts whenever he wishes.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Psalm 128 - Lectionary for Epiphany 2C

1/15/2019

1/15/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

In our Psalm this week we are given a chance to reflect on the blessings of God. This is a common topic. It doesn’t take a very long look at American Christianity to find the twin emphases of obedience to God’s Law and reception of God’s blessings. And, after all, who wouldn’t want to receive blessings from God? By definition blessings are a good thing. We ought to want things that are good to show up in our lives.

Sadly, much of the preaching we hear about God’s blessings is ill founded. It focuses on the Christian cultivating a spirit which will provoke God’s blessing. In this system, we are told we need to step out in faith, dream something that is great and mighty, and trust that the Lord will make it into reality. We are told that any lack of divine blessing must be due to our own failure to believe well enough. God never fails, but if our faith is found deficient we will suffer from all manner of troubles - financial failure, illness, family strife, and rejection by our society.

This isn’t the picture we find in Psalm 128. It couldn’t be farther from a biblical view of life. What is God’s blessing in Psalm 128? Everyone who fears the Lord and walks in his ways is blessed. Yes, there’s an element of trust, of obedience, and even an open door to failure. Not fearing the Lord might just lead to a lack of blessing. But let’s look at what the blessing is. In verse two, our labor brings gain which will sustain us. God’s blessing preserves prosperity, at least on some level. In verse three we find that our family will thrive. There will be health and we will have children “like olive shoots” - springing up and bringing prosperity, a future crop - around our table. God’s blessing is to surround us with a family that has enough for today and a hope for the future.

Many in our society seem to view family as an evil, possibly a necessary evil, but definitely as something burdensome. We dream of the freedom of the empty nest days. Some families work hard to avoid having children, out of fear that they will be a burden to the couple. The Bible sees family quite differently. It’s a blessing. It’s a gift from God. It brings a future and a hope. The blessed life is one where there’s family around the table. This is a gift from God, not a curse, and not something that we managed to dream up or have faith enough for. It seems quite regular and mundane, but, then again, most of God’s blessings are pretty normal.

Let us rejoice in the Lord who brings plain and simple provision through a family gathered around the table. This is a sign of his blessing. It is true prosperity.

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Isaiah 62:1-5 - Lectionary for Epiphany 2C

1/14/2019

1/14/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

God’s work in Isaiah 62 is to proclaim the righteousness and salvation of His people. In this way He makes it known to all. Does this seem at all backwards to you? Most Christians in North America have been taught that it is our job to tell about God’s righteousness and salvation. We have been taught that in corporate worship it’s all about what we bring to God in our enthusiasm, dedication, and spirituality. We have been fed this idea that we have something worthy to bring to God so He can have the glory that He seems to need. It’s almost as though we think God is a big ego baby who we need to please. That’s not a biblical view of God and man. In fact, it’s much more similar to the view we’d find in the paganism of the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as in many of the other folk religions of the world.

It’s time to refocus ourselves. God is the one in Isaiah 62:1 who will not be quiet. He is the one who wants to fan the righteousness of his people into bright flame, so that, in verse two, the other nations and kings will see the righteousness and glory of God’s people. They receive a new name, stated in verse four, and translated “My Delight Is in Her (ESV). Yes, God’s people are named those in whom God delights. Far from our earning any sort of merit, God has given us all the value that we will ever have, all the value that we will ever need. He has done this by calling his people by a new name, by making them his own people, and rejoicing over them.

In our worship, trying to work up the kind of enthusiasm that our world wants us to have will only result in despair or arrogance. We are pleased with ourselves because we are so very spiritual or we are badly disappointed in ourselves because we are so unspiritual. That’s a path that leads only to harm. Instead, let’s recognize the biblical pattern. God, the true God of all, the creator and sustainer of the entire universe, has called his people out from their desolation and has made them a crown of beauty. He intends all nations to notice them and to give Him glory. It’s all about God, not about us.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.

Luke 3:15-22 - Lectionary for Epiphany 1C

1/10/2019

1/10/19
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.

Most of us who are beyond a certain level of maturity have faced a problem of this type. There’s a mess that needs to be cleaned up. It might be physical, mental, emotional, relational, you name it. But it’s a mess. It isn’t going to go away. It might get worse if it isn’t addressed. And we hate to approach it because we fully expect it will get worse before it gets better.

In Luke chapter three the people have heard John’s preaching about righteousness and the kingdom of God. They were looking forward to God’s kingdom. Won’t it be great? He’s going to usher in peace and prosperity. But John compares the coming one, who is greater than John, to a man with a threshing floor, a farmer. What’s the farmer going to do? He’s going to take care of his harvest. It provides food for the coming year. It provides a product to sell and buy other needed things. It provides seed for planting in the future. This is a sign of prosperity. All will be well, everything will be taken care of.

What does the farmer do in verse 17? He separates the grain from all the other parts, which he considers useless. In this arid climate, the chaff and stalks won’t be of much use for composting, since there isn’t really enough water. The farmer doesn’t have the mechanical devices to spread leftovers from grain processing onto the field and plow it in again. But he does have a big pile of husks, straw, and the flammable, even explosive dust that accompanies them. Should he leave this in his barn? We think not. He sweeps it up and sets it on fire, when he wants to, where he wants to, so as to prevent it from causing any harm. It’s a mess, a big mess. But he needs to take care of it or he risks losing everything.

John the Baptist says that Jesus is the one coming to baptize in the Holy Spirit and in fire. With the comparison to the farmer, our prayer is that we will be baptized by the Holy Spirit and not by fire. The elements of this world which are not pleasing to God are destined to be burned up. But those who turn to God in repentance, who belong in God’s kingdom by grace through faith, those are baptized in the Holy Spirit. They are washed. They are redeemed. They will be kept in the storehouse, not burned in the rubbish heap.

We don’t always know our destiny as those who have turned to the Lord. Will we provide food for others? Resources? Future generations? We have no idea. But the Lord, whose sandal we are not worthy to unstrap to wash his feet, has welcomed us into his kingdom and will use us for good. This is the hope of the Christian in this world. And in the future? We know that God has promised an everlasting kingdom, where his people will dwell with him. He’s the one who is cleaning up the mess of this world so as to protect it from the danger of the worthless chaff. Our response should be similar to that of God the Father. He is “well pleased” with the Son (v. 22). May we also be well pleased with the work of God in Christ.

If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.