So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink
the cup which My Father has given Me?” (John 18:11)
OK… raise your hand if you
like pain… anyone?
Who enjoys suffering… anyone?
It’s fair to say that human beings are averse to suffering. The moment a headache or sore muscle begins to bother… there is a good chance we reach for aspirin, ibuprofen, or some other pain killer.
Meditations On Jesus’s Sermon On The Mount
Matthew chapters Five through Seven
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy
but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle
will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least
of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;
but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes
and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)
He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ” (Luke 13:6-9)
*Defined in Webster as 1) at the end, in conclusion; 2) decisively; conclusively, irrevocably
“Finally… finally… finally…
finally… finally… finally…
finally… the split came!”
Count ’em—seven times the word “finally” appears in two short articles (August & September 2011 issues) in Forward in Christ, the Wisconsin Synod’s counterpart to our Lutheran Spokesman.
Before the fall into sin there was no need for salvation. Adam and Eve already enjoyed perfect bliss and happiness in paradise. But since the fall and the consequent loss of paradise, restoration of perfect bliss and happiness (eternal salvation) is regained only through the One who was promised by the Father and who came from the Father to rescue mankind from its lost condition.
I got to thinking about some of the Christmas greetings we hear and use.
Out in the world it has become controversial to use a truly Christian Christmas greeting. We hear people exclaim “Happy Holidays!” with great exuberance, but that greeting rings artificial for the child of God.
An almost palatable taste of hope was in the air. Much had been promised and much was expected–at least by the faithful. The elements of success had been carefully brought together. People waited with bated breath. Finally, the winning shot went home and the team held on for ultimate victory. The USA hockey team had beaten the Russians and went on to capture the gold.
A nation, perhaps with many throughout the world, erupted with joy. The announcer could only gasp: “Do you believe in miracles?!”
Ice again covers the lakes, and excitement wafts through the air. Much has been promised; much is expected. It’s not Lake Placid in 1980, but it’s Christmas. And the question should again be asked with great awe and wonder, “Do you believe in miracles!?”
Dear reader, please have Luke 1:5-25 before you
“Silence is golden” is the old saying.
To a frazzled mom with noisy, active little ones, it is a golden time when the children are put to bed and the house is quiet. For a teacher after a long day, it is a golden time when the students go home and the classroom is silent.
2 Mark 1:21-34 -THL 114 Jesus worked Saturdays AND Sundays! 3 Luke 4:14-30– THL 60 Was He Joseph’s boy, or God’s Messiah? 4 Luke 5:1-11-THL 410 Miracles do not create but support faith. 5 Luke…
27 Advent: John 8:48-59 -THL 64 Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus’ day. 28 Genesis 50 -THL 615 We anticipate our reunion with all of them. 29 Exodus 1 – THL 299 It was sinful but…
