Today’s Reading is Matthew 28 (click here for link)

Merry Christmas! Here we are at last, Christmas Eve. Perhaps it was the juxtaposition of Easter and Christmas this morning, but today I ask that each of you remember that you are of an entirely different order of things. You are not of this world any longer, but of the next. Whatever the world may celebrate today and tomorrow, remember what it is exactly that we observe. Our Lord—our meaning for life—is born, is risen, and is returning. We live for a very different reason than all the rest of this world.

I offer you this ancient Christmas prayer from the 10th century:

You are our eternal salvation,
The unfailing light of the world.
Light everlasting,
You are truly our redemption.
Grieving that the human race was perishing
through the tempter's power,
without leaving the heights
You came to the depths in your loving kindness.
Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will,
You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,
Restoring joy to the world.
Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ,
and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.
By Your first coming, make us righteous;
At your second coming, set us free:
So that, when the world is filled with light
and you judge all things,
We may be clad in spotless robes
and follow in Your steps, O King,
Into the heavenly hall.
Again… in all that you do remember your true calling as a child of God made possible through the Son of God made flesh, Jesus Christ.

BLESSED CHRISTMAS,
Pastor Aaron

P.S. Taking seriously the command of God for Sabbath rest (and Pastor Aaron’s need for rest), we will not begin blogging through Mark until the first of the New Year. So sleep in for one week and then start the New Year right with gospel of our Lord.

Today’s reading is Matthew 27 (click here for link)

The Death of Jesus Christ is the acting in history of the very Mind of God. This was no accident. His death was not something that might have been prevented: His death was the very reason why He came. I invite you to meditate on these words from Isaiah 53:

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

It would be untrue entirely to build a theology on the premise that God forgives us our sins because he loves us. Yes, he does love us, but he hates our sin. Jesus Christ on the Cross is the proof of his hatred for sin. We must never believe that God has sympathy for us sinners. There is no sympathy from the perfect justice and righteousness of God; He does not sympathize with sin. He condemns it! If God does forgive sin it is only by the death of Christ. This is the mercy of God: that he sent Jesus to become the curse that was hanging over our heads.

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 26 (click here for link)

It is a rather sobering coincidence that we will be reading the end of Matthew on the Eve of Christmas. However, while you might argue that on the one hand, juxtaposing in this way the two greatest celebrations in the Church year—Easter and Christmas—heightens the meaning of both; somehow, I don’t really feel it. Despite the Christmas parties and numerous cookies lying around the office, Matthew’s passion account keeps lingering in my thoughts even when I should be thinking Christmas thoughts (and thinking about my Christmas day sermon!). Unfortunately, reading the Easter story at this time of year seems a lot like watching The Grinch Stole Christmas.

But thankfully Christ’s death was not the end. Death is not the last word: as at both birth and resurrection, the creation's deep darkness is scattered by God's light. On Christmas day, we will read in church, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” We will hear how a particular moment in time and place becomes the "fullness of time." But we know this already. We have heard both ends of Matthew (also Mark, Luke and John) many times over. How many times can our faith be bookended by birth and death until we fail to really pay attention anymore?

It might take munching on a few more icing laced cookies to figure this one out. Or maybe some little fudge squares, instead!

Perhaps we might remind ours elves that despite the nearness of Christmas, we are not there yet. Advent is still upon us. We are still in Easter, even on December 22! Our Lord was crucified and was dead and buried. He rose and appeared to witnesses, and we testify of this and point to his return. But when will that be? How long must we wait? Much like the Pharisees in our text today, the world begins to plot all around us; the nations so furiously rage. Sin and immorality are everywhere, but even worse, there doesn’t always seem to be anything we can do about it.

I was considering such thoughts yesterday evening, as I made a quick run to Walgreens to pick up an overlooked grocery item. It was dusk outside, and the inky-black outline of two story houses and twiggy live oak trees made all the world seem grotesque and empty (Well... maybe not the whole world, but at least West Oaks Drive). In the car, the radio news was on and, as usual, it was announcing the same old story—the same old account of sin’s apparent victory over good, darkness over light. The economy, the wars in the Middle East, politics, a pro-golfer’s frequent adultery…

But as I drove, I was filled with a vision of hope; for on either side of me, beneath those live oak branches, in gaudy disarray, were countless yards filled with Christmas lights, each little bulb shining brightly. I was reminded that this is our Christmas task—waiting in the dark aftermath of Easter for the coming of the next Christmas. Our Lord has risen and ascended in to heaven. But he will return. Like the ten virgins from yesterday’s reading and the disciples outside Gethsemane in today’s reading, we must not fall asleep nor can our light grow dim. The bridegroom is near. The birthday we celebrate in a few days the birthday of the light of the world.

As I drove back from Walgreens, with red, yellow, green, and the new bluish-white LED lights shining all around, I couldn’t help but hear the strains of the Halleluiah Chorus. Advent is almost over. The fullness of time is near!

Halleluiah! Halleluiah! Halleluiah! King of kings and Lord of lords. He shall reign forever and ever. Halleluiah!

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 25 (click here for link)

A major part of God’s will for our lives is that we simply be faithful with the day-to-day responsibilities he entrusts to us. Just as the master in the parable about the the talents, God entrusts us with talents, resources and relationships. He expects us to be faithful in employing them to further his kingdom.

Normally, our lives are lived in the ordinary. It is rare that God would call someone to abandon a current obligation so that they may pursue some higher calling. Trust me; you’ll know when God want you to do something bigger—just ask Isaiah or Paul. Both of these men were wrenched out of their day-to-day lives and put upon a new path chosen by God. However, for most of us, God wants us to honor our current obligations. Often he uses such things as a stepping stone to even greater things. As the master in the above parable told his servant, “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things” (Matthew 25:21 NIV).

We have many opportunities to prove our faithfulness each day. Ask yourself, “Am I being a good husband, wife, parent, child, employer, employee, friend, citizen, courteous driver, helpful neighbor?” Have you proven yourself faithful in such things?

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 24 (click here for link)

Where yesterday’s reading seemed harsh, todays seems bleak. Jesus predicts the end. But the end of what, exactly?

Near the beginning of the chapter the disciples ask Jesus what appears to be three separate questions: When will the things you describe occur? What will be the signs that will herald your return? What will be the things that happen at the end of the age? Jesus supplies a lengthy answer; however it is difficult to determine in which order Jesus answers the disciples questions. Does he answer them in the order they were asked, or does he answer the last question first and first, last? In fact, at times, there doesn’t seem to be any ryhm or reason to his answers, one moment speaking about the near event and in next moment speaking about the remote future. Because of these difficulties, much confusion abounds as to the interpretation of this passage. As a result it seems as though whenever a major catastrophic event occurs somewhere around the globe there are those who cite this passage and raise the alarm that end must be near.

Word to the wise: Be wary of anyone who makes these claims!

Here are a few things of which we can be certain:

1. Jesus is speaking of at least two different events separated by a long period of time. The first event Jesus refers to is the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. This is relatively clear because of various direct statements He makes, such as, that no two stones of the temple will be left standing together. He also says, “…this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” These references and others were immediately fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem—only about 40 years after Jesus’ crucifixion. Antiquity records this event as one of the most brutal sieges of any city in History. The historian Josephus, a man whom the Romans used to attempt negotiations with the Jewish rebels, recorded that about one million people died at the end of it all, many of them crucified. In fact, it is rumored that the Romans ran out of space to fit their makeshift crosses. Josephus even records the horrible account of woman roasting her own new born child for food. It seems almost too abominable to be true, but then we remember what Jesus said, “How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again."

2. The second event to which Jesus refers is the coming of the Son of Man riding on the clouds which will be the end of the age. However, exactly when this will happen, no one knows, apparently not even our Lord! It will simply be like lightening which comes out of nowhere, traveling from the east to the west. While there will be signs that that will point us to the coming our Lord, none of these signs will definitively tell us when this will take place. These signs will simply be a reminder that our Lord is indeed returning. Jesus says that such things are like “the beginning of birth pangs.” In other words, in the same way that a pregnant woman’s contractions tells her that she is about to give birth, so History will be filled with terrible reminders that our world is headed toward judgment. However, like that pregnant woman’s labor, no one can predict which contraction will be the last, bringing forth the long awaited baby. Thus, Jesus very carefully explains to his disciples that they are to always be ready, for they do not know when their master will return. So it is that we still wait—like an eager father by the side of his laboring wife—we watch the contractions of this world which began with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

3. Our Lord is vastly more patient than we are; and he uses his patients liberally. In the days of Noah, God waited patiently for 120 years for that sinful generation to repent. He did not bring destruction immediately, but instead set Noah to an incredibly long task, building the ark, which no doubt may have frustrated Noah at times, but nevertheless it gave him ample opportunity to preach. So too, our Lord waits. Even as sinfulness increases in this present age, he waits. He waits for you and me to be like patient Noah—to proclaim the good news while there is still time.

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Aaron

Today’s reading: Matthew 23 (click here for link)

Jesus’ words today are harsh. In many ways they seem a little out of character. But these words are perfectly fitting. The Jewish religious leaders were all of these things and more. It was not just simple lack of faith that led them to hate Jesus. Rather it is that Jesus stood against everything that they loved. These religious leaders had taken the law of God and turned it into a means of extortion. They had literally blinded God’s people to the fact that God was a loving God willing to do anything to save his people—even be born among them to die for them. The Jewish religious leaders were indeed those whom Jesus earlier referred, “If anyone should lead one of these little ones astray, it would be better for him to be cast into the sea with a millstone around his neck.” But the “woes” of this chapter are even harsher when we realize that we, too, are guilty of many of these same crimes. Just read through verses 1-30 again.

A couple of days ago we read about Jesus triumphal entry. When Jesus presented Himself to Jerusalem, it was the Sunday in which the families of Israel selected their lamb for Passover sacrifice. He came into town on a donkey as the kings of Israel did when they were coming in peace. The crowds seemed to be receptive, welcoming Him, but Jesus wept and uttered the lament that is our passage for today. He looked beyond the crowd, caught up in the moment, and could see their next enthusiastic shouts would be "Crucify Him!" He looked even further into the future and saw the Roman army leveling the city and the Temple.

His heart was to save them from the destruction they were bringing on themselves, both physical and spiritual. The crowd did not have ears to hear or understand. We look back and wonder how they could be so dull in heart. How could they see the miracles and yet insist on their own agenda? Yet, we tend to live in the same pattern. Jesus comes to give us new life and we welcome it with shouts of "Hosanna!" Before long we are making decisions against our Savior. We are all of like nature. That is why Jesus made this journey to the cross. He came to deliver us from our nature, not material difficulties or hardship.

He longs to gather us, too. What a beautiful picture! The mother hen sees the hawk and calls her chicks under her wings. She is willing to be the one that endures the talons to save her little ones. Won't you run under the wings of Jesus?

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 22 (click here for link)

Happy Anniversary! It has been exactly one month since we began the adventure of reading through the New Testament Scriptures. I hope you have been as blessed by it as I have been; although, I must confess that there were times I dreaded waking up early to write the morning’s post. Yet, I have been amazed at how frequently I have found myself discovering and re-discovering bits of Scripture and learning new things based upon the greater context.

Today, I found myself thinking about Jesus words “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Jesus said this after taking a Roman coin and asking whose image the coin bore. I found myself suddenly thinking of these words also: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

If image determines ownership, then we must give back what is due. Jesus is pretty clear on that. If you ever find yourself believing that you are your own—doing things on your own time—recall these words: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am…” (John 17:24). Perhaps also these words: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I know how we all can at times balk at giving of our money for taxes and even our tithe, but money is nothing compared to what else God lays claim to in our lives. He has created us. He has given us his name in baptism. We are not our own. Indeed, we are his! Be entirely HIS.

How do I do this? How do I surrender everything?

Lord, help me to come to terms with such questions as I come to terms with my prayer, “Thy will be done…”

Blessings,
Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 21 (click here for link)

The withered fig tree… What an unusual account!

Nowhere does this text appear in any series of our Lectionary and therefore seldom will you ever hear a sermon on the withered fig tree. Matthew and Mark both record this miracle (if we want to call it that), however, Mark records that the fig tree was not in season and therefore there was no reason to expect figs in the first place. Also, Mark, unlike Matthew, records that this event happened in two parts with Jesus cursing the fig tree on Monday and the disciples discovering it withered on Tuesday. As for its interpretation, at first glance, the reader would think this to be a type of parable on judgment. After all, Jesus has just entered Jerusalem and is headed toward his passion. He will cleanse the temple. He will be crucified by a people in covenant with God, and yet, these very same covenant people will crucify God’s own Son, much like the wicked tenants in the parable Jesus tells at end of chapter 21. This interpretation fits well, because much like the Jews, who claimed to be in covenant with God, the fig tree seemed as though it might have fruit, being lush and well leafed. However, closer inspection revealed a tree that was figless and therefore useless. Much the same way were the Pharisees. They had all the pretense of godly people, but they had forgotten the real reason for the covenant in the first place—that through them, God would bless all nations with a savior/seed of Abraham.

Yet, while judgment may appear to be the reason behind Jesus’ act of cursing the fig tree, he goes on to give the application of faith and confidence in prayer. He says, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

So what do we make of the withered fig tree?

Granted, I am a young pastor and wouldn’t dare to claim the definitive interpretation for this enigmatic act of our Lord. Indeed, it may be that we must wait until the day of our Lord for the answer. But might I suggest, that until then, we meditate on the themes of judgment and faith. Perhaps we look for judgment too often, like the disciples standing amazed at the fig tree. But what does our Lord do? He points them to faith. Judgment is not for us, it is only the Lord’s business. We are called to faith.

There are examples of faith all around us. C.S. Lewis observed this too once when he commented on his propensity for judging his own Anglican church. He especially disliked the hymns. But it was through the very things he judged that he realized great faith. He wrote:

“I dislike very much their hymns, which I considered to be fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music. But as I went on I saw the great merit of it… I realized that the hymns (which, indeed, were sixth-rate music) were, nevertheless, being sung with devotion and benefit by an old saint in elastic-side boots in the opposite pew, and then you realize that you aren’t even fit to clean those boots. It gets you out of your solitary conceit.”

Perhaps too often we strut about, all leafed-out in our own pretense and judgments. After all, if God’s covenant people could fall into that trap, so can we. But such things are cursed. Our Lord points us instead to great faith. With God nothing is impossible. When we would rather stand by the withered tree shaking our heads in opinionated wonder, our Lord points us to a mountain and dares us to believe.

Blessings as you prune the withered branches that new, fruitful, shoots may appear.

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 20 (click here for link)

There are times when living in faith will mean there is confusion, and there really isn’t any way around it, even if we believe there shouldn’t be confusion. It is not a question of right and wrong or black and white. Rather it is God leading you down a path that you just don’t understand. Perhaps like our discussion on Friday, things seem a little dark in terms of God’s plans for you. But be assured that God has you just where he needs you. For we know that the person who seeks will find and the one who knocks will have the door opened unto him. Consider these other verses:

The Shrouding of His Friendship. Luke 11:5-8. Jesus gave the illustration of the man who looked as if he did not care for his friend, and He said that that is how the Heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think He is an unkind friend, but remember He is not; the time will come when everything will be explained. There is a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller communion. When God looks completely shrouded, will you hang on in confidence in Him?

The Shadow on His Fatherhood. Luke 11:11-13. Jesus says there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father, as if He were callous and indifferent, but remember He is not; I have told you - "Everyone that asks, receives." If there is a shadow over the face of the Father, with childlike faith trust that he will give clear understanding and justification for silence toward you.

The Strangeness of His Faithfulness. Luke 18:1-8. "When the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?" Will He find the faith which banks on Him in spite of the confusion? We must fortify ourselves in faith believing that what Jesus said is true, no matter what; although in the meantime we do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you ask.

Confusion is only human. Just ask those sons of Zebeddee all about it.

Pastor Aaron

Today’s Reading: Matthew 19 (click here for link)

Perhaps you remember how God appeared to his people upon Mount Sinai some 3500 years ago. That was his great theophany (which means appearance) of God, for the first time revealing himself to his people. It was a day of lightning and thunder and fire on the mountain. But it was also a day of darkness. God veiled himself in the darkness of a cloud. The interesting thing about this picture is that despite the fact that the people were literally in the presence of God, God was hidden from them. The closer they drew to him, the deeper they came into darkness. Exodus 20:21 says that “the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”

The paradoxical aspect of this picture intrigues me. The Paradox being that Scripture normally describes God as being in unapproachable light, yet often God hides himself from us, even in darkness. Luther would call this the “hidden God.” He would say that often when we are closest to God, he hides his presence from us. When what we want from him is light and clarity, he sometimes gives only darkness. This is especially the case for those of us on the spiritual path. Think about it this way: When one would normally expect that a closer relationship with God would grant certainty and clear vision for our often dark lives, it is usually the reverse. The closer we come to God, it more often means the more we leave everything that we control (or try to control) about our lives behind. We come to depend more on God. That is a scary experience. Thus walking by faith can at times seem like walking in the dark.

Now I know that in past posts we have touched on the hidden God as it concerns the existence of evil in the world. The question being, Why does God allow bad things to happen? Certainly, the answer to such things lies with the hidden God. Why? is generally always a mystery when it concerns the will of God. However, today I want talk about things on a more personal level. I want to talk about CONTROL. In our text, Jesus encounters a rich young man who cannot give up the riches he owns in order to follow his Lord. How do we interpret this and apply it to our lives?

This issues here are faith and control. Faith means giving up control and giving it to God. But doing so is like walking in the dark. When we are in control of our lives, life is easy in the sense that there are certain decisions we don’t have to worry about. For example, I don’t think any of us would argue with the fact that TV has become in many ways too sexually inappropriate for society’s own good. Adultery, homosexuality, lewd behavior and conversation all are common place in the plots of almost any TV show. Now what do we do as Christians? We all know what the Scripture says, “Thou shall not commit adultery.” “Flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18). So what do we do? There are many questions to answer. Do I need to change the channel from this TV show that I watch weekly which now, all of a sudden, has inappropriate sexual content? If I am faithful to my spouse, does watching such things really matter? Does innuendo matter? What if I am by myself? All of a sudden, things get complicated. I now have to decide what is faithful to God in this situation. When I’m in control of my life, this is not so much of a problem. It’s easy. I can control what’s good and bad in the situation. I can figure out a good excuse for such behavior. But when I walk by faith I must discern God’s will in the matter.

Yet, discerning God’s will, that’s very much a struggle; a struggle in the dark. God does not always spell everything out for us. He simply wants us to walk righteously before him. The difficult thing is that the path can seem shrouded in darkness. Life just gets more complicated the closer we come to God.

So what about that rich young man? Well… I think too often we judge him too harshly. We assume that since he wasn’t able to give up his stuff to follow Jesus he must not have been saved. However if that is the case, then we all have a very big problem indeed, because we are all in the same boat as that young man. Walking by faith and giving control of our lives to God was not easy then and is not easy for us now.

The Psalms say, “Thy word is a lamb unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Indeed, our Lord is the light of the world. But notice it doesn’t say “spotlight.” Faith means that more often than not we will not have the certainty that we so often desire. There won’t always be a spotlight on the clear and certain answer. When darkness seems to prevail, there won’t always be the quick miracle to rescue us. Faith takes more strength than that. Faith means trusting that God is in the darkness. Faith means we understand that we are spiritually blind and therefore must put out our hands to Jesus and let him lead the way. That is scary. But by faith we know and trust that he will never leave us nor forsake us. We can only pray that that rich young man continued to struggle with such things the rest of his life as he slowly learned to give up control of his life and draw closer to God, even when all his instincts told him to stay out of the darkness.

Thanks for exploring this paradox with me. Have a great day.

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 18 (click here for link)

Chapter 18 deals with forgiveness and the gaining of a brother or sister for Christ. Jesus teaches, “Become like little children;” “Do not lead them astray;” “Seek out the lost sheep;” “Reconcile to your neighbor at all costs;” “Forgive without limits, even up to seventy-seven times;” “Have mercy on those who owe you debts.” These are tall orders to fill in our sleep deprived lives of high stress and go. We are more often inclined to be like that unmerciful servant in the end, seeking mercy but unwilling to give it.

Instead, Jesus calls us to change and become like little children. This is a bit ironic since children can sometimes be very selfish by nature. But then again, they are sinful just like us adults. They also learn by our example! However, children are also capable of extraordinary acts of selflessness and forgiveness. Little Children, for example, don’t hold grudges. How often have you heard a little child detailing an offense against them from years past? How often do children blow up in argument over the simplest of things, but in the very next moment are running and laughing together again?

I suppose we must all consider how far we are willing to go to heed Jesus’ words today. It won’t be easy! But, then again, it never is. We have so much baggage to let go of, I am afraid that sometimes we are too addicted to the weight of it all and no longer know how to be free.

But that is what makes Christ’s words today so refreshing. So often we think of our spiritual development as a steady progression in things done right. We ask, “Have I been good enough?” However, we learn today that spiritual progression is through forgiveness and not human activity. Are we living in forgiveness? Are we motivated by forgiveness? It is unusual that forgiveness should be so hard and yet so easy for each of us.

Jesus says be like a little child. Don’t hold on so tightly—forgive!

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 17 (click here for link)

"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

What an unusual story. Concerning Jesus’ teaching on taxes we would normally think of his words, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” But it is here as a reminder to us that we do live in an earthly world with earthly obligations and earthly influences. While our values and our Lord’s glory may not be displayed in a way that the world accepts or even understands, our responsibility to be good citizens and to participate in society is essential. We can’t just ignore the problems and the issues of the world—abortion, immorality, hunger, poverty, nor even our taxes. However, it is not just the big problems that we are called upon to address as the people of God. Everyday matters are important too. We can't influence people to come to Christ if they don't respect our desire to be people of integrity as we reflect the character of our Savior.

Ask yourself, “Does my unbelieving neighbor rejoice that he lives next door to a Christian? Is this a source of comfort for him knowing that no matter what I will deal with him honestly and in love?"

God’s peace as you bear the light of Christ today,

Pastor Aaron

Today’s Reading is Matthew 16 (click here for link)

Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Sometimes this passage is read too extremely, as though carrying the cross in our lives means martyrdom for us—literally losing our lives. But is that really how the process of our transformation as Christians normally plays out?

If you get a chance the next few days, page through your latest edition of The Lutheran Witness. There is a great article about a man named Joe Newcomb and a woman named Eleanor Mueller. I couldn’t help but think of their story as I read these words from Jesus this morning about losing our identity for the sake of Christ.

This story begins at an assisted living center where Eleanor was in residence. She was spending her final years mourning her husband’s death (a former pastor) at the age of 97. Eleanor, herself, was 99 years old and wheelchair bound. She was hoping the Lord would come for her soon. However, God had other plans. To her surprise, He sent her Joe instead.

Joe was a middle aged man who had recently lost his mother and had taken a job at the assisted living center where Eleanor lived. He was assigned to be her caregiver. The two of them did not get along, at all. Eleanor always wanted things just so and Joe was going through grief of his own and didn’t always have patience for his elderly charge. But over time the two of them warmed to each other, and they began to share their stories and their grief. Eleanor quickly realized that Joe was not a Christian and immediately set to work hoping to remedy that, but Joe resisted most of these attempts and claimed he didn’t have any real reason to go to church anymore, especially now that he was alone in the world. But Eleanor was persistent.

Of course, Eleanor also had her down times, especially as her health deteriorated. One Christmas Eve, Joe found Eleanor still in her room. He asked her if she was excited about spending time with her family for Christmas. She told him she wasn’t going to go out for Christmas. She said she was tired and didn’t really care anymore. Joe couldn’t stand to see his friend so down and depressed. Nothing he did could convince her to leave her room. Finally, he resorted to the one thing he thought might work—but the one thing he was most reluctant to do, himself. He made a deal with Eleanor that If she went to visit family for Christmas, he would agree to attend church on Christmas Day. Of course, Eleanor quickly agreed. But neither knew that that night would be a turning point in both their lives.

However, I’ll let you discover how this story ends, for yourselves. I found it a very personal account of how often we are called to bear crosses in life, following our Savior without always knowing where he is leading us. In Eleanor’s case, she was filled with grief and was tired of living. She didn’t want to spend her finale years in an assisted living facility. But God had plans for her. They were very definitely His plans and not hers. He had one last role for her to play. And of course, Joe lost his identity too, and as you will discover from the ending of the article, he received a new identity in Jesus Christ.

God reshaped this elderly woman and this lost man through the cross of Jesus Christ. Both Eleanor and Joe found a new life waiting for them in the process.

Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Have a great day,
Pastor Aaron

Today’s reading is Matthew 15 (click here for a link)

It is amazing the lengths God will go to care for his people. A church pulling through a financial crises when no one expected it; a missionary suddenly released after months of captivity by Muslim extremists and terrorists; a father being pulled back from an alcohol problem by the innocent words of his little girl. All these examples, whether big or small, common or extraordinary, are illustrations of God preserving his people. In our reading from Matthew, Jesus preserves the people through an extraordinary miracle—for the second time he feeds thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread and a few fish.

But how absurd the disciples question seems, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?" They had just seen Jesus do this exact thing. Where was their faith?

Perhaps we should pause right there. As a child I was told that anytime I point my finger at someone, there are four fingers pointing back at me. Where was their faith… Here is a better question: Where is my faith? Do we so easily accept the miracles of our Lord into our lives? He certainly does them—all around us. But have we spent enough time discerning his will to understand his work. How often are we more apt to say, “Why has he not done such and such for me, also?” Perhaps it is time to take that question to the Lord. He will give you an answer. However, be prepared for that answer to be according to his will and not your own.

Pastor Aaron

P.S. Don't forget to answer the survey questions on the right. Also any additional thoughts or suggestions can be made by posting a comment.

Today's reading is Matthew 14 (click here for link)

Have you ever jumped overboard in reckless abandon to go after Jesus? Peter did! He didn’t even seem to see the wind and waves. He simply obeyed when Jesus said, “Come.” Too often I think we pause to ponder the risk. We might think, “That ministry is just not for me, Lord. Someone else is better suited for that job.” If you are like me, the Lord will speak to you with urgency while you are driving in the car, but by the time I arrive at home or at the office, I have already explained to myself why I should not heed his voice. The truth of the matter is that as soon as we begin to question whether God has really spoken to us, it is precisely at that point that we have already lost the battle. Judge the merit of the calling. If you felt the urgency to do something good for the kingdom of God, then rest assured, Jesus spoke to you. So be reckless in serving him.

However, even Peter eventually wavered. Suddenly the waves and wind seemed too much for him to bear. He began to lose confidence in Jesus. It can happen easily, and when it does we will certainly sink. But notice that Jesus immediately reaches for Peter and draws him up.

This walking by faith is no easy task. It can cause even the most saintly to flounder at times. A few years ago, I met and prayed with a young woman who came to the church I was helping at. She was desperately seeking help. She felt she was sinking. She had recently moved from a nearby town. Her husband was a repeated drug user and it had become dangerous for her and her three boys to stay with him. She knew deep down that leaving him for the time being was the right option. She knew it was what God had put upon her heart. Yet, as soon as she moved away to live with some relatives (who were not so thrilled at the new arrangements) she began to doubt her decision. She had no job, no home, hardly any family. Now she was all alone. She told me she didn’t know what to do. In the past she had always just gone back, but then things would always get worse—dangerous. But fear was doing her in. She and I prayed. We prayed that the Lord might draw her up so that she can abandon her fears and reach out to grab hold of our Savior’s waiting arms.

The calling from our Lord is not always easy. It will take strength. Strength of faith!

Walk by faith and not by sight,
Pastor Aaron

Today’s reading is Matthew 13 (click here for link)

"For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.”

Perspective changes everything. It is funny how two people can stand in the very same spot and look at the same thing and each see something different. My wife and I are like this when it comes to the weather. I love when fall arrives and the big thunderstorms come crashing down, stirred up by the collision of warm and cold air in the atmosphere. In fact, whenever a storm approaches, I will sit by the window watching the awesome raw power of it all. Pam, on the other hand, hates it when I do that. She would prefer to batten down the hatches, close all the blinds, and have the flash light ready in case of a power outage. Our perspective of the coming storm couldn’t be more different.

The same is true for faith. Some see it, others don’t.
For those whose eyes are open, amazing miracles happen every day—all around us. I hear frequently about someone who was healed with no medical explanation for how or why. God simply intervened! But not everyone sees it that way. It is perplexing how the Holy Spirit gives the perspective of faith to some and not to others and it will always be a mystery. However, today’s reading assures us that this mystery is a good thing.

The reading for today is a series of parables about the kingdom of heaven. But there are two assurances concerning faith. First, the kingdom of heaven is already here. Our faith is not just for some distant future. No, the present reality of the reign of God now gives us assurance for the coming reign of God in the future. Notice how Jesus explains that the kingdom of heaven is like… well… he speaks about it terms of evangelism—sowing seeds. That is happening now. You and I are a part of that work of the kingdom.

The second assurance is that those who lack the perspective of faith will never overcome those who have faith. Remember, Jesus said, “Let the weeds grow up among the wheat lest you root up the good with the bad.” Perhaps you can identify with this parable if you are a gardener. Being one, myself, I understand perfectly well how overwhelming it can be to watch how easily the weed can dominate the garden, especially in the hothouse climate of South Houston. But this is the not the case in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus says there will be a harvest, which means that no matter how bad things become here on earth for the faithful, the gates of hell will never overcome. Therefore we can acknowledge the different perspectives all around us—some will see God and others won’t. But whether our perspective differs with a co-worker, a friend, a family member, or a fellow student, we can continue to sow the seeds of the gospel, and pray they land on fertile ground. Just remember, the mystery is God’s, so don’t fret about it.

Happy gardening,
Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 12 (click here for link)

It is amazing how Jesus changes everything. Even when we think we have got it down—this Christian thing we do—how often are we surprised to discover that we still have so much to learn about our Lord? In fact, sometimes our religion can get in the way. This is no unfamiliar problem, especially for a pastor (yours truly). This time of year can be very hectic, particularly in the church as advent services begin and various fellowship activities are scheduled. Of course, my regular schedule doesn’t change. There are always the regular pastoral duties of visiting the sick and comforting those who have lost a loved one, Sunday morning sermon prep, meetings of various sorts, Bible studies to prepare, confirmation classes. It can all become very stressful. Suddenly, it all becomes about work and it is very difficult to feel any of the “rest from our burdens” that Jesus offered yesterday in chapter 11.

Indeed, human beings are very good at being busy. The Jewish people were no exception. They had taken God’s law—a law established in love—and had added to it an amazing array of busy work. According to Jewish custom, a man could not spit on the ground on the Sabbath lest he step on it and roll up a ball of mud, which would then make him guilty of plowing. Neither could a woman look in the mirror on the Sabbath lest she see a hair growing on her face and be tempted to pluck it, which would make her guilty of cutting her hair. Even today, orthodox Jews must be careful never to enter an elevator on the Sabbath unless someone else has pushed the button for them, because pushing an electric button creates a spark, which would make a Jewish person guilty of creating fire on the Sabbath. And so it was that the disciples were accused of picking the heads of grain (the work of harvesting), rubbing them between their hands to extract the grain (the work of threshing), and then blowing away the chaff in order to eat the grain to ease their hunger (the work of winnowing).

On and on these laws go, and so you might imagine how stressful it could become.

When our lives get busy, how wonderful it is to remember that we have a Lord who promises that his love for us is enough. “ENOUGH!” That is a hard word for us to swallow! Remember yesterday’s psalm: “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Our task as Christian people is not to be perfect—we can never quite accomplish that—rather, we do everything for the glory of Jesus, for his name’s sake. He will put you where you need to be. His love is enough! Today, do what you do for the sake of him who loves you.

Pastor Aaron

Read Matthew 11 (click here for link)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

It is interesting that Jesus uses the word “yoke” and “burden” to describe what it means to be his disciple. These are words that are synonymous with slavery. Jesus wants us to be his servants or slaves. This means a change for you and me in our lifestyles. We are no longer free but burdened and yoked. Our purpose is another’s purpose.

Yet as undesirable as this might seem, our Lord invites us to “come” and replace our personal burdens with his burden. It is only when we leave our burdens behind and take up the yoke of Christ that we can find rest.

So, are you chaffing under the yoke? It is amazing how even when we think we are at our best in our living for Jesus, we suddenly find that we have cast off his yoke and are running as hard as we can toward our old burdens. We all have baggage and issues that follow us around in life. These issues can affect the way we work, mess with our relationships, and cause us more stress than is healthy. How often do you find yourself angry? But not angry at anyone in particular, just angry? What about stress? How often are you just simply stressed-out? Letting go of this baggage won’t be easy. We unfortunately wrap too much of our identity in such things. But if we ever hope to have rest, we must drop it all and come to Jesus. He will give us a new burden, a new identity.

If you ever find yourself angry at someone you love, but you know deep down it is not their fault, try this: Think of our Lord who said, “I am gentle and humble of heart.” Think of the psalm “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.” It is that last part that is the hardest to swallow. To be in the throes of anger and broken by stress and to give it all up for the sake your new master will be the hardest thing in the world. But as soon as you do, you will find rest. The moment you set foot on that righteous path, the Lord is with you. The moment you seek forgiveness from your hurt spouse, the Lord is with you. He is bearing that burden with you. And on the other side is rest for your soul. His burden is light, because he is there with you. But it is a burden nonetheless. But then again, no wine has ever been made without first squeezing the grapes and no gold has ever existed that has not first been refined with fire.

Don’t turn to bear those old burdens alone. Let go. Stay with the Shepherd. Stay with the one who can give you rest.

Pastor Aaron