For the Second Friday in Lent (St. John 2:13-22)
The Lord's Passover is at hand, and the firstborn Son of the Father shall be put to death as the Lamb of God, that His people may be spared from death, and saved from sin, and set free from bondage.
You live, therefore, by abiding in the Father's house in peace, where the blood of this Lamb marks the door, where His flesh is eaten in hope and with thanksgiving.
But you cannot remain in His house forever, nor can you live with Him in His presence, so long as you remain in your sin. For your sin has put you at odds with your Father and would separate you from His house and home altogether. If you are to abide under His roof, safe and secure, when the Angel of Death passes through Egypt, then you must be forgiven of your sins and reconciled to your Father; else you die.
Do not cast about frantically for some way or means of appeasing Him. You'll not buy or earn God's favor by any coin or sacrifice of your own. Atonement and reconciliation are not a business transaction that you may negotiate. Attempting to barter or bargain for your life with God only alienates you that much further from Him.
Rather, see here that the Son of God has been entirely consumed by His zeal for the Father's house, that it would be, not a marketplace of works righteousness, but a place of peace and rest for you and for disciples of all nations: a mighty fortress, a refuge and stronghold, a place where you are safe from sin, death, the devil and hell, and from the condemnation of the Lord's own Law.
It is by His Cross and Resurrection that Christ Jesus has become, not only the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, but also the true, divine eternal Temple of God among His people, established here for you.
His Body has been sacrificed, once for all, to atone for the sins of the world; and His Blood has been shed for reconciliation with God. Thus, His Resurrection from the dead is the opening of heaven to you and to all who believe and are baptized into Him. His open tomb is now the ever open door back into the Father's house.
It is by this authority of His Cross and Resurrection that Jesus calls you to repentance and brings you to faith by forgiving your sins. So also from His Cross and in His Resurrection, He feeds you with His own holy Body, which is the very Temple of God.
Thus, He abides in you, and you abide in Him, who is the Lord your God. And abiding in Him, you dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of your life, both now and forever.
For His House, His Temple, is no one building — neither here nor in Palestine, nor in any other single place on earth — but it is His own Body: conceived and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate, risen and ascended to the right hand of the Father, but given to His disciples in His Supper in His Church on earth.
His Church also is one Body in Him, because His disciples from all nations eat of His one Body and drink from His one Cup. They are all together built into a living Temple of living stones, of which you also are one, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Himself the Cornerstone.
Wherever in the world His Scriptures are read, wherever His Word of the Gospel is preached in its truth in purity, there is His Church gathered — His Body, His Temple — to feast upon His Body and Blood.
You, therefore, here receive what you are, and be what you receive: the Body of Christ. Be cleansed and sealed by His Blood for life and salvation in Him, and be at peace with God your Father. Here you are already at home with Him, and death shall not touch you forever. Though your body shall die and be buried, you also shall rise, in and with your body, and live.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
16 February 2008
13 February 2008
"Soul Winning" Worship?
I am constrained to put the best construction on things. Which is good and right and as it should be, because I am not omniscient but finite; and not only that, but I am sinful and unclean in my own thoughts, words and deeds. Yet, I am hard-pressed to know how to put any "best construction" on a proposition of the new LCMS Commission on Worship.
Set aside for the time being that — despite the beautiful opportunity which the Lutheran Service Book has provided for a restoration of unity in practice — the Commisson on Worship is now pursuing its mandate "to provide guidance and direction for use of diverse/contemporary worship resources" (2007 Res. 2-02A). I simply hope and pray that the criteria for doctrinal review of "the top 100 CCLI songs most commonly used in LCMS congregations" will be truly Christological, evangelical and catholic. For surely anything that would be sung in a Christian congregation ought to be, not only "Scriptural," but a proper dividing of the Law and the Gospel, finally focused and centered in Christ Jesus, and thus confessing the external Word and Sacraments as the only means by which the grace of God in Christ is bestowed. If the Commission will have the intestinal fortitude and loving integrity to admonish, correct, exhort and reprove those congregations that have utilized less than salutary "CCLI songs," well then, praise God. Until I see evidence to the contrary, I'll assume that is the goal. (I don't like it when people make presumptions about me, nor when they judge me on the basis of their presuppositions; so I prefer not to proceed in such a fashion with others. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, even if they don't.)
But the proposition of a "worship survey of the top 5 percent of LCMS 'soul winning' congregations," is offensive right out of the blocks. I frankly don't know how to interpret it otherwise. I'll readily grant that it surely stems from some kind of well-intentioned zeal, but to say that it is misguided would already be stretching the limits of charity.
Here is what the Commission on Worship's Reporter insert says: "The commission is working on developing a survey of the top 5 percent of LCMS 'soul winning' congregations, defined as those congregations with the greatest number of adult baptisms, adult confirmations, and professions of faith. This survey is to determine what happens during the most visible hour of a congregation's week that helps them be the soul winners that they are."
I suppose I can figure out what is intended by this "soul winning" terminology, but that doesn't make such a grotesque use of language right or salutary. The Scriptures do on occasion speak of "winning a brother," by which they refer to the calling of a sinner to repentance, and especially of reconciliation between Christians. Over such things the angels in heaven rejoice, and so do I. But here this "soul winning" is defined with quite different parameters. Not only is "adult baptism" distinguished from infant baptism, in a way that ought to make any Lutheran blush with shame, but the man-made rite of confirmation is set on par with the God-given Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and "professions of faith," presumably by those who are already baptized Christians, are evidently interpeted as though they were conversions (unless "winning souls" refers to some kind of inter-denominational contest). All of this is sloppy and unbecoming, but it is not the worst aspect of this undertaking.
Since when do Lutherans need a survey to determine how souls are won? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. In order to obtain such faith, God has instituted the Office of the Ministry for the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. Through these means of grace, the Holy Spirit works faith, where and when it pleases Him, in those who hear the Gospel. One servant of the Word may plant the seed; another may water; but it is God the Lord who gives the growth (or not, as the case may be). He adds daily to the number of those being saved, but with the Gospel comes the cross and persecution and rejection. The implicit notion of some further tricks or techniques, programs or propaganda, which are supposedly making the Word more effective (sic) in some congregations, as measured by outward numerical growth, is contrary to the Word of God. It may be Methodistic or Revivalistic, but it is certainly not Lutheran. Souls are won by Christ and His Spirt, by the ways and means of the Gospel, and not by any of the clever machinations of man. It is likewise the Word and Spirit of Christ by which pastors preach faithfully, and by which the people of God receive the gifts Christ freely gives in faith and with thanksgiving. And where that is happening, by God's grace, look for the Cross and suffering, not impressive statistics.
How is it that well-meaning Lutherans can wander so far afield from the Holy Scriptures? It certainly hasn't helped that "we" insist on using this word, "worship," as the comprehensive term for "what happens during the most visible hour of a congregation's week." There is a place for this word, as there is certainly a central place for worship in the Christian life. But as the chief worship is faith, and all other true Christian worship is by faith, it is ever and always contingent on that which is prior and primary, namely, the Word and work of God in Christ: His speaking of His Gospel, His giving of His gifts. "Worship" refers to that which we do and say to honor God. A term that our Lutheran Confessions use to speak of that which God says and does for us is "Liturgy," which accords with the Ministry of the Gospel. I've been told that we maybe ought to avoid this confessional, Christocentric term and stick with "worship," because of popular opinion and usage. But I don't buy it. I'm all in favor of pastoral sensitivity, and I recognize that terms can be somewhat plastic, but so long as "worship" is allowed to function as the key word, I don't believe that we'll ever be able to avoid the false assumptions and conclusions that everything hinges upon man's doing of stuff for God.
And here's what happens then: Not only is "worship" approached as the congregation's work for God, but it is also then bastardized into a malleable evangelistic tool. Not only is God dethroned from being the One who works for us to give us Sabbath Rest in Christ; He's also then required to share our attentions with outsiders. Does no one detect the idolatry in this? That the Church's "worship" should be aimed, not at glorifying God, but at "winning" over pagans to our side?
To be sure, the world is often watching what we do on Sunday morning. Let us then hold fast to our confession of the faith. Let us find our Sabbath Rest in Christ. Let us set aside our own works and efforts, our own reason and strength, and be served by the Word and Spirit of God, who calls us by the Gospel, enlightens us with His gifts, sanctifies and keeps us in the one true faith. Let us set an example of giving our utmost attention to His Word and the preaching of it. Let us not be ashamed of the Gospel, which is alone the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Let us find our hope, and stake our lives, and risk our necks on the simple, outward, foolishly cruciform means of grace, on words and water, bread and wine. Let every word we dare to speak in the presence of God be a confession of His speaking to us by His Son. Let us worship the Lord our God, and serve Him only, by receiving His Liturgy of forgiveness.
Set aside for the time being that — despite the beautiful opportunity which the Lutheran Service Book has provided for a restoration of unity in practice — the Commisson on Worship is now pursuing its mandate "to provide guidance and direction for use of diverse/contemporary worship resources" (2007 Res. 2-02A). I simply hope and pray that the criteria for doctrinal review of "the top 100 CCLI songs most commonly used in LCMS congregations" will be truly Christological, evangelical and catholic. For surely anything that would be sung in a Christian congregation ought to be, not only "Scriptural," but a proper dividing of the Law and the Gospel, finally focused and centered in Christ Jesus, and thus confessing the external Word and Sacraments as the only means by which the grace of God in Christ is bestowed. If the Commission will have the intestinal fortitude and loving integrity to admonish, correct, exhort and reprove those congregations that have utilized less than salutary "CCLI songs," well then, praise God. Until I see evidence to the contrary, I'll assume that is the goal. (I don't like it when people make presumptions about me, nor when they judge me on the basis of their presuppositions; so I prefer not to proceed in such a fashion with others. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, even if they don't.)
But the proposition of a "worship survey of the top 5 percent of LCMS 'soul winning' congregations," is offensive right out of the blocks. I frankly don't know how to interpret it otherwise. I'll readily grant that it surely stems from some kind of well-intentioned zeal, but to say that it is misguided would already be stretching the limits of charity.
Here is what the Commission on Worship's Reporter insert says: "The commission is working on developing a survey of the top 5 percent of LCMS 'soul winning' congregations, defined as those congregations with the greatest number of adult baptisms, adult confirmations, and professions of faith. This survey is to determine what happens during the most visible hour of a congregation's week that helps them be the soul winners that they are."
I suppose I can figure out what is intended by this "soul winning" terminology, but that doesn't make such a grotesque use of language right or salutary. The Scriptures do on occasion speak of "winning a brother," by which they refer to the calling of a sinner to repentance, and especially of reconciliation between Christians. Over such things the angels in heaven rejoice, and so do I. But here this "soul winning" is defined with quite different parameters. Not only is "adult baptism" distinguished from infant baptism, in a way that ought to make any Lutheran blush with shame, but the man-made rite of confirmation is set on par with the God-given Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and "professions of faith," presumably by those who are already baptized Christians, are evidently interpeted as though they were conversions (unless "winning souls" refers to some kind of inter-denominational contest). All of this is sloppy and unbecoming, but it is not the worst aspect of this undertaking.
Since when do Lutherans need a survey to determine how souls are won? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. In order to obtain such faith, God has instituted the Office of the Ministry for the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. Through these means of grace, the Holy Spirit works faith, where and when it pleases Him, in those who hear the Gospel. One servant of the Word may plant the seed; another may water; but it is God the Lord who gives the growth (or not, as the case may be). He adds daily to the number of those being saved, but with the Gospel comes the cross and persecution and rejection. The implicit notion of some further tricks or techniques, programs or propaganda, which are supposedly making the Word more effective (sic) in some congregations, as measured by outward numerical growth, is contrary to the Word of God. It may be Methodistic or Revivalistic, but it is certainly not Lutheran. Souls are won by Christ and His Spirt, by the ways and means of the Gospel, and not by any of the clever machinations of man. It is likewise the Word and Spirit of Christ by which pastors preach faithfully, and by which the people of God receive the gifts Christ freely gives in faith and with thanksgiving. And where that is happening, by God's grace, look for the Cross and suffering, not impressive statistics.
How is it that well-meaning Lutherans can wander so far afield from the Holy Scriptures? It certainly hasn't helped that "we" insist on using this word, "worship," as the comprehensive term for "what happens during the most visible hour of a congregation's week." There is a place for this word, as there is certainly a central place for worship in the Christian life. But as the chief worship is faith, and all other true Christian worship is by faith, it is ever and always contingent on that which is prior and primary, namely, the Word and work of God in Christ: His speaking of His Gospel, His giving of His gifts. "Worship" refers to that which we do and say to honor God. A term that our Lutheran Confessions use to speak of that which God says and does for us is "Liturgy," which accords with the Ministry of the Gospel. I've been told that we maybe ought to avoid this confessional, Christocentric term and stick with "worship," because of popular opinion and usage. But I don't buy it. I'm all in favor of pastoral sensitivity, and I recognize that terms can be somewhat plastic, but so long as "worship" is allowed to function as the key word, I don't believe that we'll ever be able to avoid the false assumptions and conclusions that everything hinges upon man's doing of stuff for God.
And here's what happens then: Not only is "worship" approached as the congregation's work for God, but it is also then bastardized into a malleable evangelistic tool. Not only is God dethroned from being the One who works for us to give us Sabbath Rest in Christ; He's also then required to share our attentions with outsiders. Does no one detect the idolatry in this? That the Church's "worship" should be aimed, not at glorifying God, but at "winning" over pagans to our side?
To be sure, the world is often watching what we do on Sunday morning. Let us then hold fast to our confession of the faith. Let us find our Sabbath Rest in Christ. Let us set aside our own works and efforts, our own reason and strength, and be served by the Word and Spirit of God, who calls us by the Gospel, enlightens us with His gifts, sanctifies and keeps us in the one true faith. Let us set an example of giving our utmost attention to His Word and the preaching of it. Let us not be ashamed of the Gospel, which is alone the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Let us find our hope, and stake our lives, and risk our necks on the simple, outward, foolishly cruciform means of grace, on words and water, bread and wine. Let every word we dare to speak in the presence of God be a confession of His speaking to us by His Son. Let us worship the Lord our God, and serve Him only, by receiving His Liturgy of forgiveness.
11 February 2008
LMCS
No, that's not a typo. Those are my wife's initials, she being the lovely LaRena Marjorey Chancellor Stuckwisch. Today is her birthday. Logically, I know that she can't still be 29 and counting, but she has been aging gracefully and is becoming more beautiful as the years go by.
She was seventeen when we met and fell in love, nineteen when we got married, and almost twenty-one when she delivered our firstborn (who is now as old as we both were when she arrived). Whenever I look at pictures of the two of us back then, I marvel at how young we look; it's no wonder that everyone else marveled a bit at the time. What can I say? We probably weren't ready to get married (though who ever is?), but it's all worked our rather wonderfully, and I don't suppose that we'd be the people that we are today, nor would we have the family that we do, if we had proceeded with more caution. I don't chalk any of it up to luck, nor even love, nor good planning on my part, but simply to the grace of God.
I would have liked to wine and dine my dear bride on this day, but, alas, there was no time in the schedule for it. Shucks, I hardly got to see her. I did get to give her the present that Zach and I picked out and bought for her together while I was in Texas. And I was tickled for her to have such a great mail day: several cards and a package! That's cool. I'm aiming now for Valentine's Day. I figure, if I could feast with Justinian on his Ash Wednesday birthday, it'll be okay to feast with my wife on the commemoration of a holy martyr during Lent. (For the record, though, let me say that decadent extravagance is not usually the best or most salutary way to honor the memory of any martyr, even if he did set a precedent for sending heart-shaped cards to people. Maybe the chocolate hearts and flowers could be saved for the dawning of Easter?)
My better half is not without her faults and weaknesses, I realize. That's probably a good thing, lest she would otherwise outshine me all the more than she already does! Her righteousness and holiness are by grace through faith in Christ, to be sure, but her civil righteousness surely must include her patience in putting up with me. For that, she ought to be canonized as a saint of exemplary virtue. Really, she is amazing in her encouragement and support, and in all the ways that she has sacrificed for the sake of my vocations and stations in life. Being a pastor's wife is, I think, one of the most difficult and thankless occupations in the world, but she handles it with real grace and charm and poise. I've long since lost count of the times that people have complimented her to me, because she simply radiates genuine care and concern and compassion for others. She's got a clever and creative mind, interesting thoughts and observations on life, a seemingly neverending capacity for great ideas, the drive and energy to make things happen, and a general enthusiasm for the little things that mean a lot. Living with such a remarkable woman has spoiled me, and I far too easily take her for granted, I'm ashamed to say. I need to be a better listener, and for my own sake as well as hers I need to more attentive.
I'll never forget the time when she conveyed to me that her hopes and dreams and aspirations were tied up in mine. I still find that incredibly humbling, and sometimes overwhelming. I think that's how it is for many wives; their identity is wrapped up in their husbands, despite the fact that we husbands too often fail to consider it or take our wives into account as we go about our routines. The fact of the matter is that I wouldn't be the man I am today, nor where I am today, if not for LaRena. So, how is it that I can sometimes go days at a time without thinking of that or acknowledging that? Her birthday is certainly an appropriate occasion to recognize her importance and significance, but such things ought to be the norm and not the exception. That would be a gift that keeps on giving. Mental note to self: Do better.
There are lots of things I love and appreciate about my wife. She's smart and conscientious. She's got energy and enthusiasm for all sorts of plans and projects. She's naturally friendly and a great conversationalist. She's got a neat artistic flair, as well as both a passion and a knack for gardening. She knows how to stretch a dime and make the most of what she's got to work with. Along with all of that, she's quite pretty, too. And there's lots more that could be said, but I have to add that I treasure her commitment to being a mother, and I give thanks for all that she has done (and continues to do) in bearing and rearing our children. As much as she loves it, I know that it's not easy. That's something I don't ever take lightly or for granted.
She was seventeen when we met and fell in love, nineteen when we got married, and almost twenty-one when she delivered our firstborn (who is now as old as we both were when she arrived). Whenever I look at pictures of the two of us back then, I marvel at how young we look; it's no wonder that everyone else marveled a bit at the time. What can I say? We probably weren't ready to get married (though who ever is?), but it's all worked our rather wonderfully, and I don't suppose that we'd be the people that we are today, nor would we have the family that we do, if we had proceeded with more caution. I don't chalk any of it up to luck, nor even love, nor good planning on my part, but simply to the grace of God.
I would have liked to wine and dine my dear bride on this day, but, alas, there was no time in the schedule for it. Shucks, I hardly got to see her. I did get to give her the present that Zach and I picked out and bought for her together while I was in Texas. And I was tickled for her to have such a great mail day: several cards and a package! That's cool. I'm aiming now for Valentine's Day. I figure, if I could feast with Justinian on his Ash Wednesday birthday, it'll be okay to feast with my wife on the commemoration of a holy martyr during Lent. (For the record, though, let me say that decadent extravagance is not usually the best or most salutary way to honor the memory of any martyr, even if he did set a precedent for sending heart-shaped cards to people. Maybe the chocolate hearts and flowers could be saved for the dawning of Easter?)
My better half is not without her faults and weaknesses, I realize. That's probably a good thing, lest she would otherwise outshine me all the more than she already does! Her righteousness and holiness are by grace through faith in Christ, to be sure, but her civil righteousness surely must include her patience in putting up with me. For that, she ought to be canonized as a saint of exemplary virtue. Really, she is amazing in her encouragement and support, and in all the ways that she has sacrificed for the sake of my vocations and stations in life. Being a pastor's wife is, I think, one of the most difficult and thankless occupations in the world, but she handles it with real grace and charm and poise. I've long since lost count of the times that people have complimented her to me, because she simply radiates genuine care and concern and compassion for others. She's got a clever and creative mind, interesting thoughts and observations on life, a seemingly neverending capacity for great ideas, the drive and energy to make things happen, and a general enthusiasm for the little things that mean a lot. Living with such a remarkable woman has spoiled me, and I far too easily take her for granted, I'm ashamed to say. I need to be a better listener, and for my own sake as well as hers I need to more attentive.
I'll never forget the time when she conveyed to me that her hopes and dreams and aspirations were tied up in mine. I still find that incredibly humbling, and sometimes overwhelming. I think that's how it is for many wives; their identity is wrapped up in their husbands, despite the fact that we husbands too often fail to consider it or take our wives into account as we go about our routines. The fact of the matter is that I wouldn't be the man I am today, nor where I am today, if not for LaRena. So, how is it that I can sometimes go days at a time without thinking of that or acknowledging that? Her birthday is certainly an appropriate occasion to recognize her importance and significance, but such things ought to be the norm and not the exception. That would be a gift that keeps on giving. Mental note to self: Do better.
There are lots of things I love and appreciate about my wife. She's smart and conscientious. She's got energy and enthusiasm for all sorts of plans and projects. She's naturally friendly and a great conversationalist. She's got a neat artistic flair, as well as both a passion and a knack for gardening. She knows how to stretch a dime and make the most of what she's got to work with. Along with all of that, she's quite pretty, too. And there's lots more that could be said, but I have to add that I treasure her commitment to being a mother, and I give thanks for all that she has done (and continues to do) in bearing and rearing our children. As much as she loves it, I know that it's not easy. That's something I don't ever take lightly or for granted.
09 February 2008
Hunger and Thirst for Christ
If you’re trying to beat the devil on your own, you’re fighting a losing battle. And if you give in to him, you’ve already lost. He’s crafty and enticing, savvy and subtle, deceptive and dangerous. He’s got the sinful world on his side and a hoard of demons; and your own heart and mind are perverted by your native sin and unbelief. The odds are stacked against you altogether.
The good news is that Jesus has defeated the devil on your behalf — and He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. The Lord Jesus Christ, the beloved and well-pleasing Son of God, has been tempted in all the ways that you are, but He has not sinned.
What He has done, though, is to bear your sins in His own body, and those of the whole world, along with all their deadly and damnable consequences, even to His Crucifixion. Thus, all of your sins have been dealt with and done away with. The innocence and righteousness of Christ covers you entirely, and Satan has nothing left with which he may legitimately accuse you.
That’s why the devil was so desperate to tempt Jesus away from the Cross — and why he is so frantic, now, in his efforts to seduce you away from Christ Jesus and His Cross.
When you hide yourself in Christ (by faith in His Gospel), when you find your rest in Him, then you dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in safety under the shadow of the Almighty; while that old serpent, the devil, lies trampled under your feet, along with sin and death.
In this New Adam, Jesus Christ, God has provided every good thing for you, and all that you need for faith and life forever with Him.
Only do not reach for the forbidden fruit, for that which God has not given but has warned you against. Do not listen to the voice of the devil, who lies through his teeth with his forked tongue, and who calls into question the sure and certain Word of the Lord.
You live (really live) by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and by the Bread of Life from heaven, which is the Word-made-Flesh, the Word of Christ. He is your Lord, your Savior and your God, and He is your true Meat and Drink indeed. But know that He feeds you from the Cross, by the ways and means of the Cross, often now with adversity and sorrow.
In contrast to and competition with this Food of the Cross, the devil presents you with pretty fruit that is delightful and desirable, which appears to be good and wise and advantageous.
So, what are you hungry for? And what do you choose to eat? Do you reach for the Tree of the Cross, or for the knowledge of good and evil?
How often do you make excuses for yourself, rationalizations, and conspire to make or take bread for yourself that God has not provided? You suppose that you know better — or that you can handle it (take the heat and manage on your own) — or that you are the exception to the rules. So you take and eat what God has forbidden, which brings death and the devil with it.
Repent of your misplaced appetite and gluttonous idolatry. Hunger instead for God the Lord, for Christ and His Word. Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all that you need for life everlasting will be yours (in Him), though it is given you in, with and under the Cross.
Hunger for God. But receive Him by His grace, through faith in Christ, according to His Word of the Gospel, and not by any efforts of your own to scale the heights of heaven.
Works righteousness and self-righteousness within the church are no better — but perhaps even more perverse — than the false belief of pagan idolatry.
The way in which you are to go is not one of your own design or choosing. Walk within your God-given vocations in life, whether glamorous or mundane, tedious or exciting. As a disciple of Christ Jesus, take up the Cross in faith and bear it in love for those whom God has positioned in relation to you. Honor your father and mother. Love and cherish your own husband or wife, and be faithful in all things. Serve and support your neighbor’s body and life, his household, home and family. Do your job. Fulfill your office. Be satisfied with whatever you are given.
Your life is sanctified by Christ, by His Word and Spirit, by faith and prayer; not by impressing the world with grand achievements. It is not what you accomplish, but what you receive from Christ, that avails before God your Father in heaven. It is the righteousness and faithfulness of Christ Jesus that sustains you, unto the life everlasting.
Don’t trade that for anything; neither for a bowl of porridge, nor for all the kingdoms and power and glory of the world.
You should know better. You should know that the wicked devil, the sinful world, and your own covetous flesh are lying to you. Why do you fall for it? Why do you buy into that scam?
Still you keep on reaching for that which God has told you not to touch. You bend your knee before the ruler of this world, while refusing to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. You bow down and worship the toys and entertainment, the frivolity and self-gratification of man, and sell your soul to the devil for treasures on earth that will decay and waste away, along with yourself, if they are not lost or stolen or destroyed even sooner!
Why? Because your heart burns with desire for that which God has not given (for that which is not God). Because you want to be in charge and call the shots and make a life for yourself.
You want to be God.
So you make of the one true God your enemy (although He is in truth your Savior). And you harden your heart against your neighbor, as well, because you make of everyone your opponent and competitor. Your stomach twists and turns with envy and jealousy. You resent what God has given your neighbor (even your brother or sister in Christ), and, what is worse, you crave that which your neighbor has acquired by his sins. You love such things more than you love God.
With such a sinful heart, you are no match for Satan. It really is a losing battle, and you’ve lost already before you’ve begun. The serpent so easily beguiles you to sin, and then he stands the first in line to accuse you and press charges. You are left naked and afraid, guilty and ashamed.
You try to run, but you can’t escape. You try to hide, but there’s nowhere for you to go.
Thank God. Thank God that He searches you out and finds you, that He exposes you to His light and speaks His Word to you. You would be lost and gone forever if He did not. You are not better off without Him. Though His Law judges and condemns you and punishes your sin, His Law is not His last or final Word concerning you. He crushes the devil’s head, not yours. And this He does, He beats the devil for you, by taking all your guilt and punishment upon Himself!
He has taken your nakedness and shame upon Himself. He has suffered your death and damnation in your stead. All of this upon the tree of the Cross. Even though He alone is without sin; He has not given in to any temptation. He suffers and dies in perfect righteousness, innocence and blessedness; in steadfast faith toward God, and in absolute love for God and man (for you!). He goes to the Cross voluntarily, in humble obedience to His Father for your sake, to save you.
It is from the Cross that He washes you with tender care, so that you are clean within and without, in body and soul. It is from the Cross that He clothes you with Himself, so that you are adorned all-glorious like a beautiful bride, like the most handsome Prince (the fairest of them all).
It is from the Cross, the Tree of Life, that He feeds you with His Body and His Blood. Here is the fruit that God has not forbidden, but gives to you freely for the forgiveness of all your sins and the strengthening of your faith, that you may live forever.
He knows that you are frail, weak and helpless. He knows that you are weary and worn, burdened and beleaguered. He is a great High Priest who sympathizes with you, because He has been in your shoes, in your wilderness, in your long hot 40 days, your dark and dreary 40 nights.
He has been there for you, and He is still here with you. Not simply to help you (though He does) but to save you. He stands beside you on the plain with His good gifts and Spirit. It is no angel, but He Himself ministers to you. He forgives your every sin, every fall into temptation.
He returns you to the waters of your Baptism, to the Word and promises of God: You are a beloved son of God, for Jesus’ sake. His Father is your Father, and He is well-pleased with you.
Don’t look at your sin and failings; for He does not. Don’t listen to the devil, but hear the Word of Christ. He will never leave you nor forsake you; He will not lie to you nor fail you.
You shall not die, but live.
See here, He feeds you. Take and eat. Drink from His Cup of Salvation. It may not look like much, but here is true wisdom. It is the best of foods, the finest of wines. It is given and poured out for you. As great as your trespasses have been, this gift and grace of God in Christ is greater. Here the Lord is your refuge, the Most High your habitation. Welcome home!
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The good news is that Jesus has defeated the devil on your behalf — and He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. The Lord Jesus Christ, the beloved and well-pleasing Son of God, has been tempted in all the ways that you are, but He has not sinned.
What He has done, though, is to bear your sins in His own body, and those of the whole world, along with all their deadly and damnable consequences, even to His Crucifixion. Thus, all of your sins have been dealt with and done away with. The innocence and righteousness of Christ covers you entirely, and Satan has nothing left with which he may legitimately accuse you.
That’s why the devil was so desperate to tempt Jesus away from the Cross — and why he is so frantic, now, in his efforts to seduce you away from Christ Jesus and His Cross.
When you hide yourself in Christ (by faith in His Gospel), when you find your rest in Him, then you dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in safety under the shadow of the Almighty; while that old serpent, the devil, lies trampled under your feet, along with sin and death.
In this New Adam, Jesus Christ, God has provided every good thing for you, and all that you need for faith and life forever with Him.
Only do not reach for the forbidden fruit, for that which God has not given but has warned you against. Do not listen to the voice of the devil, who lies through his teeth with his forked tongue, and who calls into question the sure and certain Word of the Lord.
You live (really live) by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and by the Bread of Life from heaven, which is the Word-made-Flesh, the Word of Christ. He is your Lord, your Savior and your God, and He is your true Meat and Drink indeed. But know that He feeds you from the Cross, by the ways and means of the Cross, often now with adversity and sorrow.
In contrast to and competition with this Food of the Cross, the devil presents you with pretty fruit that is delightful and desirable, which appears to be good and wise and advantageous.
So, what are you hungry for? And what do you choose to eat? Do you reach for the Tree of the Cross, or for the knowledge of good and evil?
How often do you make excuses for yourself, rationalizations, and conspire to make or take bread for yourself that God has not provided? You suppose that you know better — or that you can handle it (take the heat and manage on your own) — or that you are the exception to the rules. So you take and eat what God has forbidden, which brings death and the devil with it.
Repent of your misplaced appetite and gluttonous idolatry. Hunger instead for God the Lord, for Christ and His Word. Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all that you need for life everlasting will be yours (in Him), though it is given you in, with and under the Cross.
Hunger for God. But receive Him by His grace, through faith in Christ, according to His Word of the Gospel, and not by any efforts of your own to scale the heights of heaven.
Works righteousness and self-righteousness within the church are no better — but perhaps even more perverse — than the false belief of pagan idolatry.
The way in which you are to go is not one of your own design or choosing. Walk within your God-given vocations in life, whether glamorous or mundane, tedious or exciting. As a disciple of Christ Jesus, take up the Cross in faith and bear it in love for those whom God has positioned in relation to you. Honor your father and mother. Love and cherish your own husband or wife, and be faithful in all things. Serve and support your neighbor’s body and life, his household, home and family. Do your job. Fulfill your office. Be satisfied with whatever you are given.
Your life is sanctified by Christ, by His Word and Spirit, by faith and prayer; not by impressing the world with grand achievements. It is not what you accomplish, but what you receive from Christ, that avails before God your Father in heaven. It is the righteousness and faithfulness of Christ Jesus that sustains you, unto the life everlasting.
Don’t trade that for anything; neither for a bowl of porridge, nor for all the kingdoms and power and glory of the world.
You should know better. You should know that the wicked devil, the sinful world, and your own covetous flesh are lying to you. Why do you fall for it? Why do you buy into that scam?
Still you keep on reaching for that which God has told you not to touch. You bend your knee before the ruler of this world, while refusing to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. You bow down and worship the toys and entertainment, the frivolity and self-gratification of man, and sell your soul to the devil for treasures on earth that will decay and waste away, along with yourself, if they are not lost or stolen or destroyed even sooner!
Why? Because your heart burns with desire for that which God has not given (for that which is not God). Because you want to be in charge and call the shots and make a life for yourself.
You want to be God.
So you make of the one true God your enemy (although He is in truth your Savior). And you harden your heart against your neighbor, as well, because you make of everyone your opponent and competitor. Your stomach twists and turns with envy and jealousy. You resent what God has given your neighbor (even your brother or sister in Christ), and, what is worse, you crave that which your neighbor has acquired by his sins. You love such things more than you love God.
With such a sinful heart, you are no match for Satan. It really is a losing battle, and you’ve lost already before you’ve begun. The serpent so easily beguiles you to sin, and then he stands the first in line to accuse you and press charges. You are left naked and afraid, guilty and ashamed.
You try to run, but you can’t escape. You try to hide, but there’s nowhere for you to go.
Thank God. Thank God that He searches you out and finds you, that He exposes you to His light and speaks His Word to you. You would be lost and gone forever if He did not. You are not better off without Him. Though His Law judges and condemns you and punishes your sin, His Law is not His last or final Word concerning you. He crushes the devil’s head, not yours. And this He does, He beats the devil for you, by taking all your guilt and punishment upon Himself!
He has taken your nakedness and shame upon Himself. He has suffered your death and damnation in your stead. All of this upon the tree of the Cross. Even though He alone is without sin; He has not given in to any temptation. He suffers and dies in perfect righteousness, innocence and blessedness; in steadfast faith toward God, and in absolute love for God and man (for you!). He goes to the Cross voluntarily, in humble obedience to His Father for your sake, to save you.
It is from the Cross that He washes you with tender care, so that you are clean within and without, in body and soul. It is from the Cross that He clothes you with Himself, so that you are adorned all-glorious like a beautiful bride, like the most handsome Prince (the fairest of them all).
It is from the Cross, the Tree of Life, that He feeds you with His Body and His Blood. Here is the fruit that God has not forbidden, but gives to you freely for the forgiveness of all your sins and the strengthening of your faith, that you may live forever.
He knows that you are frail, weak and helpless. He knows that you are weary and worn, burdened and beleaguered. He is a great High Priest who sympathizes with you, because He has been in your shoes, in your wilderness, in your long hot 40 days, your dark and dreary 40 nights.
He has been there for you, and He is still here with you. Not simply to help you (though He does) but to save you. He stands beside you on the plain with His good gifts and Spirit. It is no angel, but He Himself ministers to you. He forgives your every sin, every fall into temptation.
He returns you to the waters of your Baptism, to the Word and promises of God: You are a beloved son of God, for Jesus’ sake. His Father is your Father, and He is well-pleased with you.
Don’t look at your sin and failings; for He does not. Don’t listen to the devil, but hear the Word of Christ. He will never leave you nor forsake you; He will not lie to you nor fail you.
You shall not die, but live.
See here, He feeds you. Take and eat. Drink from His Cup of Salvation. It may not look like much, but here is true wisdom. It is the best of foods, the finest of wines. It is given and poured out for you. As great as your trespasses have been, this gift and grace of God in Christ is greater. Here the Lord is your refuge, the Most High your habitation. Welcome home!
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
07 February 2008
Except by Prayer and Fasting
For the Friday after Ash Wednesday (St. Matthew 17:14-21)
God the Father in heaven has had mercy upon you, and has given His Son to die for you, and for His sake forgives you all your sins.
Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, has come down from heaven for you. He has come down from the mountain to go the way of the Cross — to save you.
He has confronted and contended with your enemies: the demons that haunt you, the world that taunts you, and your own perverted sinful flesh. And He has conquered in the fight, by His Cross. He has saved you.
Against your unbelief, He has set His steadfast faith and faithfulness. In the place of your illness, He has bestowed His own perfect health and strength. Instead of your lunacy, He has brought divine wisdom and the peace that surpasses human understanding.
Here is the truth: He has given Himself for you, and He gives Himself to you, along with every good and perfect gift (on earth as it is in heaven).
Why, then, do you persist in the futility of your sins, returning to the same bad habits over and over again? Why must you throw yourself back into the fire, from which the Lord has saved you? Why do you keep jumping off the deep end into water that’s way over your head, when you know that you can’t swim or pull yourself out?
You cannot fix yourself or make it better. You can’t pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. Whatever your weakness may be — a short temper, a gossiping tongue, gambling with money, addictions (of whatever sort), lust or laziness, bitterness or envy — you won’t be able to master it by your own wherewithal. Yet, left unchecked, it will destroy you. It is hurting you already, even now.
Pray that God the Lord will still have mercy upon you, and that He will help you. For you cannot save yourself; no more than you can save your family, friends and neighbors (except by the Word and Spirit of Christ).
Repent of your sin. See here that Christ is with you, and He is for you (now and forever). Exercise your little faith. Discipline yourself to do without your legion of false gods, and discover that your life is in Christ Jesus. Bring your loved ones, too, as others have brought you to Christ.
For you it is impossible, but not for Him. You are powerless and helpless, but His almighty power is manifest for you in mercy and compassion, in forgiveness. Not only that, but, ironically, His almighty power has been made perfect for you in His weakness.
He has humbled Himself and become obedient, even unto death. He has prayed for you. He has fasted for you. He has suffered and died on your behalf — thrown Himself into your fire, drowned Himself in your flood — so that you are purified by the fire of His Holy Spirit, and cleansed by the waters of His Baptism.
By His Word of the Gospel, He has brought the mountain to you (from heaven to earth).
The mountaintop is here, centered in His Altar. From Mt. Calvary He feeds you with His Body and His Blood, so that, by faith, you ascend His holy hill.
And when you are faithless and unbelieving, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself, nor will He deny you.
How long shall He be with you? How long shall He put up with you? Forever and ever. Amen.
God the Father in heaven has had mercy upon you, and has given His Son to die for you, and for His sake forgives you all your sins.
Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, has come down from heaven for you. He has come down from the mountain to go the way of the Cross — to save you.
He has confronted and contended with your enemies: the demons that haunt you, the world that taunts you, and your own perverted sinful flesh. And He has conquered in the fight, by His Cross. He has saved you.
Against your unbelief, He has set His steadfast faith and faithfulness. In the place of your illness, He has bestowed His own perfect health and strength. Instead of your lunacy, He has brought divine wisdom and the peace that surpasses human understanding.
Here is the truth: He has given Himself for you, and He gives Himself to you, along with every good and perfect gift (on earth as it is in heaven).
Why, then, do you persist in the futility of your sins, returning to the same bad habits over and over again? Why must you throw yourself back into the fire, from which the Lord has saved you? Why do you keep jumping off the deep end into water that’s way over your head, when you know that you can’t swim or pull yourself out?
You cannot fix yourself or make it better. You can’t pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. Whatever your weakness may be — a short temper, a gossiping tongue, gambling with money, addictions (of whatever sort), lust or laziness, bitterness or envy — you won’t be able to master it by your own wherewithal. Yet, left unchecked, it will destroy you. It is hurting you already, even now.
Pray that God the Lord will still have mercy upon you, and that He will help you. For you cannot save yourself; no more than you can save your family, friends and neighbors (except by the Word and Spirit of Christ).
Repent of your sin. See here that Christ is with you, and He is for you (now and forever). Exercise your little faith. Discipline yourself to do without your legion of false gods, and discover that your life is in Christ Jesus. Bring your loved ones, too, as others have brought you to Christ.
For you it is impossible, but not for Him. You are powerless and helpless, but His almighty power is manifest for you in mercy and compassion, in forgiveness. Not only that, but, ironically, His almighty power has been made perfect for you in His weakness.
He has humbled Himself and become obedient, even unto death. He has prayed for you. He has fasted for you. He has suffered and died on your behalf — thrown Himself into your fire, drowned Himself in your flood — so that you are purified by the fire of His Holy Spirit, and cleansed by the waters of His Baptism.
By His Word of the Gospel, He has brought the mountain to you (from heaven to earth).
The mountaintop is here, centered in His Altar. From Mt. Calvary He feeds you with His Body and His Blood, so that, by faith, you ascend His holy hill.
And when you are faithless and unbelieving, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself, nor will He deny you.
How long shall He be with you? How long shall He put up with you? Forever and ever. Amen.
06 February 2008
Justinian Matthias Gregory Basil Stuckwisch
The oldest of my three younger sons is six years old today. That makes it his "golden birthday" (turning six on the sixth). Remarkably, we have three such "golden birthdays" occurring among our children in this Year of Our Lord 2008: DoRena turned 21 on the 21st of January; Justinian turns 6 on the 6th of February (today); and Nicholai will turn 14 on the 14th of October, God willing. My Mom has always remembered Justinian's birthdate, 2-6-02, because 262 was the number of "A Mighty Fortress" in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941). That doesn't work with the Lutheran Service Book, but some of us won't forget the number anyway.
With my older children, even as I rejoice in their ongoing accomplishments and future plans, I'm at the point of looking back nostalgically and reminiscing about the times we have shared as they were growing up. It occurs to me that Justinian is making memories for me, now, that I'll look back upon in wonder and savor with bittersweet nostalgia somewhere down the road. I'm hoping that we'll have the chance to share a meal together today, since that is one of our family birthday customs; even though it is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and repentance. On this occasion, I'll feast a bit in the freedom of faith, in order to serve my son in love.
He's been pretty anxious for this day to arrive, as little boys (and girls) do tend to be about their birthdays. He's been counting down the days for a while now; which made it rather humorous when he came up to me yesterday morning, wrapped his little arms around my legs in a big ol' hug, looked up at me with that one-part-cherubic-another-part-mischievous face of his, and sweetly cooed, "Today's my birthday!" It almost broke my heart (in between chuckles) to tell him that, no, it wasn't his birthday yet. That would be "tomorrow," which has now become "today," so here we are. I think his Mom may be getting him an appropriately-sized bicycle, because he's been envying the little one that his two younger brothers recently got with their Christmas money. It was awfully precious, though, when LaRena asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday, and he stated simply that he wanted to stay home and have fun with his family.
As it turns out, besides shopping for a bike with his Mom, Justinian will be spending a fair portion of his day at church. We had the imposition of ashes this morning, in connection with a Service of Corporate Confession and Absolution; and we'll be gathered for the Divine Service this evening. I don't think Justinian minds, as he is usually happy to go to church. There were some children who received their First Communion this past Sunday, and he knows that his day will be coming soon this spring, so I am not surprised to see an eager look of expectation in his eyes when he is kneeling at the rail. He's an eager catechumen and a pious little soul (normally).
I found it particularly poignant, this morning, to apply the ashes to the foreheads of my wife and children, and perhaps it struck me most profoundly in Justinian's case, on this anniversary day of his birth. "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return." Those are sobering words to hear, but no less so to speak: to anyone, really, but especially to my own child. This is what he has inherited from me, as I have received it from my fathers back to Adam: the frailty of fallen flesh, the curse and consequences of sin, and the mortality that brings our bodies back to the dust and dirt of the ground from which we were taken. Now there's a cheery birthday thought! Looking at my little six-year-old, who's cute as a bug's ear, my eyes don't readily see the sin and death that I have passed on to him, and to which he himself has added. The truth is, though, that sometimes even six-year-olds get sick and die, or hurt and killed. Others don't live to see their sixth birthday. We confess such truths, not out of any perverse love of morbidity, but in repentant faith and the hope of the resurrection. Christ, the new and better Adam, has been raised from the dust of the earth: never to die again. Those who are baptized into Christ shall live, even though they die; and he who lives and believes in Christ, shall never die. That's what my Justinian has gotten from the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was baptized on the 24th of February, 2002, the Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle. Hence his second name. I don't know if that will prompt him in some way toward the Office of the Holy Ministry, but of course I will be pleased if he (or any of his brothers) does follow in my footsteps in that regard. For the time being, I count it all joy to be his pastor, to serve him with the gifts Christ freely gives, to catechize him in the one true faith, and to absolve his sins in Jesus' Name. By these ways and means of grace, I give him a better life than I have bestowed upon him as a father of flesh and blood. Having brought him to the font and to the voice of the Gospel, I have presented him to the Lord for the life everlasting, which shall not be taken from him.
There was some excitement surrounding the time of Justinian's birth. Indeed, what a raucous time it was! I was in the final year of my dissertation writing; which meant that I didn't really get to spend a lot of time with Justinian for the first nine or ten months of his life — but I will say this, that his beautiful little smile (he's always had a great smile) really helped to keep me going, even though I had to spend a lot of time away and missing him like crazy.
More immediately connected to his arrival, we had just moved into a new house: as of the week before. Pity my poor wife! Then, to make matters more interesting, there came a terrible ice storm that knocked out the power to our lovely new home full of boxes, and we spent several long days without electricity. The original due date would have put Justinian's birth right smack dab in the middle of all that joyful bliss and rapture, but, as it turned out, the lights were back on before he made his appearance. Nothing like piling on the stress factors in big overflowing heaps at once.
Since Justinian was supposedly due in January (though I think LaRena knew better, and I always take her word over the doctor's when it comes to such things; with apologies to my dear sister and other ob-gyns I know), he is also named for St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, and St. Gregory of Nyssa, who are commemorated on the 10th of January. I've always really liked those three guys, the Cappadocian Fathers (fourth century). From a pretty early age, Justinian enjoyed saying his "whole big long name," and we got a kick out of hearing him repeat it with a grin. LaRena would never have let me get away with using "Basil" as a first name, but it worked out alright as a middle name. One friend at church teased us, though, that we had run out of names and were resorting to spices. How silly!
Justinian's first name, I guess I should add, is for the great sixth century Byzantine emperor, who was greatly accomplished in a number of significant areas. He reigned for half a century and contributed rather a lot to both church and state. The magnificent Hagia Sophia in Constantinople was designed and constructed at his directive. Best of all, he confessed and defended the perfect unity of the divine and human natures in the one Person of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. No matter the vocations to which the Lord may call my own Justinian, at whatever age he may be in his life on this earth, I hope and pray that he will likewise so confess the Son of God, our blessed Savior, Jesus the Christ. We are none of us ever given anything more important to speak than that, Byzantine emperor and little boys alike.
With my older children, even as I rejoice in their ongoing accomplishments and future plans, I'm at the point of looking back nostalgically and reminiscing about the times we have shared as they were growing up. It occurs to me that Justinian is making memories for me, now, that I'll look back upon in wonder and savor with bittersweet nostalgia somewhere down the road. I'm hoping that we'll have the chance to share a meal together today, since that is one of our family birthday customs; even though it is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and repentance. On this occasion, I'll feast a bit in the freedom of faith, in order to serve my son in love.
He's been pretty anxious for this day to arrive, as little boys (and girls) do tend to be about their birthdays. He's been counting down the days for a while now; which made it rather humorous when he came up to me yesterday morning, wrapped his little arms around my legs in a big ol' hug, looked up at me with that one-part-cherubic-another-part-mischievous face of his, and sweetly cooed, "Today's my birthday!" It almost broke my heart (in between chuckles) to tell him that, no, it wasn't his birthday yet. That would be "tomorrow," which has now become "today," so here we are. I think his Mom may be getting him an appropriately-sized bicycle, because he's been envying the little one that his two younger brothers recently got with their Christmas money. It was awfully precious, though, when LaRena asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday, and he stated simply that he wanted to stay home and have fun with his family.
As it turns out, besides shopping for a bike with his Mom, Justinian will be spending a fair portion of his day at church. We had the imposition of ashes this morning, in connection with a Service of Corporate Confession and Absolution; and we'll be gathered for the Divine Service this evening. I don't think Justinian minds, as he is usually happy to go to church. There were some children who received their First Communion this past Sunday, and he knows that his day will be coming soon this spring, so I am not surprised to see an eager look of expectation in his eyes when he is kneeling at the rail. He's an eager catechumen and a pious little soul (normally).
I found it particularly poignant, this morning, to apply the ashes to the foreheads of my wife and children, and perhaps it struck me most profoundly in Justinian's case, on this anniversary day of his birth. "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return." Those are sobering words to hear, but no less so to speak: to anyone, really, but especially to my own child. This is what he has inherited from me, as I have received it from my fathers back to Adam: the frailty of fallen flesh, the curse and consequences of sin, and the mortality that brings our bodies back to the dust and dirt of the ground from which we were taken. Now there's a cheery birthday thought! Looking at my little six-year-old, who's cute as a bug's ear, my eyes don't readily see the sin and death that I have passed on to him, and to which he himself has added. The truth is, though, that sometimes even six-year-olds get sick and die, or hurt and killed. Others don't live to see their sixth birthday. We confess such truths, not out of any perverse love of morbidity, but in repentant faith and the hope of the resurrection. Christ, the new and better Adam, has been raised from the dust of the earth: never to die again. Those who are baptized into Christ shall live, even though they die; and he who lives and believes in Christ, shall never die. That's what my Justinian has gotten from the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was baptized on the 24th of February, 2002, the Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle. Hence his second name. I don't know if that will prompt him in some way toward the Office of the Holy Ministry, but of course I will be pleased if he (or any of his brothers) does follow in my footsteps in that regard. For the time being, I count it all joy to be his pastor, to serve him with the gifts Christ freely gives, to catechize him in the one true faith, and to absolve his sins in Jesus' Name. By these ways and means of grace, I give him a better life than I have bestowed upon him as a father of flesh and blood. Having brought him to the font and to the voice of the Gospel, I have presented him to the Lord for the life everlasting, which shall not be taken from him.
There was some excitement surrounding the time of Justinian's birth. Indeed, what a raucous time it was! I was in the final year of my dissertation writing; which meant that I didn't really get to spend a lot of time with Justinian for the first nine or ten months of his life — but I will say this, that his beautiful little smile (he's always had a great smile) really helped to keep me going, even though I had to spend a lot of time away and missing him like crazy.
More immediately connected to his arrival, we had just moved into a new house: as of the week before. Pity my poor wife! Then, to make matters more interesting, there came a terrible ice storm that knocked out the power to our lovely new home full of boxes, and we spent several long days without electricity. The original due date would have put Justinian's birth right smack dab in the middle of all that joyful bliss and rapture, but, as it turned out, the lights were back on before he made his appearance. Nothing like piling on the stress factors in big overflowing heaps at once.
Since Justinian was supposedly due in January (though I think LaRena knew better, and I always take her word over the doctor's when it comes to such things; with apologies to my dear sister and other ob-gyns I know), he is also named for St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, and St. Gregory of Nyssa, who are commemorated on the 10th of January. I've always really liked those three guys, the Cappadocian Fathers (fourth century). From a pretty early age, Justinian enjoyed saying his "whole big long name," and we got a kick out of hearing him repeat it with a grin. LaRena would never have let me get away with using "Basil" as a first name, but it worked out alright as a middle name. One friend at church teased us, though, that we had run out of names and were resorting to spices. How silly!
Justinian's first name, I guess I should add, is for the great sixth century Byzantine emperor, who was greatly accomplished in a number of significant areas. He reigned for half a century and contributed rather a lot to both church and state. The magnificent Hagia Sophia in Constantinople was designed and constructed at his directive. Best of all, he confessed and defended the perfect unity of the divine and human natures in the one Person of Christ, the incarnate Son of God. No matter the vocations to which the Lord may call my own Justinian, at whatever age he may be in his life on this earth, I hope and pray that he will likewise so confess the Son of God, our blessed Savior, Jesus the Christ. We are none of us ever given anything more important to speak than that, Byzantine emperor and little boys alike.
02 February 2008
To Eat and Drink in the Presence of God
It is for this that God the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. It is for this that He has written His Law and revealed it to you: That you may have life and fellowship with Him. That you may eat and drink in His presence. Indeed, this is your life (now and forever), to be and abide with God in harmony with His good and gracious will.
Therefore, do all that He has commanded you. Fear, love and trust in Him above all things. Hear and heed His Word. Call upon His holy Name. Follow the cloud of His Glory by day, and His pillar of fire by night, to dwell with Him in His Tabernacle.
Eat and drink the food that He provides, even in the wilderness: the living Bread from heaven, the living water from the Rock. These are your meat and drink indeed.
And love one another. For love is of God; and you are His own people, the sheep of His pasture. Love is the fulfillment of the whole Law; for love does no harm to the neighbor, but helps him and supports him in all things, at all times.
Do not long for the feasting and fashions of Egypt, from which the Lord has set you free. Do not return to your sins, like a dog to its vomit; nor indulge the lusts of your flesh, like a pig in its wallow. But stay the course and trust the Lord your God.
Do not grow restless in the desert, nor suppose that the Lord has forgotten or failed to keep His promises. Tremble in fear of the Lord, for He is the Holy One, before whom all creation bows in reverence. But do not quail in terror and deathly despair, as though His desire were to destroy you. It is not. His desire is to give you life, because He loves you.
Repent of your false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. And do not attempt to fathom the heart and Spirit of God apart from His Son, the Christ, beloved and well-pleasing, the new and greater Joshua, who serves you in love. Not even Moses enters the glorious presence of the Lord God Almighty apart from this Joshua, Christ Jesus, the Word-made-Flesh who tabernacles among His own with grace, mercy and peace.
The Law of God is good and wise; it instructs you in the way that leads to life in fellowship and harmony with Him. Yet, apart from Christ Jesus, it is a consuming fire, which accuses and condemns you and threatens to destroy you utterly and forever. It exposes the darkness in your heart and mind, the self-idolatry and lack of love in your thoughts, words and deeds. It uncovers the nakedness of your sin and the stench of death that already clings to your carcass.
Apart from Christ, you are a corpse merely biding your time on the way to your grave (and far worse), separated from the living God and devoid of His life-giving Holy Spirit.
Who, then, shall save you from your body of death, from the darkness and damnation of your sin?
It is Jesus only, the beloved Son of the living God. He is the Holy One of Israel. He is the Christ, your Savior. He is the Glory of God — in Person — in the flesh. He is the sacrifice of Atonement, His Blood the New Covenant of peace and reconciliation with God. You are anointed with the Holy Spirit unto life, and you have fellowship with God the Father, only in Him.
Listen to Him. Hear what He says to you, and believe it.
Consider the touch of His hand (His Body given for you), and be raised up from the death of doubt and fear to life and hope and joy.
He has brought you through the waters out of Egypt. He has baptized you in the cloud and in the sea of His own Exodus, His Cross and Resurrection. He shall bring you, also, through the Jordan into Canaan, the Land that He has promised, flowing with milk and honey and every good thing.
Not Moses the Lawgiver, but this Joshua does it, who is the fulfillment of the Law. By His Gospel of the Cross, by His forgiveness of your sins, He brings you in with Himself.
He shall bring you up to the Mountain of God: not Sinai, but the true Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, His holy hill. Not consumed with fire and brimstone, lightning and thunder and billowing smoke, but bathed in the beauty of His holiness and cloaked with the radiance of His righteousness, innocence and blessedness.
The time is not yet; but do not fret. Do not be afraid. Do not hide yourself away. Do not withdraw from the world and curl up within yourself. Do not lie there frozen, nor sit there dumbfounded.
See, here is Jesus. Stand up, and follow Him. He is your Pillar of Cloud by day and Fire by night.
He leads you forward by the way of the Cross. That is hard to understand, more difficult to bear, but it will not defeat you. It is the wood of the Cross by which He parts the sea and opens the Rock and pours down Manna from heaven. By the wood of the Cross that He defeats your enemies: sin, death, the devil and hell, the world with all its wickedness, the treachery of your own old Adam.
Cease your grumbling and complaining. The Lord has heard the cries and lamentations of your heart, and He has already acted mightily to save you by His outstretched arms. Better yet, close your mouth altogether, and open your ears. You have nothing worth saying until He has spoken and you have listened. Then, open your mouth and be fed. Eat from His hand, drink from His Cup. After He has filled you with Himself, confess what He has said, what He has done, what He has given.
Yes, you’re in the wilderness; and Jesus is with you all the way. You’ll not starve; He is feeding you. Your shoes will not wear out, your feet will not blister or swell, so long as you follow Him. Though an army encamp against you, do not fear. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is with you; the Lord God of Sabaoth is for you.
Lift up your eyes roundabout and see; you are surrounded by the Glory of the Lord: the great cloud of His witnesses, His saints: Moses and Elijah, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Samuel and David, Peter, James and John, Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, Stephen and Paul, Timothy and Titus — a multitude of disciples from every nation, tribe and tongue (which no man could count, but God has each one numbered).
All of them have been transfigured by the Cross of Christ to share His Resurrection and His Life. You, also, are being transfigured by His Cross. Not yet outwardly — for your mortal flesh is wasting away — but inwardly you are renewed, day by day, in hope and expectation of the glory that shall be revealed in you (body and soul) in the Resurrection.
Here is the surety given to you: the Word of Christ in your ears, in your heart, and in your mouth (for He is not far away but near to you); the Body of Christ, His precious Blood, given and poured out for you, for the forgiveness of all your sins. He stretches out His hand, not to harm you, but to save.
To eat and drink in His presence — to feast upon Him, who is the Lord your God in the flesh — this, already, is a foretaste of the neverending Feast to come. It is the endless Sabbath Rest that remains for the people of God. It is the fellowship with God that is your life and your salvation.
Arise, and do not fear, but live.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Therefore, do all that He has commanded you. Fear, love and trust in Him above all things. Hear and heed His Word. Call upon His holy Name. Follow the cloud of His Glory by day, and His pillar of fire by night, to dwell with Him in His Tabernacle.
Eat and drink the food that He provides, even in the wilderness: the living Bread from heaven, the living water from the Rock. These are your meat and drink indeed.
And love one another. For love is of God; and you are His own people, the sheep of His pasture. Love is the fulfillment of the whole Law; for love does no harm to the neighbor, but helps him and supports him in all things, at all times.
Do not long for the feasting and fashions of Egypt, from which the Lord has set you free. Do not return to your sins, like a dog to its vomit; nor indulge the lusts of your flesh, like a pig in its wallow. But stay the course and trust the Lord your God.
Do not grow restless in the desert, nor suppose that the Lord has forgotten or failed to keep His promises. Tremble in fear of the Lord, for He is the Holy One, before whom all creation bows in reverence. But do not quail in terror and deathly despair, as though His desire were to destroy you. It is not. His desire is to give you life, because He loves you.
Repent of your false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. And do not attempt to fathom the heart and Spirit of God apart from His Son, the Christ, beloved and well-pleasing, the new and greater Joshua, who serves you in love. Not even Moses enters the glorious presence of the Lord God Almighty apart from this Joshua, Christ Jesus, the Word-made-Flesh who tabernacles among His own with grace, mercy and peace.
The Law of God is good and wise; it instructs you in the way that leads to life in fellowship and harmony with Him. Yet, apart from Christ Jesus, it is a consuming fire, which accuses and condemns you and threatens to destroy you utterly and forever. It exposes the darkness in your heart and mind, the self-idolatry and lack of love in your thoughts, words and deeds. It uncovers the nakedness of your sin and the stench of death that already clings to your carcass.
Apart from Christ, you are a corpse merely biding your time on the way to your grave (and far worse), separated from the living God and devoid of His life-giving Holy Spirit.
Who, then, shall save you from your body of death, from the darkness and damnation of your sin?
It is Jesus only, the beloved Son of the living God. He is the Holy One of Israel. He is the Christ, your Savior. He is the Glory of God — in Person — in the flesh. He is the sacrifice of Atonement, His Blood the New Covenant of peace and reconciliation with God. You are anointed with the Holy Spirit unto life, and you have fellowship with God the Father, only in Him.
Listen to Him. Hear what He says to you, and believe it.
Consider the touch of His hand (His Body given for you), and be raised up from the death of doubt and fear to life and hope and joy.
He has brought you through the waters out of Egypt. He has baptized you in the cloud and in the sea of His own Exodus, His Cross and Resurrection. He shall bring you, also, through the Jordan into Canaan, the Land that He has promised, flowing with milk and honey and every good thing.
Not Moses the Lawgiver, but this Joshua does it, who is the fulfillment of the Law. By His Gospel of the Cross, by His forgiveness of your sins, He brings you in with Himself.
He shall bring you up to the Mountain of God: not Sinai, but the true Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, His holy hill. Not consumed with fire and brimstone, lightning and thunder and billowing smoke, but bathed in the beauty of His holiness and cloaked with the radiance of His righteousness, innocence and blessedness.
The time is not yet; but do not fret. Do not be afraid. Do not hide yourself away. Do not withdraw from the world and curl up within yourself. Do not lie there frozen, nor sit there dumbfounded.
See, here is Jesus. Stand up, and follow Him. He is your Pillar of Cloud by day and Fire by night.
He leads you forward by the way of the Cross. That is hard to understand, more difficult to bear, but it will not defeat you. It is the wood of the Cross by which He parts the sea and opens the Rock and pours down Manna from heaven. By the wood of the Cross that He defeats your enemies: sin, death, the devil and hell, the world with all its wickedness, the treachery of your own old Adam.
Cease your grumbling and complaining. The Lord has heard the cries and lamentations of your heart, and He has already acted mightily to save you by His outstretched arms. Better yet, close your mouth altogether, and open your ears. You have nothing worth saying until He has spoken and you have listened. Then, open your mouth and be fed. Eat from His hand, drink from His Cup. After He has filled you with Himself, confess what He has said, what He has done, what He has given.
Yes, you’re in the wilderness; and Jesus is with you all the way. You’ll not starve; He is feeding you. Your shoes will not wear out, your feet will not blister or swell, so long as you follow Him. Though an army encamp against you, do not fear. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is with you; the Lord God of Sabaoth is for you.
Lift up your eyes roundabout and see; you are surrounded by the Glory of the Lord: the great cloud of His witnesses, His saints: Moses and Elijah, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Samuel and David, Peter, James and John, Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, Stephen and Paul, Timothy and Titus — a multitude of disciples from every nation, tribe and tongue (which no man could count, but God has each one numbered).
All of them have been transfigured by the Cross of Christ to share His Resurrection and His Life. You, also, are being transfigured by His Cross. Not yet outwardly — for your mortal flesh is wasting away — but inwardly you are renewed, day by day, in hope and expectation of the glory that shall be revealed in you (body and soul) in the Resurrection.
Here is the surety given to you: the Word of Christ in your ears, in your heart, and in your mouth (for He is not far away but near to you); the Body of Christ, His precious Blood, given and poured out for you, for the forgiveness of all your sins. He stretches out His hand, not to harm you, but to save.
To eat and drink in His presence — to feast upon Him, who is the Lord your God in the flesh — this, already, is a foretaste of the neverending Feast to come. It is the endless Sabbath Rest that remains for the people of God. It is the fellowship with God that is your life and your salvation.
Arise, and do not fear, but live.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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