I do recommend the movie, "School of Rock," starring the generally hilarious Jack Black, but that's not what this post is about. It's basically a little stress relief in the midst of too many far more important things, and a bit of a break after finishing my fifteen hymnwriter biographies.
The recent release of Chinese Democracy, finally, has had me reminiscing and waxing nostalgic on my personal rock 'n' roll history. I've been fondly thinking back on the bands and records and songs that have more or less defined rock 'n' roll for me and set the standard by which I measure the rest of what's out there.
True to form, I've come up with a list. Since I like the number twenty-four, that's how long it is. Being entirely subjective, and of no eternal significance, there's no "wrong answer" here." I welcome comments from the peanut gallery, or peanuts in the comment gallery; readers may even post their own lists, if they like. It's only rock 'n' roll, but I like it.
Just a few more introductory remarks, and then I'll post my list of four-and-twenty rockers. I've not included anyone who wasn't around by the early 1990s, for all sorts of reasons that I won't bother to explain. I have included a number of folks from the 1960s and 70s, even though I didn't discover them for myself until the 80s. Some of these groups are simply unavoidable, because rock music wouldn't be what it is today without them. Others here probably wouldn't show up on someone else's list, but, as I say, this is a subjective exercise. I've included some bands that I'm not all that excited about, because I appreciate their contribution to the genre. Conversely, I've omitted some "obvious" choices, because I just don't care for them. The Boss, for example, should probably be counted here, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
So here's my School of Rock:
1. The Beatles
2. Led Zeppelin
3. Bon Jovi
4. Black Sabbath / Ozzy Osbourne
5. Def Leppard
6. Judas Priest
7. Guns 'n' Roses
8. Queen
9. Van Halen
10. Eric Clapton
11. The Rolling Stones
12. AC/DC
13. The Scorpions
14. Whitesnake
15. Cinderella
16. Quiet Riot
17. U2
18. Tesla
19. Aerosmith
20. Deep Purple
21. Metallica
22. Nirvana
23. KISS
24. Mötley Crüe
Which goes to show, perhaps, that I'm not quite the fuddy-duddy that some people think I am. Just don't put the rock band in the chancel! There I'm at home with Luther and Gerhardt, Nicolai and Heermann, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'll explain why some other time.
01 February 2009
31 January 2009
Be Quiet
Here is the special authority of Christ Jesus, who does not simply teach the Holy Scriptures, but fulfills them in Himself. Here, for example, we find Him keeping the Sabbath (in more ways than one), and using the Name of God rightly.
There is the special authority of the Law, which exposes and exacerbates the unclean spirit in you, the perverse flesh of your old Adam in your thoughts, words and deeds. For you strive to live by the Law, but you cannot keep it. So you become angry and afraid. You flaunt it, or despise it, or despair of it. You are quick to criticize and condemn others, because you are convinced that God is out to get you.
After all, listen to His Law, to what it commands, forbids and threatens you. And consider that He is the Holy One, who requires that you must be holy and perfect. Trying hard is never enough. Anything less than perfect is sinful and unclean. So what does that mean for you? Why has He come with this authority of His? Is He here, and does He speak, to destroy you?
These are the questions, not of those who go ignorantly about their lives in the world, but of those in the synagogue, who are gathered together before God and confronted by His Word.
He is here on this Sabbath, and His presence throws you into convulsions, because His Word brings to light the war that is waged in your members, that is, within your sinful flesh.
There is this sense in which He must destroy you; He must condemn and crush and crucify you. For if you are not thus brought to contrition and repentance, then you are lost altogether.
But it is not finally for that purpose that He has come. Nor is that His special authority as the Son of Man, the incarnate God, the crucified and risen Lord Christ.
He removes the unclean spirit from you, and He restores a new and right spirit within you, not by violence, threats or punishments against you, but with forgiveness of all your sins. That is why He has come: He is here to forgive you, in order to give you life.
It is true that His preaching of repentance puts you to death, but it does so in order to bring you into life with Him.
That is what He has done for you in your Baptism. There you were crucified, dead and buried with Him; and thereby are you raised with Him to newness of life. There He poured out His Holy Spirit generously upon you, and into you; and so does He drive out the unclean spirit of your sin, your unbelief, your guilt and shame, your wicked perversion, your death and despair.
Do not be afraid.
Do not hide yourself away from Him.
Do not shut your ears to His Word, nor drown out His voice with your own chatter, your endless discussions and debates, your angry arguments and accusations.
Listen to Him.
Be quiet and at peace. Be still, and know that He is God, your Savior.
He has willingly, lovingly, gone to the Cross and died for your transgressions. You didn't have to talk Him into it; He chose to go and do it for you, because He loves you. And He has been raised for you, also, for your justification, your reconciliation with God (and with one another).
His preaching and authority, which are so threatening and scary to you, return you to the death and resurrection of your Baptism. Which is to say that He unites you to Himself in His dying and rising, so that you are not destroyed forever, but you are forgiven and saved.
That is why His Church is the true synagogue, and His Gospel is the true Sabbath. For by the authority of His Cross and Resurrection, in His Name, you are forgiven. Even your death cannot destroy you, and the devil cannot accuse you, because God does not count your sins against you.
You are forgiven. You are innocent. You are holy and righteous. You are alive. You are free.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
There is the special authority of the Law, which exposes and exacerbates the unclean spirit in you, the perverse flesh of your old Adam in your thoughts, words and deeds. For you strive to live by the Law, but you cannot keep it. So you become angry and afraid. You flaunt it, or despise it, or despair of it. You are quick to criticize and condemn others, because you are convinced that God is out to get you.
After all, listen to His Law, to what it commands, forbids and threatens you. And consider that He is the Holy One, who requires that you must be holy and perfect. Trying hard is never enough. Anything less than perfect is sinful and unclean. So what does that mean for you? Why has He come with this authority of His? Is He here, and does He speak, to destroy you?
These are the questions, not of those who go ignorantly about their lives in the world, but of those in the synagogue, who are gathered together before God and confronted by His Word.
He is here on this Sabbath, and His presence throws you into convulsions, because His Word brings to light the war that is waged in your members, that is, within your sinful flesh.
There is this sense in which He must destroy you; He must condemn and crush and crucify you. For if you are not thus brought to contrition and repentance, then you are lost altogether.
But it is not finally for that purpose that He has come. Nor is that His special authority as the Son of Man, the incarnate God, the crucified and risen Lord Christ.
He removes the unclean spirit from you, and He restores a new and right spirit within you, not by violence, threats or punishments against you, but with forgiveness of all your sins. That is why He has come: He is here to forgive you, in order to give you life.
It is true that His preaching of repentance puts you to death, but it does so in order to bring you into life with Him.
That is what He has done for you in your Baptism. There you were crucified, dead and buried with Him; and thereby are you raised with Him to newness of life. There He poured out His Holy Spirit generously upon you, and into you; and so does He drive out the unclean spirit of your sin, your unbelief, your guilt and shame, your wicked perversion, your death and despair.
Do not be afraid.
Do not hide yourself away from Him.
Do not shut your ears to His Word, nor drown out His voice with your own chatter, your endless discussions and debates, your angry arguments and accusations.
Listen to Him.
Be quiet and at peace. Be still, and know that He is God, your Savior.
He has willingly, lovingly, gone to the Cross and died for your transgressions. You didn't have to talk Him into it; He chose to go and do it for you, because He loves you. And He has been raised for you, also, for your justification, your reconciliation with God (and with one another).
His preaching and authority, which are so threatening and scary to you, return you to the death and resurrection of your Baptism. Which is to say that He unites you to Himself in His dying and rising, so that you are not destroyed forever, but you are forgiven and saved.
That is why His Church is the true synagogue, and His Gospel is the true Sabbath. For by the authority of His Cross and Resurrection, in His Name, you are forgiven. Even your death cannot destroy you, and the devil cannot accuse you, because God does not count your sins against you.
You are forgiven. You are innocent. You are holy and righteous. You are alive. You are free.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
24 January 2009
The Kingdom of God Is at Hand
The point and purpose of creation — which is life with God, in love — is fulfilled in the Incarnation, the Cross and Resurrection of God the Son.
The Kingdom of God is at hand, therefore, in the resurrected Body of Christ Jesus, which is declared and delivered to you in the preaching of repentance in His Name.
There is both threat and promise in that announcement, in the coming of that Kingdom; because it means the end of the world as you know it, and the judgment of all that you fear, love and trust.
Repent, therefore, and believe the Gospel.
But what does that mean?
Die to the world, and live unto God in Christ.
But again, what does that mean?
It is rooted in the Cross and Resurrection of Christ Himself. That is your justification and repentance.
It is accomplished for you and established for you in Baptism, which is the means of your justification and the form of your repentance, for the forgiveness of all your sins.
But what does that mean for you? What does it look like in your life?
Hold on loosely, but don’t let go. Live in the world, but not of it. Make use of God’s good creation and His good gifts, but not as though your life depended on anything other than Him alone.
Be faithful to your spouse and children, your family and friends, your station in life, and your neighbors in the world. But do it for God’s sake, in Jesus’ name, and not for idolatrous affection.
Love your wife or husband, your sons and daughters, your father and mother, your neighbor, because God has commanded it. And, thus, not more than you love Him, nor ever at odds with His Word.
Be concerned chiefly with the things of the Lord. Be ready, then, to leave your home and family, your father and his fishing nets, your nearest and dearest kin, and whatever else it is to which you cling, in order to follow Christ Jesus at His Word.
Normally, His Word directs you to love and serve those very people.
Do it.
Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
Find your life and love in Him, above all else. Not in this world, nor in its kings and kingdoms, big or small, but in the Kingdom of God, which is at hand; which is here.
It has been accomplished and fulfilled, and established here on earth, in the flesh of Christ; in His Cross and Resurrection; in His holy Body and precious Blood.
It is yours in the waters of your Baptism, in your death and resurrection with Christ Jesus. That is where you find your life: In His Gospel, by faith; in repentance and the forgiveness of all your sins.
That is the net in which you have been caught, for life and salvation with God.
That is the net which is "mended," in so far as you are concerned, by the daily preaching and catechesis of the Word of Christ; by confession and absolution.
That is where and how you live, by His grace, in the eating of His Body and the drinking of His Blood, in which all of creation is fulfilled for you. Indeed, the promise is for you and for your children.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Kingdom of God is at hand, therefore, in the resurrected Body of Christ Jesus, which is declared and delivered to you in the preaching of repentance in His Name.
There is both threat and promise in that announcement, in the coming of that Kingdom; because it means the end of the world as you know it, and the judgment of all that you fear, love and trust.
Repent, therefore, and believe the Gospel.
But what does that mean?
Die to the world, and live unto God in Christ.
But again, what does that mean?
It is rooted in the Cross and Resurrection of Christ Himself. That is your justification and repentance.
It is accomplished for you and established for you in Baptism, which is the means of your justification and the form of your repentance, for the forgiveness of all your sins.
But what does that mean for you? What does it look like in your life?
Hold on loosely, but don’t let go. Live in the world, but not of it. Make use of God’s good creation and His good gifts, but not as though your life depended on anything other than Him alone.
Be faithful to your spouse and children, your family and friends, your station in life, and your neighbors in the world. But do it for God’s sake, in Jesus’ name, and not for idolatrous affection.
Love your wife or husband, your sons and daughters, your father and mother, your neighbor, because God has commanded it. And, thus, not more than you love Him, nor ever at odds with His Word.
Be concerned chiefly with the things of the Lord. Be ready, then, to leave your home and family, your father and his fishing nets, your nearest and dearest kin, and whatever else it is to which you cling, in order to follow Christ Jesus at His Word.
Normally, His Word directs you to love and serve those very people.
Do it.
Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
Find your life and love in Him, above all else. Not in this world, nor in its kings and kingdoms, big or small, but in the Kingdom of God, which is at hand; which is here.
It has been accomplished and fulfilled, and established here on earth, in the flesh of Christ; in His Cross and Resurrection; in His holy Body and precious Blood.
It is yours in the waters of your Baptism, in your death and resurrection with Christ Jesus. That is where you find your life: In His Gospel, by faith; in repentance and the forgiveness of all your sins.
That is the net in which you have been caught, for life and salvation with God.
That is the net which is "mended," in so far as you are concerned, by the daily preaching and catechesis of the Word of Christ; by confession and absolution.
That is where and how you live, by His grace, in the eating of His Body and the drinking of His Blood, in which all of creation is fulfilled for you. Indeed, the promise is for you and for your children.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Sign of Jonah and His Sons
When a man is called and sent to preach repentance in the Name of the Lord, he must first be called and brought to repentance, himself. He must be drowned and die in the waters, then rise and emerge to the newness of life in Christ. For it is really the Cross and Resurrection of Christ that are preached in the preaching of repentance. The Cross and Resurrection of Christ are justification and repentance, forgiveness and life.
So the preacher of repentance must be swallowed up and spit out, before he can preach the death and life which are in Christ Jesus, our Lord. The preacher must be humbled and exalted by the Word that he is called and sent to preach. For his preaching and baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins point to the flesh and blood of the Crucified One, who bears the sins of the world in His own Body from the waters of the Jordan to the Cross. It is when the preacher suffers the Cross and dies that the Kingdom of God is at hand in the preaching of Christ Jesus.
When the preacher is thus humbled and exalted, killed and made alive, buried and raised by the One who sent him, by the One who humbled Himself and died and rose again, then he knows the mercies of God which are the point and purpose of his preaching of repentance. He shall not prevent the Cross, but bear it and preach it as the power of God unto salvation. He does not flee from his hard office, nor regret the reconciliation of sinners unto God in Christ, but rather delights in the patient loving-kindness and long-suffering compassion of the Lord.
From Joppa to Nineveh, from Caesarea to Rome, and even to the ends of the earth, what God has cleansed by the blood of the Christ and by His Word of forgiveness shall not be called unclean, but shall be clean indeed. For the Lord our God is merciful to all who call upon Him. To that end, He calls and sends His Prophets and Apostles, and the sons of the Prophets in the footsteps of the Apostles, to bear the Sign of Jonah in their bodies and preaching, at the font and from the altar, in their lives and from their mouths. That man should not die forever, but live, to the glory of God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.
So the preacher of repentance must be swallowed up and spit out, before he can preach the death and life which are in Christ Jesus, our Lord. The preacher must be humbled and exalted by the Word that he is called and sent to preach. For his preaching and baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins point to the flesh and blood of the Crucified One, who bears the sins of the world in His own Body from the waters of the Jordan to the Cross. It is when the preacher suffers the Cross and dies that the Kingdom of God is at hand in the preaching of Christ Jesus.
When the preacher is thus humbled and exalted, killed and made alive, buried and raised by the One who sent him, by the One who humbled Himself and died and rose again, then he knows the mercies of God which are the point and purpose of his preaching of repentance. He shall not prevent the Cross, but bear it and preach it as the power of God unto salvation. He does not flee from his hard office, nor regret the reconciliation of sinners unto God in Christ, but rather delights in the patient loving-kindness and long-suffering compassion of the Lord.
From Joppa to Nineveh, from Caesarea to Rome, and even to the ends of the earth, what God has cleansed by the blood of the Christ and by His Word of forgiveness shall not be called unclean, but shall be clean indeed. For the Lord our God is merciful to all who call upon Him. To that end, He calls and sends His Prophets and Apostles, and the sons of the Prophets in the footsteps of the Apostles, to bear the Sign of Jonah in their bodies and preaching, at the font and from the altar, in their lives and from their mouths. That man should not die forever, but live, to the glory of God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 January 2009
Sweet Child of Mine
Today my Beanie Belle is twenty-two, and I had the special privilege of taking her out for lunch at the Granite City in Fort Wayne. Especially since she first went away to college, it has been one of my favorite treats to take my daughter out for a meal. I enjoyed the opportunities to do so while she was going to school in Bloomington, and now, somehow, it seems all the more profound a joy. Her wonderful husband, Sam, is treating her to a night on the town this evening, but for me there was the pleasure of escorting her to lunch. Not only do I always treasure the time I get to spend with her, but such occasions are a comforting reassurance of the place I still have in her life as her Daddy. Call me an old softy, but there is nothing in this life on earth more precious to me than that.
I am constantly amazed at the uniqueness of the father-daughter relationship. As many country songs as there are about it, the peculiar bond and affection of a daddy for his little girl can never be fully or adequately captured or expressed. I marvel at the way DoRena just glows and radiates life and happiness, and that not only because she's seven months pregnant with my first grandchild. She's simply beautiful, as she has been since the day she was born.
My Beanie Belle is all grown up, graduated from college, married and having a baby of her own, but she still is my "little girl," not only in my fond memories of her childhood, but in my heart and in my eyes. I can hardly imagine a greater gladness than I feel when I see the twinkle in her eyes and that pretty smile of hers that permeates her whole face. To see her happy makes me happy. Today I was reminded, again, how very proud I am of her, how pleased I am for her and Sam and their life together, and how privileged I am to be her father.
I am constantly amazed at the uniqueness of the father-daughter relationship. As many country songs as there are about it, the peculiar bond and affection of a daddy for his little girl can never be fully or adequately captured or expressed. I marvel at the way DoRena just glows and radiates life and happiness, and that not only because she's seven months pregnant with my first grandchild. She's simply beautiful, as she has been since the day she was born.
My Beanie Belle is all grown up, graduated from college, married and having a baby of her own, but she still is my "little girl," not only in my fond memories of her childhood, but in my heart and in my eyes. I can hardly imagine a greater gladness than I feel when I see the twinkle in her eyes and that pretty smile of hers that permeates her whole face. To see her happy makes me happy. Today I was reminded, again, how very proud I am of her, how pleased I am for her and Sam and their life together, and how privileged I am to be her father.
17 January 2009
Well, Wha'd'ya Know? Axl Rose Can Still Rock 'n' Roll
I've long since stopped expecting anything from Axl Rose. How many years has Chinese Democracy been in the works? The guy has a great voice, but he was making more headlines with his moody antics and temper-tantrums than with his singing for what seemed like years on end. He's actually made it pretty easy not to like him. By contrast, I was thrilled for his former bandmates when they put Velvet Revolver together; they've already put out two solid records, which rock. And Slash has that cool cameo on Daughtry: What's not to like?
So I'm eating my hat a bit, having snagged Chinese Democracy and started listening to it today. I've been seeing it mentioned here and there recently, and my curiosity was piqued by its many positive reviews on Amazon.com. Could it actually be worth a go? I ordered a used copy from some vendor out west, and it arrived in the mail this afternoon. I'm only about two-thirds of the way through it, since that's the extent of the time that I've spent in my car since popping the CD in my player. But, hey, even if it goes downhill from this point on, I'll still be impressed and pleased to own it.
It hardly seems right to think of it as a Guns 'n' Roses record, since Axl is the only member left; notwithstanding that it was his band to begin with. Velvet Revolver has three or four of the original members, but I don't think of them as Guns 'n' Roses, either. The fact is, Axl sounds like Guns 'n' Roses, with or without the rest of the guys. He's apparently still got the chops, 'cause that boy can wail. Wow! Granted, it's more like Use Your Illusion than Appetite for Destruction, but there's a range of material on Chinese Democracy, which showcases Axl's versatility. I haven't read the liner notes to know who his players are, but he's put together a good band for this effort. I'm guessing it must be "Buckethead" on guitar, at least on some of the tracks; whoever it is, he knows what he's doing. There's even something vaguely reminiscent of Slash about it.
No, Chinese Democracy doesn't rock like Appetite for Destruction. But, to be fair, nothing has rocked like Appetite for Destruction since, well, since Appetite for Destruction. I still remember coming across that incredible record for the first time, in Lincoln, Nebraska, with my friend Joel. It was a bit naughty, even a little raunchy in spots, but what a seminal rock 'n' roll piece of work that thing was! I really wish that kind of creativity and raw energy didn't so often go hand-in-hand with debauchery. Even so, Appetite for Destruction was one of those rare, one-of-a-kind events, which basically redefined rock music for the coming decade or more.
That's not the case with Chinese Democracy. Nevertheless, it's a decent piece of work in its own right, and I'll give Axl his due. The wait for this puppy was more than a little extreme, but, now that I have it in hand, I'm glad it finally made it to the finish line. I'm enjoying it, and that's what popular music is for (entertainment). I suspect that my Zach might like it, too, and maybe even his rockin' little sister-in-law. Perhaps I'll snag a used copy for him, for old time's sake. He was born a year or so after Appetite for Destruction was released, and I'm sure he must have spent a fair portion of his infancy and toddlerhood listening to it with me. It didn't rot his brains or stunt his growth, so I guess all's well that ends well.
So I'm eating my hat a bit, having snagged Chinese Democracy and started listening to it today. I've been seeing it mentioned here and there recently, and my curiosity was piqued by its many positive reviews on Amazon.com. Could it actually be worth a go? I ordered a used copy from some vendor out west, and it arrived in the mail this afternoon. I'm only about two-thirds of the way through it, since that's the extent of the time that I've spent in my car since popping the CD in my player. But, hey, even if it goes downhill from this point on, I'll still be impressed and pleased to own it.
It hardly seems right to think of it as a Guns 'n' Roses record, since Axl is the only member left; notwithstanding that it was his band to begin with. Velvet Revolver has three or four of the original members, but I don't think of them as Guns 'n' Roses, either. The fact is, Axl sounds like Guns 'n' Roses, with or without the rest of the guys. He's apparently still got the chops, 'cause that boy can wail. Wow! Granted, it's more like Use Your Illusion than Appetite for Destruction, but there's a range of material on Chinese Democracy, which showcases Axl's versatility. I haven't read the liner notes to know who his players are, but he's put together a good band for this effort. I'm guessing it must be "Buckethead" on guitar, at least on some of the tracks; whoever it is, he knows what he's doing. There's even something vaguely reminiscent of Slash about it.
No, Chinese Democracy doesn't rock like Appetite for Destruction. But, to be fair, nothing has rocked like Appetite for Destruction since, well, since Appetite for Destruction. I still remember coming across that incredible record for the first time, in Lincoln, Nebraska, with my friend Joel. It was a bit naughty, even a little raunchy in spots, but what a seminal rock 'n' roll piece of work that thing was! I really wish that kind of creativity and raw energy didn't so often go hand-in-hand with debauchery. Even so, Appetite for Destruction was one of those rare, one-of-a-kind events, which basically redefined rock music for the coming decade or more.
That's not the case with Chinese Democracy. Nevertheless, it's a decent piece of work in its own right, and I'll give Axl his due. The wait for this puppy was more than a little extreme, but, now that I have it in hand, I'm glad it finally made it to the finish line. I'm enjoying it, and that's what popular music is for (entertainment). I suspect that my Zach might like it, too, and maybe even his rockin' little sister-in-law. Perhaps I'll snag a used copy for him, for old time's sake. He was born a year or so after Appetite for Destruction was released, and I'm sure he must have spent a fair portion of his infancy and toddlerhood listening to it with me. It didn't rot his brains or stunt his growth, so I guess all's well that ends well.
You Will See the Heavens Opened
The Lord sees you and knows you — and He loves you — before you have ever heard of Him.
He desires and purposes to seek you out and find you, by His grace, because He loves you. He comes to you, in and with His Word, and He calls you to Himself — to live and abide with Him.
He opens heaven to you — by His Baptism, His Cross and Resurrection — and He reveals God the Father to you in Himself, in His own flesh and blood, by the speaking of His Word.
He is the fulfillment of the Law and of all that God has spoken in the past by Moses and the Prophets. But now He reveals greater things than even these, by His Word of the Gospel, by the Ministry of His sent ones, to and for His disciples; to those whom He has called to Himself, to follow Him by faith in His Word.
As He is speaking to you, listen.
As He is calling you to Himself, come and follow.
As He reveals the Father and opens heaven to you, behold and believe.
That’s the hard part, though, isn’t it? To see it and feel it and trust it?
Your experience contradicts the Word of the Lord, and so your expectations are very different than His promises.
The desires and demands of your flesh are more immediate and tangible. They press upon you hard and exercise a powerful influence, the more so as you pursue it.
Then there are the frailties and failings of your flesh, and that not only in your body, but in your heart and mind; in your thoughts, words & deeds.
Instead of running to Christ in faith, hope and love, you are sorely tempted to run away from Him and hide in terrible fear. Instead of following Him as a disciple, walking in the way of grace and truth, you are prone to walk after the desires of your mortal flesh. You chase the hunger of your stomach and the lust of your heart, though none of that will last for long; nor can it save you.
All of this is what you see and feel: your sin, and death, whether you revel in it or shudder in revulsion of it.
Where is the heaven that Jesus has opened for you? Where is the life that He has gotten for you? Where is the promise of His coming?
It is all right here. Come and see. Listen, O servant, your Lord is speaking.
Do not become cynical or callous. Do not harden your heart to His Word. Do not despair, nor become bitter. But hear and believe, and live.
What do you want? A fortune teller? A mind reader?
Here there are better things than these. Here is the One who knows your heart and mind; who knows your sins; who knows you better than you know yourself — who loves you; who gives you a future and a hope, because He forgives you all of your sins (of thought, word and deed).
You are forgiven. You shall not die, but live.
In love, He does provide for the cares and concerns of your body. He gives you food and clothing, shelter and protection. (You, then, do the same for your neighbor.) But He does all of this for your body, because He does far greater things than these.
With food and clothing be content, but your body and life are more than these. Your body is for the Lord, because the Lord is for your body. He cleanses and heals your body with water and His Word, and He clothes your body with His righteousness, and He feeds your body with Himself, with His own Body.
True, you cannot see it with your eyes (yet), but hear what His Word says to you: This Body of Christ is given for you. This Blood of Christ is poured out for you, for the forgiveness of all your sins.
As He was baptized in this Body for you, so has He been crucified in this flesh and blood, and so has He been raised bodily from the dead.
He was buried in the dust of the earth, but He has opened the grave in His Resurrection, because His Cross and Passion have opened heaven to you — to both your body and soul.
This Body of Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, and for all of your sins.
This Body of Christ is the First-born of the Resurrection, the First-fruits of the New Creation.
Therefore, this same Body of Christ — conceived and born of Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate, risen from the dead and ascended to the Father — this Body of Christ is for you the very gate of heaven.
Here is the Temple of God, open for you, on earth as it is in heaven.
Here is where the angels of God take their starting point, and to here they return, ascending and descending upon this Body of Christ, given for you.
He is your true King, who serves you with this flesh and blood. He is the Son of God, who forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases, and gives you divine, eternal life. He is the Lord, who speaks to you in love.
Open your ears, and be taught. Open your mouth, and be fed. Taste and see that the Lord is good, and His mercy toward you is forever.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
He desires and purposes to seek you out and find you, by His grace, because He loves you. He comes to you, in and with His Word, and He calls you to Himself — to live and abide with Him.
He opens heaven to you — by His Baptism, His Cross and Resurrection — and He reveals God the Father to you in Himself, in His own flesh and blood, by the speaking of His Word.
He is the fulfillment of the Law and of all that God has spoken in the past by Moses and the Prophets. But now He reveals greater things than even these, by His Word of the Gospel, by the Ministry of His sent ones, to and for His disciples; to those whom He has called to Himself, to follow Him by faith in His Word.
As He is speaking to you, listen.
As He is calling you to Himself, come and follow.
As He reveals the Father and opens heaven to you, behold and believe.
That’s the hard part, though, isn’t it? To see it and feel it and trust it?
Your experience contradicts the Word of the Lord, and so your expectations are very different than His promises.
The desires and demands of your flesh are more immediate and tangible. They press upon you hard and exercise a powerful influence, the more so as you pursue it.
Then there are the frailties and failings of your flesh, and that not only in your body, but in your heart and mind; in your thoughts, words & deeds.
Instead of running to Christ in faith, hope and love, you are sorely tempted to run away from Him and hide in terrible fear. Instead of following Him as a disciple, walking in the way of grace and truth, you are prone to walk after the desires of your mortal flesh. You chase the hunger of your stomach and the lust of your heart, though none of that will last for long; nor can it save you.
All of this is what you see and feel: your sin, and death, whether you revel in it or shudder in revulsion of it.
Where is the heaven that Jesus has opened for you? Where is the life that He has gotten for you? Where is the promise of His coming?
It is all right here. Come and see. Listen, O servant, your Lord is speaking.
Do not become cynical or callous. Do not harden your heart to His Word. Do not despair, nor become bitter. But hear and believe, and live.
What do you want? A fortune teller? A mind reader?
Here there are better things than these. Here is the One who knows your heart and mind; who knows your sins; who knows you better than you know yourself — who loves you; who gives you a future and a hope, because He forgives you all of your sins (of thought, word and deed).
You are forgiven. You shall not die, but live.
In love, He does provide for the cares and concerns of your body. He gives you food and clothing, shelter and protection. (You, then, do the same for your neighbor.) But He does all of this for your body, because He does far greater things than these.
With food and clothing be content, but your body and life are more than these. Your body is for the Lord, because the Lord is for your body. He cleanses and heals your body with water and His Word, and He clothes your body with His righteousness, and He feeds your body with Himself, with His own Body.
True, you cannot see it with your eyes (yet), but hear what His Word says to you: This Body of Christ is given for you. This Blood of Christ is poured out for you, for the forgiveness of all your sins.
As He was baptized in this Body for you, so has He been crucified in this flesh and blood, and so has He been raised bodily from the dead.
He was buried in the dust of the earth, but He has opened the grave in His Resurrection, because His Cross and Passion have opened heaven to you — to both your body and soul.
This Body of Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, and for all of your sins.
This Body of Christ is the First-born of the Resurrection, the First-fruits of the New Creation.
Therefore, this same Body of Christ — conceived and born of Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate, risen from the dead and ascended to the Father — this Body of Christ is for you the very gate of heaven.
Here is the Temple of God, open for you, on earth as it is in heaven.
Here is where the angels of God take their starting point, and to here they return, ascending and descending upon this Body of Christ, given for you.
He is your true King, who serves you with this flesh and blood. He is the Son of God, who forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases, and gives you divine, eternal life. He is the Lord, who speaks to you in love.
Open your ears, and be taught. Open your mouth, and be fed. Taste and see that the Lord is good, and His mercy toward you is forever.
In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)