Comfort of God’s Word

We always need the comfort of God’s Word. Help your fellow parishioners hear that comfort all week long. We’ve produced a bulletin insert for  Issues, Etc.,  Lutheran Public Radio and The Word of the Lord Endures Forever. Click here to download, print and make copies.

Suffering Servant

[Jesus said] "I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a Baptism to be baptized with, and how great is My distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." (Luke 12:49-53)

Jesus has had a long day preaching to the crowds. Soon He will head for Jerusalem for the last time. Jesus is looking ahead, and what does He see? A mysterious "baptism" Jesus is looking forward to with such distress—and what is that but His suffering and death on the cross? Jesus will die and rise again at Jerusalem, so that we too—all of us who trust in Him—will live.

And then what? Fire. Pentecost, when the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit begins to spread throughout the world as the Gospel goes out to all nations.

And in its wake, not peace but division. A world that is dead in the darkness is peaceful, isn't it? There is no conflict there. But in the wake of the Gospel, there will be conflict—because some will see the light, will come alive, and believe—and their families will resent that faith and do their best to kill it.

This isn't a peaceful future Jesus is looking forward to—and yet it is a good one. It is a future full of life and hope, the future we are living right now—as we wait for Jesus to return.

THE PRAYER: Lord, help us during this time of division to remember Your sacrifice and rejoice in Your purifying light. Amen.

(Source: Lutheran Hour Ministries)

The View from a Mountain

Jesus took with Him, Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. Matthew 17: 1 - 2

When we find ourselves in the valleys of mental depression, God wants to lead us to mountaintops so that we can see our life in a clearer perspective.  Our worship in God's house is such an experience, for the church is a spiritual Mount Zion set in the midst of our world.  Outside of church, we often experience such vantage points when special occasions occur - a promotion in our work, recognition of services performed, the celebration of a birthday.  And when we mark 25 or 50 years of married life or observe other anniversaries, we are standing on mountaintops; we can see from where we have come, where we are now, and where we are going.

High points in life, however, are not the only times when we can have a good perspective.  Unpleasant experiences - sickness, loss, a deep disappointment - also can give us a better view of life, if we rise from the "dumps" and let God show us His love.  These are pauses that refresh, moments when we can say, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help" (Ps. 121:1)

When God's people were about to enter the land of promise, He said to Moses, "Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession" (Deut. 32:49),  What thrill it was for Moses to see the land from end to end!

Inspiration Point in Yosemite Park offers a spectacular view of the 7,500 foot high granite monolith called El Capitan and the Bridalveil Falls.  There is an inspiration point in your life too.  It is the upward look, the look to Jesus the Lamb of God, to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our salvation.  He who gave His life for us and rose again is the high point in our lives.

(Source: Each Day with Jesus Daily Devotions)