Pentecost 13-St. John 6:51-58

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

‘The Jews therefore began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”’ (V. 52)

It is a strange claim that is made here by these Jewish hearers of Jesus’ words. As we know, Jesus speaks to them of the coming institution of the Lord’s Supper. We understand this because of our instruction in Lutheran doctrine as written for us in the Scripture and our Confessions. These people here ought to have seen this. After all, they had the whole Old Testament, which as Jesus tells us at the end of St. Luke; this speaks entirely of Him.

Sadly, as I mentioned last week, these people did not have ears to hear.

They could not make the connections from what Jesus said to what their own lawgiver, Moses and all the prophets had spoken to them over the past centuries. Those words that they had learned in Hebrew school and heard read each week at Synagogue. Their hearts were sadly hardened by their sin against the true faith. They had been lead too long by false shepherds to hear the True Shepherd when He came (Ezek. 36:1-31).

It is a strange claim that is made today by certain politically left extremists. There are some who have chosen not to eat meat for one reason or other that consider the eating of meat by others to be cannibalism. It is the eating of meat that these people consider to be cannibalism. This is because they view animals as being on the same level as humans. All of this is unnecessary and even contrary to Scripture. The Father makes it clear that the animals are our inferiors in the order of creation. They were created for our enjoyment and to serve us (Gen. 1-2). As well, since the Noahaic covenant after the flood, animals have been given for us to eat (Gen. 9:2-4).

It is the same claim as we hear made in our Gospel lesson against Jesus.

‘The eyes of all look to Thee, and Thou dost give them their food in due time.’ (Ps. 145:15)

This is a passage from the Psalms that these Jews would have known well. It speaks to us of the food given to feed our bodies. This is the kind of food given at the beginning of this sermon of Jesus with the feeding of this multitude. Jesus filled their bodies first, then He fed their minds and souls.

That is the other part of this passage. All creatures look to the Father for their food to be given as needed. In our case, this does not simply refer to food for our tummies. This also refers to spiritual food. This is the sort of food that Jesus now speaks of to us in our lesson.

‘Jesus therefore said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."’ (Vv. 53-54)

Jesus again becomes more and more blunt with these people. He does this that He might break through their hard hearts and bring them to the faith. This was not to be, as you know. They did not come to faith that day but abandoned their following of Jesus. They may have return to follow Jesus later on, but we do not know. It is as if Jesus is saying, “How indeed, it may be eaten, and what may be the mode of eating this bread, you are ignorant of”. Nevertheless, Jesus continues to tell them that this is a sacramental, spiritual eating of His body and drinking of His blood.

This is the eating of the Sacrament of the Altar, as we know. This had not come yet so even Jesus closest disciples, the Twelve, would not have fully understood these words if at all. They stuck with Him regardless of how much they understood of His words.

To be sure, Jesus did not speak these words to corpses but rather to living men. As well, Jesus did not speak these words to those ignorant of the Old Testament Scriptures. Rather, Jesus speaks these words to the men of the community. Those who would have been in the best position to know and understand the Word of God.

Yet, none of them did.

These were the people who went out after all the false christs who appeared before the coming of the true Christ, Jesus the Son born of Mary. They were used to fantastic claims but this one beat all! This was beyond what any others had claimed before the True Messiah. There is a reason though that Jesus does not simply say that those who eat and drink of Him shall have eternal life. Jesus did not want anyone to misunderstand again and think that those who do this will live forever in this body. So, He adds the last part, ‘“I will raise him on the last day”’. This makes it clear to us that yes, we will be truly alive if we eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood. No, we will not forever live in this life. We will still die like all others.[1]

This means in practice for you and me that in spite of our being sinners, Christ lives in each of us. After all, each of you has eaten your Lord’s Body and Blood in faith. Because of this, you are in Christ as Christ is in you. So, you live because of Him who lives in you.[2]

‘“For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.”’ (V. 55)

This takes us back to the miraculous meal, which began this whole discourse of Jesus. At that time, when Jesus had the people sit down in ordered groups; He fed them bread and fish. Now, Jesus tells them what the true food and true drink is. It is not that kind of meal that they had just taken part in. It is this mystical, sacramental food and drink of which Jesus now teaches them about.

Now Jesus continues on to explain how this could be. He has told them what is the reality. How a person is given eternal life. Now Jesus tells you and me how each of us receive this thing that Jesus wishes to bless us with.

This is how we receive this eternal life. We eat Jesus’ body and drink His blood. This is how we are made to dwell in Jesus. This is how Jesus comes to dwell in each of us (cf. 1 Cor. 11:27). As we eat of the One loaf which is Christ, He comes to make His home in you by His Holy Spirit. So, each of us who eat faithfully receive blessing and eternal life through Christ (Eph. 1:7).[3]

‘Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! … To Him be the glory forever. Amen.’ (Rom. 11:33, 36)

What great gifts each of us has been given because we have been brought to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit (SC II: 3rd). For the riches of our faith, not simply those given in the Sacraments, which are primary. Those gifts are forgiveness of sins, salvation from sin death and the devil, and eternal life. There is more of the gifts of God. We also praise our gracious God for all the many gifts given to each of you and to me and to all the Christian faithful (Eph. 1:3-10) because we are now washed and made clean and adopted as Sons of God (Gal. 4:4-7). We who believe on every word which comes forth from the mouth of our God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:3-5) and has been recorded for us in the Bible. The faithful will not turn aside to cleverly devised myths at the end. Rather, you will endure until the end, clinging to the truth. We have received the inheritance of heaven! ‘To Him be the glory forever’ indeed.

We as Christians do not foolishly think that our blessed Savior speaks of earthly cannibalism. Instead:
‘We all know, we who possess complete faith in Christ,
That as we approach eager for the mystic bread
And in addition take the cup of salvation,
If we are of pure heart and without dissimulation
We are all participants of the flesh and blood
Of Christ with faith in Him, and we hope
From this a life like that of the angels;
For, in very truth, the body of the One who suffered,
The very holy Body of Jesus Christ is
The heavenly bread of immortality.’[4]

All this poetry is simply to say, unlike the crowds that day, your heart and mine has been made whole. We now have had our stony hearts removed and replaced by living hearts (Ezek. 11:17-21). We have ears to hear what Jesus seeks to teach.

This passage illustrates for us what the reality of the holy Supper is for us. We are the slaves of the master who have been invited to a feast. This is the first remarkable thing. We all know that if we hold a dinner party and hire workers to serve the food and the drink, it is assumed that they would not be eating. No matter how long the party lasts, only the invited guests are allowed to eat. It is not the place of the hired workers to join in the party. So it is also with our master and us. Yet, it is still reality that this feast has been put on by our Master for you and the food He provides is Himself.

Who among us would dare eat with his master? Yet, here Jesus says to us ‘“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me.”’ (V. 57)

Jesus is saying to us, “When you eat Me, you eat life. When I am eaten, I nourish without diminishing”. Jesus is not killed in order to be eaten, but He brings life to the dead.[5] So, when we celebrate our Lord’s Supper we eat Christ and we live. We have life, forgiveness and salvation given to each of us because of Him (SC IV).

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] NPNF 1 7:172-3.
[2] ACCS NT vol. IVa p. 240. Philoxenus of Mabbug, On the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
[3] Ibid. St. Augustine Tractates on the Gospel of John 26.17-18.
[4] Ibid, p. 243. Romanus Melodus, Kontakion On the Multiplication of Loaves 13.1-3.
[5] Ibid, p. 242. St. Augustine Sermons 132.1.

Response to the ELCA decision from Concordia Theological Seminary

For Immediate ReleaseAugust 26, 2009

Concordia Theological Seminary Responds to Actions at ELCA ConventionFORT WAYNE, IN (CTS)

‹As Christians in an ever-changing world it is imperative that we be ready with a response when those changes are contraryto God's word. The Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President, ConcordiaTheological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, stresses that we must also make that response with clarity and charity. A video of Dr. Wenthe's response to actions at the recent convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) may be found at the seminary's website, www.ctsfw.edu<http://www.ctsfw.edu/> .³

Concordia Theological Seminary, with the Christian church throughout history, confesses the sanctity of marriage as a union between a man and a woman God's gift of marriage at creation is a beautiful and abiding blessing upon all of humanity. Similarly, we believe the living and healing voice of Jesus through His prophets and apostles Sacred Scripture when He calls us to fidelity in marriage and warns about the harmful and destructive impact upon human beings when adultery, promiscuity, or homosexuality are practiced. In departing from two thousand years of Christian teaching and practice as well as challenging the majority of present day Christians, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has exhibited sectarian behavior that saddens a large spectrum of the Christian community.We pray that the Lord will strengthen those who remain faithful to His healing Word and recall those who have so tragically abandoned that Word and its healing and absolving Truth. Please also consult President Kieschnick¹s address to the ELCA ChurchwideAssembly as posted on the LCMS Website at www.lcms.org<http://www.lcms.org/> .² (Dean O. Wenthe, President, Concordia Theological Seminary, August 25, 2009)

###The mission of Concordia Theological Seminary is to form servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all. For additional information on educational opportunities and events at CTS please e-mail PublicRelations@ctsfw.edu or phone 260-452-2100.

HT: Rev. Matt Harrison

Political Rallying Cry

What was the last part of President Obama's rallying cry throughout the election season this past year?

"Yes, we can!"

What is Bob the Builder's rallying cry everytime there is a problem to be solved?

"Can we fix it? Yes, we can!"

Don't you think it is a bit strange that the President seems to be taking his tag lines from a children's video series?

Red Potatoes a la Grandma P.

This is a recipe that, as far as I know, my mother came up with on her own. I am very thankful that she did because it is a very yummy way to cook potatoes. Of course, some will balk at the butter in the recipe, but then they can chalk it up to a caloric splurge.

This recipe is beautifully simple. All that is needed is an onion or two (the more the merrier for this family!), a couple red potatoes, butter, a corningware dish (ours is like the one on the right) and a piece of tinfoil.

First, halve the onion and cut it into ribbons. Then scrub and cut the potatoes. Make them as small as you like. The smaller the better as they then cook faster. Add about four tablespoons of butter to the dish with the potatoes and onions, cover with tinfoil and place it in the oven along side your roast or pan of chicken for about 30-45 minutes.

ELCA to allow practacing homosexuals to be ordained as Clergy

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States, has voted to allow homosexuals in committed relationships to be ordained. This is contrary to holy Scripture. The Lutheran Church-Canada has provided a very good public statement which you can read here.

One interesting side note, as the ELCA chose to go against God's holy word, there was some rather interesting weather going on outside the convention center. That storm occurred while the convention was going on and damaged Central Lutheran Church just up the street from the convention hall. That tornado was, to say the least, an interesting coincidence.

Pentecost 12--St. John 6:41-51

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

‘“I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.”’ (Vv. 48-50)

Jesus, as He states for us quite plainly here, is the bread of life. As He will finish, Jesus’ flesh is given for the life of the world. This is quite different from the breads of our world given for this body to consume. After all, if you eat a slice of bread, whether plain or with something on it; you will eventually become hungry again.

During the siege of Leningrad, during the Second World War, the situation became so dire, the populace made due with bread from whatever they could come up with. When the grains ran out or became rancid from age, they instead made bread from anything. They even made and ate bread made from wallpaper paste and sawdust. As you all understand, there is no nutritional value to such bread. Thus, thousands starved to death for lack of true bread.

This meager diet afforded the people trapped in the city nothing from which to sustain their body and life.[1]

Similar things occur in our own day and even right now. Many of the people on the island of Haiti are so poor they eat mud pies so that their bellies are not always empty. In this case it is a bit better, the mud is mixed with a bit of water, butter and salt, but it is still only a meager thing to be consuming.

It is still a meager diet afforded these many people. They are trapped on that island with little to sustain this body and life.[2]

Jesus does not simply fulfill the events of the Exodus by being the One Moses pointed forward to by recording the flight out of Egypt. Christ also came in fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy to nourish us to a spiritual strength that will never know death. ‘And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, because at the time He will be great to the ends of the earth.’ (Micah 5:2-4) Christ, the Good Shepherd, feeds His flock in the very strength of God Himself. Jesus gives us living bread from heaven (cf. V. 50).

Contrast the people of Leningrad and the people of the island nation of Haiti with the prophet from today’s Old Testament lesson. Elijah, in this passage, is depressed. He is thinking, “Oh, woe is me! I am the only one left. I am the only foolhardy nut willing to follow the true God. Look where it has landed me. I am hunted by the king and the queen and they wish my death. I am wandering in the desert and it would be better if I were dead.” So what does he do? Elijah asks God to take his life! This is the great prophet Elijah? The prophet par excellence? This is the greatest of the Old Testament prophets with Moses? This is one of the two who appear with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (St. Mk. 9:2-9)?

Yes! It is the same prophet! There is only one Elijah in the Bible. This is the same one considered in that light and given such honor.

We should look again at that passage from 1 Kings. What does God do for Elijah? Does God kill him, or does something else happen? Our gracious God knew that Elijah was truly depressed and in need of healing. God also knew that this was not really Elijah’s wish. In other words, God knew the man better than he knew himself. So, God grants what Elijah needs, not what wishes for. This does not mean the same will happen for all of us who are depressed. It does not even mean that Elijah never again experienced such a thing. All that is meant by God’s response of sending an angel to Elijah with a baked cake and a jar of water is that ‘the Lord will provide’ (Gen. 22:8).

So, what happens after Elijah is fed in this manner? He went in the strength of that food for forty days, until Elijah reached the mountain of God, Horeb. What we must realize is that the journey to Horeb does not normally take as long as forty days. Rather, it took Elijah forty days because he was alternately wandering and hiding due to his despondent condition.

Christ, the Good Shepherd, feeds His flock in the very strength of God Himself. Jesus gives us living bread from heaven (cf. V. 50).

All this is to point out to us what is going on here at this point in St. John’s sixth chapter. The people have grumbled among themselves, thinking, ‘“Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?”’ (V. 42)

Jesus can be the bread from heaven because He is the One who has come down from heaven. This is the kicker. Jesus does not tone down His sermon when the people start to grumble. He does not tell them in regard to the previous verses when He was talking about people gaining life from eating His flesh and His blood (Vv. 31-40), “Well, I did not really mean it that way”. No, in fact, as we hear in this lesson, Jesus gets more and more blunt the more His listeners’ grumble about what He is saying.

We all know this Gospel well enough to remember what happens next. So many leave that the only ones who appear to still be hanging around Jesus are the Twelve. Jesus then behaves a bit like Elijah. After all, at that point, Jesus asks the Twelve, ‘ “You do not want to go away also, do you?”’ (V. 67).

Jesus begins this intensification of His sermon by telling these people something else they would not have wanted to hear. Jesus after all states, ‘Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him on the last day.”’ (Vv. 43-44) All of these people had been taught that they could do something to merit salvation. They understood the ancient faith to be such that they did their part, God did His part, and the people were rescued from their sin. We know this to be the case. We know and trust that it is God alone who is doing the work. We cannot help (St. Jn. 15:16; Eph. 2:8,9; SC II: 3rd pt.). This is how you and I are taught. These Jews had not been taught this. They had been taught that they could help God.

It is an easy trap for us sinful humans to fall into. It is a trap that both you and I can easily fall into. It is so easy of a trap for the devil to lay because it plays on our own sinful pride and desire to be like God. This is exactly the sort of thing you and I want to believe. We want to think that with my reason and strength I can believe in God and come to Him. Dr. Luther makes it plain what Scripture thinks of that line of reasoning. ‘ “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”’ (St. Mk. 1:15) This is what Jesus tells each of us. Even us Christians who still walk through this veil of tears (Ps. 23:4).

‘From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell—
High the son of triumph swell!’

(The Lutheran Hymnal 95:4)

‘“I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.”’ (V. 51)

This portion of Jesus’ sermon in this chapter ends with this statement. These words of Jesus lead the people into confusion. They betray their infantile faith by what they say in response. Their response is to wonder how this cannibalism could be. As you and I know, Jesus is not referring to cannibalism but to a spiritual eating and drinking in the Sacrament. When the people respond in this way, Jesus’ answer is to state the same thing we have heard this morning again. He is just as blunt that time as this.

If the people had had a mature faith capable of understanding what Jesus was telling them, they would have shouted the message from the rooftops. They would not have stopped unless forced. Unless they were bound and gagged, so wonderful is this message for sinners like you and me.

Yet, these people do not have eyes and ears of faith. They could not and would not hear what Jesus sought to teach them. Jesus tries again and again to get through to their stubborn hearts of stone. May we never be found with such hard hearts.

The rejection that this sermon brings to Jesus is a foretaste of the spiteful rejection by the High Priest Caiaphas and the other Jewish leaders later at Jesus’ trial.

Praise be to God that the Holy Spirit has caused true saving faith to grow and flourish in your hearts and my heart. What eternal benefits each of us enjoy because of Jesus! Jesus gave His flesh, His life as the payment for all the sins of all people of all time. ‘In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses [sins]’ (Eph. 1:7). Oh, praise the bread of life, our Savior Jesus Christ![3]

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations, pp. 65-66, section #270, CPH.
[2] http://kstp.com/article/stories/S438329.shtml?cat=1&v=1
[3] Sermon Studies on the Gospels: Series B, Northwestern, p. 290.

Hubble Ultra Deep Field--Remember your Creator

Hubble Ultra Deep Field

Shared via AddThis

This is a truly amazing video. It is humbling as the commentor states that there is so much revealed by the Hubble telescope when pointed at a patch that appears to be only black. I do not agree with all the assumptions of this video but it really emphasizes the vastness of creation. It also reminds us how much God loves us that when the universe is so amazingly vast, we are still the crown of that creation and given dominion over it according to Genesis chapters one and two.

Go, listen and marvel at our wonderful loving God.

HT: Kim Komando and my Father-in-law.

Extra! Extra! Read All About it! Vacations may be good for your health!

I just heard on NPR.org that vacations may lead to a longer life. Tell, your friends, especially Pastors, that they should at least take an overnight vacation on their days off. It will help them feel better and and give them a better life while they are bound by this mortal coil. If you would like to listen: click.

Macaroni and Cheese!

This is a very yummy mac & cheese recipe that my family used to make all the time. My wife and I made this a lot when we were first married until the birth of our first son. He had MSPI and so could not tolerate the protein in either milk or soy. If you like cheese, you will very much enjoy this dish!

Macaroni and Cheese

1/2 pound sharp Cheddar cheese
4 Tablespoons butter
4 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon Chicken flavor base (bullion cubes ;-)
1/2 teaspoon Onion powder
1/4 teaspoon White Pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Season-All
1/4 teaspoon dry Mustard
Dash ground Red Pepper
Dash Nutmeg
2 cups milk
1 8-ounce package macaroni
Paprika

Cut cheese into 1/2-inch cubes. Melt butter; blend in flour, flavor base and seasonings. Cook over low heat, stirring, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Do not allow to brown. Remove from heat and stir in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring, and cook until sauce thickens. Add 1 cup of the cheese and stir until melted. Cook macaroni following directions on package; drain. Place half the macaroni in a buttered 11 1/2x7 1/2x1 1/2-inch baking dish; sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese cubes over macaroni. Top with second layer of macaroni and cheese. Pour cheese sauce over all. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake in 350 degree Faranhit oven 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot from baking dish.
Serves 6 to 8.

This recipe never served six to eight in this house. Even with only two of us, we loved it so much there was never very much leftovers. We eventually made a double batch just so we could enjoy it more than one meal. This meal gets better after a night in the refrigerator! Yummy!

HT: McCormick for their Spices of the World Cookbook (now sadly out of print) for this recipe.

ECI Meeting-Yesterday's Excitement

Last evening, I tried something new. I wanted to get out and do something in the community, but I did not know what. My wife suggested that I go to a meeting of the local Early Childhood Initiative. This is a group whose purpose is getting the word out about how important it is for parents to spend time with their children. Especially in that 0-5 age range. It is so important in fact, that experts use the statistics for this age group to predict where their life will end up.

Our local initiative we think is somewhat unique to our town. Ortonville is one of the few towns in Minnesota that has an ECI. This initiative also organizes things such as, tot time (time in the winter for the little ones to go to the school gym and run around. This helps with "cabin fever", especially for our three boys). So, I decided to attend the next meeting.

I was not able to make the first half hour but that was only to go over what organic options there are in the area, as far as I could tell. At the end of the meeting, I collected a copy of the organic farms in our area. That will be good for getting farm eggs and other produce. We already knew of one. This will show us what our choices are!

When I arrived, the ladies who were present invited me up to the table and seemed happy that I had shown up. The topics of conversation were not anything earth-shattering but I enjoyed myself. One of the up-coming events for our group will be the second annual "Big Toys". This will be a collection of such heavy equipment as, farm tractors and semi tractor trailers, car haulers, street sweepers, etc. My three boys will love to go and see all the things that they only get to see as they fly by on the highway. Come to think of it, I will enjoy seeing all of it too!

The other topics included a park wrap up. This is to celebrate all the five and unders in our town who went with their parents to all of the parks in Ortonville, MN. We have only been to about half of the parks and so we will have to get going, there are prizes for the children who visit all seven parks. There will be games for this party and some time for unorganized play.

That was my excitement for yesterday. I will have to keep you up to date on how this goes for me. This is a new thing for me to get involved in events or organizations.

+Funeral Sermon for Marcia K.-St. John 3:1-18+

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

‘“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”’ (V. 16)

Marcia trusted the promise that Christ makes to us in this verse. She knew that eternal life is to be had trusting in the name of Jesus.

A picture of this trust was her love for her family. It did not matter what the event was. It may have been her grandchildren’s hockey games or big family reunions she enjoyed them all. She enjoyed the big events that allowed for her to interact with her family as well as the small ones. Now, Marcia is enjoying the best of family reunions with the family of Christ, which is the Christian church triumphant in heaven.

Another picture of this reality would have been the many Bible studies that Marcia attended through the years. For so long she desired in her faithful heart nothing more than to study her Savior’s word. Now she enjoys the true Word of God who is pictured for you and me still in the words of holy Scripture.

This was a great comfort for her as life passed for her. As Marcia spent those early years of marriage to her husband John raising their five children, I am sure that those words of promise given to each of us in the Bible gave her great comfort. While she gardened each year, she could truly enjoy what she planted. There was no worry whether the flowers would bloom or whether the vegetable plants would produce their fruit. Even if they did not Marcia knew it was not her worry. Marcia knew as also you and I do, that it is our heavenly Father who causes those plants to grow and bloom and produce fruit. The years that the flowers or produce do not come we can trust as Marcia did that we will still be provided for.

We as the faithful Christians left here to mourn a beloved family member or friend and sister in our Christian faith can still trust on two promises we have been given. First, we are told in God’s word that our needs will always be provided (Small Catechism II: 1st). Second, we are also told by St. Paul that at the end, when Jesus returns, we who are left will rise with those who sleep in Jesus and meet Him in the air that we might always be with Him and those saints in heaven (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

Marcia also enjoyed that family of faith at the many church gatherings and potlucks that she attended. We still enjoy such events as another way that our Savior gives us a picture of heaven. Heaven is a festival occasion, it is a feast. Many tables laden with food and the best of all is the ongoing presence of our Savior Christ Jesus.

This faith Marcia lived out through her life. For years she was a Sunday school teacher, passing on the faith of her fathers to those little ones who were given into her charge for the learning of God’s Word and the strengthening of Marcia’s faith and the growing of the faith of those children.

‘“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up”’ (V.14) Our gracious Father used Marcia to spread that message of salvation through Jesus that the Gospel message speaks of. Not only did that happen when she taught the Sunday school children it also happened at other times in her life. Marcia was a baker.

Many here today know that she earned Blue Ribbons for her pies and breads at the State Fair. That was not the only reason that Marcia baked. She primarily baked for her family. I am sure also that those around her in all the places she lived knew of her baked goods. As a strong Christian, hospitality would have come naturally for Marcia. That is, she would have lived out her faith in the caring for her neighbor in the ways that she was able. One of those ways would have been through baking.

Primarily though, Marcia was able to live the life she did for one reason. She knew that she was baptized into Jesus and so His blood covered all her sins. You and I know this too. This is the faith we cling to, knowing that soon we too will see Jesus face to face. When we reach that sight, Marcia will be waiting for us also.

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

Summer Squash Pasta

The other day, a nieghbor gave us a box full of garden fresh vegetables. So, we have been diligently using them. The end of last week, I used some of them to make up a pasta dish. Everyone loved it. The tomatoes are from a local produce stand, also fresh from a garden.

Summer Squash Pasta

1 box of pasta, about 1 pound.
1 yellow summer squash, chopped.
2 onions, diced. Preferably red, but what ever you have.
2 tomatoes, diced.
A good sized handful of frozen peas.
Some olive oil.
Fresh shredded parmasan cheese.

I cooked the pasta according to the box, drain.

I then cut up all the veggies and added them to a skillet with some olive oil drizzled over them. I cooked this until the vegetables were all cooked through and soft, but not mushy. Once I was that far, I added the tomatoes and the peas to warm them through. At the end I added the pasta and mixed the whole thing with some shredded cheese. I then left the cheese and a grater on the table so everyone could add more.

The whole family loved it!

+Funeral for Robert W.+

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

‘But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

We are not like the rest of the world. We who stand with Bob do not grieve like the rest. We grieve, because we are human. We know it is not a natural thing for us to die. You and I, we know that God did not intend it this way. However, we Christians do not grieve like the rest of the world.

We are like Bob in our faith. Bob trusted that his Lord would take care of him. Bob knew this.

Bob knew that he was a sinner just like you and all people and I am. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness. This is why Jesus came into our world. He came; sent to us by our Father that Jesus might be given up unto death. Jesus in this way paid for your sins and He paid for my sins. Bob knew this also.

‘Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease,
Amazing grace shall then prevail
In heaven’s joy and peace.’ (LW 509:4)

This understanding, this faith, was why Bob could live his life in peace. Because Bob knew he was baptized, he knew that he was also forgiven. So, Bob could truly love farming. Bob loved farming so much that even when his life was drawing to a close, he desired only to be in the cab of his tractor working the land. Bob only wanted to be out planting crops or out working and tending the fields or out harvesting the fruits of his labor given by our blessed heavenly Father’s hand. For it is God the Father who blesses our every work (Small Catechism II: 1st article).

Even when Bob was too old and sick to work the combine that was his only wish. He would have climbed back into the cab once more if his body would have allowed it.

Throughout his long life, Bob enjoyed God’s creation. He loved the land and worked it to bring forth a crop each year for his livelihood. In the midst of that, Bob cared for nature and the wildlife that lived in abundance in this area. For a long time, Bob would not allow hunting on his land. Even when he did, the geese still held pride of place. They were the exception. The geese were still not allowed to be hunted.

Bob’s faith lived itself out in his actions. As we are told to do, Bob loved his neighbor. He may not have been very obvious in the doing of this, but throughout his life Bob gave to different charities for the caring of others in their need. Bob took his Savior at His word (St. Jn. 4:50).

Even when he was not farming, Bob was doing things like teaching his nephew Justin how to do the work of farming. When Bob could no longer farm and Justin took over, Bob was still interested and involved with the work of the farm. He would question how things were going and offer advice or correction as needed. Though Bob was strong willed and had his way of doing things, he was yet gracious and kind to others. Especially for something like farming though also with others, Bob would always take the time needed to explain things correctly.

Bob lived his life as he did because he had been formed by God’s word and by the Holy Spirit in his baptism. Though Bob sinned, as we all also do, he knew he was forgiven. We have been given the same thing in Jesus’ death and resurrection. You have been given the forgiveness of your sins in baptism and so you will live forever in heaven with Bob and with Jesus. ‘Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord.’ (V. 17)

The hymn writer captures this promise and comfort of the Apostle very well:
‘Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.’ (LW 510:4)

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

Pentecost 10-St. John 6:1-15

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

‘One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”’ (V. 8)

We do not see Andrew very often. In John’s Gospel, we only see him three times. We first saw Andrew in chapter one (1:35-42) bringing Nathaniel to Jesus. Now we see Andrew here. It is interesting that when we do see Andrew, he seems to be taking Jesus at His word. That fact is especially evident here in chapter six (V. 8). We finally see Andrew in chapter twelve where he and Philip are bringing certain Greeks to see Jesus (12:20-22). When we do see him, He is always doing the same thing. Andrew is always bringing others to Christ. Andrew reminds you and me that we also need to be about the same task.

An old preacher in England talked to a boy about Jesus. That boy grew up to be a shoemaker, a teacher, a preacher, and then a pioneer Christian missionary to India. His name was William Carey. Through the interest and care of one old Christian man, an “Andrew”, a young boy was influenced to the work of God’s kingdom.

Through the influence and the words of a Sunday school teacher, another boy grew up to be a great preacher and evangelist. In this case, it was a boy that more of us are familiar with, it was Dwight Moody. In both cases these boys were brought to Jesus by some “Andrew”. Like the boy whom Andrew brought that day of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus used those two boys as well. The two we have heard about, when they had grown to manhood, fed thousands with the Bread of Life[1].

‘Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”’ (V. 7)

Philip in this case, was not an Andrew. In fact, he was probably the opposite of Andrew. Philip, unusually, is the spokesman for the group that day. He seems to be voicing the doubt and confusion of the entire group. By saying what he did, Philip is telling Jesus that even if they had the equivalent of two hundred days wages, they would not have enough bread for this entire crowd to have even a little. Imagine it, almost a year’s pay! What an amazingly large group of people.

Philip is being even more doubtful than that. He is not saying that anyone would get enough to fill them up on this bread. Instead, Philip is telling Jesus, “all this amazing amount of money would only give each person a taste”.

‘And a great multitude was following Him, because they were seeing the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.’ (V. 2)

Why was there such a great crowd, you might ask. Well, John tells us earlier in the chapter. He says that they had seen the signs, which Jesus had been performing. As we learn from the number of the crowd, this is the same crowd we heard of last week. John leaves out the details of the boat and the foot race which Mark includes (St. Mk. 6:32f.). John uses the word, “signs” instead of miracles. So, he is referring to such things as the events in Cana when Jesus turned water into wine (ch. 2). As we might imagine and want ourselves, these people wanted to hear Jesus preach again.

In order finally to get that rest that Jesus and the disciples had used the book to try to get, they headed up onto a mountain. This is before the words of Mark, when Jesus sees that they are like sheep without a shepherd. From the boat, Jesus and the twelve, ‘And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.’ (V. 3)

Yet, the great crowd followed them. Now, when they are followed up the high hill from the level of the Jordan River valley up the mountain Jesus has compassion on the crowd and teaches them and heals their sick.

‘Jesus therefore lifting up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?”’ (V. 5)

So, Jesus tells Philip to take care of the matter as the people climb up the mountain toward them. This climb may have taken the crowds a while. In the case of the Jordan River valley, the sides of those mountains are quite steep. In Idaho, there are hills that are similar. Those hills not only were steep, like a high narrow staircase but without the steps.

Most of the time, the climbers in Idaho are helped by the sagebrush that grows all over, sometimes though, those hills also often times had exposed fields of shale rock. That rock was almost like walking on ice for how much the shale moved about as you walked over it. In the case of the Jordan River hills, they were clothed in tall grass. No brush and no shale to complicate things as a person climbed just a very steep hill.

So, Jesus had a bit of time to speak with His disciples as the people approached.

‘One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.’ (Vv. 8-10)

So, now we are back to Andrew. Here Andrew comes, bringing a small lad who happened to have five barley loaves and two fish. Andrew does not understand how this could be of use, yet he brings it up to Jesus anyhow. As I said, Andrew takes Jesus at His word. In this simple way, Andrew tries to do as Jesus had told them. Andrew is trying to figure out what Jesus means by asking where they were to get the bread to feed these people.

As you all know, when you have done any kind of strenuous work, a handful of bread is not going to cut it. Philip knew this also which is why he asked Jesus how they could possibly buy enough bread to fill this entire crowd. He knew the work it took to climb out of the river valley even just part way as he Jesus and the other disciples had done. Andrew knows all this as well, instead of complaining he finds this kid whose mom had sent him out well prepared.

We do not know where the lad came by so much but knowing moms, I can only assume that it was his mother who was responsible in some way for him having five loaves and two fish with him that day. What is interesting is that these were not large loaves, they were probably small. On top of that, this was not the top of the line bread, this was barley bread. Barley bread at the time was considered to be an inferior sort of bread. So, five small loaves. Also, two small fish. Not two fat and large fish, two small fish.

Jesus does not bat an eye. Instead of rejecting what Andrew brings, as we might. Jesus takes what is given and uses it for His purposes. Jesus tells the disciples to have the people sit down on the grass. When you think of this grass, think spring, so nice and thick and green grass. This was also not a well-mown stretch of grass; rather this was a pasture. You all know what that tends to look like as well.

As we know from the other Evangelists, the disciples had the men sit down in groups of hundreds and fifties, in ranks like “garden beds” (St. Mk. 6:40 Gk.). Jesus was looking after these people. He was preparing to feed them first so that then they could listen properly to what Jesus would teach them. No one that day knew what was about to come but Jesus was preparing all of these listeners to experience what the elders of Israel experienced in our Old Testament lesson.

It was no longer to be the exception as we see in the Old Testament that a human would see God and live. Instead, as the elders do in Exodus (24:11), we now sit down with God and eat and drink with Him. The people that day, though they did not know it, they also were eating with God. As with the people in Exodus, they ate and drank with God and then went down from the mountain to the rest of the nation. So also the people in John. In both cases, the people who had eaten with God went out to the rest of the people of God and told them of the amazing events that had happened on the mountain.

You and I also eat with God, and then we who eat with God here go out into the world to tell others of the body of Christ of the amazing communion we have with the Father. We are ‘speaking the truth in love’ (Eph. 4:15), we are telling others the surpassing riches of His grace which have been given to us in kindness in Christ Jesus. Such surpassing riches of His grace which can be theirs as well. We are to be “Andrews” for those in our own lives.

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.


[1] Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations, CPH p. 143, section #658.

About my blog title ...

... it is a self description. If you ask anyone who knows me, the one thing I will always be interested in doing is, reading. I own many, many books but there is always another which calls to me, wishing to be my friend.

That gets me to a couple of descriptions others have of made of me. One of my fellow pastors here in W. MN. once gave the description that I very much enjoy books. My long suffering wife recently discussed with a family member why I am not on Facebook. The other family member asked, "Doesn't he want to reconnect with his old friends?" To which my wife stated, "His friends are books." So, as I have titled myself, I am a bibliophile, a lover of books.