Folgen

  • Lent 1 (Invocabit) | Genesis 3:1-21 & Matthew 4:1-11 | Bring the Battles of Life to the Cross

    Lent 1 (Invocabit) | Genesis 3:1-21 & Matthew 4:1-11 | Bring the Battles of Life to the Cross
    Feb 22 2026
    Lent 1 (Invocabit) February 25, 2026 Matthew 4:1-11 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to begin today by highlighting some of the first battles throughout American history. So, to begin, the first battle of the Revolutionary War was the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. The first battle of the Civil War was the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, in April 1861. The first battle of WWI occurred at Liege in August 1914. The first battle of WWII was the Battle of Westerplatte in September of 1939. But America didn’t formally enter the war until December 1941. The first battle of the Korean War happened in Seoul, South Korea, also before the Americans entered the fray. While the initial battle of the Vietnam War for American forces was the Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965, the first battle of the Vietnam War was the Battle of Ap Bac in January 1963. The war on terror started in Afghanistan in November 2001, but major ground troops didn’t enter active combat until Operation Anaconda in March 2002. (I was there) So, what’s the point of all of this? In war, there are many battles, and these often begin before the war officially starts, but few wars are ever won or finished in a single battle. The season of Lent leads us to the battle of Calvary, where Jesus, the victor, will be nailed to the cross for the sins of the world. But this battle and war began long before that first Holy Week. Today, we hear of two such battles in the Old Testament reading and the Gospel. In the Old Testament reading, the first battle and conflict in Scripture occurs between your first parents and the serpent. It began with the temptation of the devil as he said to Eve, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?’” It all began with temptation, a desire for what was not given to Adam and Eve, along with pride and the wish to be like God, rejecting the Creator’s Word and instruction. Sadly, this is just the first conflict of many, as Adam and Eve will turn against one another in an instant, as Adam’s first response to the fall was to say, “The woman you gave me, it’s her fault.” This sin of Adam and Eve was passed down to their sons as well, as pride and insecurity tempted and led Cain to rise up and kill his brother, Abel. Sadly, you are no different from this first family, as you experience deeply personal and interpersonal battles throughout your life. When alcohol, drugs, gambling, the overuse of technology, or pornography become not just temptations but full-blown addictions, you are quick to refuse blame for turning to these vices—similar to Adam—blaming the bad company who tempted you or the husband or wife whom you believe pushed you to seek fulfillment in these ways, due to fractured and unfulfilled expectations and relationships. In reality, if we’re being honest, we are like Adam, blaming God for our troubles, saying, “The woman you gave me, it’s her fault.” We blame God for the temptations and conflicts of our lives. But St. James writes in his epistle, Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15) This final verse captures the struggle with temptation perfectly and how sin is born out of temptation and finds a home within your heart, Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:13-15) Temptations throughout life begin within you, the old Adam, the sinful man that dwells within your heart, and for this reason, your true enemy in all of this is not your husband or wife, your brother or sister, a father or mother, it’s you. Why, because, like Adam and Eve, you do not listen, hear, or obey God’s Word. You don’t. In a fantastic way, St. James follows up his words regarding temptation by saying, Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:19-21) If only you and I were so eager to be quick to hear and slow to speak, how much more could we communicate with each other and have love one another. How much more would we be able to hear and receive the Word of God, which, as St. James says, is able to save your souls? Ultimately, the struggles and conflicts of life persist because we continually turn away from God’s Word and instruction and because of this, we are not only fighting against alcohol, drugs, ...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    10 Min.
  • Ash Wednesday | Matthew 6:16-21 | Why Do You Fast?

    Ash Wednesday | Matthew 6:16-21 | Why Do You Fast?
    Feb 19 2026
    Ash Wednesday February 18, 2026 Matthew 6:16-21 The Old Testament reading this evening from the prophet Joel began by saying, Yet even now, declares the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. The prophet Joel is pleading for the people of Israel to repent and return to the Lord. He warns that if they continue to conduct themselves in ways against God’s will, there will be armies of locust that will come upon the unrepentant people, destroying everything in their path. A sign or practice that the prophet Joel prescribes for Israel’s repentance in the text is fasting. Repentance and fasting have long been associated with one another. King David fasted, wept, and mourned not only the brief life of his son but also the sins of adultery and murder that led to the boy’s death. Upon hearing the call to repentance through the prophet Jonah, the people of Nineveh fasted, repented, and turned from their evil ways. In accomplishing what Israel could not do during the Exodus as they wandered through the wilderness for forty years, Jesus was led into the wilderness for forty days, fasting. In fact, tonight’s Gospel, Jesus says, “And when you fast…” So why do Lutherans struggle so much with the concept of fasting? Because it’s considered “Roman Catholic.” Have you ever noticed how sometimes people oppose something just because another group believes in it? How contrarian! However, as explained above, this perspective rejects the Lutheran understanding of “Sola Scriptura” – Scripture alone. Sola Scriptura states that Scripture alone speaks and guides the Christian faith, and the teachings of the church must align with it. Now, for this reason, Scripture never explicitly demands fasting, but from the examples just mentioned, you can see not only how the practice went hand in hand with repentance but was also highly expected. Even Martin Luther (1483­–1546) promoted the practice of fasting for two reasons, he wrote: “Of fasting I say this: it is right to fast frequently in order to subdue and control the body. For when the stomach is full, the body does not serve for preaching, for praying, for studying, or for doing anything else that is good. Under such circumstances God’s Word cannot remain. But one should not fast with a view to meriting something by it as by a good work.” Isn’t this something? Christian fasting is meant to grow our hunger for God’s Word and forgiveness. It’s not intended to earn forgiveness as good works, which is why we are not like Roman Catholics or many evangelicals, for that matter; we cannot earn salvation this way. But we can learn through practice where our life needs changing, where repentance is necessary, and where our faith is struggling. Think about this: if the doctor told you that you had cancer and needed to fast for twenty-four hours for a blood test to get the right medicine, you’d do it in a heartbeat. You’d do it because you can’t imagine not talking to your father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, or friend ever again. Here’s the thing: if we don’t examine ourselves, recognize which sins are not only running through our veins but also controlling us, and learn to confess them, then we can’t be sure we’ll have a tomorrow in heaven with the people we care about so deeply. We need to understand which sins control us and require confessing to receive forgiveness. Alright, so what does it mean to fast? Contrary to popular belief, fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food and drink; it’s about reducing or going without. Therefore, fasting can include anything that controls you. So, what is controlling your life and hindering your faith and the vocations God has entrusted to you? Is your phone glued to your hand while your children or grandchildren play on the floor in front of you, begging for your attention? Begging you to read a book to them? Do you happily stop for breakfast every morning on your way to work, but have no money to give to the church to care for the hungry and needy? When was the last time you went out of your way to visit a shut-in brother or sister from the church? When we fast and reduce the things that control us and hinder our faith, the relationships we have, and the vocations God has given us, we not only realize how little of these things are truly necessary, but also recognize how much God already provides. The season of Lent is an opportunity for us to fast, not only from food and drink, but the things that have become gods and idols in our lives. Do you find it hard to put your phone down? Start today by placing it in another room of your house in the evenings, spend quality time with your family, work on a puzzle, enjoy a meal around the dinner table, read ...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    10 Min.
  • Quinquagesima | Luke 18:31-43 | Memento Mori - Remember your Death

    Quinquagesima | Luke 18:31-43 | Memento Mori - Remember your Death
    Feb 15 2026
    Quinquagesima February 15, 2026 Luke 18:31-43 Many of you have sat in the doctor’s office as the death notice was handed out, as the words were spoken to your husband or wife, a father or mother. “There’s nothing more we can do.” The cancer has advanced past the point of reversal. The body is too weak to undergo treatments. The accident caused extensive damage to the body and its vital organs. These instances are often met with a lack of understanding. How did the shadow of death appear so quickly? Why can’t the doctor do anything more? Isn’t this their job? To heal and restore people to health? In these moments, you are like the disciples of Christ as He prepares them for His passion and death. It’s truly remarkable how Jesus explains everything to His disciples as He says, “For [the Son of Man] will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” But they did not understand His words; they did not understand that death was approaching for their Lord and Savior. That His death was necessary to give them life. The Gospel said, “They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” Or “They did not know the things that were spoken [to them].” To grasp or to know are synonyms for the action of Christian faith. In other words, the disciples lacked faith in Jesus’ words. Like the disciples, when the storm clouds of death approach, you also tend to lack understanding; you lack faith. Why does this happen to you, O Christian? Because in the clouds and storms of life, you do not always hear rightly, you don’t hear the words of Jesus, you don’t remember your Savior. The disciples did not fully understand Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel, and because of this, when His passion did arrive, they also failed to remember His words. They lacked faith and scattered from His cross. We’ll come back to this thought in a moment… But for you, in the midst of turmoil, you must “remember” the words of your Savior, “They will kill him, and the third day he will rise.” If you listen closely, these are words of death and resurrection. Again, “They will kill him, and the third day he will rise.” Seldom do you remember these words in tribulation any more than you place them before your eyes each day of this life. Some men in the congregation are participating in a program this Lent called “Memento.” The Latin word “Memento” means “remember.” The purpose of this program is to remember how fleeting this life is, that without Christ we are powerless, to reflect on our Savior’s suffering on the cross, and to honor the faithful men who came before us—fathers, grandfathers, saints, and martyrs—those who struggled and endured in faith, stood firm in the face of death, and remembered their Savior’s death. Because when one remembers the death of Christ, they must also remember His resurrection. But because we do not remember the death of Christ, we cannot properly understand His resurrection. In reality, we don’t think much about death unless it’s on our doorstep. This is very different from the ancient world and the early church, where not only was death all around them through plague, disease, and war, but they also used language and symbols to remind themselves of where this life would lead. If you look back at art throughout history, you might come across paintings of skulls with the words “Memento Mori,” meaning “remember you must die” or “remember your death.” Comforting, huh? It was also common for monks, pastors, or priests to have human skulls or bones on their desks or near where they prayed, to remind them of their mortality. But more than that, this practice served as a reminder of mortality, humbling one by showing that all earthly life moves toward the grave. It fosters a sense of turning away from earthly pleasures, of concentrating on eternal life with God, of living in repentance, and of cultivating a virtuous life. Additionally, it symbolizes that death is not the end, but the gateway to resurrection and eternal life. Now, no one is suggesting you should run home and place a skull on your desk or table. However, how can you remember the death and resurrection of Jesus? How can you keep these words of your Savior from the Gospel before you today? Sure, you could buy one of the paintings I mentioned earlier, like a skull with the words “Memento Mori” inscribed. Or you could hang a portrait of the Lord’s crucifixion in your home. Or even simpler, you could hang a cross or crucifix near a door to remind yourself, as you venture into daily life and return at night, that not only is death always close by, but through the death of your Savior, you receive life....
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    12 Min.
  • Sexagesima | Luke 8:9-13 | The Sower Gives Life to the Soil of the Earth

    Sexagesima | Luke 8:9-13 | The Sower Gives Life to the Soil of the Earth
    Feb 8 2026
    Sexagesima Luke 8:4-15 February 8, 2026 The dirt and soil of the earth are where sin and death reside. In the beginning, “The LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” Martin Luther wrote in a commentary regarding the creation account that God formed man from a “Lump of earth.” Of course, we know that in man’s fall into sin, God said to Adam, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17b-19) In many ways, I believe it’s important to remember how man was formed from the earth and how sin and death will lead him back to the dust and soil of the earth. In fact, this provides us with a lens to view the Parable of the Sower in today’s Gospel. For life to emerge from the soil, the seed of God’s Word and the breath of His voice had to penetrate it. Apart from Him, the dust of the earth would have remained just that, dust. But with the seed and breath of God’s Word spoken into it, Adam received life. Now, if man is made from the “lumps of earth” or the soil where the Sower is sowing the seed of God’s Word today, what does it mean to be dust and dirt of the earth in a fallen world? Well, to be “dirt” or “dirty” often means, in popular culture, that a person is unclean, morally corrupt, vile, contemptible, or promiscuous. While what God creates is good, man’s sins corrupt and lead to death, bringing you back to the dirt of the earth. With this understanding, the seed of the Sower is intended to give you life. One reason you hesitate to give the seed of God’s Word its proper place is that it will convict you and first call you to repentance. Jesus doesn’t hide this in the parable today as He describes the soil of man’s heart, saying, The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. In other words, those of you who are on this path have completely turned away from God. You have allowed the devil to silence your ears, ignore God’s Word, and in many cases, leave the church. You can see yourself here as Adam and Eve, who were led to completely disregard the Word of God through the temptation and speech of the serpent in the Garden. You don’t even recognize a need for confession. But then Jesus says, And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. Some people happily accept God’s Word here, but when challenges arise during the week, they forget His Word and that He said there would be trouble in this life. As a result, they depend on themselves instead of God, essentially making themselves their own gods. Is this you? If you paused and reflected on the past week, did you turn to God’s Word and peace when troubles arose? Or did even thinking of prayer arise? Of course, there are those whose faith is choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of life, too. Jesus says, And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. We Lutherans are often guilty of minimizing works, but as we read in the book of James, “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26) The good works of the Christian are the maturing fruits of faith. One reason we allow the fruits of faith to be choked out is that they require control over a restless spirit. It’s hard to love difficult people, it’s challenging to remain joyful in times of grief, and how do you find peace when chaos surrounds you? What about patience, kindness, and goodness for those who attack you? Or faithfulness when others seem or appear disloyal, or gentleness as your brother breathes down your neck? In moments like this, self-control over your emotions...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    12 Min.
  • Septuagesima | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Its Time to Train for Eternal Life is Now

    Septuagesima | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Its Time to Train for Eternal Life is Now
    Feb 1 2026
    Septuagesima February 1, 2026 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 The Winter Olympics will begin this Friday, and athletes from around the world will gather to compete in various sporting events that test strength, endurance, discipline, and resilience—all in pursuit of winning a gold medal. If you take a step back, the Olympics are truly remarkable; these athletes often dedicate their entire lives to training for this moment. For some, their livelihood depends on their training – competing in the Olympics is their full-time job. They dedicate themselves to the pursuit of winning the gold, but the truth remains that only one person walks away with it. Just imagine if everyone received a medal; how many people would cry, “That’s not fair!” Who would tune in and watch their favorite sport? Probably not many. It would be a travesty, really; there would be no competition, no drama, no rivals to enter the arena. Only one person can win the prize. Now, what does any of this have to do with the Christian life? Well, the epistle reading from St. Paul takes on not only a bit of an athletic lens, but an Olympic theme as he wrote. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Running is a way for St. Paul to say, “live the Christian life.” It means walking in the path you’ve been set to follow. And you know that your Christian life started at the font of Holy Baptism, and for this reason, you are to live in your Baptism by confessing your sins, receiving God’s forgiveness, and seeking the Holy Spirit’s help to stay on the narrow path. Remaining on the narrow path is challenging, isn’t it? St. Matthew wrote, Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14) One truth is that you cannot walk the path or enter the narrow gate of heaven through your own training, works, or merit. This journey requires faith in Christ Jesus, which is given through the work of the Holy Spirit within your heart. And so, St. Paul continues in his epistle, Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. The need for the Holy Spirit’s help is because you struggle with self-control. You struggle with the things that hinder your faith and lead to destruction. This is one of the ways the season of Lent can help Christians practice self-control. It encourages learning not to be controlled by addictions such as overeating, endlessly scrolling on Facebook and Twitter, or the temptation of pornography that’s just a click away. These things do not grant you a wreath or crown of victory. Instead, they control you and draw you away from your Savior, from the path that leads to the imperishable wreath of eternal victory. Remember, living the Baptismal life is a narrow path that demands the enduring faith of a Christian. In a literal sense, the wreath Paul mentions can be translated as a crown, which winners in the first Olympiads would receive on the podium. This reminds me of the Revelation of St. John, as he wrote, “Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10) What a prize to earn at the finish line: the imperishable and eternal “Crown of life.” So, St. Paul goes on in the epistle, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. Paul says, “Do not run aimlessly.” Don’t go through life aimlessly as if you lack purpose. Doing so leads to being full of Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth. A mirror on the wall or a quick review of your phone’s history will reveal the idolatries that control you. So, how do you train with a purpose to achieve the desired result, life with God? Discipline. It begins with discipline. To live with a purpose, to intentionally seek the good of others. [We read in the Augsburg Confession] “[St. Paul] clearly shows that he was keeping his body under control, not to merit forgiveness of sins by that discipline, but to keep his body in subjection and prepared for spiritual things, for carrying out the duties of his calling” (AC XXVI 38). (The Lutheran Study Bible) You are called to live purposefully, to discipline the body so that you may not be disqualified from eternal life or receiving the prize. And disqualification in this race of life happens when you pursue your own path, turn away from Christ, or damage and obstruct the faith of others. St. Ambrose, a church father of the fourth century, wrote regarding the training and discipline of the Christian ...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    12 Min.
  • The Second Sunday after Epiphany | John 2:1-11 | Marriage is for the Journey to Heaven

    The Second Sunday after Epiphany | John 2:1-11 | Marriage is for the Journey to Heaven
    Jan 18 2026
    The Second Sunday after Epiphany January 18, 2026 John 2:1-11 Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This past fall, I officiated a wedding in Nashville, TN, and the groom requested an interesting wedding hymn, “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing.” As I mentioned then, the hymn selection was unusual for a wedding; I had never sung it for such an occasion. However, as I ponder the hymn’s story of being brought to the eternal wedding feast of Jesus, it began to make sense. The hymn, “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing,” encourages us to look beyond this earthly life toward the destination where the gift of marriage is meant to accompany us. Eternal life with Jesus. Now, I share with couples who are getting married in premarital counseling a rather lengthy quote from the Church Father St. John Chrysostom, who died in the 5th century; his words speak to the purpose of their journey. But it remains worth hearing in its entirety. He writes, Some say that marriage was ordained by God as a blessing to the human race. Others say that marriage is a necessary evil for those who cannot restrain their sexual appetites. In truth it is impossible to speak in such ways about marriage in general; we can only make judgments about particular marriages. There are some marriages which bring great blessings to the husband and the wife, to their children, and to all their neighbors. But there are other marriages which seem to bring few blessings to anyone. The difference between these two types of marriages lies in the spirit with which the bond was forged and is maintained. If a man and a woman marry to satisfy their sexual appetites, or to further the material aims of themselves or their families, then their union is unlikely to bring blessings. But if a man and a woman marry in order to be companions on the journey through earth to heaven, then their union will bring great joy to themselves and to others. With this lens, Chrysostom saw marriage as a gift for man and woman to forge and maintain, to journey and be led through this valley of life on earth to the eternal joys of heaven, to the Lamb’s High Feast, and this changes the lens in which we view marriage, doesn’t it? Marriage is a celebration of a man and a woman being united and becoming one, and it’s for this reason that, should a divorce or separation of husband and wife occur, it’s so painful. Marriage is for the procreation and gift of children, but also to console one another when children are not given. Marriage is for the encouragement of the Christian faith, to learn to pray not only for one another, but with one another. Marriage is for a man and a woman to support each other through burdens, whether it’s losing a job, caring for aging parents, or them dying, dealing with erring and rebellious children, or caring for each other during illness. Marriage is a gift for this earthly life. If you recall, in the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Sadducees approach and ask Jesus about the resurrection by posing a question to Jesus. They say, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.” But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Matthew 22:24-30) In light of these words of Jesus, marriage is a gift for this life, for the companionship along the way to eternity. And viewing marriage through this lens should change how you speak, approach, and conduct yourself in this blessed estate. Do you argue and fight among one another? Do you speak unkindly to one another? Are you short with one another? Confess your sin, reconcile, and be at peace in Christ Jesus at once. Have you gone through trials and tribulations? Has cancer, illness, or has aging caused unexpected struggles and crosses in your marriage? Learn to pray together, read God’s Word together, and bear one another’s burdens so your faith can be strengthened. This way, you can support each other as companions on the journey through this life to the eternal joys of heaven. Have you begrudged the children God has entrusted to you? Do you see them as commodities to be entertained or as a means for you to live out your dreams? Stop this and confess this sin of idolatry and recognize them as the unique and precious treasures they are from the Lord. The Gospel this morning shows how much God loves marriage. If you step back, you’ll see that all of Scripture is the story of ...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    11 Min.
  • The Funeral of Sharon Herried

    The Funeral of Sharon Herried
    Jan 15 2026
    The Funeral of Sharon Herried January 15, 2026 Psalm 23 Dear Don, family, friends, brothers, and sisters in Christ Jesus, grace, mercy, and peace be unto you this day. Psalm 23 is probably the most well-known of all the Psalms. Since many children learn the Psalm early in life, many people can recite and pray it from memory throughout their entire lives. This highlights a frequently overlooked aspect of the Psalm: it’s meant to be prayed as one journeys toward the grave. It’s a Psalm for the sojourner as they walk each day. Just reflect on verse 2 as we prayed, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Who is taking the lead here? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is leading His flock to where the good pasture resides. But a challenging part of this journey is highlighted in verse 4, where the Psalmist prayed, a verse that has become one of the most well-known in Scripture. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. In reality, most of our lives unfold in the shadow of death. This was true of our sister Sharon, whose illnesses caused her to be in and out of the hospital over the past years, going from one doctor’s appointment to another, as she wrestled with the growing shadows of death that drew near. But the valleys and shadows of death aren’t purely physical; they’re also mental, emotional, and spiritual. And for this reason, Sharon was not alone on this journey to the grave; everyone who cared for her was affected by the shadows of the mental, emotional, and spiritual valleys she experienced. Or, to put it another way, everyone who made this journey with Sharon supported her in carrying the crosses of her life. In light of this, the passage that comes to mind here is when St. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) This is what you did, Don, as you cared for Sharon. You bore the shadows, valleys, burdens, and crosses of Sharon’s life with her, just as you both committed to do when you married on January 22, 1966; the two of you became one flesh. And from that day forward you learned together to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) In other words, the law of Christ can be most simply summarized as love for one another. And the most vivid image of this love is seen in the sacrificial death of Jesus, the bridegroom, for His bride, the Church, upon the cross. Honestly, to understand the valley and the shadow of death, one must view it through the lens of the cross and the Passion of our Lord. It’s truly remarkable. After Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was led through the valley of the shadow of death for your sake. You see, the Kidron Valley, where Jesus was led on His way to trial, is the place where the blood of sacrificed lambs from Passover flowed. So, as Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley, He not only walked in the shadows of death but also foreshadowed how He would pass over and conquer death for you by journeying to the cross as the great Passover Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Throughout these days entrusted to you in this life, you are called to follow Jesus even now to His cross. This journey begins at the font of Holy Baptism, a journey that Sharon began in May of 1946 when she was baptized and united in the death and resurrection of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, she still had to journey from the font to the day her Savior called her into His eternal presence. But every time she confessed her sins in order to receive God’s forgiveness, she was led back to green pastures and still waters; she was guided like all lambs to where God is present for them in His Word and in the flesh and blood of Jesus, a foretaste of that great meal prepared in the presence of her enemies. And who or what were those enemies? Cancer, chronic illness, broken relationships, and the burdens of mental, emotional, and spiritual crosses. These aren’t just facets of a broken world and lives, but the ongoing consequence of the broken relationship between our first parents, Adam and Eve, and their God and our God. For Sharon, these struggles stem not only from our first parents’ sin but also from the sin that resided within her. Yet, because she returned to the font and confessed her sin, she heard the voice of the Good Shepherd; she had confidence in knowing He was with her, even while she was homebound. You see, Jesus came to her in His Word as it was read at her bedside and in the Lord’s Supper as it was placed upon her lips and gave her His forgiveness. It’s a forgiveness that remains for you today. In a wonderful way, you walk the same path...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    8 Min.
  • The Baptism of Our Lord | Matthew 3:13-17 | Baptism Means a Life of Prayer

    The Baptism of Our Lord | Matthew 3:13-17 | Baptism Means a Life of Prayer
    Jan 12 2026
    The Baptism of our Lord January 11, 2026 Matthew 3:13-17 We Lutherans talk about Baptism a lot, don’t we? But over the years, how we talk about baptism has influenced our view of this sacrament and blessed gift. Simply saying “I was baptized” shifts our perspective on baptism. While there is a specific moment—a date—when you were baptized, if you only see “I was baptized” as just a historical event, it can lead you to view baptism as a human act. This perspective makes baptism seem more like a family tradition rather than a sacred rite and sacrament of the Church. In turn, this affects how families and the Church see Confirmation and its link to baptism. Because if baptism is just a family event, a civic duty, or a way to get grandma and grandpa off your back, then what happens to Confirmation? It also becomes a family event, a civic duty, a coming-of-age, or, worse, a graduation where the individual is led to believe they’ve achieved something and no longer need to return to the font of Christ where His Word and forgiveness is present for them. But if you examine the rite of Confirmation, it reflects maturity in the Christian’s faith, an acknowledgment of the ongoing gifts God grants in Holy Baptism and continues to give today. So, in a way, confirmation is a time for the Christian, often the younger ones, to learn how to confess and clearly express the gift and faith received in Holy Baptism. And for this reason, we rightly say with Martin Luther, “I am baptized,” because the baptismal life of the Christian is an ongoing reality that extends beyond any single day, leading the Christian to continually confess their sin, drown the Old Adam, receive Christ’s forgiveness, and walk in holiness, guiding them toward eternal life. However, the often-overlooked importance of Baptism can be best emphasized by these words of encouragement from Luther, as he wrote, In all Christian earnestness, I would ask all those who administer Baptism, who hold the children, or witness it, to take this wonderful work to heart in all its seriousness. For here, in the words of these prayers, you hear how meekly and earnestly the Christian Church concerns itself about the little child and how it confesses before God in plain undoubting words that he is possessed by the devil and is a child of sin and wrath, and prays very diligently for aid and grace through Baptism that he may become a child of God. Remember, then, that it is no joke to take sides against the devil and not only to drive him away from the little child, but to burden the child with such a mighty and lifelong enemy. What a burden, indeed. For the baptized child of God to face such a mighty and lifelong enemy as Satan. This is why Luther continued, Remember too that it is very necessary to aid the poor child with all your heart and strong faith, earnestly to intercede for him or her that God, in accordance with this prayer, would not only free him from the power of the devil, but also strengthen him, so that he may nobly resist the devil in life and death. Luther concludes by saying, And I suspect that people turn out so badly after Baptism because our concern for them has been cold and careless; we, at their Baptism, interceded for them without zeal. Here you can see how Luther encourages Christians to view Baptism as more than just a sentimental moment or the latest reason to gather friends and family. Because those who are baptized are now united with Christ Jesus, they also become enemies of the devil. Therefore, Luther encourages Christians to pray for the poor child with all their heart. I wonder how often parents, grandparents, godparents, sponsors, congregations, or even pastors sit down and pray for the faith of the children baptized in the name of Jesus. What follows the Gospel reading this morning—the Baptism of Jesus—is the temptation of Jesus. It’s the time when Jesus is led into the wilderness for forty days and nights to be tempted by the devil. What happens to Jesus after being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist is exactly what happens to every child of God who becomes a son or daughter of the heavenly Father. A life of temptation from the Evil One himself, as he seeks to lead you to hunger and thirst for things that are not given to you in this life, or to tempt God’s care for you as he invites you to test your heavenly Father or lead you away from His Church, or to seek false power and glory in this life that have not been granted to you. However, while man often depends on their own weak powers to resist the temptations faced throughout this life’s wildernesses, Jesus depends on the Words of His heavenly Father. And in a way, it points us back to His baptism, where His Father spoke over Him, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” The Father is pleased because His Son is obedient and fulfills His will to ...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    12 Min.