Let Jesus Be Jesus

The latest fad blanketing social media is creating a stick figure meme with a few lines using your first name and something you do or like. The meme ends with the words, “Be like [first name].” I suppose it was inevitable that someone would come up with one of these that ends with the words, “Be like Jesus.”

A Christian should know better. Your calling as a sinner is not to be like Jesus. Your calling is to repent and believe the Gospel. To confess your sin and be absolved. To hear God’s Word, hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it. To receive our Lord’s true body and blood.

There is one Jesus. One Savior. One Lord. He alone is the Father’s only-begotten Son. He alone is the Word through whom everything was created. He alone is the virgin’s Son. He alone is the world’s Redeemer. He alone is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He alone rose from the dead on the Third Day, never to die again. He alone is head of His body, the Church.

At best, “be like Jesus” is another law that reveals just as sinful you are. At worst, it creates modern day Pharisees who think they can please God with their best efforts.

Let Jesus be Jesus. If you want to imitate someone, be like Abraham. Be like David. Be like John the Baptist. Be like Paul. Be like countless other sinners who lived in repentance and faith. Like them, your calling is to live by faith in Jesus Christ!

The Problem with “50 Reasons Why I Don’t Drink”

I know several people who have recently posted/shared an article titled 50 Reasons Why I Don’t Drink on social media. I am friends with them. They are good, honest, faithful people whom I admire. I believe they are well-intentioned. I love them and mean no ill toward them in what I’m about to write. However, since the author of this article invokes Christianity and consistently draws a number of false theological conclusions, and therein may very well lead fellow Christians to a false understanding of the Gospel freedom that is ours in Jesus Christ, I feel the need to respond.

Alcohol is one of the many good gifts—First Article gifts as we Lutherans like to call them—that God has given to humanity. God’s Word is not silent on the consumption of alcohol. Below is a sampling of what God teaches us in His Word:

• Melchizedek—a type of Jesus Christ—brings out bread and wine for Abraham (Genesis 14:18).
• Part of Isaac’s blessing to Jacob is that God would give him “plenty of grain and wine” (Genesis 27:28).
• The psalmist confesses that God is the One who causes the earth to sprout and grow, that man may bring forth “wine to gladden the heart” (Psalm 104:14-15).
• Solomon writes, “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).
• Isaiah’s picture of paradise includes “a feast of well-aged wine, … of aged wine well refined” (Isaiah 25:6).
• Through Joel, God promises to send His people “grain, wine, and oil” to satisfy them (Joel 2:19).
• Jesus’ very first miracle was turning water into an abundance of wine at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11).
• Wine is essential to the Sacrament of the Altar instituted by Jesus Christ and given to His Church to do until He comes again in glory (Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:25-28).
• Paul writes, “Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink” (Colossians 2:16).
• Paul commends “a little wine” for the sake of the stomach and other ailments (1 Timothy 5:23).

As every Christian knows, drunkenness is a sin. No Christian can credibly dispute this. But drunkenness isn’t the issue here. The issue is whether a Christian may responsibly enjoy alcohol as a good gift from God.

To that end, here are the 50 Reasons and my brief response to each (be warned that you will hear a common theme in my response to every single reason):

1. I can’t be sober-minded if I’m not sober.

This is an argument against drunkenness (and other things that cause a person not to be sober-minded), not responsible drinking. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

2. Alcohol has an assignment: destruction.

Alcohol is an inanimate object and has no assignment at all. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

3. Alcohol is a depressant. Anything that depresses should be avoided at all costs.

Then why does Holy Scripture commend the responsible use of alcohol? Would the author also avoid at all costs any prescription drug that is also classified as a depressant. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

4. I don’t want to make my brother or sister stumble in the name of exercising my “Christian liberties.” My choice to drink could lead to someone’s demise.

I may exercise my freedom not to drink in the presence of someone who has a problem with alcohol. But that does not exclude the responsible use of alcohol elsewhere. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

5. Alcohol skews my judgment.

No. Excessive alcohol does that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

6. Alcohol leaves me worse, not better.

No. Excessive alcohol does that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

7. What I do in moderation, my children will do in excess.

Says who? My parents always drank responsibly. Neither my siblings nor I drink excessively. I eat in moderation; my children do not eat in excess. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

8. Even the unsaved know I shouldn’t drink. Bible in one hand, beer in the other—any lost person could point this out as a confusing contradiction.

Holy Scripture allows the responsible use of alcohol. To say otherwise is to call God a liar. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

9. Alcohol doesn’t bring others closer to the Lord when they see me drinking, but further away.

This may be the case with an alcoholic. As stated earlier, I may exercise my freedom not to drink in the presence of someone who has a problem with alcohol. But that does not exclude the responsible use of alcohol elsewhere. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

10. Alcohol doesn’t bring me closer to the Lord when I drink, but further away.

The responsible use of alcohol does neither. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

11. I want to be fully awake and ready for the return of Christ, not drowsy, sluggish and fuzzy.

The responsible use of alcohol does not hinder this in any way. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

12. Show me a family for whom alcohol has made a positive difference in their lives. You won’t be able to.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

13. I have never heard anyone say, “Wow, that gin and tonic made me feel so Christlike!”

Neither does watching television with my wife, disciplining my children, reading a book, doing my taxes, mowing the lawn, etc. That doesn’t make it wrong. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

14. I want to avoid all appearances of evil.

Alcohol, in and of itself, is not evil. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

15. Alcohol makes it much harder for me to practice the fruit of self-control.

No. But the abuse of alcohol might very well do that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

16. Alcohol causes me to lose my filter.

No. But the abuse of alcohol might very well do that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

17. Alcohol is a legal mind-altering drug.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

18. Alcohol is addictive.

That is why one guards against its abuse. Food can also be addictive (coffee, chocolate, etc.). That doesn’t mean food needs to be avoided. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

19. Alcohol is a numbing agent for pain and sorrow only Jesus can heal.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Not everyone who enjoys an occasional drink does it to numb pair or sorrow. Those who do need help. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

20. Many regrets are associated with alcohol. (I can give you a whole bunch!)

Not the responsible use of alcohol. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

21. No one has ever said, “If only I had taken a drink, things wouldn’t have gotten out of control.”

Not the responsible use of alcohol. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

22. Alcohol causes me to act in ways I normally wouldn’t.

Not the responsible use of alcohol. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

23. Alcohol kills brain cells.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

24. Alcohol is a counterfeit and provides a false peace.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

25. The Bible says that no drunkards will enter the kingdom of God. Being drunk starts with one drink. I don’t want to see how far outside the lines I can color when eternity is at stake.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

26. Alcohol is a waster—money, gifts and talents, destinies and so on.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

27. Alcohol leads to really bad behavior. It is a factor in 50 percent of violent crimes.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol, used responsibly, is a good gift from God.

28. Alcohol distracts and derails you from living the victorious life for which Christ died.

No. Sin does that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

29. Wisdom is the principle thing that I need to pursue at all cost; alcohol makes me stupid.

I agree that godly wisdom is good, but w=here does Scripture say that “wisdom is the principle thing that I need to pursue at all cost”? Alcohol does not make anyone stupid. The stupidity is there before someone abuses it. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

30. Alcohol has ruined many, many marriages.

No, it hasn’t. But the abuse of alcohol can do that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

31. The only influence I should be “under” is God’s.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

32. The Bible tells me to be alert; alcohol delays my reaction time.

The Scripture’s call to be alert has nothing to do with reaction time; if it does, then all those who are severe physical or mental disabilities are sinning simply by having a condition. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

33. If I don’t start drinking, I’ll never have to stop.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

34. Alcohol severely tarnishes my testimony.

No. The abuse of alcohol does that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

35. Don’t want your teenagers to drink? Yep, same reasons apply to you.

I teach my children this: Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

36. God is holy; alcohol is not.

Using this logic, the author should stop living in a house, driving a car, eating food, and pretty much everything else outside of hearing God’s Word, receiving His sacraments, praying, etc. because all of these earthly things are common (not holy). Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

37. Alcohol and prayer don’t mix.

Good gifts from God can be enjoyed. Just because someone may not “mix” alcohol and prayer does not make them mutually exclusive. Sex and prayer don’t necessarily mix either. That doesn’t mean a husband and wife cannot enjoy this gift from God. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

38. Alcohol and Bible study don’t mix.

See #37. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

39. Alcohol lowers my resolve to resist temptation.

No. The abuse of alcohol does that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

40. Alcohol = Brokenness (broken lives, health, dreams and so on).

No. The abuse of alcohol does that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

41. When the world sees us drinking, it sends the message that Jesus isn’t enough.

I suppose the author thinks that people who eat also send the message that Jesus’ isn’t enough. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

42. Moderate drinking? How about moderate pornography or moderate heroin use or moderate lying or moderate adultery?

Unlike the sins lists, alcohol is not inherently sinful. It is abuse of alcohol that is. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

43. Christians are called to live a life of total surrender and separation from the world.

Our call to be in the world but not of the world does not mean that alcohol is sinful. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

44. Alcohol makes me forget. It can make me forget that I am married, that I am saved and so on.

No. The abuse of alcohol can do that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

45. “I don't get drunk. I only have one or two drinks.” If they didn’t affect you, you would drink soda.

This statement does not logically make sense. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

46. I should never look to the glass or bottle for joy, which can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The author is telling me that I cannot find any joy in my family, my wife, my children, my friends, my church, etc. because joy can “only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.” You don’t understand the First Article of the Creed. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

47. Alcohol fills my mind with impure thoughts.

Alcohol is incapable of putting any thoughts (good or bad) into your mind. The devil, the world,you’re your own sinful flesh do that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

48. If it could hinder my faith walk or love walk or dishonor the lordship of Jesus Christ, I need to forsake it.

Tell that to Jesus, who turned water into wine. My marriage could hinder those things, as could my parent, my children, and a whole host of other things. I don’t forsake them because they are capable of doing that. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

49. Alcohol doesn’t help me run the race that Jesus has marked before me to finish with more accuracy. It does the polar opposite.

The responsible use of alcohol neither helps nor hinders my faith. It is one of many good gifts that God has given us. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

50. For any argument that tries to justify Christian drinking, there are at least 50 other reasons not to. The writing is on the wall. It’s not God’s best for Christians to drink.

There is no such thing as “Christian drinking.” There is, however, freedom in Holy Scripture and the Gospel to enjoy this good gift from God responsibly. To say otherwise is to call God a liar. Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly.

Did you catch the common thread woven into every answer? Alcohol is a good gift from God; Christians are free to enjoy it responsibly. God’s Word says so. I hope the author will search the Scriptures on this issue. Speaking out against the abuse of alcohol and working to help those caught up in this sin would be much more beneficial than forbidding something that God allows. On that point I believe we can all agree.

The original article 50 Reasons is found here.

Do Not Listen to Your Heart

Roxette’s single “Listen to Your Heart” hit number one on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1988. I was in college at the time. Not a bad song. But what happens when “listen to your heart” becomes the basis for one’s theology? Take the following meme as an example...

Believe it or not, “listen to your heart” theology is quite prevalent in many circles. What does God think of you? Listen to your heart. What does God want you to do about such-and-such? Listen to your heart. It sounds so easy. It sounds so convincing. It sounds so right. But is it?

Search the Scriptures. Nowhere does God tell you to listen to your heart when it comes to matters of faith. Nowhere does God tell you that He speaks to you in your heart. Nowhere does God tell you to search for Him in your heart. Nowhere! The reason why many love listening to their heart is because one’s heart can say whatever one wants it to say—often times contrary to God’s Word.

So where do you turn to know what God thinks of you? To know what He says to you? To know where He locates Himself for you? Instead of listening to your heart, listen to God’s holy and inerrant Word. Don’t believe me? Then believe God. Here is a sampling of God extolling His own Word so that you may know what He thinks of you, what He says to you, and where He locates Himself for you...

Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. [Deuteronomy 8:3] 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [Psalm 119:105] 

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” [John 17:17] 

These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. [John 20:31] 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. [Romans 10:17] 

Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. [Romans 15:4] 

From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. [2 Timothy 3:15-17] 

No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. [2 Peter 1:21]

So go ahead and look for Christ this Christmas (as the meme says). But do not look to your heart, for even a Christian’s heart is full of vile things (cf. Matthew 15:19; Romans 7:18-19) and so easily goes astray. Look instead to that place where Jesus Christ has promised to be found for you. For your good. For your forgiveness, life, and salvation. You will find Him wrapped up in the swaddling cloths of His holy Word and blessed Sacraments, lying in the manger of His Church. All for you!

Syrian Refugees: A Call for More Fruitful Debate Among Christians

I love the fact that Christians are looking to reach out with compassion to those who are refugees. I also love the fact that Christians are looking to God’s Word for guidance in this area.

Unfortunately, the refugee crisis in Syria has brought out the worst in many Christians who are quick to assign sinister motives to those with opposing viewpoints, imply that there is only one correct answer to this crisis, and/or belittle or mock anyone who disagrees with their own opinion. What kind of witness does this give to those outside the one true faith?

God’s Word has much to say about welcoming the stranger, compassion, and love. It also has much to say about the governing authorities protecting citizens by carrying out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

So, by all means, let’s look at the various options by which these refugees can be helped. Let’s ask questions, listen to different points of view, and debate the advantages and disadvantages of each option. But most importantly, as Christians let us do this without slandering one another, without assigning sinister motives, and without haughtiness. Instead, let us put the best construction on everything and explain everything in the kindest way.

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” [Colossians 4:6]

Saint Luke the Evangelist

October 18 is the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist.

Saint Luke is mentioned by name only three times in the New Testament (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24). He was a Gentile by birth, well educated in Greek culture, a physician by profession, and did mission work with Saint Paul after his conversion. After careful research with eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word, and by the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, he authored the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles. By volume, these two books make up more than one-third of the New Testament.

The name Luke means “light.” His writings enlighten us about who Jesus is, why He came, and what He accomplished for us. Together with Matthew, Mark, and John, he is called an evangelist (evangel is the Greek word for good news or Gospel). That’s also why the first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels.

Drawing on the imagery of the four living creatures in Ezekiel 1, Saint Luke is often pictured as a winged ox in artwork, icons, and stained glass. The ox, an animal of sacrifice, was applied to Saint Luke because his Gospel repeatedly speaks about the temple and emphasizes the priestly and sacrificial work of Jesus. The wings remind us that repentance and forgiveness of sins are proclaimed in Jesus’ name to the ends of the earth.

Without Saint Luke’s orderly account, much of the story of our salvation (as well as the record of the early church in Acts) would not have been passed down to us. Luke alone records the following:

• Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah in the temple, announcing the birth of John the Baptist;
• Gabriel’s visit to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem;
• Mary’s visit with Elizabeth and song of praise (the Magnificat);
• John the Baptist’s birth and Zechariah’s song of praise (the Benedictus);
• Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem;
• the angels’ song of praise (the Gloria in Excelsis);
• the shepherd’s visit to baby Jesus;
• Jesus’ naming and circumcision on the eighth day;
• Jesus’ presentation in the temple on the fortieth day and Simeon’s song of praise (the Nunc Dimittis);
• 12-year-old Jesus teaching the teachers in the temple in Jerusalem;
• seven of Jesus’ miracles: the miraculous catch of fish, the raising of the widow’s son in Nain, the healing of a possessed mute man, the healing of a disabled woman, the healing of a man with dropsy, the cleansing of the ten lepers, and the reattachment of Malchus’ ear;
• twenty of Jesus’ parables, including the Merciful Father (a.k.a. the Prodigal Son) and the Good Samaritan;
• the story of Mary and Martha and the one thing needful;
• the story of Zacchaeus and how Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost;
• Jesus’ word from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (23:34);
• Jesus’ word from the cross: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (23:43);
• Jesus’ word from the cross: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” (23:46); and
• the opening of the Emmaus disciples’ eyes in the breaking of the bread on Easter Sunday.

Church tradition teaches that Luke traveled with Paul during his second missionary journey, joining him after Paul received his Macedonian call to bring the Gospel to Europe. Luke most likely stayed behind in Philippi for seven years, rejoining Paul at the end of the third missionary journey in Macedonia. He traveled with Paul to Troas, Jerusalem, and Caesarea, where Paul was imprisoned for two years. While in Caesarea, Luke may have researched material he used in his Gospel. Afterward, he accompanied Paul on his journey to Rome. Luke died a martyr’s death at the age of 84.

Let us pray: Almighty God, our Father, Your blessed Son called Luke the physician to be an evangelist and physician of the soul. Grant that the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments may put to flight the diseases of our souls that with willing hearts we may ever love and serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Your Church Family Loves and Misses You

To those of you who have stepped away from your church family over the years, as well as those brothers and sisters in Christ whom we do not see very often…

We love you. We miss you. We desire nothing less than to have you join us again so that together we may receive Christ’s gracious gifts as a family. We’d love to welcome you back with open arms and great joy.

There are many reasons why someone steps away from a congregation, or makes the receiving of Christ’s gracious gifts in Word and Sacrament a low priority. Life is busy. Schedules are full. Work. Sleep. Family. Sporting events. People said things they shouldn’t have. Feelings were hurt. Was asked to volunteer. Wasn’t asked to volunteer. Don’t like the pastor. Don’t like the service. Don’t like so-and-so or such-and-such. I can be spiritual without going to church. They’re all hypocrites anyway. And so on and so forth.

Whatever your reason(s), we ask you to remember who we are and whose we are.

We are a congregation made up exclusively of sinners. People who have hurt others by our words and actions. People whose hearts have been filled with anger, hatred, resentment, lust, greed, envy, jealousy, selfishness. People who have idolized all sorts of false gods. People who have taken God’s name in vain. People who have despised preaching and the Word. People whose sinful nature too often gets the best of us. There are sinners of every stripe in our midst. Young and old. Extrovert and introvert. We are far from perfect. Never have been. Never will be on this side of death. In fact, we are a family of poor, miserable sinners. We are neither better nor worse than you. Each of us is broken. Each of us is weak and weary. Each of us is in need of God’s grace. We do not have all the answers to life’s questions. Nor can we solve every problem.

But this we do have. A God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. A God who has compassion on us and loves us unconditionally. A God whose love for us moved Him to take on our flesh and blood, walk this sinful earth, breathe this poisoned air, shoulder the entire burden of our sin, and die in our place on a cross so that we would never taste of eternal wages we deserve. A God who grants new life to those dead in trespasses and sins. A God who loves, forgives, and shows mercy without end. A God who creates clean hearts and willing spirits. A God who claims us as His own at the font, fills our ears with His life-giving words and promises, and feeds us the very body and blood of Jesus that unites Him to us and us to Him. A God that gathers His children together into a household—a congregation—wherein He abundantly pours forth His gracious gifts.

It’s easy and convenient in our day and age to want to go it alone. To think that Christianity is simply “me and Jesus.” But God’s Word says otherwise. God the Father—through His Son and in His Spirit—adopts us into a family. His family. As His family, the Lord calls us to gather together in His house around His table for His meal. That’s why the apostles established congregations. Why Saint Paul addressed his letters to congregations. Christians congregate. They meet together. They gather together where the Triune God comes to bless in Word and Sacrament.

By His grace and in His name, on Christ’s terms and not our own, we gather together on the Lord’s Day to hold His Word sacred and gladly hear and learn it, to hear anew the story of our salvation, to eat from His table, to put to death our selfishness, to be transformed by the love of Christ, to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, to pray for the needs of all, to bear one another’s burdens, to encourage one another, to build one another up in the one true faith, and to promote works of love and service to those whom God places in our path.

We love you. We miss you. We will not stop reaching out to you. We desire nothing less than to have you join us again so that together we may receive Christ’s gracious gifts as a family. We’d love to welcome you back with open arms and great joy.

Will you join us?

Graciously,
Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ

A Beloved Mother

Today is Mother’s Day. In addition to thanking God for my own mother and my own wife (the mother of my four boys) this day, I pray that our gracious Lord would mercifully grant His love, strength, forgiveness, hope, comfort, peace, and joy to the following:

• the woman who, together with her husband, is bringing up their child(ren) “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4);
• the woman who longs to have a child, but can’t;
• the woman who gave up a child via adoption;
• the woman who adopted a child not her own to love and nurture as her own;
• the woman who is raising a child alone;
• the woman who ended her pregnancy;
• the woman whose unborn child died in utero;
• the woman whose child was born prematurely;
• the woman whose child was born stillborn;
• the woman whose child was born with some sort of disability;
• the woman who has had to bury a child; and
• any and every other woman not fitting the categories above.

Though every earthly mother is flawed to one degree or another, we have a heavenly mother who is the bride of Christ. To the eyes she is deeply flawed, wrinkled, covered with warts. But by God’s grace she is pure, holy, righteous. Saint Paul writes, “The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother” (Galatians 4:26). She gave birth to us in Holy Baptism, feeds us the pure milk of the Word, and sets a table before us with the holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you don’t know this mother yet, get to know her. The Father created her from the Second Adam’s side. The Son loves her and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. The Spirit works through her and her means of grace to create and nurture children of the heavenly Father.

That’s why my prayer this Mother’s Day is this:

Thank You, dear Father in heaven, for our beloved mother—the only, holy, Christian, and apostolic Church. In Christ, she is beautiful, loving, forgiving, and welcoming. In Christ, she is an endless supply of hope, comfort, peace, and joy. We thank You this day for giving her to us that we might know You, the only true God, and therein be partakers of the forgiveness, life, and salvation Your Son graciously bestows on us in Word and Sacrament. In Jesus’ name. Amen!