NEWS

If you were to conduct a survey on a congregation’s favorite passages from Scripture, both today’s Epistle Holy Gospel would likely end up among the most loved, and rightly so. Both of these sets of verses get to the heart of what the faith is all about. They get to heart of what it is that makes Christianity different from all other world religions—things like grace, love, and sacrifice. These big two passages are “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9) and “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). These are verses that we should read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest!

Perhaps it was as David gazed into the sky with a sense of wonder and awe that the Holy Spirit inspired him to write the words of today’s Psalm, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). When we turn our eyes heavenward and see the brightness of the sun, the glow of the moon, or the multitude of stars, we can sense that there is more than meets the eye. Creation reveals that a Creator must be behind this wonderment! God’s Word shows us that creation bears witness to the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. David is right, “the heavens declare the glory of God.”

When it comes to human love, it’s fair to say that it comes in different degrees. For instance, even with just a little love for someone, you might be willing to help carry some groceries or get their mail while they’re out of town. But if you have a greater love for someone, you might be open to caring for them when they’re sick or helping them move into a new home. The greatest demonstration of love, however, is to lay down your life for someone else. There’s no greater sacrifice one can make for another. And yet, that’s exactly what Jesus did for us, even though so often we are unloving and unlovable people. “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

“Here am I.” This is the simple, yet faith-filled, response of Abraham as the Lord calls him. Not knowing what the Lord will call him to do, but simply trusting the Word of the Lord, Abraham says, “Here am I.” As we look through the pages of Scripture those same three little words, “Here am I,” are echoed by others: Jacob, Moses, and Samuel—to name just a few. As people who the Lord has called in Baptism, may we also answer with the same faith-filled response, “Here am I!” We may not always know where God will lead, but we do know that the One who has called us will be with us as we follow where He guides.

The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a sign of mortality and death. On this first day of Lent, we enter the season with an extended time of repentance and confession of sin. We reflect on Jesus’ holy Passion as we hear the account of His journey to the cross culminating in His suffering and death. We pray that our Lord might bless this time of penitence and reflection as we await His resurrection.

Jesus’ disciples were confused. They had seen Jesus perform miracles that only God could do. They watched as He fulfilled the messianic signs promised in the Old Testament. Then He started talking about being glorified, and in the same breath predicted that He would suffer and die. That’s not what they were expecting to hear. When Jesus was transfigured before three of them and they saw the fullness of His glory, the voice of the Father reminded them to “listen to Him” even though He might say some unexpected and even puzzling things. God speaks to us today in our worship, and commands us to do the same: “Listen to Him!”

Our gracious God remembers His people. When they are downtrodden, He rescues them; when humbled in their sinfulness, He forgives them. He not only lifts us up as on eagle’s wings (Old Testament reading), but using Word and Sacrament, He will resurrect us, lifting us up eternally from sin and death. Today our faith soars!

At the end of Moses’ life, to His apprehensive people God promised to send a prophet like Moses. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy in more ways than anyone expected. Today we move from confession of our weaknesses to confidence in God’s protection, thanks to the presence of Christ in Word and Sacrament.

Today’s Scriptures make us aware of God’s use of time. From eternity He planned to save us and in Jesus accomplished our salvation. He is with us in the present moment, coming through the hearing of His Word and as we receive our Lord under bread and wine. He has promised to accompany us with His Spirit through each day until we join Him in eternity. The past, present, and future are highlighted as we come together in worship this day.

The early winter darkness in the northern hemisphere provides the perfect backdrop for the candles and glow of the Christmas celebration. But as the glow of Christmas fades, the darkness is still there. The life of faith in this world is a constant struggle between the darkness of sin and the light of new life in Christ. Fortunately we are not left powerless for the struggle. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Joined to the Lord as in a wedding we become a new person in Christ and are given the new family name: Christian. In that name we glorify God with all that we have, fully confident of His love.