From the Pulpit

Posted on November 3, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

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All Saints Day 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 3, 2024
Revelation 7:2-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12

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Teaching catechism class to the 7th and 8th graders in school and in church gives me opportunities to give life advice. One lesson I give to the boys is that to be a good husband they need to be able to do two main things. They need to be able to work and kill bugs. If a guy can do those two things the other stuff can be worked out.

It is good to have a job and be able to provide for your family. You like being able to pay for the things you need; clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home. You like the independence of being able to take care of yourself and those who rely on you.

When you hear the news of a company shutting down and laying off workers it can cause you to wonder. What if it were me? What if that was my company? How long could I keep going on savings? There is a fear of losing everything and becoming a beggar.

Being a beggar would be rough; having to rely on the generosity of others rather than on yourself. It is hard to be helpless.

Here at Immanuel we have a number of parking spaces close to the building for members and visitors who are less able because of a handicap or disability. Those who are more able park further away. Now, if we want to be honest we should have a sign on every parking space, “reserved parking for the Spiritually Unable.” Not just spiritually handicapped or spiritually disabled, but spiritually unable. Parking for the helpless; the powerless.

Just like we talked about last Sunday for Reformation, you are spiritually unable. You bring nothing to the table to negotiate with God. You cannot earn forgiveness, you cannot buy forgiveness, you cannot trade for forgiveness. You are spiritually unable.

In the winter of 1545 and 46, Martin Luther knew that health was failing and he predicted he would be dead before Easter. Luther did die in Eisleben Germany on February 18, 1546 after a long, cold winter journey from Wittenberg. After he died they found a scrap of paper in his pocket with six words; “Wir sind Bettler, das ist wahr.” We are beggars, this is true.

Luther was right. We are beggars. You are a beggar. I am a beggar. In life you fear becoming a beggar, and then you find out that it is true. You come to Jesus with nothing.

What does Jesus teach about the spiritually unable? What does Jesus say about helpless spiritual beggars? Jesus says you are blessed now and at the judgement day. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

You see, being poor in spirit is not a virtue, it is an inability. It is not something you strive for as a Christian — it is who you are as a Christian. Being poor in spirit is knowing that you cannot save yourself. Being poor in spirit is knowing you are helpless. In helplessness you mourn over the evil — the evil in your own heart and the evil in the world. There is so much evil in you and around you, and you are helpless to stop it. There is the evil of greed and selfishness and hatred and lust and pride that infects all people and bubbles up from within. There is evil in the world where defenseless unborn children are sacrificed on the altar of sexual freedom and politicians say that this is our greatest freedom. There is the evil of children and the elderly being neglected and abused. The evil of the poor being taken advantage of in their poverty. The evil of division and discord and warfare in the world. There is so much evil and you cannot stop it, so you mourn.

Being helpless — being spiritually unable — can be so uncomfortable when you want so badly to be independent. But God’s ways are not the world’s ways. Jesus teaches Mark 10:15 (ESV) 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Matthew 5:3 (ESV) 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The Holy Spirit, dwelling in you, gives you the knowledge that you are helpless…that you need Jesus – and this is the entryway into the kingdom of heaven; the reign of heaven. Most Sundays you begin worship on your knees confessing that you are a sinner. You have done this so much you have worn out the kneelers and they need to be replaced. You know you are a beggar…you know you cannot do it on your own.

You are a beggar, but Jesus does not leave you empty. He fills you with His blessings. Jesus did it all for you on the cross and gives you the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. He brings you under the reign of Jesus. Jesus is King who rules and protects you and all His Church — pouring out grace and forgiveness on His people. Now, Jesus’ kingdom is different. John 18:36–37 (ESV) 36 Jesus answered [Pilate], “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus reigns over His Church but, for now, His rule is incomplete. He has not yet fully restored the earth. And so you pray, “Thy Kingdom come…on earth as it is in heaven,” and you mourn the wickedness in the world as you look forward to the Last Day when Jesus will return and destroy all evil. Matthew 5:4 (ESV) 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

You are now forgiven and redeemed, but the world is not yet fully restored. The day is coming when Jesus will return and evil will be destroyed and you will have eternal peace. Then there will be no more living in this difficult “now and not yet” time between Jesus’ ascension and His return. So you pray over and over, “Thy kingdom come.”

You are spiritually unable, you are spiritually helpless, you are powerless, you are meek, you are lowly. You want everything to be right but it is so messed up. You hunger for righteousness. You thirst for righteousness. You cry, “O Lord! Thy will be done!”

Into your life of struggle and longing, Jesus’ words bring eternal comfort. Matthew 5:5–6 (ESV) 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” The meek will receive the whole world. Righteousness will come to those who are desperate for everyone to be right with God.

For now you wait for the Lord to return and make all things right forever. You wait. Your loved ones who have died and are at peace with the Lord also are waiting for Jesus to return. For now, for the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, it is a time of waiting. The disciples saw Jesus ascend into heaven and waited for His return. We continue the wait for Him to return and restore the earth.

Through Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection from the grave He earned salvation for all people. Jesus offers the white robe of righteousness to all people everywhere. There is a robe ready for each person. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit you know you need it. You know that you do not want to be found naked on the Day of Judgement.

When Jesus returns, those alive in Christ will be taken up. Those who have died in Christ will be raised from the dead, and body and soul will be reunited. All will go before the judgement throne of Jesus, the King of the Universe. Those who rejected the robe of Christ’s righteousness will go to damnation with the devil and his angels. Those wearing the white robe of Christ’s righteousness — the Saints of God — will go marching into the Heavenly City of New Jerusalem. This is the great multitude that no one can number every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. Indeed you want to be in that number. You will be in that number when the saints go marching in.

Through Jesus’ suffering and death and resurrection from the grave He earned salvation for all people. Jesus offers the white robe of righteousness to all people everywhere. There is a robe ready for each person. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit you know you need it. You know that you do not want to be found naked on the Day of Judgement.

Tragically, many reject Jesus’ gift. Even more tragically, many who have had the robe get distracted by the deceitfulness of wealth and the busyness of life and take off the robe of righteousness. Many do not want the Kingship of Jesus. They may want Jesus to give them good advice or help them from time to time, but they do not believe they are spiritual unable. They may think they need a little guidance, a little help, but they are certainly not poor in spirit, they are certainly not meek and lowly. That would be all too humiliating. That is not the way of the world.

The way of the world is to work hard and take care of yourself. It is thought to be dishonorable to be a beggar. Your sinful self wants to do it yourself, but you know the truth. You are helpless and powerless like a child. You know that salvation is 0% from you and 100% from Jesus. This humble understanding frees you from worrying and wondering and working at being saved and frees you to serve God by serving each other. Your salvation is secure so you can focus on love and service. Shine the light of Christ in the darkness of this world.

You are spiritually unable — and are blessed; now and for eternity. Wir sind bettler. Das ist wahr. We are beggars. This is true. Amen.

Posted on October 27, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Dignity in the doing?

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Reformation Day 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 27, 2024

Today we celebrate Reformation Day. We remember Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg Germany on the Eve of All Saints Day in the year 1517. This call for debate on the sale of indulgences began the Reformation of the church and led to the Lutheran Church coming into existence.

I confess that I may have, at times, turned the Reformation Day sermon into a sort of pep rally for Lutheranism, but I have not yet in the cheerleaders from school to lead us in a rousing chant, “Lutherans are ready… Lutherans are smooth… Lutherans will take control and stomp all over you!” I haven’t gone that far for Reformation Day, but it certainly seems to be a day to be proud to be Lutheran. Proud to be Lutheran! But wait…is that an okay thing to say? In the Gospel of Mark we learn that pride is one of evils that come from the heart of man. And, interestingly, what Luther rediscovered about humanity in Holy Scripture is not a source of pride.

The beginning of the Reformation came from Luther questioning the sale of indulgences which promised to remit all earthly punishments for sin for someone who is alive. Or, an indulgence could be purchased for someone who had died with the promise that they would spring from purgatory as soon as the coin in the coffer clings.

As a Lutheran pastor I am not overly familiar with the teachings about purgatory, so, at a casual discussion group I was chatting with a young Catholic priest and he talked about the dignity of purgatory. He said a person has dignity because they suffer on account of their sins either in this life, doing penance, or in purgatory. Now, dignity means to be worthy of honor or respect. Does the Bible teach that you have dignity because of your actions? Is there dignity in the doing?

Even today, for Roman Catholics who want to avoid purgatory, they can still get an indulgence. You cannot buy one, but a quick internet search shows there are still many ways to earn a plenary indulgence which is the full remission of the earthly penalty for your sins. You can earn one each day, by being in a state of grace and with a proper disposition, go to confession, receive communion, and pray for the intentions of the pope. You can apply the indulgence to yourself or to someone who has died. In 2025 you can earn two indulgences each day because the pope has declared it is a jubilee year. For the jubilee year there is a detailed list of many ways to earn an indulgence; you can go on a pilgrimage, perform an act of mercy, fast from social media, and many other things. From these instructions it seems that there is dignity in the doing.

But what does the Bible say? Looking at our Epistle reading from Romans, what can we learn about our dignity? Romans 3:19 (ESV) 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.”

God’s law stops your mouth, leaving you nothing to say in your defense. The law says you have no excuse. You get no dignity from the law. Paul continues, Romans 3:22–23 (ESV) 22 … there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” In our gospel reading Jesus teaches more about sin, John 8:34 (ESV) 34 …“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.”

The very difficult thing about Christianity is the knowledge that you cannot save yourself. As a descendent of Adam and Eve, you are, by nature, sinful and unclean. You cannot undo that. The Bible is clear about the source of salvation. Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” It is utterly humbling to realize that you cannot do it. There is nothing you can do to save yourself. With man it is impossible. You are poor in spirit. You have nothing to offer God.

We like to go through life pretending that we are pretty good people and we are doing ok, not like those really bad people, but then we learn from Holy Scripture, Isaiah 64:6 (ESV) 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

The New Testament is no more encouraging. 1 Peter 1:24–25 (ESV) 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

You are like grass that withers. Your righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. You cannot do it. There is no dignity in your doing.

This can make it hard to market Lutheran theology. “Come to our church and we will let you know that you are a helpless sinner and you can do nothing to save yourself.” That is not a very positive message.

But that is not the whole message. God’s truth is not all about God’s law. Romans 3:21–22 (ESV) 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…”

Righteousness does not come through the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:22–25 (ESV) 22 … there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation (an appeasement) by his blood, to be received by faith. …”

You can do nothing to merit salvation. You cannot gain dignity by doing. It has been done for you. Jesus did it for you and gives it to you as a gift. Romans 3:27 (ESV) 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. John 8:36 (ESV) 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

You are free in Christ. You can trust this Good News because Jesus did it all without your help and Jesus does things perfectly. In Christ you have the perfect promise.

Which of these two statements gives you more assurance? “I am saved because I believe in Jesus.” Or “I am saved because Jesus died for me.” If you emphasize your belief you are always left wondering, do I believe enough? If it is about what Jesus has done, you can trust it completely. You are saved — because Jesus died for you. Let the joy of that promise sink in. The truth is that you can do nothing to aid in your salvation; you have no dignity in the doing, and that is the most joyous truth because it means that you need not doubt. You need not wonder — have I done enough. Jesus has done it all.

Jesus delivers this saving grace to you in the waters of Holy Baptism, in His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, and in His Word.

Lutherans follow scripture alone. Whatever I teach from this pulpit or in a class, I need to be able to show you where it comes from in the Bible because the Bible is God’s Word. In scripture you find truth.

As Jesus teaches, John 8:31–32 (ESV) 31 … “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 Peter 1:24–25 (ESV) 24 … The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” VDMA Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum. The word of the Lord remains forever. This is the motto of the Lutheran Reformation. So we sing and we pray, “Lord, keep us steadfast in your word.”

You have the amazing, pure Good News that your sins are forgiven in Jesus. And today we remember and celebrate the rediscovery of that Good News begun by Martin Luther in Wittenberg.

Jesus saves you, you do not save yourself. There is no doubt of what Jesus has done. You can trust that His redemption of you is complete. And so, while you still struggle with temptation and sin, Jesus has declared you to be a saint; holy, righteous and pure. The joy and light of Jesus shine forth from you as a redeemed child of God destined for eternal life in the Heavenly City.

You are destined for eternity with Jesus, but for now there are dangers lurking, so be aware. The devil will tempt you to believe that you have to do something to complete your salvation; that your sins are forgiven, if, you do your part. The devil will tempt you to abuse your salvation by acting like an unbeliever following the ways of the world, instead of acting like the saint that you are following the commandments of God. The devil will try to get you to abandon God’s truth and believe the devil’s lies. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Today, we celebrate Reformation Day. We remember a brave, stubborn monk who rediscovered the truth that dignity is not in the doing, or in the buying of an indulgence, or suffering in purgatory, an imaginary place invented by men. Jesus’ grace is a free gift for all people.

For questioning indulgences, Martin Luther was kicked out of the Roman Church and sentenced to death. The penalty for translating the Bible into any language other than Latin was also punishable by death. So since he was already under a death sentence, and with the protection of his prince, Luther translated the Bible into German so the German people could read the Bible in their own language. The people could abide in God’s Word and the truth set them free. Luther gave people the Word of God and churches were able to learn the truth of the Bible.

Luther did not start something new. He did not start a new church of the enlightenment period in which he lived in order to make everything make sense. He did not start a new church that rejected infant baptism and rejected the real presence of Jesus’ Body and Blood in Holy Communion because that just makes more rational sense. Luther did not start something new. Luther went back to an earlier form of the Church when scripture alone was the source of church teaching. Luther called it the Evangelical Church. The Gospel Church. The Good News Church. “Lutheran” was first a name coined by Luther’s enemies, but the churches began using the term in the middle of the 16th century to distinguish themselves from Anabaptists and Calvinists. So now we are called Lutherans and the last Sunday of October each year we remember and celebrate the Reformation. We are tempted to say, “I’m proud to be Lutheran,” but perhaps it is better to say, “I am thankful to be Lutheran because I know the truth. Jesus has fully redeemed me and I need not doubt God’s promise to me.”

You know the truth and the truth sets you free. If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. The word of the Lord remains forever. Amen.

Posted on October 20, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

How Much Money is Enough?

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Pentecost 22, 2024, Proper 24
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 20, 2024
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20, Hebrews 4:1-13, Mark 10:23-31

When I was in my late 20s I went to work as a representative for AAL, Aid Association for Lutherans, which was a forerunner of Thrivent Financial today. I worked with families regarding their finances, and sold insurance and mutual funds to try to meet their financial needs. I taught people the value of investing money over time to grow wealth. I taught my children that when they get their first adult job they should invest in their 401K or 403B in their 20s because if they can get a good chunk invested by the age of 30 they should have 40+ years for that money to grow. It takes as long to double $1,000 to $2,000 as it does to double a $500,000 to $1,000,000. So, the earlier you start, the more chances of doubling you have. As you manage money, wise investing is a good thing. But with money there is always a danger.

Money is tricky. If you work hard and control your spending and save money and invest wisely you can end up wealthy. Or if you are an entrepreneur and build a successful business and employ people, you can be wealthy. Also, you can work hard and save money and invest and run a business, and circumstances can make money disappear.

Here, at Immanuel, we have folks that are barely scraping by, we have many who work hard to make ends meet each month, and we have folks that are quite well off. But no matter how much you have, money is tricky for everyone. In our Gospel reading today Jesus teaches, Mark 10:24–25 (ESV) 24 …“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

It is impossible for a rich person to enter the kingdom. Now, you may think, that is bad news for Warren Buffet, good thing I am not rich. But you are rich. By world standards, every one of you here is rich. To be rich by world standards is to have more than one pair of shoes and get to choose what you eat. In 2019, 85% of Africans lived on less than $5.50 per day. If you have a roof over your head, clothing and shoes to wear, and food to eat you are rich. Most of us have far, far more than we need, but how much is enough?

John D. Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company and the first billionaire of the United States of America — he was at one time the richest man on Earth. Rockefeller was once asked by a reporter, “How much money is enough?” He calmly replied, “Just a little bit more.”

Money is tricky because it is easy to believe you never have enough. You can feel like you never have enough when you spend everything you have and come up short every month. You can feel like you never have enough when you are barely making ends meet. You can feel like you never have enough when you have more money than month and savings and investment accounts grow.

How much money is enough? There is an ever present danger to love money. We all need money, and it is nice to have more money and so the desire to love money is a constant temptation.

Money is a good gift of God, but oddly enough, loving money will ruin it for you. If you love money you will be like Rockefeller — always wanting more — never satisfied. In our reading today from Ecclesiastes wealthy King Solomon shares wisdom about money. Ecclesiastes 5:10 (ESV) 10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”

Throughout the Bible you are warned about the love of money. 1 Timothy 6:6–10 (ESV) 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” The desire to be rich can bring ruin and destruction. The love of money can cause people to wander away from the faith.

In our Gospel reading from Mark 10 we learn that it is impossible for you to save yourself. And yet, you are saved. You believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior, but your saving faith is not from you, it is a miracle of God. It is not from your own reason or strength, but the Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel, enlightened you with His gifts, sanctified and kept you in the true faith. You cannot save yourself. Jesus saves you. As Jesus says, Mark 10:27 (ESV) 27 … “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Afterwards, in response to Peter saying that the disciples have left everything to follow, Jesus responds with a promise. Mark 10:29–30 (ESV) 29 Jesus [says], “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus promises they will have abundance in this time. Jesus promises you will have abundance in this time. You have abundance because, as a follower of Jesus, you are content with what you have been given. Being content brings great joy and thanksgiving for all you have received from God.

Enjoy what God has given you. Eat and drink and enjoy the work that God has given you to do, whatever it is. How wonderful to enjoy your labor and receive wages for doing it. God’s grace and provision are sufficient for you. Be content with what you have been given by God — and manage it well.

Twenty percent of the commandments deal with the sin of coveting. Coveting is having a sinful desire for what belongs to another. The opposite of coveting is to be content; to be satisfied with what you have. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Godliness with contentment makes you wealthy. Being content with what you have makes you wealthier than John D. Rockefeller who was never satisfied. Being content, you are wealthier than Rockefeller who always wanted more.

You have enough. God promises, “My grace is sufficient for you.” You have been rescued from the devil’s darkness and through Jesus you are brought into the kingdom of light and love. Be content with what you have. Take Solomon’s teaching to heart and live it out. Ecclesiastes 5:18 (ESV) 18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.”

Enjoy what God has given you. Eat and drink and enjoy the work that God has given you to do, whatever it is. How wonderful to enjoy your labor and receive wages for doing it. God’s grace and provision are sufficient for you. Be content with what you have been given by God — and manage it well.

Jesus gave everything for you. He redeemed you with His holy, precious blood and His suffering and death. As a baptized child of God, all that you are and all that you have belongs to God. Be a good steward of God’s body that you care for, and manage well God’s money and God’s possessions He has entrusted to your care. Work hard in whatever you have been given to do and be a good steward of God’s gifts to you. If you work hard and you manage money and possessions well they may grow. That growth in God’s gifts gives you more opportunity for tremendous generosity.

Being content with what God has given you will bring joy. Rejoice in your toil. Give thanks for all God has given you to do at school, at work, at home, at church, in the community. And as Solomon teaches, Ecclesiastes 5:19–20 (ESV) 19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.”

So, beware the temptation to love money. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Beware the strong desire to never be content with what you have and what you have been given to do. Beware the love of money. Beware the devil and the world’s desire to keep you discontent.

The antidote for the love of money is generosity. Be generous with what you have. Give a generous, first-fruits offering to the Lord’s church. Give to deserving charities to help those in need. As you can, directly help out those in need. Share with others. Lend without expecting repayment. Be generous with your wealth and with your time.

Jesus gave everything for you. Enjoy what God has given you. Be content with what you have. God’s grace is sufficient for you. God’s provision is sufficient. Rejoice in all God has given you. You have enough. Amen.

Posted on October 13, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Elon Musk is Needy and Helpless

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Pentecost 21 2024, Proper 23
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 13, 2024
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, Hebrews 3:12-19, Mark 10:17-22

Elon Musk is needy and helpless. Jeff Bezos is needy and helpless. Bill Gates is needy and helpless. Like everyone else, the very wealthy are needy and helpless, but, far too often, they do not know it.

The very wealthy can do things that normal people cannot even imagine. They own islands, airplanes, huge collections of exotic cars, they get things done by using their power, wealth, and influence. They are problem solvers. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has projects going on all around the world dealing with issues of poverty. They are working improve education, agriculture, health and nutrition in some of the poorest nations. Jeff Bezos recently gave over $100 million to fight homelessness in the U.S. In response to Hurricane Helene, Elon Musk sent helicopters into Western North Carolina to set up hundreds of Starlink internet stations so people can get on the internet and be able to communicate and let their families know they are safe.

Rich people see a problem and have the resources to make things happen and solve the problem. I would think that to become very wealthy you need to have a “git r done” kind of attitude. The very wealthy are problem solvers. Here is a problem. How can I fix it?

In our Gospel reading today we meet a very wealthy man who is used to solving problems. He comes to Jesus after Jesus has just finished teaching about children and the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark 10:15 (ESV) 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

Now, the disciples originally tried to keep the children away, but the rich man encounters no interference. The disciples are likely quite impressed that the rich man is coming to them. He runs right up to Jesus and kneels before Him and asks, Mark 10:17 (ESV) 17 …“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” What does the rich man believe about Jesus? The man seems to have a high view of Jesus as he genuflects before Him and calls Him “good teacher.” “Good teacher” is an unusual title in Jewish culture; only God is good. This prompts Jesus’ response, Mark 10:18 (ESV) 18 …“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Does this man know Jesus is God? Does he think He is a prophet? Maybe He has heard all Jesus has done and suspects the truth, wonders about the truth, but is not quite ready to believe the truth. Much like the father of the demon possessed boy who says to Jesus, Mark 9:22, 24 (ESV) 22 … But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us….[, and] “I believe, help my unbelief.”

The rich man may suspect Jesus is possibly divine, but does not know what all that means. There are so many today that have some idea about Jesus, they may say they believe in Jesus, but they misunderstand Him, they do not know who Jesus is and how He works. They are looking for Jesus to be a helper and a coach and a comforter. They are looking for Jesus to help them be successful. But Jesus did not come to help you be successful; Jesus came to save you. The rich man asks a question, but it is the wrong question. Mark 10:17 (ESV) “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is a very normal question, a very typical question, but it is the wrong question. Jesus answers him. Mark 10:19 (ESV) 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” Basically, all you have to do is keep the 10 commandments.

The man answers, Mark 10:20 (ESV) 20 … “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” This guy believes he is one of the good ones. He believes that he is good enough. His wealth is a sign that God is blessing him and he believes he is keeping the commandments. Now, you know that, 1 John 1:8 (ESV) 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” But somehow the rich man has convinced himself he is keeping the commandments. The man is seeking the right thing, but he is asking the wrong question, and he is lying to himself about keeping the commandments. Jesus looks at him with love and lowers the hammer of the law onto the rich young man with one sentence. Mark 10:21 (ESV) 21 …“You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; ….” The man may think he is doing well with the second table of the law, but what about the first table; the commandments about God. What about the first commandment; you shall have no other Gods?

Who or what does the man fear, love and trust? Does he fear, love and trust God… or money? Jesus convicts the man with this one sentence. The man realizes that he is not keeping the first commandment and this breaks him. He is broken by the law of God. But Jesus does not crush him with the law and leave him crushed. He invites the man, “…come, follow me.”

Jesus loves the man and wants him to be saved, but the man does not follow Jesus. Something else is more important. Mark 10:22 (ESV) 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

The man is disheartened because he realizes that he is not good enough. He realizes that he cannot do it himself. He realizes that he needs help. He is wealthy. He can get things done. He is a problem solver. But this is a problem he cannot solve. He is needy and helpless. This is a new, confusing sensation for the wealthy man. He is…needy…and…helpless, like…a…child. Jesus invites him to follow, but to follow Jesus would be admitting that he is needy. So, just like the man declared he is keeping commandments 4 to 10 he does not want to admit that he is breaking the first and greatest commandment by loving money more than God… and he walks away.

This is still a hard lesson today. This is a most difficult teaching. You live in a land of great abundance and are constantly tempted to love money and love stuff. It is way too easy to fear, love and trust in possessions and money and investments. You worry that if forced to choose between wealth and Jesus you would be sorely tempted to choose wealth. Wealth is the way of the world. The world teaches you to love money and use people. Jesus teaches you to love people and use money.

You know the temptation, so you come here each week and get on your knees and admit you are needy. You are needy and helpless like a little child. No matter how much money you have, you are needy and helpless when facing the law of God.

Jesus’ disciples are also having that same problem. In next week’s Gospel reading, after the rich man went away, Mark 10:23 (ESV) 23 …Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is the wrong question. There is nothing you can do. You do not deserve it, you cannot earn it, it can only come as a gift from God. Salvation comes from God alone. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. With God all things are possible.

The disciples are amazed. How can this be? Everyone wants to be rich. They believe wealth is a sign of God’s blessing, and yet they just saw a rich man turn his back on Jesus and walk away disheartened. He could not admit he is a helpless, needy child. Jesus continues, and notice how He addresses the disciples. Mark 10:24–25 (ESV) 24 …“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

A camel…through the eye of a needle…that’s crazy…that’s impossible. The disciples are confused. Mark 10:26 (ESV) 26 … “Then who can be saved?” Mark 10:27 (ESV) 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is the wrong question. There is nothing you can do. You do not deserve it, you cannot earn it, it can only come as a gift from God. Salvation comes from God alone. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. With God all things are possible.

The rich man in our Gospel reading is needy and helpless. The very wealthy today are needy and helpless. You are needy and helpless. The advantage you have is that you know it. You know you are a spiritually needy, helpless child, and you know the way of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. You are a baptized child of God. Jesus gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit. You have heard Jesus’ invitation, “follow me,” and you follow Him because you know He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. You know you cannot do it on your own. You follow Jesus. Amen.

Posted on September 29, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

The Devil is Powerless Against You

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St. Michael and All Angels
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 29, 2024
Daniel 10:10-14, 12:1-3, Revelation 123:7-12, Luke 10:17-20

What would it be like to be, right now, in the presence of God — with the angels and the archangels and all the company of heaven? As we read in Daniel 7:9–10 (ESV) 9 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.” In God’s presence there are countless angels all around the throne of God.

If you ever had to go to court as the defendant, what kind of representation would you want? Would you want a lawyer who believes you are totally guilty and who keeps telling the judge how guilty you are and if given the opportunity you will do worse? Because that is what it would be like to have that fallen angel, the devil, representing you before the throne of God. In the Old Testament in Job and Zechariah we see the devil accusing God’s saints, Job and Joshua, the high priest. The devil once had a place in the council of angels before the throne of God… and then everything changed.

2,000 years ago God the Son leaves heaven to take on human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary. God takes on flesh and the devil sees an opportunity to defeat the Son of God while He is a vulnerable human.

The book of Revelation is full of prophetic picture language, but we can clearly see the battle between light and darkness, good and evil, in Revelation 12:4–6 (ESV) 4 [The dragon’s] tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.”

The woman is Mary — and the Church. Satan uses Herod the Great to try to destroy the Christ child in Bethlehem, but Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee in the middle of the night to Egypt. After returning to Nazareth, Jesus grows to adulthood. At age 30 He begins His ministry and fulfills His mission of being the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world in Jerusalem on that awful Friday we call Good. The devil uses the Jewish leaders, Jesus’ disciple Judas, Jewish crowds, and the Roman governor to carry out his evil plan to nail Jesus to the cross to die in utter humiliation. As Jesus declares, “It is finished,” and breathes His last, the devil thinks He has won… but Jesus does not stay dead. On Sunday morning His tomb is empty. Jesus descends to Hell to preach a victory sermon and He appears to His disciples and over 500 others. Jesus is victorious over sin, over death and over the devil. Forty days later Jesus ascends to heaven from the Mount of Olives and arrives at the throne of God. The devil tried to get rid of the Christ and establish himself as the prince of angels, but he is defeated. Jesus wins the right to represent fallen humanity and He is the one, Revelation 1:5 (ESV) 5 … who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood”

In a war of words, Michael and his angels throw Satan and His angels out of heaven and down to earth. Michael means, “Who is God?” The answer is, “Jesus is God; the devil is not.”

There is great joy in heaven at the devil’s eviction. Revelation 12:10–12 (ESV) 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

There is a cosmic battle of good versus evil; light versus darkness. The battle in heaven has been won and the evil one and all his angels have been thrown down. The devil tries to destroy the church, but God’s Church is protected by the Lord. The Church is built on the rock that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the gates of hell will not overcome Christ’s Church. Who is God? Jesus is God.

The devil cannot destroy Jesus. The devil cannot destroy the Church. So the devil is going after you. Revelation 12:17 (ESV) 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus…”

You know the devil is a liar. He wants to convince you that you can work off your sins, but you know, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 … by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The devil is furious and he is coming after you with his accusations and his lies. The devil will hold up your evil deeds in front of you and declare that you are a sinner who deserves death and hell. The devil will tell you that God cannot love you because of your sin, but you can work your way back into His favor by being good enough; that it is all up to you. Also, the devil will try to convince you that sin is okay, everyone is doing it; you can decide for yourself what is sin and what isn’t. The devil is clever and the devil is furious, but for a follower of Jesus, the devil is powerless. For a Christian, the devil is like a 2-year-old having a temper tantrum; lots of bluster — amounting to nothing. Because you know the truth. You know that you are a sinner, you readily admit that. You get on your knees each week as we begin worship and confess you are a sinner who deserves death and hell thus rendering the devil’s accusation powerless.

You know the devil is a liar. He wants to convince you that you can work off your sins, but you know, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 … by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The devil wants you to embrace sin because sin does not matter, but you know sin is real, and sin is serious because the wages of sin is death, and that is why Jesus had to die for you. The devil is a furious, powerless liar. He only has power if you give him power. You do not belong to the devil. You belong to Jesus.

We read in 1 John 2:1 (ESV) 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

The devil wants to act like he has some control; like he has some influence; like he has some power. But that is the great good news of our reading from Revelation today. When Jesus ascended to heaven to be your advocate with God the Father, the devil was kicked out of heaven. The devil cannot accuse you to God. The devil has no access to God. Jesus speaks to God the Father on your behalf. Jesus is your advocate with the Father. He is your defense attorney and He is the one who paid the penalty. He also is the prosecutor and the judge. There is no one in heaven to accuse you, because you are covered by the righteousness of Jesus. He is the one who has washed you clean and presents you Ephesians 5:27 (ESV) 27 … in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that [you] might be holy and without blemish.”

The devil tries to accuse you and lie to you, but he is just babbling nonsense. Don’t listen to him. Do not give him any power. You don’t belong to the devil. Like he did with Eve, the devil wants you to believe that you can be like God, but you cannot be like God. Remember what the angel Michael’s name means. “Who is God?” God is God, and you His beloved creation. You are the apple of His eye. You belong to Jesus.

Jesus has declared that your sins are forgiven and you are holy, innocent and blessed. Jesus is at the right hand of God declaring this about you to God the Father. The lying devil is powerless unless you give him power. Stay alert for his lies. Ignore his accusations. You belong to Jesus. Jesus’ angels defend you. Let His holy angel be with you, that the evil foe may have no power over you.

In Martin Luther’s hymn “A Mighty Fortress” there is a stanza about the devil that fits so well with our lesson today.

3     Though devils all the world should fill,
    All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
    They shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
    He can harm us none.
    He’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.

One little word. “Liar!” Amen

Posted on September 22, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

What were you discussing on the way?

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Pentecost 18, 2024, Proper 20
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
September 22, 2024
Pastor Kevin Jud
Jeremiah 11:18-20, James 3:13-4:10, Mark 9:30-37

The old saying is, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” You want to win. You want to be successful. You want to overcome obstacles and accomplish your dreams.

We love rags to riches stories. We love to hear about people, who, through hard work and perseverance, accomplish great things. It is the American dream. Work hard and achieve greatness.

We compare ourselves to others in order to see how we are doing. We keep score so we know we are keeping ahead of others.

In school we keep score with grades, friends, trophies, clothes, electronics, and the number of likes on Instagram. As we get older we keep score with houses and cars and paychecks. Parents keep score by the progress of their children. “My child learned to walk at 7 months. He already has 8 teeth.” Pastors keep score by the size of their congregations and the number of new members.

With whom do you compare yourself? How do you keep score? How do you know that you are doing better than others?

Jesus is walking with his disciples coming back from the Mount of Transfiguration on their way to Capernaum. Along the way Jesus drives out an unclean spirit from a boy after the disciples were unable to do it, and then they continue on their way. As they travel, Jesus teaches the disciples for the second time about what is going to happen to Him. Mark 9:31-32 (ESV) 31 … “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.”

The disciples are following this great teacher Jesus; He is wise, He is powerful, He can do miraculous things. He is really going places. The disciples are following Jesus right to the top.

Jesus tells them what is going to happen, but they are confused. This doesn’t sound like success. Taken prisoner, killed, rise again. Jesus is amazing and powerful and great; so, obviously, He must not know what He is talking about with this getting arrested and getting killed stuff.

So the disciples ignore this second teaching about Jesus’ arrest, death and resurrection because they know better and they have more important things to worry about…like which of them is the greatest.

How do you think the disciples keep score? Maybe it’s who gets to sit next to Jesus at dinner? Maybe who gets to walk next to Jesus? Who gets to hold the money bag? Who Jesus talks with the most? Which of them is the greatest?

Likely, in this conversation, Peter, James and John are arguing that “who is the greatest” is based on who got to go with Jesus up on the mountain of transfiguration. The disciples are keeping score. They want to know where they stand. They are a lot like us.

Jesus ignores their conversation as they walk along but after they arrive back at the house in Capernaum Jesus asks, “What were you discussing on the way?”

The disciples are silent. They realize their conversation was selfish and self-centered and they are worried that Jesus may have heard them. They think they understand Jesus, but they do not yet really understand. Like Adam and Eve hiding from God, the disciples think they can do things and say things without Jesus knowing.

Jesus sits down and calls the silent twelve to Himself and says, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Wait…what? That does not sound right. To be first you have to be last? To be first you have to be servant of all? What is that about? The disciples must be thinking, “Uh… Jesus. Uh… we are here because we want to be near your power and greatness because we want power and greatness; so what is all this servant talk?”

Jesus’ teaching is all backwards. It is all backwards for the disciples and it is all backwards for you and me. We want to be great. We want success. We want to be winners. We want to be number one. But Jesus says that to be first you must be last. To be number one, you must become servant of all. Jesus then takes a little child and puts the child in the center of the group and hugs the child. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Now, at Jesus’ time children have no status. They are helpless, dirty little tots who have no value until they are old enough to do some work, and due to lack of good medical care, half of them won’t even live to see adulthood. Children are fragile, whiny, and needy, and yet Jesus is saying that we are to receive the children in His name.

The disciples must think, “Children are not great, they have not achieved anything. We are so much more important than some stupid child…oh…that is the point Jesus is making…we are not more important than a child.” The disciples are not more important. You are not more important. You are a humble servant. You are a humble servant because the Lord is a humble servant. Jesus serves you. Jesus purchased and won you from sin, death and the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and his innocent suffering and death.

In the cleansing waters of baptism Jesus sets you apart from the world and calls you to be a servant of all, and as you keep reading the Gospel you see Jesus live this out by being servant of all as He goes to the cross to die for you…to die for the whole world.

By nature you want to succeed. You want more than others. You want to be better than others. You want it to be about me, me, me. Jesus calls you to give up on greatness and humbly follow Him.

Against your nature you are called to be a servant. You want to be great. You want to know you where you stand with others. Like so many of us, the disciples argue about who is the greatest.

In our Epistle reading from James we see this very thing warned against. (James 4:1-7 ESV) 1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

By nature you want to succeed. You want more than others. You want to be better than others. You want it to be about me, me, me. Jesus calls you to give up on greatness and humbly follow Him.

You have been marked by the cross of Christ. You have been baptized into Christ. You belong to Jesus. You don’t have to do anything to make yourself great because you have been given the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven. You are destined to live forever in the presence of the Lamb of God basking in His light in the Heavenly City of New Jerusalem.

Jesus promises that one day you will live in His presence forever, but for now, you live here on earth in love and service for one another. You support each other. You work hard in service to your family; to your brothers and sisters in Christ, to your neighbor. You work hard — not to achieve greatness, but in service to others. You give of your time for others. You give your money for others. You give your life for others. You are called to be a servant to all because you are already a child of God.

Success, greatness, and winning, these things are important to the world, but they are not important to God.

Many churches have become quite large and many pastors have become quite wealthy by preaching about how to achieve success and greatness in the world; which is exactly what peoples’ itching ears want to hear. But this is not Jesus’ teaching. This is the world’s teaching.

You are right now in the Kingdom of Heaven because the work of salvation has already been done for you by Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, you live and work in humble service. “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Amen.

Posted on September 15, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

I believe, Help my Unbelief

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Pentecost 17, 2024 Proper 19
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 15, 2024
Isaiah 50:4-10, James 3:1-12, Mark 9:14-29

What is a disciple? What is an apostle? What do these terms mean? In the Gospel of Mark the terms are pretty clear. Disciple means follower. Apostle means sent one. The word “disciple” is used 42 times in the Gospel of Mark; the word “apostle” is only used twice. The first in Mark 3:14–15 (ESV) 14 And [Jesus] appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.”

In the beginning of Mark 6 we read, Mark 6:7 (ESV) 7 And [Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” They return at the end of Mark 6. Mark 6:30 (ESV) 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.”

The apostles were sent by Jesus with authority over unclean spirits and they returned and reported to Jesus. They were sent on a mission and then the mission was finished.

Later, in Mark chapter 8 Jesus tells the disciples what is going to happen to Him, Mark 8:31 (ESV) 31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.” This appears to be a big change in Jesus’ mission and the disciples are greatly troubled.

Six days later Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain and He is transfigured before them and Elijah and Moses appear with Him and they are overshadowed by a cloud and the voice of God says, Mark 9:7 (ESV) 7 …“This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

While Jesus and the three disciples are up on a high mountain, what are the other nine up to? As Jesus, Peter, James and John are coming down the mountain they see a large crowd gathered around the disciples and the scribes who are arguing. Coming down the mountain to this scene of chaos conjures up memory of Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai with the 10 Commandments and hearing the chaotic sound of the gathered crowd worshiping the golden calf they built.

Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples arguing with the scribes and a whole crowd of people is gathered around. What is going on? It turns out that the disciples have been trying to drive an unclean spirit out of a boy but are unable to do it. Perhaps the disciples are remembering all that they had done when Jesus gave them authority and sent them to drive out unclean spirits. Maybe they are thinking that doing this in front of a crowd and the scribes will really show everyone the disciples’ power. It will show everyone the disciples’ greatness. But what happens? Nothing happens. The disciples are unable to drive out the unclean spirit. This must cause incredible delight for the scribes who are looking to discredit Jesus and His followers. Jesus has told the disciples that He will be rejected by the scribes. You can almost hear their taunting, “What’s wrong?! Is the demon too strong for you? You work for the devil; you’d think he would cooperate. We knew it. You all are just a bunch of phonies.” Maybe they start to stir up the crowd to denounce the disciples or even attack them. It appears that the disciples and the scribes are battling about who is the greatest? Who is the best? They are caring not so much about God but, rather, about themselves.

There is great temptation to make being a Christian be all about yourself and who you are and what you do. It can be all about how good you are, how dedicated you are at prayer, how much you read the Bible, how often you attend church, how much you serve, how much you give. You tell yourself, “I may not be perfect, but I am doing a lot better than that other guy. I have my little pet sins, but I am not like those really bad people.” It is a great temptation to make Christianity all about you. But then it would not be Christianity it would be Youianity. Youianity. The religion all about you.

Being a follower…being a disciple of Jesus is all about Jesus. And yet we see here the disciples trying to show off their power; trying to demonstrate their greatness. They currently do not have the authority to drive out unclean spirits, but they are going to try to do it anyway.

Now the father of this boy possessed by an unclean spirit just wants his boy to be better. He’s heard about Jesus and came to his disciples, but the disciples could not drive out the demon and now he and his boy have become the center of an argument between the scribes and Jesus’ disciples. The disciples and the scribes are going at as to who is better, all the while the boy is still possessed by an unclean spirit. There is a lot of noise and confusion and anger and it is helping no one. The father is losing hope.

Jesus arrives and the father explains what is happening and how he asked the disciples to cast it out and they were not able. Mark 9:19-20 (ESV) 19 And [Jesus] answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.” The father tells Jesus that this has been going on since childhood and the spirit has cast the boy into fire and into water trying to destroy him. The hopeless father begs Jesus, Mark 9:22 (ESV) 22 …But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” The father has experienced nothing but failure with freeing his son from this evil spirit and he wants to believe that Jesus can help, but he is not too sure.

Mark 9:23-24 (ESV) 23 And Jesus [says] to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child [cries] out and [says], “I believe; help my unbelief!”

The father has heard what Jesus can do. He wants to believe it is true. He believes Jesus can help, but then he still has doubts. And yet we see here that he is oriented in the right direction. He is not seeking additional strength from within — he is asking Jesus for help. “I believe, help my unbelief.”

This is a wonderful short prayer that you can use over and over in your struggles. “I believe, help my unbelief.” The simple prayer of this father can also be paired with the simple prayer of the thief on the cross. “Luke 23:42 (ESV) 42 … “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” “I believe, help my unbelief.” Both of these short prayers orient you to receive from Jesus rather than trying to find comfort in yourself.

When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus. What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus

It seems that the crowd watching the argument between the disciples and the scribes now notice that the boy and his father are over a ways talking with Jesus and the crowd comes running towards them. Jesus immediately rebukes the unclean spirit, Mark 9:25 (ESV) 25 … “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The demon comes out of the boy and it appears the boy is dead, but Jesus takes him by the hand and lifts him up and he is fine.

Later, Mark 9:28–29 (ESV) 28 …when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

This is a puzzling declaration. What does Jesus mean? Well, prayer directs the disciples away from themselves. Prayer forces the disciples to quit looking at themselves and instead look to Jesus. Prayer shows it is not about the disciples being powerful or great. Prayer orients you, in faith, away from yourself and toward Jesus. Christianity does not bring you power and greatness…power and greatness is from Jesus.

When you seek forgiveness you do not look to yourself; you look to Jesus. What we do as a church is not from us, it is from Jesus. By nature, you are drawn to be curved in on yourself; to be most concerned about your emotions, your feelings, your ideas, your desires. Jesus calls you away from yourself to live in love for God and love for your neighbor. Being a follower of Jesus is not at all about being powerful and great, it is about following Jesus.

This lesson is valuable for all of us, but it is very important for the guy up front wearing the white robe and green stole who is called to teach and preach. As we learn from our epistle lesson, James 3:1 (ESV) 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” Along with Jesus’ first disciples, pastors and teachers need great humility and constant prayer to remember that all that we teach and preach is from Jesus — and about Jesus. It is about Jesus and not about me. It is not about you. It is about Jesus for you.

And so…as a disciple of Jesus…follow Jesus. And when you struggle…pray…“I believe, help my unbelief.” Amen.

Posted on September 8, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Faith or Works?

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Pentecost 16 2024, Proper 18
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 8, 2024
Isaiah 35:4-7a, James 2:1-10, 14-18, Mark 7:31-37

What do you need to do to be saved? Does your salvation come from faith in Christ or come from good works, or some combination.

In Ephesians chapter 2 we read, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” You are saved by grace through faith. Not as a result of works.

But then today, in our reading from James, we learn, James 2:17 (ESV) 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This then seems to beg the question; do you somehow earn salvation by doing good works?

Earning salvation by works is the default sense we have by nature, and virtually all world religions follow the idea that you merit redemption by doing something.

In Islamic teaching salvation comes from obeying Allah’s law and carrying out the five pillars of Islam, which are doable. You declare Allah is God and Mohammed is his prophet. You pray five times a day. You give to the poor. You fast during Ramadan. And, you make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in your lifetime. For a Muslim, they think they know what they need to do to be saved. They have been given a list.

When you make up a religion it generally comes with a list of things to do to please the god figure.

Hinduism: Salvation is achieved by purifying oneself from evil in each life. Sikhism: Salvation is achieved by performing proper worship and conduct. Confucianism: Salvation is achieved by conforming to the rules of society on earth. Buddhism: Salvation is achieved through the path of wisdom or the path of compassion. Unitarianism and Wicca: Salvation is a non-issue because the sin nature doesn’t exist, and the afterlife is whatever you want it to be.

What do you need to do to be saved? Folks just want a list so they can get to work saving themselves.

Christianity is the only major religion that teaches that salvation is a gift from God. It is not something you earn. It is not by works, so no one can boast. But… faith without works is dead.

You are not saved by good works, but good works are necessary for the Christian. Works do not save you and works are necessary. This can be confusing. I think one question can help clarify things.

Why do you do good works? Why do take care of your children? Why do you help your neighbor? Why do you serve on a board at church? Why do you work hard at whatever you have been given to do even when no one is watching? Why do you give an offering to Immanuel?

Why do you give money to Immanuel? Let’s look at that for a moment. What is your motivation for making an offering to church? Is it the price of admission? Are you trying to pay off God so He will forget your sins? Are you trying to buy salvation? Are you trying show off to others? No. No. No and no. That is not why you give. You give… in response… to what God has done for you.

We learn about giving from Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV) 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

You give in cheerful response to what God has done for you in Jesus Christ. I like to think that you should give until it hurts and then give a little more until it feels good.

You do all good works in cheerful response to what God has done for you in Jesus Christ. Good works are a natural result of faith in Christ. Jesus does all the work of salvation and forgiveness on the cross and at the empty tomb, and delivers these gifts to you in three ways; in the waters of Holy Baptism, in Holy Communion, and in the Word of God, most clearly in the words of absolution. Through His three means of grace, Jesus delivers you from the domain of darkness and gives you His light. So, as a redeemed child of God, we learn in, Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

You are the light of the world because of what Christ has done for you. You shine this light in service to others because you have been made light in Christ. If you are light you will shine.

Now good works can be quite ordinary as you serve your neighbor at home, at school, at work, at church, in the community. Cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, driving, doing your job, doing your homework, setting the table, clearing the dishes, taking out the trash, unloading the dishwasher. Good works are often quite ordinary. Good works also can be extraordinary as you go above and beyond in service when the need arises, such as adopting a child, taking in a family member, providing ongoing assistance to someone in need, caring for someone who is ailing. Generally there are no trophies or awards for your good works. If all goes well, people see your good works and give glory to God. And so you let your light shine. The light you receive from Jesus.

Faith without works is like a dark light bulb… it does not shine. There are people who claim to have faith in Jesus, but they embrace the darkness; they embrace sin, they are purposely and repeatedly sinning without remorse; without repentance.

If a married man is having an affair he is not light in the world. He is darkness. He can claim to have faith in Jesus, but faith without works is dead. It is darkness. There are so, so many who claim to have faith in Jesus but do not follow Jesus. They may honor Jesus with their lips, but their heart is far from Him.

Good works come from you being who you are in Christ. You are the light of the world in all that you have been given to do. In all you do, you bring the fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) 22 …love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” And so, in all you do, you bring light and push back the darkness.

Faith produces good works. You cannot claim to have faith but not have the good works of the light. You do good works because you are the light of the world. And it is not an easy thing to be the light of the world. As a follower of Jesus you are in an ongoing struggle against the natural sin that flows from your sinful nature, encouraged by the world around you, and the devil himself. As the light of the world, you struggle against the darkness that surrounds you. And when you fail in your struggle and give in to the darkness, you stop…you repent… you turn away from the darkness… you receive forgiveness from Jesus and continue to let your light shine. To be a follower of Jesus is to know that you cannot earn your forgiveness, you cannot be good enough. Even if you could be good enough, that is not good enough as we learn in Luke 17:10 (ESV) 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ” To follow Jesus is to know you are poor in spirit and Jesus has made you a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Good works come from you being who you are in Christ. You are the light of the world in all that you have been given to do. In all you do, you bring the fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) 22 …love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” And so, in all you do, you bring light and push back the darkness.

Famously we read in, Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Works do not save you. But here in Ephesians there is the full truth, so let’s keep reading Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Works do not save, but being saved causes you to do good works.

You are a redeemed child of God. You are forgiven by the blood of Jesus. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine in all that you do. Amen.

Posted on September 1, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Wash your hands

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Pentecost 15 2024, Proper 17
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
September 1, 2024
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9, Ephesians 6:10-20, Mark 7:14-23

Wash your hands. This was a major tactic in our battle against the COVID virus a few years ago. Just wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. And for those for whom this whole handwashing thing was new, instructions were posted in public bathrooms. Many of those signs are still up teaching you how to wash your hands.

In our Gospel reading last week the Pharisees were very concerned that Jesus’ disciples did not wash their hands before eating and therefore they were defiled. Now, in Exodus 30, God commands priests to wash their hands and feet before they enter the tent of meeting or offer a sacrifice, but it seems the Pharisees had taken this command for the priests and taught that everyone should ceremonially wash their hands before eating. Washing your hands before eating is generally a good idea, but not the way the Pharisees did it. According to one scholar, the Pharisees would just ceremonially pour some water over their closed fist and then they were considered clean. They did not use soap, they did not scrub for 20 seconds but they declared they were clean and Jesus’ disciples were defiled.

Jesus condemns the Pharisees, Mark 7:6–8 (ESV) 6 …“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

Jesus then calls the people to Himself to teach them truth. Mark 7:14–15 (ESV) 14 …“Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

This is radical new truth. Old Testament food laws came from God in Leviticus 11 and now God in flesh is undoing them. Jesus is not only ridiculing the Pharisees’ made up traditions, He is undoing the law of God — and He has the authority to do it. And in case the disciples were confused, later, with just them in the house, Jesus explains further, Mark 7:18–19 (ESV) 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)”

Jesus declares you are not defiled by not washing your hands, and you are not defiled by eating unclean foods. This seems like very good news, but then Jesus keeps teaching. Mark 7:20–23 (ESV) 20 And he [says], “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Folks who want to ignore Biblical teachings about sexual immorality of many kinds will point to Old Testament texts forbidding sexual sins, and Old Testament texts regarding food laws, and declare that since we now eat bacon, therefore Old Testament sexual prohibitions are also undone. But we clearly see here that Jesus is undoing food restrictions, and teaching that sexual immorality and adultery still defile you.

So, it does not matter how much you wash your hands. It does not matter what kind of food you eat. You are unclean because you are by nature sinful and unclean. This is not a dirty hands problem, this is not an unclean food problem, this is a filthy heart problem. Jesus teaches with hyperbole that if your hand causes you to sin cut if off, if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out, but this is a heart problem. This is a deeper problem. You cannot cut off your heart. You cannot pluck it out.

You have a spiritually fatal heart defect and you cannot fix it. So, with sinful King David in Psalm 51, you cry out to God, “Psalm 51:10 (ESV) 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” You need a clean heart, and Jesus gives you a clean heart by cleansing you with His blood in the waters of Holy Baptism. In baptism you get a new, clean heart. His washing is not a superficial, ceremonial, splash of water. His washing is a washing to your core to redeem you from your natural sinfulness. This is a cause for great joy. You cry out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” and God creates in you a clean heart. Praise the Lord. You are a pure, holy, saint of God.

Jesus has declared you to be a saint even while you still struggle with sinful desires. You are, right now, a saint because Jesus has forgiven your sins and if Jesus forgives your sins, they are forgiven. At the same time, as you confessed a few minutes ago, you are…by nature…sinful and unclean. You are at the same time a saint and a sinner — and this does not make such good sense. How can Jesus declare you to be clean when you still struggle with sin? This is confusing. In baptism you are set apart from the multitude of unbelievers in the Holy Ark of the Christian Church, but you still live in this world that celebrates sin; a world that encourages sexual immorality and evil; a world that encourages you to embrace your sinful desires and even take pride in them. This can be very confusing. And you know who wants to exploit this confusion? The Prince of Darkness. The devil himself.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

The devil is targeting you. The multitude of unbelievers who go with the flow trying to fit into the world and embrace their sinful desires are of no concern for the devil. He already has them. You are the devil’s objective.

The devil knows you are a baptized child of God. He knows your sins have been forgiven. He knows you have been washed clean in the blood of Jesus. He knows that you have been given a clean heart and you have the Holy Spirit in you. He knows all of this and it makes him angry. We read in Revelation 12 about the devil’s goal since he could not destroy Jesus or His Church. Revelation 12:17 (ESV) 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus….”

The devil is at war with you. What do you do? You receive battle instructions in our Epistle reading today. Ephesians 6:10–11 (ESV) 10 … be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

As a follower of Jesus the devil is at war with you, but the great good news is that you do not fight the devil alone. You do not fight unprotected or unarmed. You have the armor of God. You have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. You have the Holy Spirit and you pray in the Spirit.

Do not look to yourself and your own strength. Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust His promise to you in baptism. Trust that when He forgives your sins, they are forgiven.

In Christ you stand strong against the devil and his lies. Wearing the armor of God you stand firm and you endure the attacks. The devil wants you to forget that you have been cleansed by Jesus. He wants you forget about your clean heart and your body being a temple of the Holy Spirit. He wants you to give up on Jesus’ forgiveness and become self-righteous; believing you can solve your sin problem all by yourself by your own actions. Or, if self-righteousness does not work, he wants you to despair — to quit trying. The devil wants you to just give up on struggling with temptations and instead just embrace your sinful desires, live in them and celebrate sin. So, remain on guard against the devil’s lies.

You are a natural born sinner living in a world of sin with the prince of darkness trying to bring you back into the darkness. Be always aware of your situation. 1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” Stand firm in the armor of God. You have victory. The battle rages on, but you are already victorious in Jesus.

Do not look to yourself and your own strength. Keep your eyes on Jesus and trust His promise to you in baptism. Trust that when He forgives your sins, they are forgiven. Know that He feeds you with His very body and blood to strengthen and preserve you to eternal life. Know you have victory over the devil, the world and your own sinful nature because Jesus gives you the victory.

So wash your hands because it is a good idea and mama said to do it. But as you do, always remember, in Christ you are clean. Amen.

Posted on August 25, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

A Picture of Christ and the Church

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Pentecost 14 2024, Proper 16B
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
August 25, 2024
Isaiah 29:11-19, Ephesians 5:22-33, Mark 7:1-13

Jesus is the Word. The Logos. The understanding. John 1:1–3 (ESV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

God is eternal. He has no beginning and He will have no end. God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit has always been. In the beginning, the Word, Jesus, was with God the Father, and then, 2,000 years ago in the small town of Nazareth, at the announcement of the Angel Gabriel, Jesus comes down from heaven and takes on human flesh in the womb of a virgin named Mary. God the Son humbles himself to become man. Paul writes about this in Philippians, encouraging humility. Philippians 2:3–8 (ESV) 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Jesus submits to His Father’s will. He subordinates Himself to God the Father. In the Garden of Gethsemane He prays, Luke 22:42 (ESV) 42 … “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Jesus leaves His throne in heaven to take on human flesh in order to save His people from their sins. He humbles Himself even to death on the cross to redeem His Church.

Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV) 25 … Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 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.” Christ gives everything to save the Church and the Church’s main function in her relationship to Jesus is faith; faith that gives up on trying to save itself and instead gives itself into Jesus’ salvation. The Church subordinates itself to Christ. Christ is the head of the Church. Christ is the servant leader of the Church.

Paul teaches that marriage is a living picture of Christ and the Church but this can be so misunderstood. Ephesians 5:22–24 (ESV) 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.”

When wives hear this verse it can be irritating and they can get ready to argue that they are just as smart and capable as their husbands. But to submit; to subordinate yourself to another is not to say the other person is more valuable or intelligent or capable. This is not about boys being better than girls, or girls being better than boys. This is not about competition, it is about community. Jesus subordinates to the Father, but He is not less than the Father. So, what is Paul trying to teach here?

We need to keep reading because if Paul is describing the organizational chart for a business-type relationship he might continue with, “Husbands, rule well over your wives. Husbands prudently command your wives. Husbands wisely manage your wives.” But that is not what he says. What is Paul’s instruction to husbands? Husbands, love your wives. And how should husbands love their wives? Husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. The husband is the head; he is the leader, but he is a servant leader. His role is to sacrifice himself for his wife and his children just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the Church. The husband is willing to risk his life to provide for his wife and children. The husband is ready to die to protect his wife and children. When a man and woman get married they each leave behind life as an individual and begin life together in a new community — dependent on each other. Just as Jesus left His Father to cleave to the Church…Ephesians 5:31 (ESV) 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

The Christian wife places herself into her husband’s care as the Church is in Christ’s care. The Christian husband loves his wife as Christ loves the Church. At first glance it may seem like the woman is getting the worse end of this arrangement, subordinating herself, but she is the one receiving love and service from her husband. She is getting a servant leader to meet her needs, to love and cherish her, to support her and comfort her; to love her as he loves himself. Ephesians 5:28–29 (ESV) 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church…” A wife’s calling is at least somewhat doable. Husbands are to love like Christ. That’s all we have to do guys. Just love like Jesus. Marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church and each day we struggle to live out our callings.

The predominant culture of our time does not understand the Christian marriage of a man and a woman. Our society insists on promoting radical individualism above everything else. Individual freedom is promoted as the greatest freedom so that the idea of a man and a woman getting married and having children is considered to be very weird. The new normal is to worship yourself and indulge your every desire in their post-Christian, infertility cult of death which views children as an unneeded burden to be avoided, or eliminated. Society today rejects community in favor of radical individualism and finds itself very alone and very lonely.

As a follower of Jesus, you are not called to live out life as an individual. You are called to live in community; community in the Church. Community in your family. God-willing…community in marriage, with children.

Paul’s approach to marriage was counter cultural when he wrote this letter 2,000 years ago. At that time husbands sternly ruled over their wives, and Paul is not teaching a relationship of ruling or commanding or managing, but instead a relationship of the husband being a loving, servant leader and the wife joyfully living under her husband’s care. This is still countercultural today, especially for those who believe in radical individualism; those who refuse to subordinate themselves to anyone — not parents, not teachers, not bosses, not husband. And it is also counter cultural for men who believe that they should be the stern ruler of their wives modeled after a boss/employee, coach/player or drill sergeant/soldier relationship.

And so Paul’s teaching about marriage can be confusing because in this life we so often look at relationships with a view to power and control. But that is not the way relationships work in the Church and that is not how marriage works. This is why Church politics can be so strange and difficult because politics is about power and control and the Church is about love and service. The same with marriage. Marriage is not about power and control. Marriage is about love and service. Marriage is not about individuality. Marriage is about community.

As a natural born sinful individualist, this is a difficult teaching. Jesus has called you out of the darkness and transferred you to the Kingdom of Heaven. As a redeemed child of God you are to submit joyfully to those God has given to care for you; parents, employers, the government, husbands. Thomas Winger, the president of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario writes about those who are to be caregivers, “And Paul invites those to whom God has committed headship to receive it with both joy and humility, with the spirit of self-sacrifice, recognizing that it is not given on the basis of merit nor for the sake of domination, but that the head might be an instrument of blessing.”[1] Christ’s headship of the Church brings blessings to the Church. A husband’s headship of his family brings blessings to his family. For this, wives respect their husbands and the sacrifices they make to bring those blessings.

So, while, at first glance, it may seems that this is a harsh teaching for wives, I believe most women really do want a loving, servant-leader husband to protect her and care for her and who is there for her when times are tough to hold her tight and tell her, “We are going to get through this…together,” and to every day tell her, “I love you.”

Marriage is not about power and control. It is not a competition. It is a Christian community established by God. It is a picture of Christ and His Church. Amen.

[1] Thomas M. Winger, Ephesians, CPH, pg. 642