Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 21:1-11 Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and Honor (LSB 442)
Matthew 21:1-11, "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" ©Kristin Simpson, 2020
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The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 4
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day….” Revelation 1:10
John was in exile on the island of Patmos, a bishop separated from his congregations. He had neither pulpit nor altar. It was Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the Day of Resurrection. What was John to do on his island of exile? John prayed. He was “in the Spirit,” worshipping in spirit and truth.
When the church is gathered as a body, we speak of “Word and Sacrament.” This is what the gathered church is gathered around - the preaching of the Word, the Breaking of the Bread, and the communal prayers of the church (Acts 2:42). This is the church’s koinonia, her common life together. But what happens when the church is scattered, for whatever reason, be it persecution or pestilence? What then?
The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 3
When the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and destroyed the temple in 586 BC, the residents of Judea were carried off into exile, as prophesied by Jeremiah, who didn’t exactly win popularity points with a people who thought they were invincible as God’s chosen people. During their years in Babylon, the Israelites built homes, raised families, opened businesses, and settled into life in a land not their own. Some, like Daniel, Shadrach, Mishach, and Abednigo rose to high positions in the Babylonian government.
The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 2
I remember my 8th grade art teacher, whose classes were not so much art as they were craft. Lots of styrofoam, tooth picks, paper mache, white glue, and tempera paint. When evaluating our work, she would always pick it up and give it a firm shake to see how well it was constructed. "If it's going to last, it has to be made well," she'd say.
I wanted to preach on Jesus and the sassy Samaritan from John this morning. It’s one of my favorite stories, layered with meaning, rich in word play, double-talk, from above and from below, well water and living water pointing to baptismal water. But the present circumstances call for a different Word of God, a word of peace in the midst of uncertainty and turmoil, a word hope in the midst of despair, a word of faith at a time when faith is tested, a word that speaks of rejoicing in suffering, and the patient endurance, character, and hope that God works in,with, and under suffering.
The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 1
Martin Luther was well-acquainted with epidemics. Waves of Black Plague wiped out significant portions of the local population. Pastors conducted thousands of burials; some buried entire congregations. Luther’s Wittenberg experienced an outbreak of the plague in 1527, prompting him to write a treatise addressed to a fellow pastor in Breslau concerning the question “Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague” (Luther’s Works 43:119-38). Luther’s approach provides some good reflection for our day.
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW
Matthew 26:1-35
“PASSOVER”
The Passover is at hand; the time for Jesus’ crucifixion has come. The chief priests and elders plot to arrest and kill Him. “But not during the feast, lest there be a riot among the people.” Can’t be having a riot on a religious holiday, now can we? There would be dire repercussions. Even religious treachery has its contingencies.
Immanuel. A compound word in Hebrew: Immanu - with us. El - God. God is with us. It comes from the prophet Isaiah who tried to assure King Ahaz that he didn’t need to strike an alliance with Egypt against the northern kingdoms of Syria and Ephraim. All he had to do was nothing. Trust the Lord. In nine short months, the time it takes for a young woman to conceive and bear a son, you will know Immanuel, God is with us. And in less than twelve years, before Immanuel knows right from wrong, the two kings you are so concerned about will be dust, because Immanu-el - God is with us.
This third week in Advent is the week of Joy, the rose candle week on your Advent wreath. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say it: Rejoice.” Why? One simple reason for joy: The Lord is near.
Divine love is not the same as our love. It is not the love of a parent for a child or the passion of lovers or the love of brothers, though these are all embraced by divine love. Divine love is not a feeling but an action, an act of will. God loves in sending His Beloved Son. God is love, and His love is seen in the Beloved.