Christ is King Now!
With advent approaching we will be thinking about the three-fold coming of Christ Jesus: first as a baby born to Mary in Bethlehem, now through the Word and Sacrament ministry of His church, and one day when He triumphantly ushers in the new heaven and the new earth.
As we worship in these intervening days we certainly do focus on Jesus’ ministry. We emphasize His sinless obedience which allowed Him to make the perfect sacrifice for us all on Calvary’s cross. Too, His victory over death in the resurrection points us forward to the day when eternal life is realized for us in Christ Jesus’ return.
But what can make us even more grateful in this week of Thanksgiving is to recognize that Jesus ascended to rule from on high. He is the King of Creation right now. He is the one Who hears our prayers and Who blesses us on our way, as the hymn puts it.
God grant you a blessed Day of National Thanksgiving in the assurance that you are deeply loved and cared for, here and now, by the eternal Lord of all.
As the end of the church year approaches...
Here is something borrowed from Dr. Dale Meyer and his Meyer Minute.
A beautiful rosy sunrise is how today begins here in Collinsville. “Rosy fingered dawn” was how the Greek poet Homer described it thousands of years ago, a great image for beginnings and hope, but what about the end? Last Sunday in church we sang, “The golden evening brightens in the west,” and our church tolled the bell for the 28 members who died since the last All Saints Day. Is life winding down or just beginning? Is it morning or evening?
After writing this Minute, I’ll empty out the ceramic pots that decorated our porch this season, pots with flowers and herbs, ornamental grass and even potatoes. It’s a winding down, cold, gray winter is coming, but even as I put the pots away, I’ll be thinking of next spring, of rosy fingered dawns still to come, new births, new growth. “‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25, quoting Isaiah 40:6, 8).
I offer this as a little illustration of the beauty of Christian faith as we age. “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Psalm 92:12-15).
For a Christ-centered life, the approaching evening brings anticipation of a morning like none other. “But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day: The saints triumphant rise in bright array; / The King of Glory passes on His way. Alleluia! Alleluia! (Lutheran Service Book, 677:7). “You believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 8-9).
These three weekends...
Two weekends ago we had a wonderful Pastor Appreciation reception between worship services. Thanks to Jennifer Anders, Jeff Shoumaker, the elders and the members of Redeemer for their heart-warming affirmation!
Last weekend was a wonderful reminder of God’s grace in bringing the message of His Gospel back to the forefront. Thanks be to God for the suffering, death, and resurrection of the only-begotten Son of the Father, Christ Jesus, for the forgiveness of the sins of the world!
This next weekend we will give thanks to God for all the brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus who support and encourage us, lead us and sustain us. We will also give thanks for the cloud of witnesses to the Faith who have gone before us.
Oh, and remember, it’s the end of Daylight-Saving Time, too. Set those clocks back and hour – or be prepared to take some coffee to church with you to share it with others awaiting the unlocking of the doors!