St. Matthews Lutheran Church – Danube

They hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”  – Genesis 3:8.

A father walks into his living room and he sees a broken lamp, or a toy, or a picture frame.  Something is broken, but mysteriously no one is around.  The father calls out to anyone who might hear, “Where are you?”  After a few moments of silence, a small voice responds from behind a closed bedroom door, “In here.”

The father opens the door and can see the shame in his young son’s silent face. Then suddenly, out pours a flood of excuses.  “It wasn’t my fault! It was my sister, my brother, the dog!” The father responds by explaining to his son what happened was wrong and trying to make excuses doesn’t make it any better.  The father takes his son by the hand and they go clean up the mess.

It is a familiar scene because it has been repeated since the beginning of time.  When Adam and Eve sinned, paradise was shattered by their disobedience.  In their guilt they hid in shame and God called out to them, “Where are you?” Their heavenly Father gave them a chance to fess up, but instead they shifted the blame; they made excuses.   In his great love, God was patient with them, he rebuked them, and then he made the ultimate promise that would clean up the mess that they had made.  He would send a Savior.

When we break his commands, God in his love calls out to us through his Word and through our conscience, saying, “Where are you?”  Your heavenly Father doesn’t want you to hide in shame, to make excuses, or shift the blame.  He wants you to confess your sins; because most of all, he wants to wipe away your guilt and shame. He wants to remind you exactly where you are through faith in Jesus.  You are in his family.  You are his child.

That’s why in his word our heavenly Father tells us of that Savior that he sent.  Jesus was born into this world as our brother.  Jesus took the blame, he suffered for our sins.  His perfection is given to us and our guilt is taken away.  Through his Word God assures us, and in baptism he reminds you, exactly where you are through faith.  “You are in my family.” “You are my forgiven and dearly loved child.”

On Sunday we greeted one another with the familiar Happy Easter! And many of us were able to enjoy some happy moments as we took in some time with the family, ate a nice meal or two, and watch with a smile on our face as the kids or grandkids chased down Easter eggs. But now as you go back to work as you face the daily troubles of life know that you not only have been blessed with happiness that comes and goes with the seasons, or your emotions, or your circumstance in life, but you have been given a joy that lasts forever.  Through Christ’s empty cross and empty tomb you have the joy of the forgiveness of sins, you have the joy of eternal life, and those gifts will never be taken away.   One day we will see our living Savior as he brings us to our heavenly home.  This is the truth upon which we can rely and find peace and joy in every single day.

Jesus says to you, “I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

I hope you had a very happy Easter, but I rejoice in knowing that God has given you resurrection joy!

Look with eyes of faith upon the indescribable scene surrounding the indescribable gift! More than the shepherds surround the feed trough. More than Mary and Joseph humbly bow their heads and hearts at the miracle before them.  Look with eyes given clarity by the Spirit’s omnipotence. See the people of God, countless souls from all time and place, joining you at the manger this day.

Led by the Spirit through the gospel, believers in faith kneel with you before the Gift. God kept his word. His Son has come. You and all believers are eager to gaze upon his face. This day we see what for human eyes and hearts is truly indescribable. Kneeling, you look into the manger. You gaze and stare. The Scriptures have taught you what to expect, but still the sight takes your breath away. It causes a lump in your throat. Yes, you see the Virgin-Born. He looks like any other baby. But the Scripture teaches you to see more. You see the One conceived by the Spirit and sent by the Father, and you ponder the Trinity revealed in the Christ. You see the Seed of the woman sent to crush the ancient serpent’s head. You keep staring into the feed trough. There is no rush. All God’s people can prayerfully linger. You see a Lamb, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In your mind echoes a startling Scripture: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. It seems unjust for that Child to be punished. Yet God’s justice will be met for all sin. The Father sent his Son as Substitute. He will die that we may live. Such grace. Such infinite and profound love for sinners. Indescribable.

Look again. You see the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He has triumphed, and he is worthy to open the revelation that guarantees no surprises for the people of God. Look again, and see the Lord God of heavenly hosts, the Creator who called forth not only the countless stars but the countless ranks of holy angels that serve him by also serving us. Look again. You see the Alpha and the Omega. Though a baby born in time, he is the infinite One who called forth the universe and created time. And joy-filled we can see that our times are in his hand.

Look again. You see the Child who is the Truth. He is the Life. Indescribable for human intellect is this truth that God gives freely and fully in his Son. How strange is the reality of grace to the sinful heart that screams always for recognition. But grace cannot be fathomed unless the Spirit intervenes. Look again and see the King of kings and Lord of lords. See the Good Shepherd who guides and provides. See the Bread of life that satisfies your hunger and thirst after righteousness. See the “Amen” to all the promises God made throughout the centuries. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. See your hope, your help, your heaven—all wrapped up in swaddling clothes. Indescribable this Gift we believe through the Spirit. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. Indescribable.

This devotion was written by Rev. Mark Zarling and is part of a series of devotions from MLC that are available at the following address:

http://mlc-wels.edu/publications/seasonal-devotions/12-days-christmas-devotional

A chapel talk delivered at Little Lambs 

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you. – 2 Corinthians 13:5-8

What does that mean to examine? If you go to the doctor he might listen to your heart, check your eyes, he might check your ears. 

In our bible passage for today Paul encourages Christians to examine themselves.  How can you examine yourself?  Most of us don’t have those fancy doctor tools at our house.  But what kind of things do we have at home that we can use to examine ourselves, to look at ourselves closely. 

Maybe you can use a mirror to see what you look like.  Maybe you can see a scale to see how much you weigh. Maybe you can use a ruler to see how tall you have grown.  These are ways that we can examine our bodies and our health. 

Paul didn’t want the Corinthians to check to see how tall they were, he didn’t want them to examine themselves by stepping on a scale.  But he wanted them to check their spiritual health.  ⁵ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you.

How do we do that?  Will stepping on a scale tell me how close I am to Jesus or if Jesus is in my heart?  No, but we can look at our lives and see if the things that we do are making it known that Jesus lives in my heart.  We can look at our lives and see if we are acting in faith. 

Sometimes we do nice things. We are kind to our teachers.  We are glad to come hear about Jesus.  We are excited and we smile when we get to sing songs about God.  And that is great because it shows that Jesus lives in our hearts.  But other times, when we examine ourselves in this way, we see that aren’t always living out our faith like we should, are we?  We aren’t always showing others that Jesus is in our heart.  When we examine ourselves honestly we see that we are very sinful.  Instead of being loving and kind we are mean.  We push and hit when things don’t go our way.  We whine and moan and pout and stomp our feet and grumble and complain when we don’t get what we want.  

When the Israelites were wandering in the desert they were grumbling and complaining a lot.  They were not showing others that they believed in God, but instead they were showing that they doubted God and that they were upset with him.  They weren’t very spiritually healthy, even though God had given them all that they needed.  God wanted them to examine themselves too.  He wanted them to see how foolishly they were acting, to say sorry to God, and to show him love by the ways that they lived.  Because God loved them very much. 

And because God loved them so much he took care of them.  Do you remember some of the things that God did for the Israelites, that showed his love for them.  God had delivered them from Egypt.  He had supplied them with food in the desert. Do you remember what it was called?  God gave them manna (flaky yummy bread) and quail (he gave them meat to eat).  When they were thirsty and they needed water, what special thing did God do for them?  He brought forth water from the rock.   There was also something else that was truly amazing that he did for them.  Their clothes and their sandals never wore out even after all their wandering in the desert for 40 years, their clothes never wore out.

God did this all out of his great love for his people.  Even though they grumbled and complained so much God was patient with them because God loved them.  He loved them so much and cared for them and he wanted them to show love for him too. 

God loves you and he is patient with you and he takes care of you too.  Even though we grumble and complain and we don’t listen to him and we sin he still loves us and takes care of us.  What kinds of things has he given you?  Parents who give you food and water and a house to live in.  God gives us many wonderful things and the greatest gift he gives to us is Jesus.  He gave Jesus to live a perfect life.  He never grumbled or complained, even when he had to die for us.  But he did this all because God loved us.  He died to forgive us.  He rose again to show us that God wants us to be with him forever in heaven.  And now Jesus lives in our hearts through that gift of faith.  Look at all this that God has done for us.  Let us give God the glory for all that he has done by making it known to others that Jesus lives in us, by living good lives and doing nice things, as we say thank you to God. 

God loves us and he wants us to love him.  And so when we look at our lives and we see that we haven’t always shown that Jesus lives in us. Let’s say sorry to God.  Let’s remember how much God loves us.  Let’s live our lives to God’s Glory.  Amen.  

⁴⁹Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.  – Genesis 41:49

The account of Joseph and the 7 years of abundance makes us pause and consider the abundant goodness of our God.  He brought remarkable blessing to Joseph after he had suffered so much.  And he blessed the land with remarkable abundance in order to supply for the people in the seven years of famine.  Most importantly he brought all this about as part of his plan to send the Savior into the world.  What remarkable things God has done!

Dear friends let us pause and give thanks for the wonders that God has done for us.  Consider the abundance of his kindness. Our gracious God forgives us our sins and gives us our daily bread. We have all that we need for our daily life and then some.  And to top it all off we have the promise of eternal, never-ending, countless blessings in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ! How abundant the love of our God!

Recently events in our congregation have made me pause and give thanks for the blessings that God has poured on us as a body of believers.  On August 20 a meeting was held in which leadership from each of our four area WELS congregations discussed the future of ministry in this area.  We talked frankly about the financial challenges that face each of our congregations.  But we also were able to discuss the many blessings that we have seen as individual congregations as well as collectively in joint ministry.   In the past 7 years, these 4 WELS churches along highway 212 have joined together in several ministry efforts and the Lord has done some wonderful things through us and for us.

Our local youth group has enjoyed the blessing of joint ministry.  For the last 7 years the congregations in this area have been to hold a soccer camp for the children of this community.  We had 94 children attend our camp this summer.  And of course we are about to embark on a joint ministry of Little Lambs Learning Center.  Here children, from the surrounding communities will be able to hear God’s Word on a daily basis.

Each congregation has been blessed with their own storehouse of blessings and we have been able to work together so well.  God be praised!  And so at the meeting on August 20 we talked about how we could share such blessings to effectively continue the work of the gospel in this area.  The idea of sharing two ministers for the four congregations and the blessings and challenges this would entail was a topic that was discussed. We are still very much in the beginning stages of this conversation and so when you hear about such meetings, please do not think the worst.  Do not spread thoughts of gloom and doom and the end of congregational life as we know it.  Consider the challenges, but do not be paralyzed by them, do not stare at them and press your nose up against them so that you can’t see beyond them.  Instead pause, take a step back, and consider what the Lord has done.  Consider the challenges, but then think about, pray about ,the possibilities, consider what things would be like if we could join together and not be so burdened, or so conscious of, or so limited by the funds, or the manpower, or the resources, that we do or do not have. Think about how we could work together to share God’s Word throughout the Hwy 212 corridor and beyond.  Think about the wonderful and amazing things that our God has already been doing through us, the miraculous things he is capable of doing in the future, and how he wants us to be a part of his glorious gospel work.  Think about it, pray about, and trust that God will lead us in the right direction.

She grips and rubs her mother’s hand to gain and hold her attention.  She speaks in a loud yet tender voice as she explains that the pastor is here to visit.  It’s clear that the daughter has become the caregiver as the relentless march of life has brought about this odd role reversal.  The daughter now cares for her mother as her mother once cared for her.  However, the daughter is given the added the duty of respecting her mother’s wishes and treating her mother with dignity.  After all, this is the dear woman who gave birth to her, raised her, and then gave years of time and energy to provide and care for her.  No matter how old she is, no matter how the roles have been reversed, this is mom, and so the daughter readily takes on this responsibility.

It can be a grueling task, but it is one that is regularly carried out by grown children and grandchildren all over. Even though it is difficult our hearts tell us that this is the right thing to do and the Bible tells us this is God-pleasing.  1 Timothy 5:4 reads, “Children or grandchildren… should learn …. to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”

In our day and age of health care and assisted living and nursing homes it can be easy to avoid this portion of God’s Word.  In our day and age of busy schedules such attention and care can be viewed as an unwanted chore.  But this is part of a life lived in love.  For a Christian this an opportunity to reflect the relentless, patient, and enduring love that Christ has shown to us.  As God’s Word reminds us this is a chance to put our religion into practice.

Mother’s Day has, by now, come and gone.  The flowers have already begun to droop and only a few chocolates still remain.  But for many, the special attention for mom is still very much part of the daily routine.  So say a prayer for such a caregiver today.  Give thanks for Christian sons and daughters who demonstrate the love of Jesus as they take up this task of taking care of mom or dad as they advance in age.  And if you are one of these special people who care for your parents, be encouraged by the fact that God is pleased with your service.

 This article will appear in the Redwood Gazette on May 15

Pastor Kuschel submits an article to the Gazette on a quarterly basis. 

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV)

Originally the word simply meant “above a tomb.” Today we know them as “epitaphs.” They are messages, in words or symbols, that have been inscribed on a grave marker. Some epitaphs tell us only the name and life dates of a grave’s occupant. Others provide additional information about the deceased and may even contain messages for the living. We are not told about any epitaphs inscribed over Jesus’ tomb. But its emptiness offered a number of messages for those who visited it. On the first Easter Sunday, the angel who sat on the stone door of Jesus’ tomb served as a living epitaph. He had this to say about the one who had been in the grave: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Although Jesus had died on the previous Friday, he now lived forever. On Easter Sunday Jesus’ empty tomb served as an epitaph that proclaimed the fact that the grave had no power over him. Since Jesus had predicted his resurrection, there was another powerful epitaph behind the emptiness of his tomb. It proclaimed the fact that Jesus keeps his word. When he makes a promise, it will be done! What Jesus predicts always comes true! Just as modern epitaphs frequently carry more than just a message about the person who occupies the grave beneath them, so too the epitaph at Jesus’ tomb was meant for the living. Jesus’ resurrection declared that his sacrifice for the sins of the world had been accepted by his Father. Anyone peering into Jesus’ empty grave was witnessing the proof that their sins were forgiven. The fact that Jesus’ tomb was unoccupied also told the living that death had been defeated and that those who die will rise again.

Today as we read Matthew’s account of the early hours of Easter Sunday, he again gives us the opportunity to read and hear the “epitaphs” at Jesus’ grave. The word “empty” over Jesus’ tomb changes our perspective when we stand at the grave of another, or reflect on our own mortality. It tells us to set aside our fears and to believe the good news we have heard today. Now like the women who first visited Jesus’ empty tomb, we are also led to worship our living Lord Jesus. And today we too listen to him as he sends us on our way with a mission to go and share with others the good news of Easter.

Prayer 

Dear Jesus, as I reflect on this day of joy and celebration, fill me with confidence that through your suffering, death, and resurrection my sins are forgiven and eternal life is mine. Amen.

Michael Otterstatter serves Martin Luther College as vice president for mission advancement.

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it,and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way,after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:17-20 (NIV)

After 11 years together, they were family. At least the pastor thought of them that way as he slowly walked in a semi-circle, speaking and giving, speaking and giving.

He placed the wafer into a grizzled hand, bent with 70 years of hard work. Take and eat, this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus, given for you. How that elderly brother needed his Savior. The pastor knew what others never would: the man grieved deeply for his spouse, now in heaven seven years. He struggled to focus on the empty tomb rather than emptying a bottle to drown his grief. The pastor silently interceded—Hosanna! Save now, O Lord—for that Christian pilgrim. Given for you, the very body hung on the tree to cover all sin. Let there be no doubt, dear Jesus, that you forgive him.

Take and drink, this cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you. The teen’s hand trembled when reaching for the cup. The pastor sighed another prayer, for he knew her hurts as well. Her earnest questions in confirmation class reflected a home marked by shouting and sneers, not love and encouragement. Hosanna! Save now, O Lord.How she needed her Savior’s unrelenting love while her family loved so little. Poured out for you, the very blood she now received in, with, and under the wine. Let there be no doubt, dear Jesus, how much you love her.

The meal, the miracle, continued. For 20 minutes believers came forward to receive their Savior. What a meal, the pastor thought. May the Spirit show his people what is truly here! It is a meal with a past, going back to the night the Savior himself ate the Passover. The ancient feast, where believers consumed that which saved them, was fulfilled in that upper room. The Lamb was slain to rescue the world, his blood the only barrier against eternal death!

It is a meal with a present—and giving powerful presents: strength for our pilgrimage, strength only the Savior can provide as he gives us himself, truly present. It is a meal with a forever future. In this sacrament, we receive forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

Help us pray, the pastor thought, with sincere hearts the prayer of the Church: Lord Jesus Christ, through the blood of your covenant, you have made us worthy to receive your Holy Supper. You join us with believers throughout the world and throughout the ages by your body given for us. In this sacrament time and eternity meet as we celebrate a foretaste of the feast of heaven. As we receive your true body and blood, we rejoice in our salvation through you, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are one God, now and forever. Amen

Special thanks to Martin Luther College (MLC) for the Holy Week Meditations.

Author of today’s meditation: President Mark Zarling

It was more than just cabin fever or being cooped up for a few days.  I missed the fellowship and the encouragement of worship.  On January 5, our church – like many other area churches – canceled services due to the severe weather.  So I turned on the radio and listened to some of the local services that still took place on that cold and icy Sunday.   I listened as God’s Word was proclaimed.  I was encouraged in my faith.  I was able to hear about my God and Savior and how he took on flesh to save me from my sins.  And this was all from the warmth and comfort of my own home. It was nice, but it wasn’t the same.  I missed Sunday morning worship.

There is just something about being together that you can’t replace.  There is just something about gathering around the gospel while surrounded by fellow believers.  It’s a blessing that God gives.  God feeds and nourishes our faith through Word and Sacraments while our presence at worship together enables us to encourage one another.  The faithful man who is there every week is an encouragement to the pastor and to the congregation.  The busy family that goes through the effort of getting the kids dressed and ready is a welcome sight to those who remember doing the same, way back when.  The young woman who is there on her own accord, when so many her own age choose not to come, is a testament to the importance of this word of truth to all of us.

In this blessed group our hearts our lifted whenever we meet in God’s house.   Our spirits are refreshed when we confess our sins and receive the forgiveness that God graciously gives to us through Christ.  Our voices rise in thankful prayer and praise to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you haven’t been to church in a while I encourage you to go.  Go and be encouraged in your faith.  Go and encourage someone else simply by being there.  Come and listen to the good news of Jesus who loves you so much that he came to this world to live and die and rise again to pay for our sins and to give us the free gift of heaven.  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-24)