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I Samuel 7:12-14

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.

Today we remember Samuel, God’s prophet and leader in Israel.  Often when considering Samuel in the Sunday readings of the Church, we hear of Samuel’s call to serve as a young boy.  Today, we will hear of Samuel’s leadership in Israel and how God used Him to bring peace to Israel.

Often, in thinking about leadership and peace, we are drawn to emphasize a leader’s intelligence or shrewdness.  These do have their place, but they are not the main thing.  Peace between nations comes from the Lord.  God’s Word teaches that the leader who honors the Lord and instructs His people to do likewise, is the one who brings God’s blessings.  On the national scene, the foremost of those blessings is peace.

Israel had been battling surrounding competitors, and losing.  The people, at last, were so frightened that they asked Samuel to intercede with the Lord for them.  Samuel didn’t simply give them advice about how to win battles or negotiate with their neighbors.  Instead, Samuel confronted the people over their idolatry.  They worshipped false gods, were involved with impure practices, and were offending the almighty God through their many sins.  They could never hope to have blessings, much less peace, if they were not living in faith towards God.  Samuel instructed them to repent and put aside their sinful practices.  He then offered a sacrifice for the sins of the people.  God heard the prayers, forgave their sin, and gave them victory over their enemies and a lasting peace in their region.

What can we learn from this page from the history of God’s people.  Just this: when we are coming to the Lord and asking for blessings, we must first consider our own standing before the Lord.  Are we involving ourselves in persistent sin and walking apart from faith in God? Since such sin is idolatry, should we not also repent?  How shall we expect that we will have any good thing from the Lord if we treat Him with idolatrous contempt?

Thanks be to God, Jesus Christ has come as our prophet, priest, and King.  As our prophet, Jesus stands in the place of Samuel and preaches repentance and faith in God.  As our High Priest, Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world when He died on the cross for us.  As our King, Jesus will come again in glory at the resurrection to condemn all enemies of His people and to receive those who trust in Him into eternal life.  Jesus will grant everlasting life and everlasting peace.

Consider a faithful leader like Samuel, and then remember Jesus.  Examine your own life, repent of your sins, receive God’s forgiveness, and then watch how the Lord Himself will bring the blessings that He has chosen for you today.  And anticipate the blessings that your Lord Jesus will bring to you for all eternity.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord God for the faithful ministers you provided for your people, like your servant Samuel.  Help me to listen intently to your Word so that I will receive all the blessings that you intend for those who trust in Jesus.  I also pray for faithful leadership for our nation.  Direct, correct, and guide our country so that we will repent of our sins, have peace with other nations, and joyfully give you all glory.  I pray in Jesus name.  Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 10: 17-18

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

It seems odd for protestants to consider Bernard of Clairvaux today because he is an example of monastic life and theology.  Why remember a monk when we have the pure Gospel of Christ?  We remember this particular monk because of His faith in Jesus and his wonderful teachings about Faith and Grace.  He was influential in the developing faith of Martin Luther and was one who Martin Luther called “the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.”  With such appreciation from the reformer, it is good for us to consider Bernard today to remember that the teachings of the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ will be heard all through the ages.  At the right time, God caused the teachings of Bernard of Clairvaux bring the light of the Gospel to the church.

Bernard was the son of Tecelin, a knight and vassal of the Duke of Burgundy.  He was distinguished by his studious and meditative habits.  He left his noble family and a life of ease that he enjoyed there, to enter a monastery in 1113.  His life in the monastery was simple and marked by holiness, prayer, and caring for others. He established 163 monasteries throughout Europe.

But, it wasn’t the monasteries that brought him the highest regard among the reformers.  In fact, monasteries were later seen as being in conflict with higher vocations in the home, family, and community.  Instead, it was Bernard’s emphasis on the Biblical teachings of God’s Grace and personal faith for salvation that opened the hearts and minds of so many to the true Gospel. 

Our Bible passage for today reminds us that all that we accomplish is only truly good when it comes from the Lord.  The Lord used Bernard of Clairvaux to shine the light of the Gospel of Jesus. What is that Gospel?

God so loved the World that He sent His Son Jesus.  Through faith in Jesus and His redeemed work on the cross, we have peace with God, resurrection and eternal life. The witness of God’s love in Jesus was the faith that influenced Bernard of Clairvaux. The Gospel that inspired Bernard’s witness to Jesus helped those who would follow, including Martin Luther.  

We thank God for the faithful pastors and teachers in our lives.  And most of all, we boast in the Lord.  For as we share the Gospel, the work of God is a message that leads to eternal life.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for Christians who have faithfully taught and lived among us.  I thank you for the life and work of Bernard of Clairvaux and the influence he had upon the joyful news of Gospel of your Grace and Faith in Jesus.  Help me this day to trust in my Savior Jesus for my salvation and joyfully follow in His steps.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Proverbs 9:6-10

6 

Leave your simple ways and you will live;

    walk in the way of insight.”

7 

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

    rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9 

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;

    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

The book of Proverbs contains short statements of instruction that are easily remembered.  Such balanced and wise advice is helpful.  The proverbs for today are particularly on point. When considering the wise teachings of God’s Word for today, it is no wonder that nerves are worn and social conduct has frayed. 

But, while it is good to be cautious in the way we speak in this contentious age, there is a time to speak.  Jesus spoke clearly and faithfully, even when He knew it would bring the contempt and anger of powerful people.  Why did Jesus do this?

Jesus, in His prophetic role, called people to repentance and invited them to believe in Him for their salvation.  Many people gladly believed in Jesus and loved Him.  But, many other people hated Jesus for His words.  This was especially true when He showed them their sins.  They had no room for His teachings.  Why did Jesus bother to instruct them when they would clearly not listen?  Especially, when Jesus knew that they would hate Him and later crucify Him?

Jesus came to save sinners from themselves, even though it would mean the cross.  Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him and still invites all people to repent and be saved. Through faith in Jesus, His redeeming death, and glorious resurrection, sinners can be saved.  Through faith in Jesus we are restored to God and to one another.

Let us pray,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

I thank you Lord Jesus for boldly preaching the Gospel in the face of terrible opposition.  I praise you for the forgiveness of all my sins and the certain promise of eternal life through faith in you. Help me, as you direct me to bear witness, to speak wisely and boldly of your love and redeeming work. In your name I pray, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Hebrews 4:9

9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;

Today the church remember Johann Gerhard.  He was a pastor and teacher during difficult times.  He was born in 1582 and at age 15 nearly died of serious illness.  During that illness he promised to become minister if he recovered.  He also struggled spiritually, in a way similar to Martin Luther.  Still, by God’s grace he kept his promise and served the Lord faithfully all his life. 

You may like to read more about his life.  But, for now, I will just share a few things about his life.  He is viewed as the third pillar of the Lutheran tradition, after Martin Luther and Martin Chemnitz.  He is considered to be the foremost Lutheran Theologian of time of Lutheran orthodoxy.  But, as wonderful as this all sounds, these accolades have a dark backdrop.

Most of Johann Gerhard’s life was spent during the thirty years war in Europe.  It was a terrifying time. Besides death and plague, including his own personal illness, he suffered the death of his first wife, and many of his children. Johann witnessed armed conflict and political upheaval. His own home was attacked and destroyed because of His public witness.

But in the midst of all these trials, he was a man who trusted in the Lord and clung to the Gospel.  He taught others the hope that was within Him, that through faith in Jesus all our sins are forgiven and we have eternal life as our future.

The Bible passage for today was one of His favorites.

“9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;” (Hebrews 4:9) Rejoice! The trials and pains of a sinful world will not endure forever. There is at last a perfect rest, a Sabbath for the faithful.  Rest in God’s Word now, a word that is grounded in the completed work of Jesus who rested in the tomb when he broke all the power of the devil.  And in the end rest in God’s presence at our own resurrection with Jesus who is risen from the dead.

May these words from Pastor Gerhard encourage you today.  He said: “I am not afraid by reason of my sins: for Thou art my righteousness; I am not afraid by reason of my ignorance: for Thou art my wisdom (I Cor. 1:30); I am not afraid of death: for Thou art my life (John 14:6); I am not afraid of my errors: for Thou art my truth; I am not afraid of corruption: for Thou art my resurrection (John 11:25); I am not afraid of the sorrows of death: for Thou art my joy.”

Let us pray

I thank you Lord for faithful pastors who proclaim your word.  Please guard and keep all those who serve your church and teach your Gospel so that we will be encouraged and sustained in all things unto life everlasting.  In your Name I pray.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Genesis 17:17-19

17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

As you get older, you begin to understand that some things in life are in the past.  Old people don’t have babies.  Abraham believed that God would give Him a son as promised.  But, the possibility of how this could be was beyond Abraham. He tried to help God save face by offering the idea of using Ishmael.  But, God didn’t need Abraham’s assistance.  The son of promise would come, at God’s time and through God’s chosen instrument, Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

Abraham laughed.  It isn’t the kind of laughter that one has at a joke.  It was the laughter of a man caught between his understanding and his faith in God.  The impossibility of the promise, which was also so wonderful that it seemed too goo to be true, struck Abraham deeply.  He was moved, and all he could do was laugh.

The son of promise did come and his name “Isaac” means “he laughs” so that all would remember that though the promises of God seem too good to be true, God keeps His Word.  His plan of salvation will be accomplished.

Isaac was a living prophesy of the one son of promise, Jesus our Lord.  When Mary was with child of the Holy Spirit, who would have dreamed that anything good could have come of her situation.  Yet, God blessed her, and Jesus, true God and true Man was born.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus, the true Son of promise, prompted a kind of Isaac laughter in the world among the faithful.  He helped those who were hopeless.  He drove out demons, healed people, and even raised the dead.  Ultimately He gave His life on the cross and through faith forgives the sins of all hopeless sinners who trust in Him.  

In the end even the sorrow of death will be broken as Jesus, true God and true man, has promised.  He will raise up to eternal life all who trust in Him.  Then, together with Isaac and all the saints in light, there will be laughter.  But, not the laughter of painful struggle in this life.  It will be the laughter of the love of the Father, the face of the Son and the Song of the Holy Spirit in the heavenly feast of light.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus Christ, help me during all seasons of my life to remain faithful.  Even if I am tempted by my lack of understanding to laugh over the great promises you have given, by your grace may I never doubt your power to save.  You keep your promises. I trust in You.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

John 6:41-51

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Jesus is patient.  In His teaching ministry he met great opposition.  The opposition wasn’t because He was hard to understand.  In fact, the people often understood Him quite well. In the reading for today this is very clear.  They understood that Jesus was teaching that He Himself was the bread that came down from heaven.  He is God’s gift of salvation.

They understood that God gave His people manna in the wilderness to sustain them in their journey to the promised land.  Jesus was teaching that He was the gift of God that would sustain them and bring them to the promised land, eternal life.  They got the point.  But, they didn’t like the point.  To push back, they just said “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”  

Jesus is patient.  As He taught people long ago to save them, He still sends His Holy Spirit to teach and save all people.  And the Word that Jesus teaches isn’t impossible to understand. God uses human language and communicates clearly.  God teaches that Jesus, true God and true man, came into the world to save the world.  He died on the cross and rose again.  Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven all their sins and will rise to eternal life on the last day.  

But, as in the past, so also today, there is push back.  The message is clear.  Jesus is the Savior of the World, but people reject the gift of God.  So God, through His church, gives Himself in His Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (Jesus true body and blood) so that no one can say that they never heard.  And those who believe in Jesus, and receive Him as God’s gift, will have eternal life.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for your patient instruction in your word.  I thank you for overcoming all my opposition to your kindness and allowing me repentance, forgiveness, and eternal life. Help all who preach your Word so that they will be sustained by your power.  Allow all who listen the gift of faith so that they may be saved.  In your name I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

John 6:35-51

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

It is understandable that, when it comes to our relationship with God, we are quick to think about we can do.  The people had been asking Jesus “what must we do?”  Jesus answer that they should believe in Him was an unexpected answer.  They could not accept it.

In teaching them, Jesus lets us glimpse the inner workings of the Holy Triune God.  And we discover that there is much more at play than just what “we must do” to save ourselves.  In fact, everything is due to God’s Grace and action in Jesus.  God gives us to Jesus.  Jesus keeps the will of God, which means that He will not lose us but raise us on the last day.  

This supremely comforting truth is from our Lord’s own lips.  We are saved by God’s Grace through faith in Jesus. Still, no sooner do we hear this, then we are tempted to think about what we must do.  We ruminate on how we must try harder.  

It is true, that after we have come to saving faith, we can work together with Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in Jesus.  This is still a work of God and results in a renewed life in the believer.  Certainly, if we treat the gifts of God with contempt by living apart from God’s Will, we deny both God and His gifts.  But, the necessary call to the life of repentance doesn’t overturn the fact that our salvation is a gift from beginning to end.  Our salvation is due to the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus alone.  Therefore, our faith is in Jesus. He is the bread of life.

Jesus came into the world to offer Himself on the cross for the sins of the world.  On the third day He rose again to eternal life.  His death and resurrection are the one great saving act which defines us.  Through baptism as commanded by Jesus we are bound to His saving work and we  are marked by God for life at the last day.  This is all to God’s glory and our own great joy.

The people Jesus addressed so long ago were frantic in their worries about their survival.  We can understand these concerns.  But, Jesus teaches us again today that He is life.  As we believe in Him, our sins are forgiven and our God given faith is the sign that God the Father has chosen us for life.  And after this life, we can be sure that our life with God is secure, because Jesus will complete His promises.  He will raise us up on the last day.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus, you taught that the will of your Father is that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life. You promised that you will raise those who believe in your on the last day. I confess that you are the bread of life.  I thank you heavenly Father for drawing me to my Savior Jesus. I thank your Lord God for the gift of faith through Holy Baptism. And I trust in you Lord Jesus. You will keep your promises and raise me, and all believers, to eternal life with you on the last day.  In your name I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

I Kings 19:3-8

3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life… and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

No one wants to be the person who ran away.  It seems that Elijah felt very discouraged about his behavior.  He had just called down fire from heaven and witnessed God’s victory over the false prophets of Baal.  Yet, the threats of a wicked queen were just too much for him.  Elijah ran away, and found himself in prayer in the middle of nowhere.  He confessed his weakness and was so broken that he asked that God would take his life.  He couldn’t go any farther.

See the mercy of God for Elijah and God’s understanding of our human condition.  True, Elijah had witnessed the power of God.  True God would deliver His people from their wicked King and Queen.  But, humanly, Elijah was done.  He had no strength left physically or spiritually.  So, what did God do?  God helped Him.

God sent His angel to bring nourishment to the prophets body and soul.  He brought both food and God’s Word which communicated God’s love for Elijah and God’s plan for His people.  Strengthened by the Lord, Elijah continued to the mountain of God, mount Horeb, where God would instruct His prophet.

The prophets of God all pointed to Jesus who met Satan and all evil, even our sins, on the cross of Calvary.  Through faith in Jesus God still shows His mercy and love.  He forgives those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  God also overrules the deadly threats of the evil one, be those the threats of individuals or evil governments today.  God sustains us with the heavenly food of the Lord’s Supper and His Word in the Holy Bible.  On the last day we will be raised to life with Jesus.  The love of God in Jesus will last forever.

Let us pray

I thank you Lord for continuing to bear with my weaknesses, especially when I am frightened or anxious about the situation in the world around me.  Restrain all evil governments and world leaders.  And, bless your church with faithfulness and boldness to proclaim your truth in all nations.  In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

I Kings 19:1-3

Elijah Flees Jezebel

19 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life…”

God gives many blessings.  Some of these blessings are the great miracles that have become so commonplace that we don’t recognize them.  For instance, your physical life, our bodies, and the entire natural world are often nothing more than a background to our busy preoccupied lives.  Spending quiet moments in prayerful thanksgiving helps us to see these blessings and find profound joy in God’s faithful love.

There are also blessings that are so astonishing that they can’t be missed.  One such blessing was a victory of God over the false prophets of Baal.  The prophets of Baal were a wicked, murderous cult of human sacrifice. They were supported by the government.  No one would have thought that there could be any salvation from such a horrible situation.  Anyone would think that the nation was doomed.

But, human power (whether it is in the form of governments or false prophets) cannot overrule the Lord and His Will.  At the right time, God demonstrated His power and overcame the false prophets and the murderous king and queen.  It is important that we remember this example of God’s mercy and pray earnestly that the Lord would restrain evil in our day as well.

But, what happened next is also important for us to see.  Elijah, after seeing the power of God over evil, was terrified by the threats of the government who did whatever it wanted.  The queen, in particular, lived as if God didn’t exist.  Her threats were real to her.  She intended to kill Elijah.  This struck terror into Elijah. So, Elijah ran away.

What can we learn from this?  We should expect that satanic evil, especially in the form of wicked governments, will continue to cause great suffering in this world.  But, just because human wickedness can cause so much suffering, it doesn’t mean that God’s plan of eternal salvation in Jesus no longer stands.  Not at all.  God’s plan of salvation will continue to the very end.  We have the witness of the whole Bible to see that this is true!

Therefore when we are terrified by the wickedness of the world, we are not alone.  We stand with Elijah, who confessed his sins and prayed to the Lord.  We are be sustained by Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins and rose again for our salvation.  Therefore, even the darkest day of setback in this life will not change the fact of Jesus’ forgiveness of your sins, your eternal future at the resurrection of the dead, and the presence of God the Holy Spirit to sustain your faith today and always.  

Let us pray

I thank your Lord for the great miracles that you work every day.  I especially thank you for restraining the evil and maintaining the witness of your church around the world.  Help me to be faithful, brave, and joyful in your service.  In your name I pray, AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

John 6:35

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Hunger and thirst are physical.  Through hunger and thirst we become aware of the needs of our bodies.  The needs of our physical bodies are important.  Where would you be without your body?  Your body is important. When God created humanity, He made us to be creatures with a physical body and a soul.

More than that, to simply say that the body isn’t important, or to say that all that “matters” is the soul, denies the importance of Jesus coming into the world to save us, body and soul.  Jesus came into the world and became fully human. Yes, God Himself now has a body.  How did God do this?  Jesus came to save us by facing physical death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and then physically rising from the dead.  Our salvation is both spiritual and physical. At the last day, God promises that we will rise from the dead, a new creation in Jesus.

The problem that people had long ago, and that we still have today, is that we are tempted to think that our lives are only physical or spiritual, not both.  The people were chasing Jesus around because they recognized that He could meet their physical needs.  God can meet our physical needs!  But, we need more! Jesus is more! More than just a free lunch. More than just a physician.  Jesus is the one who can forgive sins, free us from death and the devil. Jesus is the Savior who will give the resurrection and eternal life to those who trust in Him.

In the end, at the resurrection, the nature of God’s salvation will be clear for all to see.  In the mean time, we must hear the teaching of Jesus so that we don’t forget the miracle that God has done in creating human life.  He has given us a body and a soul.  He has redeemed both body and soul through Jesus.  And through Jesus He will restore us to everlasting life.

All this God gives freely through faith in Jesus.  Therefore, both during times of ease as well as during times of trial and testing, we are called to faith in Jesus.  He is the world’s one Savior who is truly life.  Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for supplying all my needs of body and soul.  Strengthen my faith each day, so that I will give thanks for your blessings, serve others after your example, and anticipate the resurrection to eternal life that you have promised.  In your name I pray.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.