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.