“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44-45).

Jesus is not telling us that we must have fond affections for others That is the stuff of Hollywood.  We are to see in others that they too are loved by our Lord.  God gives common grace to all impartially.  Sure, bad things happen.  There is evil in the world.  Our Lord was crucified.  Every situation is a test in which we can learn how to love in a world filled with hate.  In every circumstance, we can learn to be thankful.

The world is constantly chasing from one thing to another.  The world is filled with strife because there is so much hatred.  It should not be so with you.  Yes, even in the church, there is hatred.  Learn how to love others as the Lord does.  That does not mean you have to tolerate evils, or do wrong things, but it does mean having a heart for others as the Lord has a heart for all whom He has created.

Lord Jesus, You loved the whole world enough to die for us all so that some might be saved.  Lead me so that I learn how to care for others as You have cared for me.  Grant that I would not love them conditionally, but impartially as You love us.  No matter where someone is, they too need to hear the Gospel.  Guide me, Lord, in the Gospel way today, sharing with all the Good News of Your grace.  Amen.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Matthew 5:43).

Does the world not operate this way?  Hate is often the order of the day.  Sure, we love our families, but we are fed all day long on the rivalries of this world.  Schools have rivals.  Politics have rivals.  We are asked to have loyalty for store chains, brands, and all kinds of other things.  That is the worldly practice.  Jesus introduced us to living differently and not living with hate as something that motivates us.

Lord, You know where and when my heart instantly hates.  You know those places where, despite what You have said, I am riddled with bigotry and prejudice.  Lift me up, Lord, so that I see, as I look into anyone’s eyes, a precious one for whom You died.  That does not mean we have to have fond affection for everyone.  We don’t and we won’t.  But it does mean recognizing the humanity and reality of all of us being created in our Lord’s image.

Lord Jesus, all humans have been created in Your image.  You are going to make of all who believe, those conformed to You, something new.  Where I encounter hatred, lead me to learn how to have charity.  Where I have poison in me from this world, remove it and help me to live into the life of love for which You have called me.  Guide me this day, my Savior, in all that I do so that I may walk humbly with You in all things.  Amen. 

“WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED?”

The Gospel reading from Luke 24 for April 14, the Third Sunday of Easter, tells of an incident that happened on Easter Sunday evening – after Jesus had spent some time with two of His followers on the road to Emmaus.  According to verses 33-35, after Jesus suddenly disappeared, the Emmaus disciples “got up and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and their companions gathered together.  They said, ‘The Lord has risen indeed!’  Then they told them what had happened on the road, and how Jesus had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

I believe that this is the same time as the appearance of Jesus to His disciples recorded in John 20: 19ff (the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Easter), when Thomas was not with them.  Luke 24: 36-38 tell us what happened next.  “Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’  They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.  He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?’” 

That is a good question for all of us – Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 

We all have many reasons to be frightened and many reasons for doubts to arise in our hearts.

1. Afraid of the future

First, many are afraid of the future.  We all have many reasons to be afraid of the future. 

I have talked with many people who are fearful for the future viability of their congregations.  They see their aging and diminishing membership.  They wonder whether they will be able to continue to afford a pastor, and even if they can afford one, whether they will be able to find one.  Many congregations have been without a pastor for a long time.

I have talked with people who face deep financial insecurities.  Inflation has taken a huge toll and they are fearful of what will happen if their financial resources run out.  They do not like the idea of being dependent upon others, and they wonder if there will be someone to depend upon if they do become dependent upon others.  Many are deeply concerned about health issues – their own health issues and the health issues of those whom they love.   

We all have plenty of reasons to be fearful for our country and our culture when the federal government honors the Transgender Day of Visibility instead of Easter and will not allow any religious symbols in its celebration of Easter.

For those who are afraid of the future Jesus gives unmistakable evidence of His resurrection.  In Luke 24: 39-43 He showed them His hands and His feet and then took a piece of broiled fish and ate it in their presence.  In the words of the one Gospel song, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.”

2. Afraid of the past

Second, many are afraid of the past.  We all have many reasons to be afraid of the past. 

For those who are afraid of the past Jesus gives the promise of forgiveness of sins.  In Luke 24: 44-48 He opened their minds to understand the scriptures and then said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations.”  Repentance and forgiveness of sins.  Repent is what we need to do.  Forgiveness is what we need to receive. 

In contrast, a friend and colleague from the synod in which I was rostered before I retired shared with me a brilliant theological analysis of critical race theory and DEIA ideology.  As the apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 3:6, “The law kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  The demands of the law will always be relentless.  You can never do enough.  In the same way, no matter how much I grovel and repent of my own racism and the racism of my ancestors and no matter how much I try to compensate for all past offenses, grievances, and injustices, it is never enough. 

Paul also wrote in Romans 7: 24, “O wretched man that I am!  Who can deliver me from this body of death?”   If you are white – or even worse, if you are a white male – or worst of all, if you are an older, heterosexual, cisgender, Christian white male – nothing can deliver you.  You are hopelessly racist.  No matter how hard you may try and no matter what you may do, you will always be racist.  You cannot not be racist.  The systems that privilege and empower you must be dismantled.  All power and privilege must be taken away from you.

I recently attended a memorial service where we sang the hymn, “When Peace like a River.”  I was struck by the words of the third verse –

“He lives – oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;

My sin, not in part, but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

With critical race theory and DEIA ideology, there is no possibility of grace, forgiveness, deliverance, and release.  There is only constant confession, repentance, guilt, failure, not measuring up, not doing enough, and groveling.  With critical race theory and DEIA ideology, you will never be able to say, “It is well with my soul.”

How sad and how serious it is that critical race theory and DEIA ideology sell people out to a taskmaster that will never be satisfied.  They imprison people in a system from which there is no escape.

How much better what Jesus said in Luke 24: 47 – “Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations.”  It is only in and through Jesus that we can and will find hope, grace, peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.  It is only through Jesus that we can say with the apostle Paul in Romans 7: 25, “Thanks be to God!”    

3. Powerless in the present

Third, many feel powerless in the present.  We all have many reasons to feel powerless in the present.  For those who feel powerless in the present Jesus promises power from on high.

In verse 49 He said to the disciples, “See, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  Power from on high is what we all need.  And power from on high is exactly what the disciples received on the Day of Pentecost.

In contrast, as I read the resolution that led to the creation of the ELCA’s Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church as well as minutes of their meetings, it is painfully obvious that they are building a church that is based not upon the Scriptures but upon critical race theory and DEIA ideology.  The 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly – as well as the Commission – are making the main mission of the church not to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission but to dismantle systemic racism.  They are making the main mission of the church not what we have been commanded and empowered to do, but instead they are taking on an impossibly huge task with merely human resources.

How could they feel anything other than overwhelmed and hopeless?  I often wonder, if people’s main mission in life is to dismantle systemic racism, why would they focus their efforts in the church?  No wonder there is and will continue to be a huge shortage of pastors.

Because everything is at stake and in the Name of the One who gives hope for the future, release from the past, and power in the present,  

Dennis D Nelson
Executive Director
dennisdnelsonaz@yahoo.com

“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42).

We are not being instructed to give everything away, but we are to have an attitude of stewardship that holds on loosely to the things of this world.  You have been given gifts and abilities.  Do you use them to help others.  In helping others, it is not about you, but about what the Lord is going to do through you.  He will partner with You to literally make you like Christ.  Look outward and not inward.

Lord, I am self-centered.  I do look at myself first.  I do not believe You are asking me to be all things for all people, but You are asking me to do what is good and right always.  The first charity is what You have given me.  You want me to give some of what You have given me to others, reflecting Your grace and kindness.  Many do not, but what about You?  Will you trust the Lord for all things?

Holy Trinity, for You and from You are all things.  You have called me into Your ministry.  In the mystery of faith You have given me, create in me a new and clean heart that welcomes the opportunity to live the way You created us all to live.  You are the provider and only in You is there true hope and life.  Guide me by Your grace to live this day in the way that is pleasing to You.  Amen.

“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:40-41).

There are wars and rumors of wars because people know how to hate.  Division and hatred rule in this age.  Jesus knows this.  He came to set us free from this sinful way of thinking and acting.  Learn how to shed the reactionary way of thinking that you are in control that you may learn what Jesus is teaching.  Love is the action of doing what is right for the soul and well-being of the other.

Holy Spirit, stir my heart to understand these things and put them into practice.  I understand what I should not do quite well because these are the things I do.  The fruits You will grow in me are the kinds of things Jesus is talking about.  Help me to live them, grow in them, and dwell in Your presence as You teach me.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and the like are the fruits of my new creation in You.

Lord and Savior, I hear these things with my ears, but I know they are far from my heart.  I need You to save me here too.  When I become selfish and self-serving, lift me out of myself.  When I am weary and unwilling, nudge me to walk with others anyway.  Lord, You know all that is needed.  I am asking You to continue to lead me as I need to be led no matter whether I understand it or not.  You are the potter, and I am the clay.  Shape me, Lord.  Amen.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also” (Matthew 5:38-39).

If I do not get what I want, I become mad.  That is the Genesis 3 old Adam in us.  The new person Jesus is making us to be recognizes that in this world there are times when hostility happens.  How will you react?  That is what we need to learn.  The world wants vengeance.  Love wants restitution.  The world wants to give back what has been received.  But love is patient, kind and longsuffering.

Lord, You know the attitude I have in my heart.  You also know the struggle that is mine.  You have promised to make me new and shape me into Your image.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, so that I humbly walk in the way You are instructing me to walk.  Soften my heart so when I see in others the same behavior that, without You, I would display, I may respond with love.  The pliability You describe is something I want.

Lord Jesus, as I mature in faith, I begin to see things differently.  You are not replacing one law with another but showing me what You will make of me.  Continue to lead me, Lord, so that I walk under Your guidance and live this new life that You have given me.  Lead me to see others with the same compassion that You have shown me.  Guide me, Lord, in Your goodness.  Amen.

“Nor shall you take an oath by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black.  But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin” (Matthew 5:36).

Often, we will act as if we have power.  No one knows what tomorrow will bring.  We have no power over these things.  We may say, “By [whatever], I am going to . . . ,” but Jesus is teaching us to be truthful.  I have no power to assure what is going to happen, so why swear by it?  Instead, be truthful, do your best and if the Lord wills, work toward what you seek and it will come to pass.

Lord, You know how often I do this.  I suspect I do it more than I can even begin to realize.  No wonder I have so much disappointment.  I tell myself that something is going to happen, and it doesn’t.  Then, I blame You.  Forgive me, Lord, and help me to learn how to be truthful in all things.  Teach me how to respond with an affirmation or rejection and then move forward.

Lord Jesus, You did not come into this world to impress anyone.  I should not seek to do that either.  Lead me to be a person of my word and to do so without oaths or swearing by anything.  Help me to learn how to be honest with myself.  Guide me this day, Lord, for I know that You have told me that all things are in the Father’s hands.  Guide me, with a truthful tongue, to follow You today.  Amen.

“But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King” (Matthew 5:34).

What will you change with an oath?  You are either going to do what you said, or else, you will not.  The oath is just so much bravado.  From the “trust me,” to the “you can always count on me,” we make so many promises with all types of oaths.  The truth is that there are those who are trustworthy and those who are not.  Which are you?  It should be clear what the Lord is asking of all of us.

Lord, help me to assess my character and become one of those who does what they say they will do.  When I sin and do not as I ought, chastise me and help me to walk the narrow path.  The devil is a liar, and this age is steeped in lies.  What a mess.  Heaven is perfect and must remain so without any untruth.  Help me to learn how to be truthful so that I am fit to live with You in heaven.

Lord, You have given me great assurances and promises.  I do not see how, but I will trust by faith that You, who are able to do all things, will lead me to the place where I practice truthfulness in all things large and small.  Guard the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart so that I may walk with You this day, O Lord, my Savior.  Lead me, Jesus, in the way of the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord’” (Matthew 5:33).

Take care with what you say.  Humans have always made vows.  Why?  Because humans are also great liars.  A vow is often really nothing less than an promise that you will do what you have said that you would do.  Rather than making contracts and vows, perhaps move in the direction of simply saying what you will do and then make it a habit of doing what you say. Jesus is always getting to the truth of the matter.

Lord, you know the long contracts and agreements I have signed, or on the computer, clicked on.  We live in an age where many people are not honest.  We know how to be untruthful, but it is very hard to always be honest; yet that is the direction I need to go.  Lead me to the place where I learn how to be truthful.  Let me not be like the unfaithful, but like You, Lord.  Guide me in the way of truthfulness.

Lord Jesus, lead me to come to the place where what passes my lips is honest and true.  Help me to know that in You alone is there hope and an eternal future.  You are teaching me to have a consistently honest character.  You know what I will encounter this day.  Let me not fall into the trap of making a vow when all I need to do is what I have said I would do.  Give me what I need … to do what I say, Lord.  Amen.

“Now it was said, ‘Whoever sends his wife away is to give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5:31-32).

We are tempted to use human reasoning, just as Eve was tempted into doing, to justify our actions.  Wrong is wrong no matter what the cause.  We have been told that following Jesus will cost us, and we are directed to always do the right thing.  Our eyes, actions, and heart are under the guidance of Jesus.  Will you listen to Him, or will you do what is right in your own mind?

Lord, You alone know where my thoughts wander.  Right in front of others in church, I can be sinning away and those around me do not know it.  Guide me, Lord, so that in heart, soul, and mind, I am directed to You.  Lead me always to know that You are the source of all life and the source of my being.  Guide me today to resist temptation so that in all I do, I am looking to You.

Lord Jesus, I do need Your help.  I want to be faithful, but I am tempted all the time in ways to err and stray from what is right and good.  Lead me so that I will humbly walk with You, my Lord and Savior.  Keep my eyes upon what is good and right.  Help my actions be the right ones in Your eyes.  Keep me in Your grace and mercy so that I may now and always walk with You.  Amen.