Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

I have spent a lot of time lately in Zoom meetings with other pastors. I’ve been blessed by these conversations, but not as you might expect. To explain, I go to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul writes, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (Ephesians 1:16).” In speaking to my fellow pastors, I am abundantly thankful for you all! I say that because, I hear what many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are going through right now, as are we. Yet what I hear from others are indications that, despite the difficulties we’re all going through, many are struggling to remain strong in faith in this difficult time. I am thankful for your continued strength of faith … a faith I feel each day through your prayers for me and for God’s people. Quite honestly, Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus could truly be words from my own pen to the church in Calvert County.

Paul wrote many letters to many churches across the Mediterranean. Usually he was addressing a breakdown of faith at some point. However, there was no apparent breakdown of faith in Ephesus. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to continue their faithful worship of the one true God in the face of great pressure to capitulate to the economic and religious forces of the day. Yet, they didn’t! They remained faithful to Christ … “the one body, the one Lord, the one faith, the one baptism, the one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-5).”

As we all face pressures to give up on our faith … even placing it in the “ways of the world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Ephesians 2:2)” … it can be very hard to remain faithful to God and His Word. However, I see each day, your strength of faith in God … that His will shall be done. I thank God for you and your singular, faith filled focus on Him.

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

If you want to get to First Lutheran Church in Huntingtown MD, the route you take depends on where you start. Whether you use GPS, directions from the website, or the old-fashioned map; you plot a route getting you to your destination. Ultimately, regardless of your route, in the end, you need to get to Maryland Route 4 Southbound and the doors of First Lutheran Church. No matter where you start, no matter how lost you might get along the way … the only way to get to First Lutheran Church is to end up on MD-4 southbound.

Jesus says to His disciples, including you and me, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going (John 14:3-4).” Despite all they’ve seen Jesus do, the disciples are lost. Thomas asks Jesus for directions to which He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” With these words Jesus tells the world about the only way to enter eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. The only way is Jesus. He isn’t one of many ways. He’s THE way … to the Father and eternal life. However, just like you can ignore GPS or throw away the map and trust yourself, many try to find their own way to heaven ...

The good news for all mankind, regardless of where you might find yourself right now … no matter what route you’re on right now … no matter how lost you are right now … the truth of God’s Word is “recalculating your route” to get you onto the only road leading to the kingdom of heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are led to Jesus. Then, following Him in faith, He leads us directly to our final destination, eternal life.

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by Loewe Technologies on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

When I was a kid, one of my favorite comedians was Canadian-born impressionist Rich Little. He could make you think a President or a famous celebrity was in the room. He seemed to perfectly match anyone’s voice. I wonder though if he could trick a fancy voice recognition system into opening a celebrity’s bank account. He’d have to do more than just sound good … he’d need to match perfectly the voice of the celebrity.

In Jesus’ day voice recognition systems didn’t exist. But He tells us, sheep could differentiate between their shepherd’s voice and that of someone pretending to be their shepherd. “The sheep hear (their shepherd’s) voice … the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:3-4).” Jesus uses this image to help us understand the importance of hearing His voice and then following it … not the world’s voice. 

Many in the world try to lure us away from Jesus by doing impressions of Jesus. They may sound like Him. But, if we listen carefully, we can hear they’re what Jesus calls “thieves and robbers … (whose intent is) to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:8,10).” False prophets, the devil’s workers, use familiar language to make Jesus’ disciples, including you and me, think they’re speaking God’s Word. They attempt to steal us away from God. Their voices may sound good, but they only lead us away from God … into sin and death. 

How do we keep from being stolen away? We listen to Jesus and His Word. If someone tells us something that sounds good, but might differ from what God’s Word says, ask “Where can I find that in God’s Word?” Dare them to show you exactly where it is … have them explain how and why they’re teaching this way. Then pray to God for guidance and wisdom. In this way, you’ll steer clear of lies as you hear the Good Shepherd’s voice. He’ll lead you safely to the rich pastures and refreshing waters of abundant life. 

                                                                                                He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

I’ve never met anybody who willingly undergoes “the knife.” But sometimes “the knife” is necessary. So, in order to correct a serious condition, people have surgery. And when it’s over many say, “Why didn’t I do that sooner?” The surgery might leave a scar. It might leave some residual pain. But it also brings healing and relief from pain – correcting whatever condition might have existed.

While surgery can bring about healing, eventually, due to the nature of life in a sin-filled world, our bodies will fail … leading to death and a more painful condition … eternal separation from God our Father – eternal death.

Peter stood before the house of Israel one day to bring the healing knife of God’s Word to Israel’s ears saying, “‘Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made (Jesus) both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified!’ Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter … ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (Acts 2:36-37)” 

God’s Word, spoken in sharp truth, cut through their sinful hearts like a razor-sharp scalpel, revealing to them their dire condition. It caused them to see they were helpless, on their own, to do anything about it. But Peter followed the sharp word of the law with the comforting, healing goodness of the gospel … “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. (Acts 2:38)” And that day, over 3000 people were saved from the eternal effects of sin and death.

We too hear God’s Word. We hear the cutting news of the law. It convicts us of our sins. We see our need for the healing word of God’s gospel. Then, as we confess our sins, our God and Father, on account of His Son, Jesus Christ, cuts them away with His forgiveness. As we say, “Why didn’t I do that sooner?” He restores us to full health and eternal life.

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kevin West)

Dear Easter People,

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

Military members take an oath to “obey the orders of (those) appointed over me.” But there’s a caveat protecting them from unlawful orders. Orders must be “…according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.” One cannot be ordered to break the law.

Peter and the apostles received conflicting orders from those appointed over them. The temple leaders directed them to stop teaching in Jesus’ name (Acts 5:17-28). Peter’s response, “We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)” So, Peter and the apostles, obeying the highest authority, God Himself, continued teaching in Jesus’ name.

Today, the government has directed us to stay in our houses except for essential activities. It keeps us from attending worship services together in our church buildings. It might seem the government’s direction is at odds with God’s direction to come together and worship Him regularly. 

In our current situation it’s important to note, the government isn’t telling God’s people they can’t worship. They’re simply telling them they need to do so in a socially responsible manner. And we are complying with this direction because God’s Word tells us, “Thou shall honor your parents” and “Thou shall not kill.”  From God’s Word, we understand these two commands in these ways. The first includes honoring those authorities God has placed over us to protect us and provide good order in His creation. The second includes “helping and supporting our neighbor in every physical need” by doing what we can to keep them from getting, in this case, sick and possibly dying.

By being obedient to those God has placed in authority over us we are also being obedient to God’s command to love and help our neighbors in need. One day this virus will be defeated and we’ll be able to physically join together in worship. Until then, God has blessed us with technology and many other gifts which still enable us to gather together in worship to hear God’s teachings in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior!

                                                                                        He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Dear Easter People,

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Good news travels fast! … or it should. For example, if anyone were to suddenly find a vaccine or cure for COVID-19, what would they do? My guess is they’d spread the news of this life-giving, life-saving discovery as fast as they could! And imagine the joy this would bring!

As bad as COVID-19 or any other disease is or ever will be, we all face an even more deadly disease. Sin. The infection rate is 100%.  Sin isn’t just “bad” … it’s eternally deadly. Untreated, it leaves all mankind permanently separated from God. Permanently evicted from the kingdom of heaven. We’re unable to cure this truly horrible disease on our own. However, if there was such a cure … wouldn’t we run into the world shouting this incredible news!?

And there is good news to shout! God our Father sent His Son Jesus down from heaven to bring us the cure for our sins. To bring this cure required Jesus to pay the ultimate price – death. Our sins nailed Him to the Cross. There He died, bringing us – through His death – the cure for our sin. 

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary showed up early Sunday morning to see the tomb. When they got to there, it was opened. And an angel of the Lord told them, “I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen from the dead. (Matthew 28:5-6)” Hearing this good news – that Jesus had risen to new life –  they immediately ran off to tell everyone!

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, all who believe in Him are cured of sin … we are forgiven all our sins and, what’s more, given the gift of eternal life! What joyful news this is! It’s news “The Mary’s” ran off to share with the world. And having received the same cure – a life-giving, life-saving gift from God – let’s join them! Let’s run into the world shouting the joyful news, “Christ is risen!” for all to hear.

                                                                  In Christ’s Love,

                                                                  Pastor Jim

Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash

Dear Children of God,

While the current isolation caused by the virus impacts us all in many negative ways, one of the neatest things I’ve seen is how teachers have tried to help their students get through this by forming parades through their students’ neighborhoods. For these isolated youngsters, seeing their teachers has provided them comfort … bringing joy into their difficult existence. It’s a nice side to the other side of the same coin which caused the parades to be necessary in the first place.

On Palm Sunday, we see a similar sort of situation. On one side of the coin is Jesus riding into Jerusalem in a parade of sorts. The massive crowds, who’d heard about Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead, shouted joyful hosannas to the one they believed had the power to become their new king. Anyone powerful enough to raise someone from the dead could also deliver them from the tyranny of Rome (John 12:12-18). They were correct to think Jesus was powerful enough would deliver them from tyranny, but it wasn’t the tyranny of Rome … it was the tyranny of sin, Satan, and the eternal death they wrought.

On the other side of the coin is Jesus’ reaction to both the crowds and the Pharisees. Yes, Jesus came into Jerusalem for the Passover to exert His power. But, He would do it in a most unexpected way. He foretold what would happen in the strange parable of a grain of wheat, falling to earth, being buried, and then bearing much fruit. In this example, Jesus tells His disciples that He will die, be buried, and rise to new life. (John 12:23-24) 

By His death and resurrection, Jesus exerts His ultimate power. He has the power to deliver you, me, and all who believe in Him from the devil’s tyranny of sin and death. Then He leads us in a joyful victory parade into eternal life with Him and our Father in the kingdom of heaven.

                                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim