The Right Way to Think About Christ’s Passion
As I write this, we’re in Holy Week, and things are quite busy. I’d bet that things are busy for you as well. Even if you’re not busy with church activities, we live in busy times—there’s always something going on. But at times there are so many things going on that we can unintentionally push aside the purpose of Lent: to focus on Christ and the great lengths He went to remove our sin—as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
However, this focus is not meant to grind the Christian into the ground nor is he to see Lenten devotions as meritorious before God; rather, it is to provide the proper perspective in life as believers in this world and to prepare us for the next. Luther had some thoughts on the matter which I’ve included here:
“When we meditate on the
Passion of Christ the right way, we see Christ and are
terrified at the sight. Our conscience sinks in despair. This
feeling of terror needs to
happen so that we fully realize how great the wrath of God is
against sin and sinners. We
understand this when we see how God sets sinners free only
because His dearly beloved
Son--His only Son--paid such a costly ransom for us, as Isaiah
53:8 says, ‘He was
stricken for the transgressions of my people.’ (ESV)
What happens to us when
we see the dear Child of God struck down like this? We
realize how inexpressible, even unbearable, the Son’s total commitment
is to saving
sinners. How else can we feel when we realize that a person so
great as Christ went out to
meet this fate, suffering and dying for sinners? If you truly
and deeply reflect on the fact
that God’s Son, the eternal Wisdom of God, suffers, you will be
filled with terror. The
more you reflect on it the deeper you will feel this way.
You should deeply believe, and never doubt, that in fact you are
the one who
killed Christ. Your sins did this to Him. St. Peter struck
terror in the hearts of the Jews
when he said in Acts 2:36–27: ‘You crucified Him!’ Three
thousand people were filled
with terror. Trembling in fear they cried out to the apostles,
‘Dear brothers, what should
we do?’ Therefore, when you look at the nails being driven
through His hands, firmly
believe that it is your work. Do you see His crown of thorns?
Those thorns are your
wicked thoughts.
Look! When one thorn pierces Christ, you need to know that more
than a
thousand should pierce you. They should pierce you for all
eternity even more painfully
than they ever pierced Christ. When you see nails driven through
the hands and feet of
Christ, know that you
should be suffering this for all eternity, with even more painful nails.
Everyone who looks on Christ’s sufferings and forgets about them, thinking they
are of no worth, will suffer such a fate for all eternity. The Passion of
Christ is a mirror of
what is to come. This mirror is no lie and no joke. Whatever
Jesus says will happen,
completely…
Up to this point in our
discussion, it is as if we have been in Holy Week and Good
Friday. Now we come to Easter and Christ’s Resurrection. When a
person, whose
conscience has been filled with terror, understands his sins in
this light, he needs to watch out that his sins do not remain in his conscience,
for then nothing will result but pure
doubt. Just as our sins flowed out of Christ and we became aware
of them, so we should
pour them back on Him again and set our conscience free. Make
sure you do not bite and devour one another with sins in your heart, running
here and there with your own good
works, trying to make satisfaction for them, trying to work your
way out of your sins by
means of indulgences. It is impossible! Unfortunately, many
people, far and wide, still
think they can find a refuge in such satisfactions and
pilgrimages.
Take your sins and throw them on Christ. Believe with a joyful
spirit that your
sins are His wounds and sufferings. He carries them and makes
satisfaction for them, as
Isaiah 53:6 says, ‘The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us
all.’ Peter says, ‘He
Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree’ (1 Peter 2:24).
Paul says, ‘For our sake,
He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might
become the
righteousness of God’ (2 Corinthians 5:21). You must rely on these verses from the
Bible
with all your might, even more when your conscience tries to
kill you. You’ll never find
peace if you miss this opportunity to quiet your heart. You’ll
despair because of your
doubt. If we dwell too much on our sins, going over and over
them in our conscience,
keeping them close to our hearts, soon they become too much for
us to manage and will
live forever. But when we see our sins laid on Christ, and see
Him triumph over them by
His resurrection, and
fearlessly believe this, our sins are dead and become nothing. Our sins don’t
stay on Christ, but are swallowed up by His resurrection. Now you see no
wounds, no pain, no sight of sin at all in Him. That is why Paul says in Romans
4:25 that Jesus ‘was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our
justification.’ In His
sufferings Christ made our sins known and was crucified for
them. By His resurrection
He makes us righteous and free from all sin. If you are not able
to believe then pray to
God for faith. This is entirely up to God. He gives faith at
times very dramatically and
openly, and at other times, secretly and quietly.
Therefore, here is what you need to do. First, stop looking at
Christ’s sufferings any longer. They have already done their work and have terrified
you. Press forward through all difficulties and see His friendly heart. Look
how full God’s heart is with love for you. This love moved Him to bear the
heavy load of your conscience and sin. If you do this, your heart will be
sweetly loving toward Him. The assurance of your faith will be stronger. Ascend
higher through the heart of Christ to the heart of God and then you will
see that Christ would not have been able to love you if God had
not willed all this in His
eternal love. Christ is obedient to this love, and so loves you.
In the heart of God you will
find a divine, good, fatherly heart. As Christ says, you will be
drawn to the Father
through Christ. Then you will understand what Christ meant when
He said, ‘God so
loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son’ (John 3:16).
This is how we know
God as He wants us to know Him. We don’t know Him by His power
and wisdom, which
terrify us, but by His goodness and love. There our faith and
confidence stand
unmovable.”
The Law and the
Gospel are fulfilled in that One event on Calvary’s tree—remember that when
your sins assail you and you feel as though you cannot be loved by God. Look
and see—and believe—that Christ has won you for Himself.
Pastor Ken Humphrey
A Word on the Equality Act
To the Pastors,
Called Workers and Members
of the 6,000 Congregations of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The words of the apostle Peter apply to us Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be
born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in
heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though
now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that
perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and
glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen
him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and
rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. (1 Peter 1:3–8)
The church’s task is not political. It is the proclamation of
the Gospel of free salvation in the cross and resurrection of Jesus for all (1
Cor. 1:23; John 18:36). “The Church is the congregation of saints in which the
Gospel is purely taught and the Sacraments are correctly administered” (AC VII
1).
God rules His church by His infallible Word, the Holy Scriptures
(John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:15–16). God rules the state by His eternal law, reason
and reasonable laws for the common welfare. “Our churches teach that lawful
civil regulations are good works of God” (AC XVI 1; see Rom. 13:1–7). The
church should not meddle in government affairs, especially in matters upon
which the Word of God is silent. It is also wrong when governments act against
God’s eternal law, reason and the basic civil rights of all people. The First
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution enshrines this truth. “Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances.”
Throughout history, governments have acted unjustly — sometimes
in the name of race, atheism, communism, religion and even Christianity — and
curtailed or denied the rights of conscience and the free exercise of religion.
And governments continue to do so. Our Lutheran and biblical confession is that
“it is necessary for Christians to be obedient to their rulers and laws. The
only exception is when they are commanded to sin. Then they ought to obey God
rather than men (Acts 5:29)” (AC XVI 6–7; see 1 Peter 2:13–14).
St. Paul made use of his legal right as a Roman citizen (“I
appeal to Caesar” Acts 25:11). “Christ’s kingdom allows us outwardly to use
legitimate political ordinances of every nation in which we live, just as it
allows us to use medicine or the art of building, or food, drink, and air” (Ap
XVI 54). Our Lutheran Confessions commend the seeking of public remedy for
injustice. “Public remedy, made through the office of the public official, is
not condemned, but is commanded and is God’s work, according to Paul (Romans
13)” (Ap XVI 59). Our God-given right to act as citizens is very important,
especially now.
The Equality Act is before Congress. It sounds
innocent. All Americans should enjoy equality and the protections of the U.S.
Constitution. But in elevating sexual orientation to a protected class, the
Equality Act will bring sweeping changes to current laws, to the great
detriment of the religious and constitutional freedoms of biblically faithful
churches, institutions, Christian schools and individuals ,Jesus referred to
Genesis 2:24, when He stated: “Have you not read that he who
created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore
a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the
two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What
therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matt. 19:4–6)
In fact, those churches and institutions that are bound by the
Word of God to the truth of marriage between a man and a woman, and that sex
outside of that institution is contrary to the word of Christ and the apostles
in the New Testament (1 Cor. 7:2), could be punished for simply standing on our
consistent, ancient Christian beliefs. The Equality Act effectively outlaws the
words of Christ, the sublime doctrine of Creation, the First Article of the
Creed, and our “free exercise of religion” based upon the Bible and Apostles’
Creed. The biblical teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman is to
be labeled forever a mere “sex-based stereotype.”
The Equality Act expands the definition of “public
accommodation” and puts an ultimatum to individuals, religious non-profits,
food banks, schools, charities, adoption agencies and others: Change your
faith-based practices or face government punishment.
Religious schools (K-12 and universities) are a prime target of
the Equality Act, which will make it difficult to maintain standards for
admission and codes of Christian conduct for students, faculty and
staff. The Equality Act will forbid college students from using
federal tuition assistance at schools that maintain standards of conduct on the
basis of the Bible regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
Sex-specific facilities and female-only spaces could be
eliminated. Biological males will have the right to participate in female
sports, unjustly denying female athletes at our schools a fair competition and
the due rewards of accomplishment.
The Equality Act will eliminate the significant protections of
the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed by Congress and signed into law
in 1993. This law has provided strong protections for “free exercise
of religion” in the face of overzealous officials.
The Equality Act contains no conscience protections for medical
staff who choose not to perform abortions, even if they have religious
objections. Because of its broad definition of “health” services, the Equality
Act threatens the Hyde Amendment, which limits public funding for abortion. It
also threatens Christian hospitals with elimination of funding for not
performing “health” services, including abortion or genital mutilation.
The Equality Act was recently passed by the House and is
currently pending in the Senate. The margin is razor thin. If it does not
become law now, we can be assured that it will be pressed again. We encourage
all LCMS people to:
1. Treat all people with kindness and respect (“You shall love
your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:31), while holding firmly to “the faith once
delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
2. Become informed about the Equality Act and the issues of
gender dysphoria. (See “Additional Resources” below.)
3. Consider your role as Christian citizens and make your voice
known to your elected officials, particularly in the U.S. House (house.gov/representatives) and Senate (senate.gov/senators/index.htm).
4. Pray for our officials, government and the church in these
challenging days.
Martin Luther once said, “Christ dwells only in sinners.” We
recognize ourselves as sinners constantly in need of Christ’s forgiveness. We
recognize the truth of the apostle Peter’s words, “For it is time for judgment
to begin at the household of God” (1 Peter 4:17). We know that Jesus’ opponents
grumbled against Him by saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them”
(Luke 15:2). This comforting verse applies to us sinners, and we welcome all
others to join us at the feet of Jesus, the sole Savior of all (John 3:16). As
Christians, we believe that God has created all people, and all are infinitely
valuable and accountable to Him. As Christian citizens, we recognize and demand
basic God-given civil rights for all people, even as we insist on the First Amendment
rights of Christians.
No matter the course of this or any legislation, Christ will
sustain His church. Our hope is not in laws, Congress or courts. Our hope is
Christ. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt.
28:20).
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly
love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling
for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you
may obtain a blessing.
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is
good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be
blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ
the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks
you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and
respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who
revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to
suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (1
Peter 3:8–9, 13–17)
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
LCMS Stewardship Ministry
Newsletter article –April 2021
Our Father in heaven sent His Son,
Jesus, to be our Savior. His atoning sacrifice is the first fruits of all the
dead, a pleasing aroma to His Father, so that His perfect life and death count
for all who believe in Him. He claimed us as His own children in Holy Baptism.
He sustains and strengthens our faith with His Holy Word and His Body and
Blood.
As new creatures, who have put on
Christ, we bear good fruit. We do the good works prepared for us, which He
makes known to us in His Word. By faith then, trusting in the Word of God, we
do what he says because He does not lie and always keeps His promises. For
“without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
(Heb. 11:6).
And so the Lord promises: “Honor
the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then
your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with
wine” (Prov. 3:9-10). How do we honor the Lord with the wealth that God has
given us in His generosity? By giving generously to those whom the Lord has
called us to love and support your family, your society, and your church. And
His promise is that, in so doing, you will never lack.
A common counterpoint is: “But that’s from the Old Testament!” Our Lord Jesus Himself gives us similar promises in the New Testament. He says, at the conclusion of the parable of the talents: “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance” (Matt. 25:29).
We have become conditioned against these promises because of their misuse by the peddlers of the prosperity gospel – the guys on TV who say you get rich by putting God in your debt. And thus, we miss out on the fact that God does reward temporal faithfulness in temporal matters with temporal blessings. It’s no quid pro quo. It’s all from God’s grace and His fatherly divine goodness and mercy. But those Bible passages do in fact say what they say! It’s not the Old Testament’s problem. It’s ours. It is almost as if we have become so jaded against this that we think it a virtue to be stingy with our offerings.
But our Father in heaven still loves to bless those who bless others. He loves to give to those who give freely and generously. In fact, he challenges us to challenge Him: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Mal. 3:10).
And so, while we don’t give so that we would get, we do receive from the Lord in order to give, and He will bless your giving with more receiving. As St. Paul wrote in Rom. 8:32: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
March 18, 2021 Council Meeting
The March Council Meeting was called to order by Chairman
Virgil Ritz. Pastor Humphrey read an opening devotion from Mark Chapter #13.
The minutes from the previous Council meeting were read and approved. The Treasure’s report was reviewed and
approved.
Pastor’s Report: Pastor Humphrey reports the printer is
working well. He inquired about the desire to purchase an ad in The Voice News
about Easter Services and the Council agreed it was a good idea. He notes the
blizzard caused some tree damage at the parsonage, and he has cleaned up some
but is waiting for more snow melt before getting to the rest. Pastor notes
Lenten mid-week services continue at 4pm on Wednesdays with Responsive Prayer
at 7pm. He notes Easter Sunrise Service will be at 6:30a.m. at St. John’s. There will be a Father/Son Retreat at Ft.
Robinson June 25-27. Pastor Humphrey reports Wednesday Morning Bible Study is
continuing its study of Revelations and Sunday Morning Bible Study is covering
the gospel accounts. He also reports he is planning to attend a continuing
education event in May at Fort Robinson.
Elders Report: Don Bowlin states there is no business to
report.
Trustees Report: Rudy reports he spoke with Curtis/Braden
about snow removal and Braden states that with the heavier, wet snow they used
larger equipment to remove snow, and the charges are higher than standard snow
removal.
Old Business: Virgil reports the Anniversary Committee has
met and continues to plan the 75th Anniversary celebration for the
fall.
New Business: No new business to report
With no further business to address the meeting closed with
the Lord’s Prayer.
John Bowlin
Adjourn: 7:48pm
Trinity Lutheran Women’s Society LWML meeting Sunday March 21,2021
Postponed from Sunday March
14,2021 due to snowstorm
Attendance: Susan Williams,
Nancy Wohl, Jean Strauch, Karen Ritz, Joanne Kurtz, Pat Klingsporn, Roxanne
Humphrey, Sandy Heine, Melvina Dillman
Bible
study was led by Susan Williams from the Quarterly, “Life is Like Swiss
Cheese”. You can concentrate on the
cheese or focus on the holes. It’s your
choice. Concentrate on the many solid
blessings in your life. Don’t waste time
on what is not there.
Thank you,
Susan.
President
Susan Williams called the meeting to order in the name of the Triune God.
Melvina Dillman read the minutes of
the January 24, 2021 meeting. Approved
Treasurer’s Report was read by Karen
Ritz in Kylie Kindred’s absence.
Society beginning balance --
$748.55 Ending Balance --
$708.18
Backpack program balance remains same
-- $3961.76
Committee
Reports:
Altar committee reported purchasing four new
banners. They are on display on back
table.
Pat Klingsporn on kitchen committee
suggested putting a basket at counter during refreshments for congregation to
help with kitchen expenses. Kitchen
committee will put up sign with basket.
Unfinished
Business:
Ten valentine cards were sent to
congregational members. Comments as to
being appreciated and congregation enjoyed participating in signing cards to be
sent.
Local Mission Project: Discussion of many items to be collected for
quarterly project to be distributed to local families struggling due to Covid
virus. It was decided to revise the list
to “Diapers and Donations”. This mission
project will go through April.
National Convention June 24-27,
2021, Lexington Ky information in Winter Quarterly with all speakers, hotels,
activities and registration.
New
Business:
Chimney Rock LWML Zone has invited
Pineridge LWML Zone to join in day of inspiration and fellowship for the Spring
Workshop on April 17, 2021, 10:00-2:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, Gering,
NE. Guest speaker will be Shurie Scheel
from Thermopolis involved with “Water and the Word for Rural Schools in Kenya
which was Grant #1 for National LWML grants.
Zone ingathering will be monetary donation to go to this project. Our offering will go to help support the
expense of the National Delegate to convention from our zone.
Update on absent members with
discussion and encouraged to stay in touch with our absent brothers and sisters
in Christ.
Nancy Wohl made motion for flowers
to be given to mothers of congregation on Mother’s Day May 9 and buy doughnuts
to be served for refreshments. Second,
Karen Ritz. Jean will get 24 carnations
to be handed out.
May meeting will be changed to
Sunday May 16 due to Mother’s Day being on scheduled date. This being a no-host meeting it was decided
everyone will bring a sack lunch and work on a rock painting project, followed
by meeting. Nancy Wohl will bring rocks
and materials needed to paint rocks. These
will be distributed throughout the community.
Bring your talent!
Closing devotion was given by
Joanne Kurtz reading of two inspirational Easter poems.
Closing devotion for May will be
Karen Ritz
Susan Williams adjourned business
meeting with joining in Lord’s Prayer and Table Prayer
Hostesses: Karen Ritz – Melvina Dillman
Serving in Gladness
Melvina Dillman, Secretary
DATES TO REMEMBER FOR APRIL
April 2 Madelyn Bowlin Birthday
April 3 Gerald Ritz Birthday
April 4 George Ross Birthday
April 8 Nancy Wohl Baptismal Date
April 9 Dorothy Holthus Baptismal Date
April 10 Kenneth Humphrey Baptismal Date
April 13 Jonathan Humphrey Baptismal Date
April 16 Rudy Landreth Birthday
April 17 Bill & Dee Allen Anniversary
April 17 Dave Hill Birthday
April 22 Jace Hendren Birthday
April 23 Kathryn Haskins Baptismal Date
April 26 Ella Rose Hendren Birthday
April 26 Roxane Humphrey Birthday
April 28 Melvina Dillman Birthday
April 30 Elmer & Nancy Wohl Anniversary
If your name does not appear, it is because these were taken from Trinity’s calendar directory for which we have permission to use names and dates.Please notify the office to have a date added.
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