Dear Fellow Children of God,
Life changes. The world in which we live changes. When I was ordained as pastor in 1979, I
began a personal commitment of seeking to visit all the members of the
congregation I would serve, in their homes.
In those days the church was still an important and valued part of
American culture, though the foundation was cracking. If the pastor sought to visit, people went
all out to welcome him. In some ways it
was as if royalty were visiting. I also sought
to visit those who joined the congregation later. I believe it is important for the pastor to
know those he is shepherding. And, it is
also good for people to know their shepherd.
However, as the years progress, and as our world has
changed, the idea of a visit by the pastor seems to have become more of a
burden than a privilege. Where it was
once common for 75-80% of church members to welcome a visit by the pastor, I
would estimate that today only one third to as little as one fourth of church
members welcome such a visit. I hear
things like, “My house is a mess.” “My schedule is full.” “Maybe when we get
settled.” Nevertheless, even if people
sound interested in a visit, it is harder to accomplish today.
Now imagine another possible visit. In my devotions this week one of the Biblical
accounts I read was that of Zacchaeus, found in Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector in
Jericho, and therefore despised by the Jewish people as a thief and a
traitor. Nevertheless, Zacchaeus had
heard of Jesus and wanted to see Him.
Because Zacchaeus was a short man, he climbed up in a tree. It must have been somewhat comical to watch
as Jesus stopped under the tree where this important government official had unceremoniously
climbed, and to observe their conversation.
Jesus tells Zacchaeus, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I
must stay at your house today." (Luke 19:5)
How would we respond, how would you react, if the Lord of
All indicated He was coming to your home, no question about it? Would you ask for time to clean your
house? Are there pictures, or books, or
videos which you might want to put away, or hide? Jesus is the Lord and Ruler of the
universe. He is the Savior of all, Who
loved us so much He died a torturous death for us. A visit from Jesus would be BETTER THAN a visit from any pastor. A visit from Jesus
would be BETTER THAN a visit from
royalty. Would you welcome Him? Or might you have excuses, at least to put
the visit off until you were more ready?
I hope we are not missing the fact that Jesus IS in our
homes, as He is in the hearts and lives of those who believe in Him. God’s promise
concerning the Messiah is found in His name, “22 All this took
place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 ‘Behold,
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’
(which means, GOD WITH US).” (Matthew 1:22-23) Jesus assures His disciples, “And behold, I
AM WITH YOU always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20). John tells us of the ‘Incarnate Word,” “14
And the Word became flesh and DWELT AMONG US,” (John 1:14).
Paul teaches, 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME. (Galatians 2:20) In the Lord’s Supper Jesus
teaches, “26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after
blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this
is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given
thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, 28
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for
the forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:26-28)
The truth is that Jesus has come to us in love, in humility,
in His powerful, saving Grace. Jesus is
waiting for us to receive Him by faith, joyfully. DO we welcome Him, and His love, His
guidance, His forgiveness, His salvation?
Or, even though the Lord of the universe has come to us, do we find
excuses?
We can think that Jesus only spoke to Zacchaeus on that
day as He traveled through Jericho on the way to Jerusalem in order to be
crucified, to rise, and to save the human race.
But, Jesus is speaking to us today, I must stay at your house
today." Jesus comes to us. Will
you receive Him joyfully?
A Child of God, Pondering Jesus’ Words, ‘I Must Stay at
Your House Today!’
Pastor Rockey
P.S. I am currently
serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor.
Regular Bible Studies and Sunday School
·
Adult Bible Study continues on Sunday
mornings at 9:00 a.m. The class is
studying “Basic Christian Teachings.” On July 6 we studied about heaven and
hell. On July 13 we studied about the
Word of God. Come and join us!
·
Summer Sunday School - Children have an
opportunity to study during the summer as well.
Leah Rawlins is leading the children in studying the book of Ruth. At the end of this study they may put what
they learned into expression through legos.
All Children are WELCOME! 😊 (However, there was no Sunday School on
July 6 (4th of July weekend), nor on August 31 (Labor Day
Weekend!)
·
NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING 2025 – NEW ORLEANS! Our Redeemer is sending 6 people to the 2025
LCMS National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.
The Our Redeemer Group leaves on Friday, July 18. The Rockeys, Jonathan, Kathy, and Mary will
be working for the Gathering. They leave
Tuesday morning July 15. Please keep
these people in your prayers. Pastor
Tony Schultz will lead worship on July 20.
Here is a picture from our trip on the way to the NYG. https://photos.app.goo.gl/uVaMNcHqWYGTycE56
·
In August we will have meetings to discuss
upcoming confirmation classes, and perhaps some early communion
classes. Watch for more
information. If anyone desires to attend
an adult membership class, that is what we are studying on Sunday mornings at
9.
·
The Our Redeemer Call Committee has been
formed. It includes Elder and chairman,
Jerry Simpson, also Heidi Enlow, Ruth Keller, Theo Lee, Jacob Lewis, Scott
Roelfs, and Martha Wilkins. They met on
June 4, and again on July 1. The first
step in the call process will be to begin a congregational self-study. The Northwest District has the study and
tools to help in this study. The
committee will meet again on July 22, and targets August 15 for inputs from
leaders to the congregational self-study.
It is good for
a congregation to be patient in the call process. Please PRAY that as our Lord leads
this committee and Our Redeemer in this process, we will follow His guidance.
·
MANY CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE
WITH ME IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.”
We are now in the New Testament! On Wednesday,
July 16, we read Luke 21 and 22, On Thursday we finish the Gospel of Luke,
and begin the Gospel of John on Friday!
Feel free to
contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these
readings. Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net I have
recently received questions and comments. It is always good to consider
our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God
knows!
P.P.S. Family and
Friends:
·
Our yard is doing well. I mowed the grass on Monday morning, July 14,
before we left. Here are a few pictures
of some flowers. https://photos.app.goo.gl/chK3L41gRqDNqP8f8
·
Our garden continues to do well. We have had many meals with salad
fixings. Strawberries are starting to
come in too. Here are some pictures from
July 14. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fNWfpRtFSNKRYY9z6
Fishing - I
went dip netting on the Kasilof River on July 10 and 11. I got 9 red salmon. I could have done better, but am thankful for
what I did get. Here are some pictures
from that trip. https://photos.app.goo.gl/T525fHtbuffnj7J96
*******
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of
August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church
in Palmer, AK. I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled,
"Thoughts from the Pastor." When I retired many asked me to
continue writing these devotions. So I have continued writing.
However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys
Through Life as a Child of God." Since I am no longer senior pastor
at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to
receive it. (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Chugiak, AK.)
So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered
why, now you understand. And, if you are now receiving these devotions
and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove
your name from my distribution list. My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.
My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in
your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Vacancy Pastor, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chugiak, AK
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK
How
great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)
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