Amazed at the Deep, Sacrificial Love of our Good Shepherd AND our Lamb!

Dear Fellow Children of God,



In my daily devotions I am currently reading in the book of Micah.  As you perhaps know, Micah is an Old Testament prophet who proclaimed God’s Word around the same time as Isaiah.  In fact, some of the words of Micah and Isaiah echo each other.  (For example, see Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-3).  But, the work of a prophet in Old Testament times was not necessarily pleasant work.  God sent these servants to call His chosen people back to Him.  But, in order to call the Old Testament Israelites, the prophets needed to point to their sin; their rebellion, their idolatry, their adultery, their dishonesty. 



One of the sins for which Micah called out the people was their half-hearted worship.  God’s chosen people went through the motions of obeying, they went through the motions of worshiping their Creator and Lord.  But, their hearts were not in that worship.  After reading the devotions on Monday, April 27, the editor of my devotional Bible pointed out the root of the problem.  “They didn’t want to obey.”  So, how do we bring ourselves to WANT to worship and serve the Lord?



The answer to that deep question is found in the Bible readings assigned in liturgical churches for this coming Sunday, Good Shepherd Sunday.  The Fourth Sunday of Easter has for centuries read through parts of John 10, also called the Good Shepherd chapter.  The people of God have long known the shepherd metaphor.  In the Old Testament Psalm 23 comforts us with the promise, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”  Shepherds stay with their sheep, and protect them, feed them, and even search for these sheep when they foolishly wander from the safety of the flock and the shepherd.  But, in John 10 God further reveals Himself as Jesus teaches that He is not just the Shepherd, He is the Good Shepherd.  Please read these verses from John 10 with me.

⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."   (John 10:9-11, 14-18)

As you read John 10 you not only hear the special care and love Jesus has for God’s created children, His sheep, but you also hear how that love was delivered in Jesus’ Good Friday “laying down” of His life, and in His Easter “taking up” again of His life.  What special love God gives us in His Son, Jesus!



However, the amazing truth is that Jesus is not only The Good Shepherd.  Jesus is also the Lamb! John the Baptist told the people of his day, ²⁹ . . . "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)  Please let that unfathomable truth sink in.  Shepherds are human, and lambs are animals.  How can the Shepherd be The Lamb?  But, Jesus, the Lord and Creator of all, set aside His divine nature and became a human, in order to save His lost lambs.  Jesus is the Shepherd who even became the Lamb so that He could die on the cross and rise again for the flock of God.  Consider the depth of love the incarnation took from our Lord.  Consider the depth of love Jesus’ sacrificial, torturous death required.  But, that is how deeply God loves us.  That is how much God loves you!



In fact, in my Wednesday devotions I read Micah 5, the chapter which prophesies the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.  This chapter of Micah also foreshadows the truth of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  Jesus is God Himself, “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2)  Jesus is the Shepherd who “shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD.” Jesus is the Promised Savior who, for God’s people, is “their peace.” (Micah 5:4)



As I said earlier, the writer of my devotions raised the question, “How do we bring ourselves to WANT to worship and serve the Lord?”  However, when we realize the depth of love, the depth of sacrifice, which God has shown in Jesus to wandering sheep like us, how can we not love Him in return?  How can we not WANT to worship the one who is our Good Shepherd, and The Lamb?



A Child of God, Amazed at the Deep, Sacrificial Love of our Good Shepherd and our Lamb,

Pastor Jonathan

Seeking to Give Thanks to our Lord in ALL Circumstances

Dear Fellow Children of God,



On Tuesday morning I read Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer’s daily devotion, The Meyer Minute, and he echoed my thoughts as I was preparing to write this week: “I don’t want to talk about Coronavirus anymore.”  Of course, my wife tells me that, “Denial is a great coping mechanism,” at least until reality hits.  However, times like these can sometimes help us focus on a reality we often forget.  It is easy, in tough times, to forget the truth of the daily goodness and grace of God in our lives.



The verse which keeps speaking in my head this past week or so is from 1 Thessalonians 5:18  “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Often we hear this verse used during the observance of the national Thanksgiving holiday in order to remind us of our duty to thank God.  But, Thanksgiving Day is usually a joyful day of family time, when we celebrate.  Giving thanks in such a setting is natural and easy.  However, God inspired Paul to encourage us to “Give thanks in all circumstances . . .”  So, even in times of trial, or suffering, or loss, there is still reason, there is good reason, for thanking our Creator, for thanking our Lord and our Savior.  Here is part of my list of reasons for giving thanks.

·       I am thankful my family and friends are safe and well.

·       I am thankful that, even though Kathy and I got stuck in FL a little longer than expected, I have family here, family with whom I enjoy spending time.

·       I am thankful for faithful doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who are willing to care for those in need, even if they put themselves in danger as they give this care.  Actually, this is the case for our medical personnel even without the present infection.  This also causes me to be thankful for our service men and women, and our for first responders who place themselves in danger in order to serve the cause of peace and freedom, and who place themselves in harm’s way in order to serve us.

·       I am thankful for church workers and churches who have learned new lessons about technology to continue bringing the Word of God to their congregations.  I am truly thankful that our churches have continued serving God’s people, even though this requires “thinking outside the box!”

·       I am thankful because of a story I heard from a friend.  My friend, Jim, told me that, since many businesses and places of entertainment are closed, he and his grown children and grandchildren have been sitting in his driveway at night, visiting in a way they don’t get to visit when lives are so busy.

·       I personally feel a little guilty, but I am also thankful that , even when other activities have shut down through government mandate, outdoor activities such as fishing and golfing are still allowed, with proper social distancing of course.  So, I have enjoyed the privilege of being outdoors in God’s creation, fishing and golfing.  J

But, all of these above reasons for thanks are somewhat positive.  The reality is that life in this sinful world is hard.  People do suffer and die. And, some have become ill and have died from this current disease.  Is there reason to thank our Lord even in such painful times?

·       I am thankful that in times of trial, God has taught me again that He is “an ever-present help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

·       I am thankful that, with the loss of many of the previous activities of life, God has given us a time to pause, to rest, and to reflect.  Instead of running around, Kathy and I are often watching birds and other critters at the bird feeder.

·       I am thankful that when, I have suffered injury, God teaches me to be thankful for the health I do have, rather than complain about what I have lost.  At least, if I listen, God teaches.  

·       I am thankful to know that, when death claims a life, the grave may be the end of this life, but through Jesus, death has become the door to eternity with God for all who trust in Jesus’ saving life, and who trust in His death and resurrection.

The idea of thankfulness is not new.  Psalm 118:1 calls us, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  The truth is that thankful hearts are joyful hearts, even in hard times.  And, as New Testament believers, we not only have the promise that God’s “love endures forever,” we know how He has won that eternal love for us in Jesus.



As your life has changed during our current unique challenges, can you echo my list of reasons to thank God?  Can you add your own personal reasons to thank the Lord for His gracious goodness in your life?



A Child of God, Seeking to Give Thanks to our Lord in ALL Circumstances,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  As I mentioned, Kathy and I have enjoyed watching the birds outside our window.  Here are some pictures of some of the local wildlife.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/JczexqnJdTJET37BA



P.P.S.  As also mentioned above, I continue to golf and fish.  While my golfing has improved, so has my fishing.  Here are pictures from a number of fishing trips this past week.

·       Fishing on a nearby lake, Tuesday evening, April 14, after a storm.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/GStU1L6Z2edQtp7t5

·       Fishing Thursday evening, April 16, with nephew, Jonathan Pruim, in the Suwannee River.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/a7HXEU9WPYzxr6uXA

·       Fishing Saturday evening in the same place on the Suwannee by myself.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/FJJceTchQjSKVB1e7

·       Fishing Sunday morning (!), April 19, with my Lutheran pastor brother, James, and my Lutheran teacher brother, Stephen, on the Withlacoochee River.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/8J6S9gbWHTBLKi5x6

·       Fishing Tuesday, April 21, with my brother-in-law, Mark, at new favorite Lake east of Gainesville.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/uwzK3weqRmSMGR457

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I will now call it "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked o receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive them, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.

Reliving Fond Memories Through Easter Worship on the Radio

Dear Fellow Children of God,



Do you remember ever getting in trouble?  I still find troubles as an adult, but, when I was a young child, it seems I was always being disciplined, usually with good cause, for something I had done.  One memorable spanking I received was on the front steps of the church we attended when I was a small child, Trinity Lutheran Church in Easthampton, MA.  For years, my parents’ normal practice was to sit up front during the worship service, on the left side of the church.  One Sunday, when I was 4 years old, I was sitting in the pew with my parents and my little brother, and I started swinging my legs, which didn’t yet reach the floor. As I swung my legs I kicked the pew, making quite a bit of noise.  My dad, sitting next to me, told me to stop.  But, I continued  making noise.  My dad told me again, “Stop that.”  But, I don’t know, I guess I just wanted to do what I wanted to do.  I was headstrong.  And, in my family that willful disobedience was worse than any actual transgression.  I was willingly dis-obeying my dad’s direct orders.  So, the third time I swung my legs, kicked the pew, and disturbed others, my dad didn’t tell me to stop any more.  He picked me up during the worship service, carried me out the front door. and gave me a spanking on the front steps of the church, in front of God and everybody, as they say.



However, that is not the end of my story.  In those days our congregation broadcast our 10:30 a.m. worship services over WHMP, the most listened to radio station in our area at that time.  After my spanking, my dad and I couldn’t return to the church building because I was now making noise with my crying.  So, he took me to the car.  Dad started our vehicle and turned on the church service on the radio.  Even outside the church building, I still ended up listening to church through the broadcast of that service.



I look back on this personal experience now with a smile, even though 62 years ago I responded with tears. “Training up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6) is an important job of a parent. Children, children of all ages, need to know that they are not the center of the universe.  God is the LORD of all. Therefore, our loving Father calls children to learn to obey at an early age.  It is easier to learn that lesson of humility and obedience early in life.  God calls parents to bring their children up in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) in order to teach this lesson. This does not mean parents are to abuse their children, or to administer discipline out of anger. But, children do need to know the difference between right and wrong.  More importantly, we all need to know that we break God’s law, but that our Heavenly Father calls us back, in repentance and in faith, to His love and to His forgiveness in Jesus.  



The event which brought this personal story back to mind was Easter worship this past week at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.  All churches are scrambling during our coronavirus response of social distancing.  When our government, seeking to provide protection for it’s people, requires citizens not to gather in groups larger than 10, and when our government requires those gathered to keep at least 6-10 feet of separation, churches can no longer meet in their traditional manner.  One way that St. John met this challenge was that people gathered in cars in the parking lot of St. John as Easter Sunrise worship was broadcast live over KVRF, 89.7 FM, Radio Free Palmer - Big Cabbage Radio.  (Thank you to Mike Chmieleski for making this possible!)  Actually, Kathy and I listened to this worship service live, by computer, from where we are sheltering in place in FL. Then, on Monday, we watched the 10:00 a.m. worship service on St. John’s Facebook page.



The day I was disciplined in worship my dad taught me a lesson.  The lesson I learned was that worship is important, and, if possible we attend church services.  When I was a child, our family did not just attend in order to obey God’s law and keep the Sabbath.  We participated in the ministry of God’s Church because that gave us a chance to grow and to practice who we were, children of God.  It seems, when the doors of the church opened, my family was there.  Yet, I don’t remember ever resenting church attendance.  God’s family was where I found real purpose in life, where I had friends who cared about me.  Our congregation was where I served, where I grew, and where God blessed us. 



So, worship is important.  As I was kept from the live service by an act of discipline over 60 years ago, I still participated in worship on the radio.  A similar thing happened last Sunday.  People were kept from Easter worship in the church building by the community response to an epidemic.  But, God’s children at St. John, and hopefully many other people in the community as well, still got to participate in praising God and receiving His blessings by the old technology of FM radio.



The writer to the Hebrews instructed those Christians, in God inspired words, saying, ²³ “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  (Hebrews 10:23-25) Worship is not just between believers and God.  Gathering together for worship is a way that God’s children help one another.  Worship IS important!  That is why we don’t neglect to gather.



Jesus told His disciples, “Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19)  The Easter event is the core of the Christian faith.  God’s own Son confronted our rebellion and our sin.  Jesus waged battle against the consequences of our sin.  He fought against death and judgement, and defeated these enemies of ours, with His death on the cross, paying for our sins.  Jesus defeated our enemies of sin, death, and judgment with His resurrection from the dead, overcoming death.  The core of the Christian faith IS Easter.  “Because I live, you also will live.”



I can’t think of a better reason than Easter to find a creative way to worship.  Thanks to all who made Easter worship possible over the radio!  It even brought back some fond memories of worship.  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!!



A Child of God, Reliving Fond Memories Through Easter Worship on the Radio,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.   Wouldn’t it be neat if St. John worship services were broadcast EVERY Sunday?



P.P.S.  Here are some pictures from Easter Sunrise service at St. John, and even some short video from that service.  These were taken by our daughter, Mary.  I love the response to “He is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!”  Listen for the honks!  https://photos.app.goo.gl/oDTNAFGLzk4BKtiJ6



P.P.P.S. While in Florida I have done some gardening.  Here are pictures of tomatoes we have raised.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/y41YGfzLe29FHD1D8



P.P.P.P.S.  I do continue to fish.  Here is a picture from a fishing trip with my brother Stephen on Lake Henderson in Inverness, FL.  Thunder storms prevented our trip on Tuesday.  It is not smart to get into an aluminum boat during thunder and lightning!   On Thursday’s trip, we caught 2 mudfish, 2 bass, and had other bites.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZgqYXWT4rTRtpYSp6

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I will now call it "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked o receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive them, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.

This Easter - I MISS CHURCH!

Dear Fellow Children of God,



We have now been living in the “Coronavirus Era in America” for about a month.  My memory of when this disease first started hitting home in our country is that on Wednesday, March 11, NBA basketball player, Rudy Gobert of France, was diagnosed to be infected with COVID-19, after previously joking about the disease.  The next day the NBA shut down, supposedly for 2 weeks.  Then Baseball, Hockey, College Sports, Golf, really all sports, stopped their competition.  A college basketball game, and a golf tournament, were both actually stopped while in progress!  We have missed the college basketball playoffs, the opening day of baseball, and The Masters Golf Tournament.  I recently heard that many are in withdrawal, as they miss sports.  How about you?  Do you miss sports in America?  I do.  But, even more, I miss . . . church!



Kathy and I had spent quite a bit of time, while in Florida, before the virus hit, with our friends Pastor Bob and Elaine Besalski.  We attended concerts together, and really enjoyed eating out together, especially seafood.  And, we had a restaurant picked out for some special seafood. Then, all the restaurants closed to dining in.  Takeout is available in many places, but then we miss enjoying the atmosphere of a unique dining establishment.  And, we still worry about health in this time of great contagion.  Do you miss going out to eat?  I miss . . . worshiping together with fellow children of God.



America has been spoiled with consumerism.  A majority of Americans, if they need or want something – food, toiletries, clothing, supplies for a hobby, can go to the store and purchase what they desire.  But, there are now governmental orders to “shelter at home.”  COVID-19 presents serious concerns for spreading the disease to others.  So, people are staying away from public places, like stores.  In addition, many supplies are missing like hand sanitizer, dawn dish soap, and . . . toilet paper.  Do you miss shopping, going out in public?  I miss . . . gathering with others to hear the Word of God, singing hymns together, and praying with fellow believers.  I miss considering the deep truths of God proclaimed in a sermon, and receiving the grace of God in the Lord’s Supper.



During this time of “social distancing” religious congregations, for the most part, have been forbidden by law from gathering in worship.  In order to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of this disease, people are encouraged to keep a distance of 6 feet apart, and not to gather in groups of more than 10.  One positive of this extreme change is that, where many churches drug their feet in regard to technology, religious groups are finally learning to better use and take advantage of these advancements, to speak in the language of today’s culture.  In fact, churches are relying on computers, and live streaming, and Zoom, and Vimeo, and Facebook, and taping of worship, to provide the Word of God for people, because they can no longer worship in person.  Reports I hear even say that, in many cases, significantly more people are watching the video worship than were attending services in person.  Have you participated in worship on-line?  I have actually found worship by computer helpful.  But, . . . I MISS church!



On a more troubling note, because many activities have stopped, a good number of people can no longer work.  How do you pay a mortgage, or pay rent? How does a person buy gas, or groceries, if you don’t have income?  How does a person take care of their family if no money is coming in?  In times of trouble churches are often full of people seeking God’s help.  This virus is real trouble! But, churches are empty, by decree.  I MISS CHURCH!!!



King David declares in one of the “Psalms of Ascent”, “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!" (Psalm. 122:1) There is joy in the gathering of God’s people to praise Him and encourage one another.  And, we are told about Jesus, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day,”  (Luke 4:16)  God intends His people to “gather together,” regularly. (Hebrews 10:25)  God grows faith, by His word and sacraments, when we worship.  He grows faith which gives strength to face the challenges of life.  In fact, Jesus promises, ^“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20) 



God created human beings for relationships, for relationships of companionship and godly love with others, for a relationship with our Lord Himself.  In regular, weekly worship and keeping of the Sabbath God feeds that need, and fills our hearts, our souls, and our minds.  Worship builds God’s people. As we gather, God strengthens and prepares us for life.  Nevertheless, unless a miracle happens, we will miss celebrating Easter together in churches this year.  We will miss celebrating in person, together, the day of Jesus’ victory over sin and death by His resurrection! 



However, this is not the first time people of God have been prevented from worship as they desired.  My daily devotions have recently been in the books of Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.  When Babylon conquered Israel, destroyed Jerusalem, and razed the temple, God’s people could no longer worship in that temple as they had done previously.  In fact, this event was the beginning of synagogues, gathering places for people of God to be fed, to praise God, to worship in a new way.  When Jerusalem was restored, after re-building the temple, the people again worshiped in the holy place set aside for people and for God to meet.  When the new temple was dedicated, it was a great and emotional celebration.



This year, on Easter Sunday, April 12, we will not celebrate Jesus’ resurrection gathered in large numbers in church buildings built for that purpose.  Many of us will participate in worship by computer, however!  BUT, the time will come when the virus has passed, when churches can gather in person to thank and praise our Lord and encourage each other in faith.  If that happens in the next few months, then THAT will be a kind of Easter, a rising again of the people of God in the grace of our Lord.  I can’t wait!  I pray and expect that churches will be PACKED!



I miss Church!



A Child of God, This Easter – I MISS CHURCH!

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.   I encourage each of you to find a way to participate in worship this Easter, to find someone safe, and to celebrate Jesus’ victorious resurrection.



P.P.S.  Luther’s Words on the pandemic of the Black Death – Bubonic Plague –

"You ought to think this way: "Very well, by God's decree the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above."

P.P.P.S. I do continue to fish. 

·       On Sunday after worship online, Kathy gave me a gift, and went fishing with me.  We saw lots of birds, saw a raccoon and a deer, and I caught fish.  Thank you, Kathy.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vHe6TLuzPnhwHpu1A

·       On Tuesday, April 7, I fished on the Wacassassa River, going out a little into the Gulf of Mexico.  I need someone to teach me how to fish in the salt water of Florida.  I did catch a lot of catfish, which I threw back, and another fish.  But, a day on the water is a blessing!  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/CxV65tYaanHJDLLM6

*****

ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I will now call it "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked o receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive them, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.

Frustrated, Confused, and Trusting God During this Coronavirus Plague

Dear Fellow Children of God,



Do you ever get frustrated with God?  Dissappointed?  Are you, at times, even angry with our Lord?  In truth, some people are afraid to admit their questioning of the Almighty Creator and Lord of the Universe.  After all, “If you’re going to pick a fight, you don’t want to fight the BIG guy!"  We should be in awe, have a righteous fear, of God. 



But, God wants us to be honest with Him, and with ourselves.  Our Lord can take our disappointment, our frustration, and our anger.  In fact, it is only when we are honest that we can then see our sin, our foolishness.  It is only when we are honest that we can see our real need for a forgiving Savior. 



People in Scripture have often questioned God, or argued with Him.  Think of Abraham.  Of Moses, Of Gideon, and the prophets.  The Psalms are also full of questions for God, questions about “Why?”, “When?” and “How Long?”  In addition, the book of Job is based on questions for God about why there is evil in our world, and why we face suffering in this life.  The playwright, Archibald McLeish, in his play “JB,": described Job’s questions in the following way.

            “If God is God, He is not good.

            If God is good, He is not God.”

In other words, if God is really in charge of this world, why do the people He loves face pain, trouble, suffering, and death?  In today’s language, why is the coronavirus ravaging our world?  The obvious answer to Job’s question, and to ours, though not a pleasant answer, is that, even though God is righteous and holy, His beloved children have rebelled against His righteousness, and wallowed in self-indulgence and sin.  We caused the evil, pain, and death.  Sometimes the truth is hard to take.



With these questions in mind, the readings assigned in liturgical churches for last Sunday, March 29, the fifth Sunday in Lent, seem especially suitable for our present situation, and for our questioning of God.  The Old Testament Lesson, Ezekiel 37:1-14, assured the prophet Ezekiel, and assures us, that God can even give life to dead, dry bones!  And, what beautiful assurance in last Sunday’s Epistle lesson from Romans 8:1-11, declaring God’s presence in our lives in the midst of our battle against evil.  Consider verse 11.  “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”  Jesus’ victory over death is our victory!  But, the reading that really struck home for me was the Gospel Lesson, John 11:1-53, the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.



Kathy and I attended worship online last week.  We sang the liturgy, prayed the prayers, sang the hymns, and listened to the sermon from our living room on Sunday morning.  The sermon by Vicar Jake Bellinghausen, of First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL, was right on.  The part of the Gospel lesson that really struck me is that, after Lazarus died, Martha, Mary, and their friends, all questioned Jesus.  Please read with me, John 11:20-27.  “20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."



Do you hear the frustration, the anger even, from Martha that Jesus could have saved her brother, Lazarus from dying, but did not do so?  "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  (John 11:21)  In fact, Martha’s sister, Mary, asks the same question, (see verse 32), as do those gathered to comfort these sisters (see verse 37).  Martha’s questions are similar to Job’s questions.  “Lord, if you love us, if you loved Lazarus, and if you can heal and save, why did you not do so?”  Yet, even in her frustration and anger, Martha still had hope.  She had a blind faith. Listen to the rest of her conversation with Jesus. “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." (John 11:22)  In other words, “Lord, I don’t understand.  Jesus, I am hurt.  But I want to trust you.  I am trusting you.” 



Even for children of God, there are times of frustration, of anger, of suffering and loss, because we live in a sinful world.  Questions are normal for people of faith because the results of sin are real in our lives.  But, God can take our anger.  He is big enough to hear the truth, and to answer real questions.  Jesus answered Martha's question, saying, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Jesus, the Son of God, God Himself, is stronger than sin.  Jesus lived without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16), but paid the price for our wayward lives.  The love, the forgiveness of Jesus IS our life today, as Vicar Jake reminded us.  We don’t have to wait till eternity because Jesus is here now with His love and forgiveness.  And, Jesus who is our life, and “The Life”, is also THE Resurrection.  Jesus is stronger than suffering and death.  Jesus took the death which we deserve, and rose victoriously from the grave on Easter.  In the midst of the frustration, the anger, the suffering of this life, Jesus was still with Martha, and He is with us.



If you are like me, rather than having more answers about coronavirus, I have more questions.  Some of those questions are not only, “What is happening?”  One of my questions is, “God, where are you in this plague?”  The answer Jesus gave Martha, He gives us, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. . . Do you believe this?"  (John 11:25-26)



A Child of God, Frustrated, Confused, and Trusting God during This Coronavirus Plague,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.   I had trouble sending my devotion last week because of the “links” to various stories and pictures.  I’m sorry for the delay.



P.P.S.  One of my prayers for this time of trial is that our churches and people grow in an understanding of how important our fellowship is as God’s people.  I pray there will be a longing for return to our worshiping communities.



P.P.P.S.  I do continue to fish.  I stay 6 feet away from others, and we have many less than 10 gathered at a time.

·       Here are some pictures of a day fishing with my brother, Stephen, on Orange Lake, 3-19-2020.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/36yhejSGsRyscXpC8

·       My wife said, in a Facebook post, that she never remembers me fishing on a Sunday morning before.  However, since worship was “online”, and Kathy and I worshiped at 7:30 a.m. on March 22.  She then agreed to go fishing with me on Sunday morning.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/s49L2qV7gG9gKags9

·       Here are some pictures of me fishing with a “fishing buddy”, Randy. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DvXD65T9TxoswPp59

·       Here are some pictures from a fishing trip on March 26.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/cV78ntj2yFV5tMM27

·       Here are pictures from Sunday night, March 29.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/G3Qy4QvfLnG3uFuL7

·       Here is a picture with my brother, Stephen, again, on March 31.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/dCyMsKtc7MT6HezF8

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  However, with life's changes I will now call it "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  I am only sending this message to those who have asked o receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

            A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS.  Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving them.  BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive them, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.