Among the books I have read in the past
months is a modern classic published by Henri Nouwen in 1972, “The Wounded
Healer.” In addition to good advice
about dealing with the challenges and relationships of today’s world, I was
struck by Nouwen’s description of the world of the 1970’s as “Post-modern.” According to Nouwen, ‘modern’ culture had
given up trusting in God and had turned to relying on science for answers to
the world’s problems. But, the science which
people had trusted to solve the issues of modern life had only caused more
problems, especially with the development of nuclear energy and the atomic bomb. Scientific thinking has no answers to solve
the problems caused by a nuclear war.
When the source of hope for a generation disappears, it can lead to the
malaise of hopeLESSness!
While the nuclear threat is still with us, it
seems to me that today our world has more and bigger problems. We seem to be near the end of the 2 year plague
of COVID-19, but now I hear so-called experts wondering when and how the next
pandemic will hit. In addition, tensions
have risen between nations. One sad example
of those tensions is the current deadly war in the Ukraine. It is painful to consider when the next
conflict will arise. With modern weapons,
the possibility of wars and rumors of wars seems more dire than ever. Also, while there have always been
disagreements between individuals, it now seems that if I simply disagree with
someone, it is possible that person will consider me their enemy simply because
we have different ideas about life. I could
go on describing the problems and horrors of today’s world, many of which seem
unsolvable. So, do you ever feel hopeless?
We can think that the problems of today are
worse than ever, but it has always been so.
When our world rebels against its Creator and Lord, the sin in our world
and the sin in our lives has consequences.
People today do not like to talk about right and wrong. They do not want
to talk about or address sin. But just look at the struggles, the hopelessness,
the evil in our world. In truth, we
should not be surprised by our struggles and suffering. Our best efforts cannot redeem our sinful world. Hopelessness is understandable.
But, (and I am told that what follows the
word ‘but’ is what really matters,) but,
the historic saving events which God’s people observe and celebrate this week do
bring hope to hopeless people, and to a hopeless world. The events of Holy Week, from Maundy Thursday
when Jesus was betrayed, through Good Friday when Jesus was crucified, to
Easter Sunday when Jesus arose, the events of this weekend have changed the
world, for good!
Sin is real, but the love of God is
also real and God’s saving love is stronger than sin. The love of our Heavenly Father brought Jesus
to this world to live a life of obedience, of love, and of truth. However, the self-righteous of Jesus’ time
could not stand the truth, and they arrested Jesus and put Him to death in a
painful, humiliating, execution. The
death of righteous Jesus paid for the sin of the world. This payment for sin offers forgiveness to
God’s rebellious creation and changes everything. God inspired St. Paul to teach, “21 God made him who had no sin to
be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) No wonder
Martin Luther wrote, “The cross teaches us to believe in hope, even when there
is no hope.” (“A Reflection on the Cross,” For All the Saints, Vol. 3, p 1011.)
But, Jesus did not just die on Good
Friday. He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday.
Jesus’ resurrection defeated death, won victory over the sin and evil that
cause death, and overcame the reason for our hopelessness. On that first Maundy Thursday, Jesus taught
His disciples, “Because I live, you also will
live.” (John 14:19b)
In this world of ‘post-modern’ worries and troubles, Jesus’ victory
brings good news and eternal life and joy.
Because of Jesus’ Easter victory, we have new lives of sure hope.
Nouwen taught about post-modern stress and worries
in his 1972 book. Then, in my doctoral
studies the teachers of the 90’s and 2000’s wrote how ‘post-modernism’ describes
today’s world, how post-modern thinking is growing and leads to the hopelessness
and the conflict we experience. But, . .
. but, Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Mary, God Himself, died on Good Friday
to pay for all sin. But, . . . but, Jesus,
our Savior, rose again on Easter Sunday.
The events we recognize and celebrate this weekend have changed our
world. In a hopeless world of conflict,
we have hope. We have joy. We have life!
A Child of God, Thankful to Jesus for the
Weekend that Changed the World for GOOD!
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. May God bless your celebration of Maundy
Thursday, of Good Friday, and of Easter.
P.P.S. Because of travel and visitors last week I only
fished twice.
·
After preaching at my
sister’s church, Good Shepherd Lutheran in Chiefland, FL, on Palm Sunday, April
10, I went fishing in the afternoon and caught 3 bass. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GN5ngRTMS7S4bkCD7
·
On Tuesday, April 12,
I went fishing at Rodman Reservoir. While
fishing I was visited by a family of 3 manatees, and I caught quite a few fish
- a limit of bass and a panfish. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xJFBbrPmWqphPDY77
*****
ABOUT
THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as 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. (Though I am now serving
again part-time at St. John as assistant to the pastor.)
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
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
“1 John 3:1 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 3:1a)
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