Trusting in the Love and the Mystery of the Cross of Jesus!

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

When I taught Bible Classes at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, Alaska, I sometimes referenced two books. One of those books is entitled “Hard Sayings of the Bible,” the other “Hard Sayings of Jesus.”  You see, even though I am a seminary trained pastor, there are times that I do not understand what I read.  There are times I do not understand what God is doing.

 

I share these dilemmas which God’s children face because of some questions raised by my daily devotions on Tuesday, March 18.  While reading in Ezekiel 24, I came across a hard saying which I had forgotten.  If you read Ezekiel 24:15-27, you will see that God tells Ezekiel that He will take Ezekiel’s wife. Then Ezekiel’s wife dies.  I confess I do not understand. God’s message to the Israelites is that Ezekiel’s grief over the death of His wife mirrors our Creator’s grief that Israel has left Him through their idolatry.  The Israelites are to understand the depth and impact of their apostacy.  Nevertheless, I have lots of questions about the Lord’s method of communication.  This is one of those hard sayings which I referenced above.

 

Then, later Tuesday morning, I attended a meeting of Lutheran pastors at a church in Ocala, Florida.  We meet regularly to worship, to study, and to encourage one another.  The book we are currently studying, “Apologetics for the 21^st Century” by Louis Markos, also looked at some Christian beliefs which cause questions for people in the world around us.  In brief the questions we discussed were “Why is there pain?” and “How can a person believe in the miracles of Scripture?” As we read the Bible we do receive the beginning of answers to these questions.  Yet, many questions also remain unanswered.

 

We should not be surprised that we do not understand all the mysteries of God.  In Isaiah 55 the Lord teaches His people, “⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. ⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:8-10) Since the Lord is God, since He is the all-powerful, all-wise Creator, we should not be surprised that His ways and thoughts are higher than our own.  No wonder we don’t understand everything.

 

St. Paul also writes about the depths of the mystery of God’s wisdom in Romans 11. These words may also help when considering hard sayings in God’s Word.  “³³ Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ³⁴ ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?’ ³⁵ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36) Yes there are hard sayings in Scripture.  God’s ways are ‘unsearchable’ and ‘inscrutable.’  But after all, HE is God!  We are not!!

 

During Lent we intentionally focus on the greatest mystery of our Lord and His ways.  That mystery is the cross of Jesus!  God inspired Paul to write of this great mystery.  “²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  (1 Corinthians 1:22-24) It was difficult for the people of Paul’s time to understand the fact that Jesus, the holy Son of God, would die the death of a criminal on an instrument of torture.  It is hard for us to grasp!

 

Christians live in a world which doubts God, because people don’t understand Him. As Children of God, we have questions too.  But we also have faith in the wisdom and the love of God.  He created this world, and those who live in it.  In spite of our rebellion, in spite of our pride and our lack of love for one another, in spite of our sin, the great mystery is that our Lord still loves us and calls us back to Himself.  The great mystery is that God loves us so much He sent His Son who knowingly went to the cross to save God’s lost children.

 

The cross of Jesus is the greatest mystery concerning our Lord.  I do not totally understand the mysteries of God, nor can I totally comprehend the depth of God’s love in the cross of Jesus shown to sinners like me.  However, even if I don’t always understand my Lord, I do believe in Jesus and I do trust His death on the cross. And, I trust His resurrection from the grave.

 

So, when we wonder about our Lord, when we wonder about His love for us, God’s answer is that Jesus went to the cross for sinners like you and me.  That is a mystery!

 

A Child of God, Trusting in the Love and the Mystery of the Cross of Jesus!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.   I continue to serve as part-time assistant pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, with Pastor Chris Kollmann. Kathy and I will return home to Alaska on May 5.

 

·       LENTEN SERVICES 2025 – “Conventional Wisdom vs. God’s Wisdom.  This year=s theme for Mid-Week Lenten Worship is AConventional Wisdom vs. God=s Wisdom.@ Lent 2025 will look at what the world believes, with its sinful belief that it holds the key to wisdom.  We will contrast God=s wisdom, the alternative better wisdom to the wisdom of the world.

 

Lent 1 -           God=s Wisdom Concerning Glory      Palm Sunday, Upper Room

 

Lent 2 -           God=s Wisdom Concerning Prayer     Gethsemane (‘Not my will but your

            Will’ B Does God answer prayer?)

 

            Lent 3 -           God=s Wisdom About Forgiveness    Judas B Forgiveness Can=t be Real . .

            . for me

 

            Lent 4 -           God=s Wisdom Concerning Selfishness         Peter=s Denial B Take Care of

                                                                                                            # 1

 

            Lent 5 -           God=s Wisdom Concerning Power     Pilate B The Government Has the

            Power

 

            Lent 6 -           God=s Wisdom Concerning Death      Ladies at the Tomb B Death is Final

 

·       MID WEEK LENTEN MEALS - Each Wednesday during Lent at 5:00 p.m. First Lutheran families will serve meals before our mid-week Lenten worship.  These meals provide an opportunity for fellowship and make it easier for people to attend Wednesday Lenten Worship, since we don=t have to bring anything after work for a potluck meal, and there is no cost.  Come and enjoy the meals and the time with God’s people!

 

·       PASSOVER –We will celebrate a PASSOVER MEAL of lamb, green salad, charoseth (apple and raisin relish), unleavened bread, and wine or grape juice at 6:00 p.m. on Manudy Thursday, April 17.  (This time gives people a chance to arrive from work.) The Passover was a Jewish celebration of God saving His people from slavery in Egypt.  However, this ceremony also helps Christians understand Jesus’ Passion and His Easter victory. 

The Recommended Donation is $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.  PLEASE SIGN UP IN THE NARTHEX AT CHURCH!  This helps us to know how much food to prepare.  Last year 56 people attended the First Lutheran Passover Meal.

 

·       ON SUNDAY, MARCH 2 We began a New Member Class at First Lutheran. IN THE LIBRARY AT 8:45 A.M.   Seven people have attended, but others can join us, if you wish.  Our Class is entitled “Basic Christian Teachings.”  If someone wants to learn more, or to refresh their knowledge, come and join us.  There is no commitment to join FLC just because a person attends the class.

Pastor Chris will teach the Adult Sunday School class on The Pastoral Epistles, and Pastor Rockey will teach the new member class.

 

·       STEPHEN MINISTRY IS COMING BACK! – First Lutheran is re-activating the Stephen Ministry program.  Stephen Ministry is an organized and supervised plan for Christian caring.  Stephen Ministers are trained to listen, to bring Jesus to people’s troubles.  They are trained to walk alongside others as Christian friends, bringing the saving love of God.

Angie Burr, Jean Halabrin, and Dana Lucas STARTED leadership training on February 10 and finished on March 17.  In addition, those who are committed to training as supervised Christian Care Givers include: Julie Dicks, Tina Gorske, Patti Holloway, Debbie Jones, Marge Polkowski, Kathy Rockey, Stephanie Smith, and Jon Visscher. 

We are still considering when new Stephen Ministers will be trained and ready to serve at FLC.  Stay tuned for more information as the training process progresses.  Please pray for this caring ministry at First Lutheran.

 

·       SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack. 

Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School. 

Also, as our Sunday School grows, we need more teachers, so students can be separated by ages in classes.  We have 3 new helpers, but could use a few more.  IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP ONCE A MONTH PLEASE SPEAK TO SHERYL SHIVER OR Katherine gross..

THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

·       COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS meet on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  We are studying “The Case for Christ” and discussing defending our Christian faith.  Come and join us!   

ALSO, there will be College Lunch for students in the Fellowship Hall after worship.

·       WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the “Today’s Light Devotional Bible.”  On Wednesday, Narch 12, we read through Ezekiel 15.

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.P.S. Fishing and Family Fun:

 

·       On Thursday, March 13, I took my daughter, Mary, fishing on Orange Lake.  She had some bites, but wasn’t able to hook a fish.  I caught a few.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/rZDNiD7afjTVugck9

 

·       On Friday morning, March 14, Kathy and our daughter, Mary, and I drove to Crystal River to visit Three Sisters Springs and see some manatees.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/A4wSEqcsgTXpv8CKA

 

·       On Friday afternoon, at the request of Mary, we went fishing again.  This time I took her to a favorite lake.  Some think I fish too long, so when we got near sunset I offered to leave.  Mary told me, “I want to catch a fish!”  After many bites, she finally figured out bass fishing and brought in a nice fish.  Sunset was 7:37 p.m.  My picture of Mary and her fish was taken at 7:52 p.m.!  😊  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/VtM6aLMJcCHN46Hw9

 

·       On Saturday, March 15, before taking Mary to the airport, we met at the home of cousin Nancy Stender Parmele.  My siblings, some nieces and nephews, and some cousins from Connecticut gathered to visit.  We did NOT get any pictures this time.

 

·       On Saturday, Mary 15, after dropping Mary off at the airport, Kathy and I visited with long-time friends, Rick and Kris Armstrong.  (I started college with them in 1971.  They introduced Kathy and me, and we married in 1977.)  Again, no pictures, but a good visit!

 

 

 

*******

 

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 First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

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, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

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)