Can People See the Saving Love of Jesus in my Life?

 

Dear Fellow Children of God, 

 

Have you ever struggled with, or even been frightened by, the call from Jesus to share the Gospel with others?  Most Christians know “The Great Commission” by heart. “¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)  But, making disciples of all nations is a job bigger than any one person, or even any single congregation can accomplish . . . on their own. 

 

Not only is this a LARGE calling, many simply feel uncomfortable sharing the Christian Gospel, or good news, with others.  People have told me, “I don’t understand my Bible well enough.”  Or “I’m not sure what to say.” Or, “When I try to tell others about Jesus, they become angry with me.”  There are many reasons Christians can indeed struggle with sharing the Christian faith about Jesus as our Savior.

 

Jesus gave this call to His disciples and to the Christian Church in more than one way.  As Jesus was ascending into heaven He also spoke these words to His disciples. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)  I can understand how people feel they do not have enough knowledge for a discussion, or even a debate, about faith.  Yet, Jesus does not say “You will win those arguments.”  Jesus tells His disciples, “. . . you will be my witnesses.”  A witness is different than someone who tries to convince another by argument.

 

In all honesty, the best witness a person can give is their example, or their life.  When someone watches the way I live, do they see Jesus through me?  Peter encouraged such a witness in 1 Peter 3:15.  ^“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”  So, do you have hope as a Christian?  What is your hope?  How does Jesus make a difference in your life?  When someone sees that you perhaps live differently than others, and they ask you where your hope lies, you can share your personal knowledge and experience of our Savior.  Perhaps you know your own failings and sin only too well, but the real forgiveness of Jesus has warmed and changed your heart.  Perhaps you have had struggles in a task, or a relationship.  But you remember that Jesus persevered and endured to save us.  Jesus’ persevering love might have given you just the strength you needed.  THAT kind of sharing is a ‘witness.’  Often it is that personal life witness which can touch the hearts and lives of others.

 

In 1 Thesslonians the Apostle Paul also encourages the witness of a life of faith. “11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)  Did you ever think that a quiet life of faith is a witness to others about how Jesus lives in you? 

 

I share these thoughts about witnessing to Jesus because two of the most impactful testimonies I received in New Orleans at the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering came from the example of other Christians. 

 

For example, my volunteer time at the gathering included time at the booth for Ysleta Lutheran Mission, a mission effort to share Jesus’ love with the people of El Paso, TX, and Juarez, Mexico.  We worked to prepare 2000 school backpacks and 2000 health kits for people in that area.  One of those present was a young lady named Michelle Lynn.  Michelle did not speak English.  But from early childhood she had received a backpack for school, and was nurtured by the local congregation to believe in Jesus.  Michelle used this encouragement to finish school and go on to college. She expects to graduate with a bachelors degree in 2026.  However, she has also been going to school to be a Lutheran deaconess, and at 21 years old IS the youngest deaconess in the Lutheran Church of Mexico.  Michelle’s presence spoke powerfully to me about the power of Jesus’ love, and how God’s church shares the love of Jesus in life changing ways!

 

I received another powerful witness from one of the last groups who came to assemble backpacks.  About 15-20 people from Kerrville, TX, served by putting these backpacks together in order to help others in the name of Jesus.  Do you remember the national news in early July?  Around July 4 heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to flood quickly and destructively.  Around 100 people in the Kerrville area died. Children in a Christian camp in Kerrville were surprised, and some were washed away and died.  When these youth from Kerrville showed up to work in our booth on July 22, less than 3 weeks after the flooding, I asked about the floods.  They just shook their heads silently.  But, these people who had suffered this natural disaster were still in the booth for Ysleta, helping people in need on the border.  Their service in the midst of personal crisis spoke to me about the power of Jesus’ love.

 

Jesus does call us to “make disciples of all nations,” but people often come to faith one person at a time.  I sometimes wonder, “Can people see the sacrificial saving love of Jesus when they watch my life?’  Jesus did, after all teach His disciples, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)  Can people see the saving love of Jesus in my life? What kind of witness do I give?

 

How about you?  Do people see a witness for Jesus in your life?

 

A Child of God, Desiring that my Life Shares the Sacrificial, Saving Love of Jesus”

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  Here are some pictures from the Gathering which apply to today’s devotion.

 

• This is a picture of Michelle, the young Lutheran Deaconess from Ysleta Lutheran Mission. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9fkwbNfVaNULP8dN8

 

• This is a picture of the youth from Kerrville, TX, attentively working to prepare backpacks for children in El Paso and Juarez. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dimGswyZeif6fxgJ9

 

P.P.S.  I am now serving Our Redeemer Lutheran in Chugiak, AK, as part-time Vacancy Pastor. 

 

• 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, July 1, and July 22.  The first step in the call process will be to complete a congregational self-study.  The Northwest District has the study and tools to help in this study.  The committee targets August 15 for inputs from leaders to the congregational self-study.   The next meeting is on August 19.

 

 

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 August 3 we studied about the Lord’s Supper.  We will conclude this study on August 10, and start a new topic.  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 August 31 (Labor Day Weekend!)

 

• On Sunday, August 3, 5 young people attended an ‘early communion class.  Those attending included Evelyn Anderson, Hannah Anderson, Clarence Hall, Broderick McCormick, and Annika Roelfs

 

• On Sunday, August 10, we will have a meeting after worship to discuss Confirmation Classes in the future for youth.  We will discuss schedule and lesson plans.  If you are in 6^th or 7^th grade, or interested in Confirmation classes, please attend, or talk to Lauren Johnston or Pastor Rockey.

 

• On Sunday, August 24, we will offer an acolyte class after worship.

 

Other Activities of Faith:

• 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, August 6, we read Acts 6-8.  

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!  - 😊

 

• On Thursday, July 31, I went fishing on the Little Susitna River.  I had heard that silver salmon were returning, and I wanted to find out.  Gaelen Swigart, grandson of St. John Palmer musician, Sara Guhl, came along.  The fishing was not ‘hot.’  But we did catch one silver and 3 pink salmon.  (Of course, we only kept the silver!)  Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/adQuaTHXgTWxQrZZ6

 

• Father and Son Fishing- I went fishing on the Kenai River with my son, Tim Rockey, on Sunday evening and Monday, August 3 and 4. After a flat tire in Anchorage requiring roadside assistance, we got to the river at 10:10 p.m. on Sunday. With an all time record run of red / sockeye salmon, we did still catch 3 reds on Sunday night.  On Monday, with beautiful weather, but a ‘flood of fish’, we caught my limit of fish, Tim’s fish, and Kathy's fish (I have her proxy). It was a worthwhile trip, not only for great fishing but also great father and son time!!   https://photos.app.goo.gl/rbsK7BSuwHmNp64NA

 

• On Friday and Saturday, August 2 and 3, as we were putting this year’s salmon into the freezer, we took out the old and I smoked the salmon. https://photos.app.goo.gl/r12F4CAfyiC5FW2m6

 

• On Tuesday, August 5, Kathy spent 10-12 hours canning smoked salmon.  I spent 4 ½ hours vacuum sealing the salmon Tim and I caught over the weekend.  Here are a couple of pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/MEJkKjzhgrcGS7YQA

 

 

*******

 

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)