Jesus the Bread of Life

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." -John 6:25-40

Jesus provides physical food to 5,000 hungry people. Some of them follow Him to Capernaum. He explains that they have come for more physical bread, but He would rather that they had spiritual food which comes from heaven, food for the soul. He then identifies Himself as the bread from heaven similar to the manna God sent to His people in the wilderness.

The disciples had gone alone in a boat across the Sea of Galilee and Jesus met them by walking on the water. Knowing that Jesus did not go with the disciples and yet He was with them, and only one boat was there – the people wondered how He got there. Jesus ignores their query and says they came for more bread rather than for the signs He performed. Jesus urges them not to work for physical bread but for spiritual food. This leads them to ask what the work of God is. Jesus replies that the world of God is to believe in Him. They ask for a sign that would persuade them to believe in Hid and refer to the manna received in the wilderness. Jesus assures them that God sent the bread from heaven, the bread that gives life to the world. Then they ask Him to give this kind of bread. He reveals that He is the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Him and believes in Him will never hunger nor thirst.

Jesus means “life” as more than human existence. One can live daily without having life in terms of quality. As the bread of life Jesus has something to offer that makes existence worthwhile and a life that has no ending in spit of physical death.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Lent Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis

Clean and Unclean

Genesis 47:27-47:8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
March 13, 2010

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were unclean, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the market-place they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands? He replied, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. And he said to them: You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that. Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean'. After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. Are you so dull? he asked. Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body. (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) He went on: What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean'. For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean'. - Mark 7:1-23

A good heart is the source of a good life. Jesus comes into conflict with the scribes and Pharisees over the Law and Tradition. To keep from breaking the Law, the scribes announced detailed laws and interpretations. The body of these scribal pronouncements was known as the “oral law” or the Tradition of the Elders. Later the oral law was put into writing and is known as the Talmud. Jesus distinguishes between the law of God and the traditions of men. Jesus is asked why He does not require His disciples to observe the tradition by washing their hands before eating. Jesus points to the heart as the source of good living. It is not a matter of dirty hands but a dirty heart. Vices come from a filthy heart and they make a person unclean. On the other hand, a good heart will produce good deed.

The heart is the source and center of a human being. It is the mainspring of the watch, the source of the fountain. The heart is the spring from which water flows. To change one for the better is to change one’s heart. By nature his/her heart is evil. For this reason a person needs to be born again with a new heart that loves God. Out of a good heart comes a godly life.

Lord of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish is with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
Collect for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Lutheran Book of Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Lent 4 - Facing Life with Jesus –Facing a Forgiving God

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning, and though we have in no way deserved Your goodness, You still abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. Give us, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

What kind of company do you keep? Do you follow Jesus in keeping bad company? Should you for that matter travel around in the “wrong crowd”? Why is it that parents want to know were their children are and with whom they are associating? Could it be that they are simply heeding the advice of St. Paul who reminds us that, “Bad company ruins good morals”?

In Jesus’ day the religious elite refused to associate with certain kinds of and classes of people. Furthermore, they criticized Jesus when He openly associated with and freely ate with those considered to be the “sinners”. Could there be a right and a wrong way to associate with the so called “dirties” of this world? Let us examine how Jesus has given us the proper example of what kind of company we should keep, as together we face a forgiving God in our daily walk with the Savior.

1. Sinners are Bad company.

Jesus we are told openly associated and mingled and socialized with the known dregs of His day. They were the outcastes of society. The ones no one else wanted to associate with. What were the list of those with whom Jesus had an open association? They included tax collectors who made themselves rich by demanding exorbitant taxes, women who sold their bodies to satisfy the sexual lust of their customers. These were people who told dirty stories and used profane language.

In our day there are the Charles Mansons, the Himmlers, the Bonnie and Clydes, the John Dillingers of the world. The list is endless! These people are atheists, anti-God, anti-church, and anti-decency. Are we to associate with these types of people? In a sense – yes. No, we are not to take upon their habits and beliefs. We live in this world but we are called out of this world. And yet, our calling does not mean that we are to disassociate with these people. They too need the gospel of Jesus Christ who desires that we come to Him for salvation and life. These people are in need of a change.

2. Sinners need repentance.

Jesus associated with sinners not because He approved of their way of life. He did not associated with them because He accepted their behavior. He did not associate with them because He approved of their lifestyle. No, He associated with them because He desired that they come to Him for salvation and life.
Jesus knew that these people needed Him. They needed friendship and understanding. He went to them for a purpose, a divine purpose and that was to lead them to repentance and a new life. He went to them and searched them out to show them a better way to live. As He said, ‘I did not come for those who were well but for those in need of a physician.”

Jesus did not, and nor should we, go to them to become one of them. This is where St. Paul’s instruction of bad company bringing ruin to good morals holds true. But we are not to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that there are not people in need of the Savior’s help. That is why Jesus came to these people and especially to us in time and space so that we might become one with Him. Jesus Christ came into this world to call sinners unto Himself and that is why He actively sought them out for He had something to offer. He gives us what we really need. He exchanges His life of holiness for our life of sin and in a great exchange offers to us forgiveness and life.

This is the reason for today’s church to go to the worst, to the prisons, to the criminals, to the anti-God people of this earth. If the church does not go who will reach them? Our mission to the world should discriminate against no one and yet reach out to the highways and by ways and compel all to come in.

3. Sinners are wanted by God.

The gospel story of the waiting father simply reminds us that you and I have a heavenly Father who yearns, longs, and waits for the sinner to come home to Him. There will always be a warm welcome waiting. When one returns there will be no questions asked, there will be no scolding – only the joy or reconciliation. This is how He has received you and me. This is His motive in winning the world and this will be His reception of all who come to Him in repentance seeking His pardon and grace.

Conclusion: In the open, yet nail scared hands of the wounded Savior you and I find forgiveness and life, He waits for us to come to Him in repentance. As we have received His tender mercies we now go out into the world compelling all to come to Him. No matter what the past it shall be forgiven and forgotten. That is the mercy, compassion, and pardon which the Savior has promised for us. He receives sinners unto Himself. That was the title by which people identified with Jesus. May we claim that message even today that w efface life with Jesus facing a forgiving God who receives sinners unto Himself.

Woodcut by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, a nineteenth-century German artist known especially for his book Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (‘The Book of Books in Pictures’), ©WELS

Jesus Walks on the Water

Genesis 47:1-26
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
March 12, 2010

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid. Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went— into villages, towns or countryside— they placed the sick in the market-places. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. - Mark 6:45-56

Jesus went to the mountains to pray. He sent His men away in a ship. The Lord tells us to always have faith. He put the men out in the ship during a terrible storm to see if they would keep faith and not be afraid to be without Him. To show them of His greatness He walks out onto the sea and stops the winds and everything around them. They all looked at Him with troubled eyes. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; it is I be not afraid.” Too many of us forget to trust and believer in Christ. When they returned to land, they all ran out to spread God’s word and to prove the miracles Jesus had performed. We all need to remember prayer is always good and to always have faith and trust in God above all things.

Miracles are always going around us. We may not see the actual miracles, however, just because we do no see them it dos not mean they are not happening every day, every hour, or every minuet. So remember, pray, give thanks, and above all – always believe.

Fredric Geels

We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for Judica Sunday The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

Genesis 46:1-7; 28-34

1 Corinthians 9:1-15

March 11, 2010

The apostles gathered round Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. This is a remote place, they said, and it's already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. But he answered, You give them something to eat. They said to him, That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat? How many loaves do you have? he asked. Go and see. When they found out, they said, Five— and two fish. Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. - Mark 6:30-44

Jesus takes His disciples, who just returned from their preaching-healing mission on a retreat. The disciples are exhausted. People with needs throng around them so that they do not get any rest. Jesus takes them in a boat to a secluded spot that they may rest and be apart from the crowd. But the people will not let them alone. When the boat comes to short the people are waiting for them. Seeing the crowd, Jesus expresses compassion for them because they are a sheep without a shepherd. Before Jesus gives them physical bread he gives them spiritual food by teaching them.

Jesus looked at people as sheep – they throng together, they run for food, they are easily lead and misled. Because of these characteristics, they need a shepherd. Without a shepherd, the people wander, get hurt and lost. They also need a good shepherd. In the Old Testament we see the tragedy of Israel’s having bad shepherds who caused the people to go into captivity. Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd who cares for and dies for His sheep.

Grant us, Lord, the Spirit to think and do always such things as are pleasing in Your sight that we, who without You cannot do anything that is good, may by You be enabled to live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
Collect for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Lutheran Book of Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

John the Baptist Beheaded

Genesis 45:16-28
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
March 10, 2010

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him. Others said, He is Elijah. And still others claimed, He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago. But when Herod heard this, he said, John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead! For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife. So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you. And he promised her with an oath, Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom. She went out and said to her mother, What shall I ask for? The head of John the Baptist, she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. - Mark 6:14-29

Fallowing “head over heals” in love with someone or some thing is an expression we sometimes use. In the portion of Scripture before us today did anyone really fall head over heals over the Baptist or did his head drop into a basket?

Herod found John interesting; he like to listen to him and ponder over his message. John’s message, as we know, called for repentance and trust in the promised Messiah Jesus. Herod pondered his words.

A party was planned. Herodias (Mrs. Herod) planned the entertainment. Her beautiful daughter would dance seductively with all the veils and such. Then when Herod asked her what she desired as a reward she would ask for the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. So John ‘lost his head.”

What does this mean for us in this Lenten season? There are extra services but sometimes they conflict with our busy schedules. Wait a minute! “They” conflict with OUR schedules! No1 No! No! If we put Christ first and these extra opportunities for worship and meditate on Christ’s love for us. Lent – more than ever – is a time to say to the world, to all our “oh so important” activities – Stop! It’s Lent and my Savior is more important then anything else and I’m going to put Him first for I have fallen head over heals in love with Him.

In can never remember when our family did not attend these services, so I ask you and your family to do likewise. Nothing is more important! Please, by the power of the Holy Spirit once again fall head over heals in love with Jesus. The Gospel hymn says it so simply “Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus Because He First Love Me!”

Pr. Hinkle

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Collect for Laetare Sunday The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

3rd word - "The Word of dying concern"

Woman behold you son…son, your mother

INTRODUCTION: In the midst of His suffering Jesus reaches out to two of His closest associates a dear friend and His own mother. Jesus says: "Woman behold your son…son, your mother"
1. Mary is suffering as she watches from a distance.
A. Simeon of old had predicted that a sword would pierce her own heart when Jesus was but eight-days-old. I have been privileged to share in some tremendous joys among the families of Friedheim. Some of the most painful are the hurts of parents and children. It is painful to be a parent at hospital when the surgeon gives the news that the procedure did not go well. To coax and prod and encourage a child who finds school a challenge is often so painful for the parent. Consider your own experiences of being a child - of being a parent.
B. There is a special bond between mother and son; here at the cross Simeon's prophecy is being fulfilled. Now she is sharing in Jesus' suffering. On strictly human terms Mary is loosing her beloved son and there is nothing she can do to stop it! She must watch from a distance, as her own son is tortured!
2. In calling His mother Jesus singles Mary out for attention.
A. Notice that Jesus calls His mother "woman". Why the term? Why not "mother" or "Mom"?
1. Jesus shows a desire to spare her the hurt of hearing from His dying lips "mother". Jesus realizes that His fate is in the Father's hands - There is nothing that Mary can do not.
2. Jesus also imparts for us a proper perspective - She is as any other woman. True, she bore Jesus in her womb but she would have to be saved like anyone else.
B. In singling Mary out Jesus turns her over to John. John has received a stepmother. Mary a stepson. John will now have the responsibility to care form Mary as his own mother. This is the 4th commandment - the honor and care of parents. Jesus would not be able to physically care for His mother so He chooses John. Whom do we choose when parents' cant care for themselves?
3. By these words Jesus demonstrates:
A. Proper families regard.
1. Parents own children spiritual and physical care, love and support.
2. Children owe parents love, honor, service, obedience. When they are older physical care and support.
B. Jesus by these words demonstrated deep concern for others. Half of Jesus' last words on the cross are concerned with the needs of others.
CONCLUSION: We are connected to each other by blood and by faith. May we show proper human regard especially with those from our own family.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.