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PASTOR’S CORNER

 + I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15) +

      Well, folks, once again, here we are into another Season of Lent. While we see Lent primarily focused on repentance and renewal, we are also aware of the symbolic acts that individuals engage in, be it fasting or any other. When we look at these actions within the larger framework of Christian faith and witness, we need to be reminded that these must be founded on the basic principle of Christian faith – love, especially as seen in our Lenten Savior, Jesus.

     Somewhere, once upon a time, you may have seen this little piece about Grandpa’s “Drug” Problem. He leaves a note to his descendants, as follows: My generation just might have been lucky. I had a “drug” problem when I was young, but I turned out all right anyway. I was drug to church. I was drug to family reunions. I was drug out of bed in the early morning. I was drug by the ears when I was disrespectful. I was drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents. These “drugs” still run through my veins, and they affect my behavior – everything I do and say and think. Signed, Grandpa

     And here is a man who just might fit this mold, the author, James Michener, who one day is invited by President Eisenhower to a dinner at the White House. Michener replies to the President in these words, “Dear Mr. President: I received your invitation three days after I had agreed to speak a few words at a dinner honoring the wonderful high school teacher who taught me how to write. I know you will not miss me at your dinner, but she might at hers.” President Eisenhower answers Michener by saying, “In his lifetime, a man lives under fifteen or sixteen Presidents, but a really fine teacher comes into his life but rarely.” May we each be a “really fine teacher” to others, and be willing to sacrifice our time and efforts and resources as may be needed. May we “be there” for them, and make sure that they learn about Jesus as Savior and Lord. Even as the Lord Jesus teaches us how to live, may we teach others, in our turn.

     We are reminded of the disobedience of the First Adam in the Garden of Eden, and the obedience of the Last Adam – Jesus – who reclaims for us humanity’s lost relationship with God. It is for us, as individuals, and as community together, to discern and make that choice: whether to follow the First Adam who violates God’s Word, or the Last Adam who selflessly earns the grace of God for us. If the Last Adam is our model, may we follow the teaching of Jesus, which at its core is to love God, to love neighbor, and to love ourselves.

     A man once tells a pastor that he wants to become a member of the church. “But,” he says, “I’m very busy, so don’t ask me to join a committee, teach a class, or sing in the choir. Spare me from anything that would take up my time, and don’t be surprised if I’m not in worship very often.” The pastor thinks for a moment, and then replies, “I believe you’re at the wrong church. The church you’re looking for is ten blocks down the street. The man follows the pastor’s directions, and soon comes to an abandoned, boarded-up building. It is a dead church – out of business. May each one of us always be alive to the ministry of the Lord’s church! And may we always remember that lively Christians make churches alive. Here at Peace Lutheran, let us all be lively Christians – always and in all ways!

     This makes me think of a couple of cartoons. With a bare foot, a young boy at worship puts his shoe into the offering plate, smiling and saying, “I learned to tithe my shoe!” And then, as they walk along the street talking, one little boy – holding up his Bible – says to the other, “Pastor says all the answers are in here. I guess he never had to take one of Miss Hawthorne’s geography exams.”

     Wherever we are and whatever we may be doing, each one of us is a minister of the church. With God’s help, every day we should endeavor to do our best in upholding the model of a servant, shown to us by our brother, friend, and Savior, who says: “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve…” (Mark 10:45) Giving glory to God, we look forward to the experience of mutual engagement, enrichment, and empowerment, as we learn and live our lives of faith, in unison. We “Reach Out to Serve Others in Christian Love.”

     Continuing on deeper into this Lenten Season, let us earnestly strive to follow our Lord Jesus, as he models for us the life of service. May God bless us all in the effort to be faithful.