April 10, 2016

“Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.” John 21:5-6

The 21st chapter of John is most likely an addendum, a part that was added by a later writer – in other words, it most likely is not original. However, that does not take away from the richness of what is written in this resurrection story. The disciples, after the resurrection, and after taking some time to make sense of everything, well they go back to doing what is most familiar to them – fishing.

And after fishing all night, they have nothing to show for their efforts. They are fishermen, they know what they are doing, and yet this night they have been skunked. But then a stranger appears along the shore. They think he looks familiar, but they are unsure, and besides they are discouraged with their lack of a catch. The stranger says “Hey, try again, but over the other side of the boat”. Now, for many of us, if someone we did not know, offered a suggestion for something we think they knew nothing about, how many of us would have simply said “Thanks but no thanks?” But for some reason, the disciples agree – and they are overwhelmed with the response.

There is a lesson here that is something we need to heed: when we think we know it all, there will be times when we are humbled – especially when it comes to the doings of Jesus. So many people seem to claim that they know exactly how Jesus works, exactly how Jesus thinks, and how Jesus loves. My friends, when we think we know everything about Jesus, and know exactly how G-d works in the world, we need to be prepared to be humbled by G-d. The disciples are willing to try something they think would never make a difference, and their response is an overwhelming success.

I get tired by people saying, either in my family or in my church family “We have tried that in the past and it did not work.” Sometimes we do not need to repeat history. Other times we need to allow the Holy Spirit to change our minds. How we determine the difference will be dependent on the Spirit – and each one of us remaining open to G-d presence and G-d’s surprises. Trying old ministries, without the presence of the Spirit, well, they may just be unfruitful. But, trying old ministries with the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through them in new ways, well we may be just as surprised as the disciples at how successful they can be.

Pastor Dave

April 9, 2016

“‘You shall not murder.” Deuteronomy 5:17

“What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the Fifth Commandment – Small Catechism)

“As when your neighbor sees that you have a better house and home [a larger family and more fertile fields], greater possessions and fortune from God than he, he is sulky, envies you, and speaks no good of you. Thus by the devil’s incitement you will get many enemies who cannot bear to see you have any good, either bodily or spiritual. When we see such people, our hearts, in turn, would rage and bleed and take vengeance.

Therefore…In the first place… we harm no one, first, with our hand or by deed. Then, that we do not employ our tongue to instigate or counsel thereto. Further, that we neither use nor assent to any kind of means or methods whereby any one may be injured. And finally, that the heart be not ill-disposed toward any one, nor from anger and hatred wish him ill, so that body and soul may be innocent in regard to everyone, but especially those who wish you evil or inflict such upon you. For to do evil to one who wishes and does you good is not human, but diabolical.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the Fifth Commandment – Large Catechism)

Luther is very clear that “Not to murder” means more than to kill something or somebody. This of course is the first intent of the commandment. But it goes deeper than that. We are also not to “kill” our neighbor’s reputation, nor be ill-disposed toward our neighbor out of anger and hatred.

Now, we may find it fairly easy not to plunge a knife into or raise a gun to someone, but to hold our tongue when we are angry, or to resist lashing out at someone who has insulted us, well, that is another, just as difficult thing.

We have so many examples in our society today, through television shows, and through social media, where we are encouraged to return evil for evil. We see adults shaming children on social media – we see politicians spewing hatred for each other. There was a time when all we needed to do was to be careful about the gossip we spread verbally. Now, we have avenues to shame people that, it they turn viral, can be shared around the world.

I just try to remember the advice my mother always gave to me, “If you have nothing good to say about someone, don’t say anything at all.” Boy my mother was wise.

Pastor Dave