“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:16-18

The photo I have included for today’s devotion is “our church” — Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lemoyne. When you think of your church, what images come to your mind? The first image that came to my mind when I say “my church” is the actual building — but that isn’t really the church. The Church, the Church of Jesus Christ, consists of people, not just flat stone and mortar — the members of our local church is what makes a church a church.

In our verse today, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after asking the question “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answers correctly that Jesus is “the Christ (Messiah/Savior), the Son of the Living God.” I love that Jesus tells Peter that no one revealed that to him, but G-d. No one can be “talked into” becoming a Christian; if we could, then we could also be talked out of it. Faith goes beyond intellect. We are also not automatically born a Christian. G-d reveals “Truth” to us, in Jesus Christ, and then says: “Do not doubt; just believe.” It is dependent upon the Holy Spirit to work upon the believer through the Word and the Sacraments.

But Jesus goes on to say “Upon this rock my church will be built”…upon this truth that Peter confesses. The church of Jesus is built like a building with many stones. Take a look at some buildings today and notice the “stones”. During this first century stones would have been cut by hand with no two exactly the same. Each would be unique and fit together — and sometimes they are set together like a hand in a glove. Just the same, each one of us are individually unique in our personalities, our backgrounds, our life experiences, our spiritual gifting, etc. Yet G-d chooses to connect us together as G-d’s temple – Christ’s church – the body of believers uniquely fit together for the ministry of the Church.

On this Eve of Christmas, remember to “Let your light shine before others in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Pastor Dave

“For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:33-35

I love how G-d works — and how Jesus explains his purpose and presence in the world. Jesus calls himself “The Way the Truth and the Life” — he calls himself “The Resurrection and the Life” — and he calls himself the “Bread of Life”…G-d in flesh, G-d Incarnate. Jesus stepped down out of Heaven and came to earth in the form of a human to live among us. This is what “Incarnate” means. For G-d so loved the world that G-d gave us G-d’s son — in the flesh, to show he is real and he is near!

My wife loves to bake bread and biscuits. A meal just seems to be more complete with some bread. Bread was also important in the time of Jesus. No meal was complete without bread. This is why he used this image for his presence in the world — Jesus came down from Heaven giving his very life for us…and we are to remember.

In just two days, we will be feasting on so much food — at least some people in this world. Others may only have some bread and a little soup to eat. Bread will be the common denominator in the meals throughout the Christmas season — and any type of bread will cause us to remember all Jesus has done for us and be thankful. May our praises rise up like a fresh loaf of bread.

Pastor Dave