<![CDATA[CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH - Lake Mills - Pastor\'s Blog]]>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:03:21 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Easter: Courage Meets Its Match]]>Sun, 09 Apr 2023 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/easter-courage-meets-its-matchHE IS RISEN!
Jesus’ death and resurrection are two sides of the same coin.  One without the other is of no value at all.  On Good Friday, Jesus died for the sins of the world, including your sins and mine.  On Easter Sunday, He defeated death and the grave, and the Father affirmed His acceptance of His Son’s sacrifice.
Death and resurrection are two sides of the same coin.  As St. Paul writes, “if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.  We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”
If we can’t preach Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we can’t preach His crucifixion either.  And, if we can’t preach His crucifixion, we can’t preach His resurrection from the dead.  As much as that might seem self-evident, or, worse yet, insignificant, the truth is, the preaching of the bodily resurrection of Jesus has suffered great losses in the Church over the last 200 years, or, so, as people have begun to wonder if the Easter message really that important.
For those who don’t accept the bodily resurrection of Jesus, their reasoning goes something like this…if I believe that Jesus really died for my sins, does it matter if I see His resurrection from the dead as a metaphor of new life, a symbol of hope, rather than as a physical resurrection from the dead?  It’s easy, you see, to believe that Jesus could be nailed to a cross and crucified!  It’s not so easy to believe that He could come back to life after He was crucified!  The latter, you see, requires us to believe in miracles, something many people jettisoned from the Christian faith long ago.
The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection are written to give us an historic account of exactly what happened on that first Easter morning.  They, along with the rest of the Scriptures, are the norm of our faith.  In other words, they establish for us what the faithful believe, teach and confess.  At the same time, they each have some slightly different details, as you would expect of eye witness accounts of any event.
This morning we have Matthew’s account of the resurrection before us.  Central to his account are the two women who came to the tomb early in the morning on that first Easter.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who is believed to be Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, are the two women.  The same two women were at the foot of the cross when Jesus died.  We find that out from the last few verses of the previous chapter in Matthew’s Gospel.
While the central point of any of the resurrection accounts is Jesus’ victory over death and the grave, there are aspects of each Gospel writer’s account, that give us particular faith and hope in what the resurrection means to us in our day to day lives.
We would have to say of the two Mary’s who were at the tomb that morning that they were especially courageous women.  Again, not only were they the first to arrive at the tomb that morning to confront death and the grave, they were of the very few who followed Jesus through His trial and crucifixion.  All of the disciples, in fact, except John, had left Jesus, perhaps for fear of what might happen to them were they identified as Jesus’ disciples.  But, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there at the cross when Jesus was crucified.
Evidently, they were pretty courageous women.  But, courage, as virtuous as it may be, inevitably meets its match, if you will, in life.  On that first Easter morning there was an earthquake, the second, by the way, in as many days.  An angel appeared at the tomb and rolled back the stone.  The angel’s appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.  The guards saw the angel and they trembled and they became like dead men!  Can you imagine?  These big, brawny Roman guards whose very livelihood was synonymous with courage, swooned to the ground.  You see, courage, as virtuous as it may be, inevitably meets its match in life.
The women too were frightened by what they saw.  First, they saw the angel sitting atop the stone, something they didn’t see every day.  But, they also saw an empty tomb.  We put A & B together and we rejoice that Christ is risen from the dead.  But, they didn’t yet understand what the empty tomb meant.  So, they were afraid.  Courage met its match in life.
What calmed their hearts and restored their courage was the voice of the angel who spoke to them the word of God.  “Do not be afraid (he said), for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where he lay.” They could see with their own eyes that Jesus was not in the tomb and they could hear with their ears why He wasn’t there.  “He is not here (said they angel), for He has risen!” If the things in life that assault courage are to be conquered, it will be in this way, by the assurance and the promise of Almighty God!
What is it that assaults your courage?  Is it the death of a loved one?  Do you wonder how you’re going to get along without that person that meant so much to you in life.  Or, is it your own fear of death?  Or, are you strong, perhaps because you’ve never really thought about death and life after death?
As the two Mary’s left the tomb to go to the disciples, Jesus met with them.  As He approached them, He said, “Greetings!” Actually, that’s not really the best translation of what He said.  He said, kairete, which mean’s “rejoice!” It’s the same word St. Paul uses when he writes to the Christians in Philippi.  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When Jesus greeted the two women, they took hold of His feet and they worshiped Him.  There’s the bodily resurrection of Jesus!  They took hold of Jesus’ feet, even those feet that had been pierced with nails, and they worshiped Him.  And Jesus said, “do not be afraid.”
Ultimately, at least in the context of Matthew’s account of the resurrection, this is the central point of Jesus rising from the dead.  Courage meets it’s match in life, but nothing overcomes the peaceful, calming voice of our risen Savior, who says, “Rejoice!” Rejoice that your sins are forgiven and that death and the grave have been defeated.  Your loved one who believed in Jesus, who was taken from you, will rise again!  Rejoice!  Death that threatens you and tries to rob you of joy has been defeated!  Rejoice!  And, “do not be afraid!” As Jesus has promised, He “is with you always, even to the very end of the age.” Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!  Alleluia!  Amen.
]]><![CDATA[Easter: New Age of Life]]>Sun, 17 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/easter-overlapping-agesIn the Bible the term ages will often refer to a period of time that has a distinctive situation. It can also refer to a specific person. We are familiar with the Elizabethan Age which refers to a specific period of time that is connected with a specific person. The Bible also refers to” this age” and “the age to come”. We might say that the age the women were experiencing was “this Age”. “On the first day of the week at early dawn they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.” The women who had watched Jesus die and followed the burial procession to the tomb were coming to complete the burial process. If was still dark. The world was still as it always appeared. They were doing what is normal and a part of their experience. Jesus is dead. They are living in the “age of death”.
All they could do was to care for the dead body. In the dark of the early dawn, death is a part of this world and age. Death is a part of the circle of life. Death infiltrates into everything. Death is occurring all the time in tv shows and movies, in video games our children play and in novels we read. It is all around us. People use death to solve their problems like an unwanted pregnancy. Death is used to solve arguments. Death is used to solve national problems. Death is in the news and in our own lives. Covid, murder in the cities and countries, suicide, accidents, cancer and heart attacks and the Ukraine. We are horrified about it happening to innocent civilians in a war. Death is on the march across the world. It consumes everyone in its path. Death is our greatest enemy. No doubt about it. We try but cannot do anything to stop it. Death even took our LORD Jesus.
Death fills us with fear. We are justified in being afraid of death. Because it steals the good things of life from us. We lose out on seeing children and grandchildren grow up. We lose out on all the weddings and births of our loved ones. We lose enjoying what this life offers like the beauty of a new fallen snow, or the warm days of spring that are fresh with new life or the activity of summer with its vacations, or walks and rides in the country. There is so that death takes from us. This is what we know. Death is real and it is too strong for any of us.
Those women were only doing what was normal in the age of death. We can’t fix what has happened so they will remember and honor Jesus at the tomb. They were soon to experience something extraordinary and new. When they got there, “they found the stone rolled away from the tomb and when they entered, they did not find Jesus’ body.” Now their normal world had just been turned upside down. They could not attend to the normal burial practice. The body of Jesus was gone. Dead bodies don’t walk away. What happened? Who took it? Why was it taken? What do we do now? This is not supposed to happen. The were about to be confronted with the “Age of Life”
“While they were perplexed about this behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. “Just as the sun chases away the darkness of night, two messengers from the kingdom of light will bring light to the darkness of the women’s hearts and minds. This sight is overwhelming. The women are confronted with a message from Jesus. He sends angels, messengers to tell the good news that a new age has begun. This is the same message for you today. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”
You don’t remember Jesus by looking in this tomb. Remember His words. “He is not here He has risen.” That is where life is found in Jesus and His promise of life.
The women do remember the words. And they go and tell the disciples. The woman came in the dark of the night. Early dawn. But now the light of a new day gives them a new normal. The tomb is empty. Death does not have the last word. It cannot hold us anymore. Jesus was dead but He is now alive. Jesus has defeated death. Jesus has ushered in a “New Age of Life”. But this news is so contrary to our experience it is hard to believe. When the women told these things to the apostles, “these words seemed to them an idle tale and they did not believe them.”
Unbelief does not mean that people believe nothing. Rather, it means that they believe something else. People say “I don’t believe it” because there is something else that they believe more strongly. That was the disciples that morning. It can’t be. They were still living in the old age of death. Experience taught them that death wins and that even the strongest succumb to it. Yet here is where the Easter message begins its work, by challenging our certainties. And the Easter message says, “Really? How can you be so sure?” Death is real, but it is not final. In Jesus, life gets the last word.
There is still doubt in the minds of people that death is defeated. There is still fear that it may not be true, too. The disciples didn’t believe it at first. Those women can’t be right. What they are saying is nonsense, silly talk. But Peter was willing to check it out for himself. That is what the message of Easter is all about too. Check out the promise. Peter runs to the tomb and he looks into it. There he sees the burial clothing lying alone. Now if the body was stolen why are the linen clothes still there? The new age of life in Jesus has arrived.
So, what do you think about this? If Jesus is still dead then this Easter doesn’t have much to offer you. There would be no reason to be here right now. The best you could hope for today would be a chocolate bunny, a basket of candy, a ham dinner, and a nice nap. Paul writes to the Corinthians and reminds them. “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” If Christ is not raised, then death is still in power. We are only destined for the grave. We have no real hope when we make our trips to the funeral home, or to the tombs of our loved ones. And worse, we are still in our sins. Not only do we physically die but there is no hope for eternal life in the new creation that the LORD is preparing for His people. If Christ has not been raised, then the thought of eternity can only make us shudder! Some might say, ‘well there is no after life anyway’. But that only means this life is totally pointless. And all we do is meaningless. Is that more comforting?
However, we have the witnesses. The women went and saw the empty tomb. The messengers from the LORD told them that Jesus has risen. Peter went and saw the unneeded burial clothes. Later, two people will talk with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. And Jesus will show up in the place where the disciples were hiding. And Paul will tell us 500 witnesses saw the Living Lord. They saw the new age of life.
Jesus came to die as the payment for our sin that would keep us apart from the LORD forever existing only in the age of death. Jesus came to die in our place for our sin. But the age of life is more powerful than death. His resurrection certified for us that Jesus is the one sent by the Father.
St Paul emphatically proclaims that the new age has arrived in the person of Jesus Christ. “But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.” With the risen Christ you have received the most wonderful gifts from our LORD. Better than any Easter basket. The first is assurance of forgiveness. Easter is the proof that His saving work on the cross really works for you! The Scriptures tell us, Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:25). Easter is our Savior God’s declaration to us that our sin has been forgiven. He died and rose again to forgive every sin for every sinner and that work has been accomplished.
Another gift is the promise of our resurrection. The funeral parlor looks like a dismal place. A cemetery graveside feels so final. But looks and feelings can be deceiving. Death and the grave are not our grand finale. Life in Christ has triumphed. You can have that same certainty that when at last we close our eyes in death, our living Lord will wake us up from death, just as He Himself did. In Jesus, who is the resurrection and life, we live even though we die. And those who have died in Christ are not lost; they are with Him even now. They already exist in the age of life. The empty tomb, Christ’s resurrection ensures our resurrection!
And we have hope that when this life comes to an end there is a new creation waiting for us. Isaiah was gifted by the LORD to foresee this new creation. The new age will be fully and forever realized on the last day when our LORD returns.
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, … They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another in habit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them. Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.
The ages are overlapping now. We are still in the age of this broken world. However, for all who believe in Jesus you have a share in the new age already. You are all invited and encouraged to be a part of the new age of life in Christ. Death is going away. The old age will pass away. For now, our task is to keep announcing the new age in Christ. We keep telling the world that Jesus has conquered death, bled and died, and risen from the grave. We keep telling the world that God is handing out pardons to sinners. Freeing them from the consequences of sin and death because Jesus has taken sin upon himself on the cross. Keep telling the world that Christ is risen and eternal life is available for everyone. Christ is risen!]]><![CDATA[Good Friday: It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin!]]>Fri, 15 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/good-friday-its-friday-but-sundays-cominMany years ago, a Pastor named S. M. Lockridge wrote a Sermon called “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Comin’!” Many pastors have used this theme for Good Friday. Today I would like to offer my own version, using the same title. It’s Friday you have been thinking about this day for years. It’s Friday and it is not like any other Friday has ever been. But now it is here. It is necessary to endure it. If there is another way “remove this cup…nevertheless not my will but yours be done.” It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.
One of your friends who has been with you for years walks away during dinner. Eating with you is a sign of friendship and care for you and even protection for you. Yet he goes to turn you in to the authorities out of greed. He arranges a place to arrest you quietly so no one will know and try to stop it. It is done in the dark of the night where evil likes to hide. It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.
They came to arrest you simply because they did not like what you said. Even though you helped many, giving sight, health, comfort and even life to those who died, they did not want you. You were not afraid to give yourself up. You know it is for the benefit, salvation of your followers. Your thoughts were for the safety of your friends. “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” Jesus does this so sin and death will let go of us and we can be free to live eternally. You even stopped your impulsive friend Peter from harming anyone else. Because you knew that all of this was necessary. This is what your Father has sent you to do. It’s a dark and chaotic Friday but Sunday is coming.
Peter follows you from afar. He is trying not to be caught up in the problem. The priests are questioning you about what you taught, about the love of God, the mercy of God, and forgiveness of God. They questioned why you call yourself God’s son? Why do you say, “whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me.” Why do you claim to be God? The priests don’t want to believe. They have their minds made up. They are afraid of Jesus. They were afraid the Romans would take away their position, power and place. Even Peter is afraid when a servant recognizes him as a disciple and he denies you. It is a fearful Friday night but Sunday is coming.
Now Pilate is to determine the fate of Jesus. But he finds nothing wrong, nothing against the Roman laws. Pilate just wants to go back to bed. Why bother me with this insignificant man. Are you a king he asks? Jesus words are strange to Pilate. “You say that I am a king. I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” But Pilate is confused. What is truth. Pilate struggles on wondering what to do or say to you or the religious leaders. Here take Barabbas instead. But Pilate gives in to the anger, hatred and his own fear. It is Friday and Pilate like so many doesn’t know what the truth is. But Sunday is coming.
The Soldiers mock Jesus. They beat him. They place a crown of thorns on his head. The blood is dripping down his cheeks as Jesus looks at those he came to save. Jesus is made to walk with the heavy load of the cross. He struggles, stumbles carrying not just a burden of wood but the burden of all of us. He comes to the place of the Skull. The place of pain, suffering and death that sin has dumped into God’s good creation. Jesus is nailed to the tree and hangs between heaven and earth. Hated by mankind and rejected by God you have taken onto yourself our sin. It is dark, fearful, angry Friday but Sunday is coming.
People are all around. They are staring, yelling, taunting, crying, ignoring and gambling. Despite all this You still think about those around you. Before his life ends, right up to the very end, Jesus still cares for them. “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they do.” “Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother.” “Today you will be with me in paradise.” It is Friday but Sunday is coming.
His body cries out I thirst. His pain unending. No one will help, no one cares, His own father turns away. This is what eternal death is all about and you are taking it in my place. “My God, My God why have you forsaken me?” It is a Friday that looks hopeless. Sin is winning. Death will have its way soon. Even the heavens hide it’s face by turning day into night. Evil is conquering. Satan is laughing with delight. It’s a lonely terrible Friday but Sunday is coming.
Jesus has completed all that what was necessary. He looks up to heaven and proclaims, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” He still trusts in His loving Father. Jesus has never stopped loving His Father. Never wavering never doubting. And now “it is finished.” All is completed for your salvation. You need do nothing more. Your sins are paid for, they are forgiven. Just trust in the one who has done this for you. Yet, for all the world it looks like Jesus is gone. Is this death really for our benefit? Did it really matter to us? He is dead, blood and water from his side testify to that. Now his body is in the tomb. The same end for all of us. And to make sure it is the end of Jesus the soldiers stand guard and a rock is rolled to keep Jesus in. But it is only Friday and Sunday is coming.
-​Pastor Dave Dukovan

]]><![CDATA[Our Cornerstone]]>Sun, 10 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/our-cornerstoneSermon Sunday Lent 5
Many buildings have a cornerstone. Our little church has one just outside of the lower door. The ones today do not match exactly in their importance as the cornerstone in past times. Today’s cornerstones are more decorative. They mostly give information about the age of the building. The cornerstone will have the date of the construction of the building. Besides the date there might be a name carved into it to help identify the building.
Along with this basic information some cornerstones are hollow. This feature is there in order to place some items in the space that reflect the time it was built. It might be a document or newspaper that helps future people understand the reason for the building. The cornerstone can be a time capsule giving general information about the time the building was constructed. Putting items into the cornerstone is not a recent invention. In medieval times churches often had relics from a community’s patron saint or local martyr placed inside. They believed the items from a saint would bless the church and its members.
The cornerstone today does not have the same architectural necessity that it once had long ago. In ancient days the cornerstone was the most important stone. The cornerstone was the very first stone laid in a building’s foundation. The foundation stone established the proper orientation of a building. All the other stones were then laid in the correct line with it. The strength and stability of a building was determined by having a firm foundation. The proper placement of that stone ensured that the whole of the building was properly supported.
The ancient civilizations often performed a ceremonial ritual when the cornerstone was placed. The architects, builders, owners, dignitaries or religious leaders would place a sacrifice, such as wine, grain, water, or even a blood offering, atop the cornerstone and dedicate it to their gods.
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus comparing himself to a cornerstone. Jesus reminds the people listening to him of the words from Psalm 118. ‘But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”’
In the Bible, prophecies spoke of the Messiah as the Cornerstone. The LORD will do this. Isaiah 28:16 says, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation." Matthew, Mark, and Luke record Jesus referring to this passage as finding its fulfillment in Him (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17). Each Gospel indicates this teaching of Jesus occurred between Monday and Wednesday of the Passover week, while Jesus was in Jerusalem during the time between His triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and His crucifixion. After the resurrection of our LORD, Peter will later use this passage. Peter will condemn the Jewish religious leaders, stating, "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone" (Acts 4:11).
So why does Jesus bring up the topic of the cornerstone now? Well, the religious authorities are angry about Jesus being in Jerusalem. They do not like Jesus saying the things that he was about the gospel. Jesus calls on the people to believe in Him for salvation. The religious leaders do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s own beloved Son. Jesus is preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins for all people. They still think that good works are what God demands in order to earn God’s favor. Jesus desires all men to be saved, not just some. The religious leaders do not believe that God is for everyone, especially those wicked sinners. So, they are questioning the authority of Jesus to say what he says.
In response to this, Jesus tells a parable to the people listening to him and loud enough that the priests, scribes and elders can hear it. (Luke 20:9-16)
“A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”
The old tenants, the religious leaders, are seeking to be in control of the vineyard, the kingdom of God. They desire to make the rules and determine who the benefits of the kingdom will go to. They do not want to give the fruit, that is faith in God’s salvation, to the LORD. Rather they had faith in their own works. They didn’t want to do good works directed at all the people of the world, only the right people deserved their concern. They want to appropriate the kingdom of God as their own to do with it as they like. They want the people to believe in their interpretation of the Scriptures. They believe that the people should trust them about what they must do and what they must believe in order to have salvation.
So, the tenants, those religious leaders, do not faithfully or respectfully deal with the owner. Instead, they treat the servants of the owner disgracefully. They injure and throw them out of the vineyard without giving any of what the owner is rightfully owed. And when the son of the owner comes, they reject the son completely. They throw him out of the vineyard and kill him.
The religious leaders are angry because they know that Jesus is speaking against them. They realized that Jesus is saying that they are the tenants who have rejected the owner’s son. Those wicked tenants rejected the cornerstone of God’s kingdom, Jesus who is God’s own son. And by the end of the week, they will throw Jesus out of the city and kill him.
This is what happened to Jesus. And because of these shameful actions the tenants would be destroyed and thrown out of the vineyard. That would happen in 70 AD when the religious center of Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The priests and Sadducees were all removed. Instead, new tenants were given the vineyard to care for. These are the apostle’s and disciples of Jesus who would serve in the church begun by Jesus.
The LORD is the rejected cornerstone. Jesus is the most important stone in the kingdom of God. Jesus is the foundation on which the whole church is built. Jesus is the foundation of the church where God’s mercy and forgiveness is found for the whole of sinful mankind. Jesus is the one on whom all who believe in Jesus will be set. Jesus is the cornerstone that determines that the church is to be a living, faithful and trusting church. Living for and trusting in the one true LORD and creator of the world.
Jesus our cornerstone was set in a prominent place. When Jesus was rejected, He was thrown outside of the gates of Jerusalem. There that rejected cornerstone was placed on Golgotha. There the church of God was established before the eyes of the world.
God’s church is founded upon the trusting faith of Jesus in His heavenly Father. On that cornerstone, the church was aligned with the humble, loving sacrifice of Jesus. He gave His life for the forgiveness of sins for all mankind. The cornerstone was dedicated with the offering of grain and wine, water and blood. Jesus offered the sacrifice of His body and blood, given and shed for us. Water and blood that flowed from His pierced chest. The cornerstone had the message written that this is Jesus of Nazareth king of the Jews. Jesus is our king who gave his life to serve and save us. Jesus was the rejected cornerstone. Now he is the head of the corner. Jesus is the one on which God’s kingdom is built, on whom your salvation is founded.
Jesus offers a warning about the cornerstone. In one way or another everyone will encounter the cornerstone of Jesus. “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” The crucifixion and death of Jesus is the ultimate stumbling block. This is what many will trip over. How can this terrible death be of any good?
For the unbeliever this cornerstone falls on him. They cannot believe that God comes to earth as a man and dies for the forgiveness of sins. Or they believe they can save their own body and soul. Those unrepentant unbelievers will be crushed to dust. Returned to the ground. They will not believe nor receive the benefit of what God in Jesus offers to them. There is no hope for those who remain unrepentant and unbelieving. Then the cornerstone will fall hard in judgment.
Others will trip and fall on the crucifixion of the cornerstone, Jesus. The death of Jesus will break them. But for you who believe the words of Jesus, His death is recognized as your salvation and eternal hope. You who are broken by the law and repent believing that Jesus has died for you are saved. You are healed by the sweet news of the gospel. You have been brought into the church by the power of the Holy Spirit creating that faith in you. You have a place in Christ. You will receive the promise of eternal life.
No one who makes Jesus Christ the foundation of his or her life will ever be ashamed to stand before the LORD on judgment day. The apostle Peter notes this in 1 Peter 2:6. “For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.'" You can rest on the firm foundation of Christ your cornerstone, now and into eternity.
-Pastor Dave Dukovan]]><![CDATA[The Prodigal Son]]>Sun, 03 Apr 2022 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/the-prodigal-son​Sermon 4th Sunday of Lent.
The setting --Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
The sons
Younger one
His disrespectful behavior, uncaring attitude, selfishness
His easy ability to break the relationship with his father in effect the younger son was wishing father was dead. I want the property more than you.
His poor judgment. The son goes away and lives in a spend thrifty manner. The son may have been doing things that were totally contrary to the 10 commandments. But eventually the money runs out.
His descent into despair and he is now a rock bottom. He works for a pig farmer. He longs to fill his empty aching stomach with what the pigs are eating.
His solution. The son had practiced saying I am not worthy, treat me as a hired hand. Maybe he felt that only as a hired hand could he return or maybe he might be able to work his way back and earn the right to be called a son. Either way the son will be content to work as a hired servant. He realizes he has no standing with the father anymore. He broke the family relationship. He doesn’t deserve anything from his family or father.
The older brother
His anger
His disrespectful behavior towards his father- not coming into the feast
His lack of having a relationship with father and really knowing the father- “Lo all these many years I have served you and I never disobeyed your commandments yet you never have me a kid to make merry with my friends.”
His self-righteousness-- He devoured the inheritance. He sinned with prostitutes? He is slandering the brother.
His lack of repentance- notice no sorrow over his poor behavior and lack of respect for his father.
The Father
The father certainly would have been justified to send his younger son away empty handed
But the father grants the son’s request The father has to liquidate his property in order to create the cash. the father would have done a great bit of work to do this. But not only did the son create extra work for the father. The community would have seen the son as ungrateful. The possibility of selling off the land was contrary to the Lord’s desire to keep the land in the family.
The father would have put up with the shame knowing that the neighbors know all about this son’s bad behavior. The community would also see a very disrespectful son demanding money to leave rather than stay with the family and community.
But despite this all the father does not give up on the son. He could have said good riddance but instead the father is out every day watching for the return of his wayward son. Looking to see if he is coming home. There is no anger or hatred for this wayward son. The father longs to have His son come home and be with again.
The father is willing to run to his son. Finally, the father’s longing is realized. He sees far off the figure of his son walking along the road. The shabby hungry, dirty lost son is coming back to his father. The excitement is so much that father cannot contain himself. He will not wait for the son to come to him to beg forgiveness. Rather the son is returning he has repented. The father has already forgiven him. He goes running to the son. His son is home and the joy is overwhelming for the father. A father who runs is a shocking idea. The powerful did not run to people. It is beneath a mature man to pull yup his robes and run. No, they should come to you. But the father was willing to look silly, and demeaned by running towards the son. The father is willing to humble even demean himself in front of the community, neighbors because he is more concerned about welcoming back his wayward son.
The father is not even going to let the son say anymore than ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ Being a hired hand was better than the wayward sin deserved. Instead, the father hugs him tightly, and showers him with kisses showing his joy in seeing him back. No chastisement, no words of condemnation, no lecturing no warnings to never do this again. Only a welcome home.
The father will not let his son grovel after the initial repentance. Forgiveness and reconciliation are immediate. There is no need for any bargain to be made. No need to be a hired servant. No way this will even be considered. The father gives him a ring. The ring signifies being back in the family.
The son broke the relationship by leaving but the father has mended what was broken. It is a pure gift from father. Now the whole community will know the son is back and gladly received back into the family. The best robe is what the father wears. Now it will be given to the son. All the world will see he is welcome by this robe. Bring the fattened calf, not just any calf but a particular calf prepared for this day in which the father hoped and waited for the son to return. The whole town will be invited to this reunion. Let everyone rejoice in the return.
But the father needs to mend another relationship. The father could have ignored the angry son and let him fuss and fume over the events. But the father comes to the angry son and begs him to come into the house. The father wants him to return too.
The angry son complains. How can you treat that son of yours, that person, not my brother, in that way? The angry son is complaining that this son seems to be getting away with something. Maybe he pulling the wool over the father’s eyes. Don’t you see what kind of person he is? The older one protests loudly that he has stayed and worked all his life. And you never gave me anything. The older son compares himself to being a slave. There is no family relationship at the moment. You are not my father but the boss.
The father is not angered though. He gently calls him to see things as they really are.
The father reminds him of something the older son has forgotten. ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” You can have anything that I have. It is yours already. You are not a servant. You don’t have to work to get my blessing or love. You already have it. So, we all should be happy that the lost one has returned. “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”
This is how the father feels for the lost one. But it is also how the father feels about the angry one too. It is necessity that we all celebrate for your brother.
Which son might you be? Maybe the wayward one, maybe the angry one, probably both at different times of life. Both sons need to repent. We know the first did. But what about the second? Keep this in mind though. Our heavenly father is merciful and desires to have us come home to him. He is the patient father who will always be looking out for you. He will always be joyful while you are with him willing to give you all that He has. And He will always look for you when you walk away. The LORD will forgive you for you bad behavior to Him and to others. And when you return, He and all of heaven will be joyful over your return.
The LORD God has done this for you. The fattened calf has been prepared for you. Jesus is the fatted calf slaughtered to allow everyone to celebrate the mercy, forgiveness and love of the heavenly father for you all. You have been given the robe of the father. His righteousness given as a gift through faith in His Son Jesus. You have been brought into the family of God in your baptism. You aren’t a hired servants earning your way back into the good grace of The Father. Jesus did that for us. We have the forgiveness and love of the LORD as a gift.
-Pastor Dave Dukovan
]]><![CDATA[Guard Your Tongue]]>Sun, 12 Sep 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/guard-your-tongueThe tongue is a very useful muscle.  It helps us chew and eat our food.  It helps us talk.  It gives expression to people. The tongue is the place we taste our food.  There are five basic tastes sensed by the tongue sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami which is something like a meaty taste.  The tongue has been thought to be the strongest muscle in the body.  Because it seems to never tire out.  Especially in some people who can talk all day long.  But it is not true that the tongue is the strongest muscle in our body.
But in our epistle reading from James, we read that the tongue can be the most dangerous muscle we have.  The tongue is not a very large muscle yet it has the ability to change the direction of someone’s life.  A bit that goes into a horse’s mouth is not large compared to the horse.  But the bit with just a little tug will make that horse go where the rider wants to go.  A rudder on a giant ship is small in comparison to the ship but it can turn that ship out to sea or onto the rocks.  The tongue despite its small size can move us to help or destroy someone.   
James writes in our epistle today, “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”  We all have seen or experienced the power of the tongue to start destructive fires in our lives.  The tongue can make a school child feel rejected and isolated when a classmate tells others how conceited that child is.  ‘You don’t want to be his friend’!   The tongue can harm the unity of a team in sports or at work if someone is always talking behind the back of another.  ‘They are not as good.  They don’t know what they are doing. That person can’t be as good as us.  They should not be a part of us.’  The tongue can destroy families.  In the heat of an argument, ‘You are so stupid or ‘I don’t love you’ spills out.  An infuriated parent yells ‘you are a worthless child’.  A child yells at the parent ‘I hate you.’  These words cannot be taken back.  They have gone out and done their damage.  Instead of keeping silent when it is not our business, we feel our duty to tell others.  If someone hurts us the more common action is to tell others how terrible that person is rather than go to the person and settle the issue.  Instead of praying for people in office or authority we would rather prey upon them finding ways to destroy or slander them.  And we can’t forget the misuse of God’s name either. 
 Like a ship whose rudder has turned it into the rocks the tongue does harm to or even destroys relationships between people.  Hurtful words like a lit match in a dry forest, can quickly ignite a chain reaction of offense, anger, pain, guilt, rumor, slander, deception, and hostility.  
And the words don’t have to be spoken either.  Today on the internet the words of hatred, slander and lies are sent out to be liked, copied and shared to the whole world.  Now hundreds and thousands can join in telling lies and rumors about a person.  All joining in together to destroy a person’s reputation by simply sharing and liking.  
In all of this talking and now texting God’s words are forgotten.  “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”.  This means we are not to go and spread false information, rumors, scandals about anyone.  That is not our business.  Even if what we hear is the truth that is not our right to talk about the problems of others.  Only in the appropriate places of authority like a court are we to speak about others.  Luther writes in the Large Catechism, “Therefore God forbids you to speak evil about another even though, to your certain knowledge, he is guilty.  All the more urgent is the prohibition if you are not sure but have it only from hearsay.”   
God does not want us to tear down the reputation of anyone.  Instead, we are to “apologize for him, speak well of him and interpret charitably all that he does.”  (Small catechism)
But the tongue is tough to tame.  Words that hurt come from all of us.  those examples I gave earlier are not just from people outside of the church.  They were spoken by people who claim to be followers of Jesus.  As James writes “My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
So, what can we do?  The problem is not just our tongue.  We could cut it out and that would not solve the problem.  Just as a bit in the horse is controlled by the rider and a rudder on a ship is controlled by the pilot, we control our tongue.  The problem is us.  Like Jesus said in Mark our heart is filled with evil thoughts.  Those thoughts often spill out in our words.  Our evil words from an evil heart condemn us before God.  We are not perfect and deserve God’s wrath for tearing down others and not trying to build them up.  
So, what can we do?  Jesus Christ is the answer.  Jesus uses His tongue as it should be used.  In the Old Testament Reading today from Isaiah, the prophet is speaking of the Servant of the Lord, which we know is a prophecy about Christ. And this Servant says: “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught.” How Jesus Christ used his tongue was always wise, never out of place. When Jesus was being tempted by the devil, he responded and overcame the tempter with the word of the Lord: “Thus it is written.” When Jesus needed to rebuke the scribes and the Pharisees, he called a spade a spade and said to them, “Woe to you, you hypocrites!” or “You brood of vipers!” Christ could speak a truthful condemnation when it was called for.
On the other hand, Jesus used his tongue to comfort troubled sinners and to bring them a word of peace and forgiveness and refreshment. Again, from the Isaiah prophecy: “The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.” This is just what Jesus did with his tongue. Listen to his words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Who is wearier than a man who is paralyzed?  Jesus said to him “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”  But Jesus also told him “Your sins are forgiven.”  Who is more wearied than a thief hanging on a cross slowly, and agonizingly dying with nails piercing his hands?  When he humbly asks “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  From the merciful heart and tongue of Jesus the thief hears, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus is saying this to you today.  There are things that have wearied you.  Jesus says to you too, “come to me all who are weary and heavy laden I will give you rest”.  Dear friends, listen to his voice. Are you weary from the weight of your sins? Come to Jesus your Savior. Are you loaded down with the burden of your conscience, knowing how much and how often you have not used your tongue in the right way? How you have hurt the people around you with your words? How you have messed up your own life by the stupid things you have said? How you have failed to give God the glory he is owed?
We do not use our tongues all the time in the way that God demands.  But Jesus fulfilled the demands of God’s law perfectly and fully.  Come to Christ use your tongue to repent and lay your burdens on Jesus.  Jesus took the weight of your sins, the burden of your guilt, and he carried it all to the cross for you.  He completed all that we need by dying in your place.  Jesus, the holy Son of God, took all the judgment upon himself.  The condemnation for our evil thoughts and words will not fall on you.  Instead, Jesus speaks the word of forgiveness on your behalf, “Father, forgive them.  
You have a new life, with a new tongue. The Holy Spirit will set your tongue on fire, but to a different purpose.  Not to curse, not to blaspheme, not to tear down others in sinful ways. But rather to bless. To praise God for his many mercies. To pray to God for our world and for those in need. The Spirit gives us tongues to speak words of blessing to our neighbor, words that will be helpful to him. You have a new tongue, my fellow baptized.
As followers of Jesus, we are aware of our old sinful nature, with which we still need to contend. We pray the Lord’s help in controlling our tongue, for, even as Christians “we all stumble in many ways.”  We pray that the Lord would guard our tongue from causing hurt to others. “Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips.” “Keep me from saying words that later need recalling.” And, “Lord, help me to control my tongue, to keep it from uttering wrong and hurtful things. Forgive me for the times I have done that.” 
The tongue may be small but it can be powerful.  It can tear down and destroy.  But you have been given a tongue that is under the control of our LORD Jesus.  We can use it tell of the wonderful things that God has done for us.  We can proclaim the love of Jesus and His forgiveness and mercy.  We can, with the help of the Holy Spirit guiding and controlling our tongues, pray;
“Take my voice and let me sing always only for my King; Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee.”  Amen

​]]><![CDATA[The Prophesy is Fulfilled]]>Sun, 04 Jul 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/the-prophesy-is-fulfilledNo one likes to be rejected.  But it happens all the time.  Rejections come in many forms.  Trying out for a school basketball team one fellow was rejected because he didn’t play as well as others.  Applying for a collage can be humbling because you can get letter after letter rejecting your admission because of low grades or SAT scores.  People have been rejected for job opportunities because someone else is better qualified or because the applicant is overqualified.  Even during times of war some men were rejected because they were not fit enough.   These people were rejected because they did not meet expectations.    
That is what happened to Jesus when he returned to his childhood hometown.  He didn’t meet the expectations of the people there.  The hope among the Jews was that a messiah would come to them.  The expectation was that this messiah would come like the great king David.  That the messiah would with the blessing and help of God free them from their earthly bondage to foreign powers.  Then they would be free to rule their own country and worship God.
When Jesus comes to the synagogue in Nazareth he reads a portion of Isaiah. 
  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 
Jesus says in the Gospel of Luke that today this prophesy is fulfilled.  Jesus is telling the hometown people that He is the one Isaiah was talking about.  Jesus called on people to repent and believe in Him for salvation.  But they did not nor could they accept Jesus as the one who would save them.  He is not what they expected.   
They know who he is.  Where does He get this stuff.  What makes him think that he is better than us.  He is nothing more than a day laborer, a simple carpenter.  He did work for us before.  The people there are scandalized,  shocked, appalled and offended that this upstart Jesus comes to them to teach them. 
They don’t receive His words and they don’t believe what He says to them.  The people are not convinced that Jesus is messiah material.  He lived among us.  We know who he is.  How could he say the things he does?  The people knew that He is no more educated than any of them.  Jesus is no better than them.  
Jesus is not impressive enough for them.  They reject him for so many reasons.   In fact the comments that the people make are meant to be cutting and demeaning, justifying their rejection of Jesus.  Not mentioning the father of Jesus, Joseph the earthly father, would be insulting to Jesus.  This was questioning his real parents.  You heard about Mary being pregnant to soon.  Mentioning that Jesus was a carpenter also had a negative meaning.  A carpenter was often itinerant.  They had to travel a lot to make a living.  But this meant that he wasn’t around to protect the woman and family honor.   So Jesus may not have been all that honorable.  The townspeople could not comprehend this Jesus who came with a message and the power to do miracles.   
But this was already prophesied long ago by Isaiah.  
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
    and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
    and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
    a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
    he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Jesus knew that they were rejecting him so he says, “A prophet is not without honor except in His own country.”  Jesus meant by this little parable that outsiders are better able to judge the honor due to Jesus who is the prophet sent from God.  The townspeople could only see the little boy, the carpenter and not see who Jesus really was.  They didn’t believe that Jesus is the promised one as he said to them.  In fact, in Luke’s account the townspeople tried to kill him.  
But what Mark records next shows that rejecting Jesus can be dangerous.  Jesus will reject the one who continues to reject Him.  That will leave those outside of His mercy, his help, forgiveness and life.  Mark writes that Jesus was not able to do no mighty works but touched a few sick people and healed them.  There must have been a few who believed or this is a way of showing God’s mercy even in the face of rejection.  
 It would appear that Jesus would not help those who rejected His help.  That is a warning to all who persist in their rejection of Jesus as their savior.  
But there still remains the hope that if one does turn and repent and believe then help from God will be there for you.  Even though Jesus is rejected the sinner is not.  Jesus did not come to reject sinners but to welcome them.  Jesus calls people to repent of their sins and believe that He was sent by the Lord God to save them from their sin.  The desire of God is to save.  Forgiving and saving is always what the Lord really wants to do.  Jesus shows this by suffering and bleeding and dying in the place of all sinners.  Jesus did this for those who rejected him in Nazareth that sabbath day.  Jesus did this for you and me.  
Jesus is rejected for all types of reasons.  He is too demanding.  He calls on us to carry our cross and suffer along with Him.  He is rejected because we want an easy self-fulfilling life.  He is rejected because we want to serve ourselves rather than others.  There are days when we reject Jesus too.  We don’t want to hear his word today.  It is too much trouble to take time for worship.  We reject Jesus when we act in ways that are contrary to God’s word.  We think that we can get along without him.  There may be times we think that Jesus is not doing what we think he should be doing for us.   
But the Gospel still remains active in this world.  The gospel calls us back to receive and believe and not reject Jesus.  Jesus did not quit preaching about the kingdom of heaven, forgiveness and eternal life after being rejected.  He kept on spreading that good news to the world.  After He left Nazareth, Jesus sent out the disciples to do the just that.  Jesus gave the disciples authority to do what He had been doing.  He also said to them that if the Gospel they are preaching is rejected then they should brush the dust of the town off of their sandals.  But this did not mean the people were condemned.  Brushing off the dust was a warning.  You have rejected the preaching of Christ.  You have not received the kingdom of God.  God is not ruling in your heart yet.  Shaking the dust is a call to repent and not reject the preaching of the Gospel but have faith in the Lord Jesus.
If someone you know, who should know better, is currently rejecting Jesus, there is hope for them.  Jesus has not rejected them yet.  There is still time.  The gospel is still being preached, the Lord Jesus is still seeking sinners to bring them the good news that sins have been forgiven.  The call is not to reject but to believe and receive that forgiveness.  The gospel points them to Jesus nailed to a cross.  Dying because of their sin. Dying because of our sin.  On the cross Jesus was truly and totally rejected not just by the people of Nazareth but by the whole world, the world He came to save.  However, at the cross Jesus proclaims liberty to us because our sins are forgiven on account of His sacrifice.   The gospel also points us to the empty tomb.  No longer are sinners rejected forever.  But because of Jesus resurrection we are raised to new life.  Now we are part of the family of God heirs to eternal life with the LORD never to be rejected again. 
Amen.    

Pastor David Dukovan











]]><![CDATA["Abide In Me"]]>Sun, 02 May 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/abide-in-meJesus was very good at using picture language in order to describe our life as a disciple of Jesus.  Today Jesus uses the image of a grapevine and its care to make a point that is very important for us.  If any of you have ever done any sort of gardening you know that vines or trees will not produce any fruit if the branches are not attached.  That is a simple observation we all have had.  If a branch on an apple tree or a branch from a grapevine is cut off you will not get any apples or grapes from that branch.  That branch may look alive for a while after being cut off, especially in the spring when the flowers and leaves are starting to bud.  But after some time that branch will simply dry up, the leaves and flowers will wither and die.  If that apple branch is to produce fruit it needs to remain on the tree.  The grape branch needs to remain on the vine if you want to have grapes.  Being separated from the nutrients that flow through the plant to the branch must continue or death will follow.
Jesus is the true vine as he says.  He is the genuine vine that was sent by the Father and planted in this world to bring forth fruit.  The fruit of Jesus is life, forgiveness, hope, joy and salvation to all people.  There were some in Judea who thought the nation of Israel was the vine planted by God.  But they were wrong.  That vine did not produce good fruit.
(Isaiah 5) “Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.
2 He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it;
and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.”
In Ezekiel’s book God tore out that vine because it was a useless vine. (Ezekiel 15:6-8) “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 7 And I will set my face against them. Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the Lord, when I set my face against them. 8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have acted faithlessly, declares the Lord God.”
Israel was not the true vine because it was faithless.  They did not remain in God but trusted false gods and foreign nations.  However, Jesus is the true and genuine vine who is totally faithful to the heavenly Father.  Those who are a part of Jesus are like branches that bear good fruit.  Those who only pretend to be a part of Jesus are like the branches that do not have any fruit growing on them.  These the Father will prune off.  These people do not have faith in Him.  They do not bear the fruit of love that imitates the love of Jesus.  
But this does not mean that we need to go out and do good works to avoid being cut out of Jesus.  That is not the message here.  Jesus gave this example to encourage His disciples to remain in Him.  Jesus possibly said these words while he was walking to the Garden of Gethsemane.  He would soon be arrested and suffer at the hands of unbelieving men.  
Jesus is preparing to leave His disciples and be the once for all sacrifice.  They would soon be alone wondering what was going to happen after Jesus was crucified.  They did not expect these things to happen and would for a time be lost and frightened.  
So, Jesus wants to give them comfort and assurance that He will still be with them.  Jesus reminds them that they are already a branch that is producing good fruit.  “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”  The disciples have been gathered into Jesus’ community.  They are already branches attached firmly to Jesus the true, genuine vine.  They are already doing the good works, bearing fruit, that Jesus has prepared for them.  Remember that Jesus sent out the disciples at one time to proclaim the gospel, to heal the sick and drive out demons.  They are already nourished and able to bear fruit because they have received his words which he has given to them over the years.   
That is the same message for you.  You are already clean.  You have been purified by the blood of Jesus.  In your baptism your sins have been washed away.  You have been grafted into Christ into the true vine.  Through the gift of God’s word proclaimed in the Bible and spoken and acted out in the person of Jesus you have been made clean and purified.  You are already connected to Jesus and have the life-giving nutrients of God’s grace coursing through you like the sap in a plant.  Those nutrients are the word and the sacraments that come from Jesus and flow to you.  
This is how God works all the time.  He brings you into His community through the sacrament of Baptism.  He nourishes you with His body and blood of His Son Jesus.  The Holy Spirit keeps you alive through the hearing of the word.  And this life in Jesus makes it possible for you to bear fruit like the grape branches do because they are a part of the vine.  It is the LORD God who gives you the ability to bear the fruit of good works.
We are in a place similar to the disciples.  We are not seeing Jesus right now face to face.  We might at times be wondering if we will ever see Him again.  That is the sinful nature at work in us.  It has been 2000 years.  That is a long time to wait.  It doesn’t seem to be true that Jesus is coming back.  But in this Easter season we can look forward to the promised return of Jesus.  We can do this because by the grace of God we have come to believe the promise of Jesus that he will return.  We will see Him again.  The words of today’s Introit remind us of the promise of Jesus.  (John 16:16) “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again, a little while, and you will see me.”  Jesus kept that promise to the disciples when He rose from the dead and visited them for 40 days after His resurrection.
We are in a waiting period now.  We can live during this time with joy and anticipation for His return because we know that Jesus is alive.  Jesus lives and just as the living vine gives life to the branches, he gives us life that has purpose.  
So how do we live in this time of waiting?
Jesus tells us plainly.  “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”   We continue to abide in Jesus.  Abide means to live in Jesus and continue to live in Him.  The picture language is that we are like a branch that is firmly connected to the main grapevine or the trunk of a tree.   We remain connected.  When we are connected, life will continue to flow into us.  And the promise is that Jesus will continue to abide in you too.  Jesus will remain with you until He returns.
Connected to Jesus we continue to produce the fruit of love, mercy and forgiveness for others.  The nutrients that produce these good fruits come directly from Jesus.  But instead of sap that travels to the branches it is the word of Jesus that travels to us and keeps us alive and bearing the fruit of good works.  This is how we show that we are the disciples of Jesus.  We bear the good works of our Lord.
But to stay healthy and clean branches there must be the connection.  If a branch loses the connection and stops receiving the life-giving word there is a chance that the branch will wither and die.  “If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”  Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.  Apart from Jesus we wither and die.  We are only good for the fire.
So, we stay connected.  This pandemic has kept many away from the life-giving word of Jesus.  People have even when the sacrament is offered have not sought it out.  There is the danger that they are not abiding in Jesus.  So let us pray that the Lord will keep us alive through His word.  And let us pray for those who have been away.  The importance of remaining on the vine and receiving the word and sacrament is a matter of eternal life and death.  
Abide in Christ and you will be forgiven.  Abide in Christ and you will bear much fruit.  You will be a blessing to your brothers and sisters in the faith.  You will be a blessing to your unbelieving neighbors, as well.  Abide in Christ and you will bear the fruit of love, mercy and forgiveness just as Christ has given these to you.  And through your good works, your fruit, God will be glorified.

​Pastor Dave Dukovan

   

]]><![CDATA["I Am The Good Shepherd"]]>Sun, 25 Apr 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/i-am-the-good-shepherd"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  That just doesn’t make any sense.  What is that shepherd thinking.  You would die for your sheep?  They are only sheep.  You are a human being.  You are so far above a sheep as a man.  You can care for yourself.  Sheep need constant care because they are unable to protect themselves or do the best for themselves.  A human can think and plan.  Sheep seem to just act on impulse.  Sheep run when scared or in danger without any thought about where they are running towards. 
I saw a video of a sheep that was stuck in a narrow ditch.  Its body was wedged in that ditch unable to get out at all.  Only its hind feet were visible above the ditch.  The shepherd had to pull it out or it would have suffered injury or worse.
But as soon as that dumb sheep was rescued from the ditch it goes running off in terror.  It goes bounding away from the one who rescued it.  Without thinking, obviously, the sheep runs right into the ditch farther down and gets stuck in the ditch all over again.
And this is what you lay down your life for?  That just seems crazy.  This seems unbelievable.   
But that is what Jesus tells us.  I am the good shepherd.  He lays down His life for the sheep.  Remember that Jesus is so much greater than us.  He is the divine God of Creation and life.  and as it is written in Hebrews, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?"  The surprising and wonderful thing is that God does care for us the sheep of His flock.  And if you weren’t sure the sheep Jesus is talking about is us.  (Psalm 79:13) “But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation, we will recount your praise.”  (Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
These pasts weeks we remembered this very fact, that Jesus did lay down his life for the sheep.  Good Friday was the day that Jesus went and voluntarily offered His life up to save the lives of His sheep.  We as the sheep of His flock were under attack.  We are attacked with the lies of Satan about God not caring for us.  We are harassed with lies from the ungodly world that denies God’s very existence.  Our own human nature pressures us to keep the Lord in a box.  Our religion is for show but not a way of life.  God is for Sunday but not throughout the week.  God is for our church friends but not for the neighbor we meet in the streets.
But Jesus the good shepherd fought against all of these enemies for us.  Jesus is not a hired hand who cares nothing about the flock.  Jesus knows you, calls you by name.  In your baptism you are called to be a child of God.  (Isaiah 43) “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”  Many baptisms have this as a banner for the child.  So, as a child of God a member of the flock Jesus protects you.  

Jesus doesn’t flee from the wolves that are trying to destroy the life that God has given to us.  The eternal life that has been given through faith in Jesus.  

Jesus did not flee when he saw the wolves of the Jewish leaders raging and plotting and taking counsel against him.  He did not flee.  He laid down his life for you.  

Jesus did not flee when sinful men of His own nation came to arrest him.  Jesus did not flee when he was handed over to the Romans who beat him bloody and nailed him to the cross.  He did not flee like a hired hand who did not care for you.  Jesus laid down his life for you.

Jesus did not flee even from the cross.  He could have saved himself from the shame and the torture and the agony.  But He did not flee.  He did this for you.  Jesus laid down his life for you.  He laid down His life so that the just punishment would be satisfied and met.  Christ Jesus, God’s own son, took your punishment so you did not have to take it.  God paid the price that is demanded of sin.  

Yes, Jesus laid down his life for you.  But He also took it up again.  Just as God the Father gave Jesus the authority to do.  The death of Jesus did what it was intended to do.  The price of sin is paid.  The punishment is cancelled.  Sins for you and the whole world are forgiven.  All of this is confirmed and validated because Jesus did rise from the dead.  Jesus had the authority to die and rise to save His flock, you all, from all of our enemies.  Satan, the world, our own sinful human nature.  

The words spoken by Jesus were written down by St. John.  St. John also wrote the words to our Epistle for today.  These words reaffirm that Jesus died.  Remember that John was there and saw the soldier thrust the spear into the lifeless body of Jesus.  This giving up of His life shows us that God in Jesus does love us.  St. John then points out how we can live like a member of the flock of Christ now imitating our Lord.   (1 John 3) “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Now we know what true love is by looking at Jesus.  Now, we as the children of God can express love in the same way as Jesus does.  This means that just as Jesus gave of himself for us, we give of ourselves for one another.  We live imitating the same selfless love that Jesus lived and died on our behalf.  One commentator notes that those who hate deprive others of life.  This is seen in wars, murders, even anger towards another person or group of people.  When hate is the motive for action, lives and livelihoods are destroyed.  But where there is true love, as Jesus showed and lived, the one who loves will sacrifice their life to save, preserve and improve the lives of others.

St. John gave an example of this.  If anyone has the gifts of the goods of this world which are a gift from God, they ought to share them with those who do not have any.  We cannot shut our hearts to our brothers in Christ.  John is definitely telling the people of the church you ought to help your fellow Christians.  If you don’t, you do not have the love of Christ in your heart.  And if we can’t have love for our own brothers, how will we ever have love for those who are not our brothers.

This is exactly what Jesus did for us.  We were the poor, outcast and vulnerable.  Yet Jesus is rich in mercy, love and life.  These things he shared with us.  Jesus poured mercy onto those who lost their health and loved ones.  Jesus showered love on the outcast by inviting them into His life and announcing forgiveness to the sinners.  And Jesus gave up His life.  He took our place and our punishment shielding us from the just wrath of God.  And now we are the sheep of His flock and have the same mercy, love and life to share with our brothers in Christ.

These gifts Jesus also shares with others outside of the flock.  (John 10:16) “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

The love, mercy and life of Jesus was not limited to the brothers.  There are other sheep that out there that need these gifts of Jesus.  That is the call of the gospel sent out into the whole world.  That is what we can do here too.  There are other sheep out there that are in need of the Good Shepherd.  There are those who are hungry, vulnerable, outcast, guilt-ridden and in need of forgiveness, and dying without hope.  

Jesus laid down his life for these too.  He is the Good Shepherd who leads all of His sheep to green pastures and quiet waters.  Jesus protects us with His rod and staff, His word and Spirit.  Jesus feeds us with His own body and blood that keeps our faith alive and our love active.  And Jesus leads us through the valley of death safely until we enter His sheepfold of eternal life and love.
​Pastor Dave Dukovan
]]><![CDATA[What Is Normal - Easter]]>Sun, 04 Apr 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://christlutheranlakemills.org/pastors-blog/what-is-normal-easterRead Mark 16: 1-8
Christ is Risen!  He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
You hear a lot about what is normal these days.  People are wanting to get back to normal some are talking about a new normal whatever they may be.  I would like to think that we are getting back to normal by having our Easter celebration today.  Being together, hearing the comforting words of our Lord God and singing hymns of praise to Jesus for His sacrifice.  So, let’s talk about what is normal.
I have been to cemeteries.  Not just as a pastor to officiate over a funeral but also to see the gravesite of family and friends who have died.  I am certain that many if not all of you have been to cemeteries too.  The reasons that we go is to decorate the grave with flowers or maybe just to remember those who once were with us.  When you go to the cemetery to visit the grave of a family member there is one sure assumption.  The grave, tomb, or the mausoleum still holds the person.  That is our experience.  What is normal for us is that no one is able, on their own, to escape the grave.
That was the expectation of the three women who went to the tomb of Jesus.  The body of Jesus would still be there when they arrive.  They were going there to complete the details of the burial left undone on Friday.  The usual events after a death needed to be hurried.  The Sabbath was starting soon at sundown.  There was no time for the cleansing of the body or the anointing of the body with spices.  Joseph of Arimathea had to get permission to take the lifeless body of Jesus off the cross.  That took time and then to place Jesus into the grave took time.  So the niceties where omitted. 
The three women expected to find the body of Jesus in the tomb where they saw Him buried.  That is normal.  That is expected.  They would anoint His body with fragrant spices.  The goal was to do an act of love for Jesus and help hide the stink of death. 
“When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.”  It was now Sunday morning.  The Sabbath was over.  The Sabbath day was commanded by God for all of Israel to rest from work.  Now it was early in the morning.  This act of proper burial should not be put off any longer.  So, when the sun had risen these three went to the tomb.  
A new day had dawned.  A new week was beginning.  The Son had risen.  The ladies did not know it yet but Jesus was no longer in the tomb.  The Son of God had risen.  Malachi prophesied this, “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”   They did not expect a dead person to come alive on His own.  That was not normal.
Along the way they had a good question.  Who will roll the stone away for us?  It was so large that several men would be needed to roll it out of the way of the door.  Who can do this for us?  But when they arrived at the cemetery, they saw something they did not expect.  The huge stone was already rolled away.  Who did this?  What does this mean?  Did someone try to rob or desecrate this place?
They did not know that Jesus had risen.  They didn’t expect that.  
The women do exactly what any curious person does, they try to figure out for themselves what happened.  Someone rolled that stone from the door.  Maybe they did it knowing we were coming.  Maybe someone is there mourning or maybe someone had the same idea to anoint the body.  Neither of these were normal activities.   But someone rolled the stone away.  But they did not think that Jesus had rolled that stone away.  
When they go into the tomb, they see a young man, an angel, but looking quite ordinary like any young man.  He is dressed in a white robe.  That is not expected.  They are alarmed.  Confused.  Questioning.  What is going on here?  How did he get into tomb by himself?  Here is this young man sitting there as if nothing is wrong.  He is sitting there as if everything is normal.  This is to be expected!  
“And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified one. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.”’  Even on this joyous Easter morning that cross thing is brought to mind again.  The crucified Jesus you are looking for He is not here.  Yes, He was crucified.  Jesus will always be the crucified one.
The cross goes along with Easter.  Without Easter the cross has no power or meaning.  Without the cross Easter is meaningless.  The cross now means more than that Jesus simply died.  All of us die.  But on this Easter morning the cross has the power to save us because God approved of that one holy sacrifice.  The approval is seen in that Jesus is risen from the dead.  The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross now means that all sins are forgiven for all people.  Your sins are forgiven.  For those who follow Jesus, your life will be triumphant just as Jesus was victorious over death. 
“He has risen; He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.”  The women expected to find a corpse.  Instead, they are told that Jesus is not here.  He is not a corpse.  He is alive.  This just doesn’t happen.  So, what is so normal and expected about this?  That young man sat there telling the women that this is what was to happen.  They should have known this.  Jesus told His disciples He would be handed over, condemned, flogged and killed and in three days rise.  Three times He told them.   
Jesus came to do this.  Now the young man says, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”  Tell the disciples and Peter.  Tell them that Jesus is risen.  HE is not dead.  This is what Jesus said would happen.  Jesus always told them the truth.  Now Jesus will go to Galilee and meet them there, again just as Jesus said.  Believe His words.  What is normal?  This is normal, this is expected that whatever Jesus says will happen does happen.  He says He will rise and He does.  He says He will go ahead into Galilee so you should go and meet Him there.  He says I have died for you and have forgiven your sins.  All who believe in me will live. 
And tell Peter.  Poor Peter.  Peter said that he would never fall away.  The others might but not me.  “If I must die with you, I will not deny you”, he told Jesus.   Well Peter did.  He failed miserably.  He denied Jesus with oaths and curses.  Peter the one who proclaimed before all the disciples that I would never leave you.  Tell Peter too.  Peter is not to be left out of the power of the cross and of this resurrection.  
That is good news for all of you.  You are not left out either.  If Jesus willingly forgives Peter who blasphemed God and denied knowing Jesus can be forgiven so can you.  That is the message of this wonderful day.  The son of God has risen.  It is a new day.  Life has defeated death.  The light has defeated darkness.  Forgiveness is available for all.  This is what is the normal action of our God is.  He serves you.  He dies for you.  He keeps His promise to be merciful and save you from sin, from the just wrath of God, and from death. 
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:8-13, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”
The young man tells the women to go, tell the disciples to believe the words of Jesus.  Jesus is going ahead to Galilee.  “There you will see him, just as he told you.”  that is a message for us too.  You will see Jesus when you believe Him.   We often hear seeing is believing.  But for us it is the opposite.  We believe and then we see. 
We see Jesus when we trust His word.  We can rely on His word because what He says will happen.  Throughout the Gospel of Mark what Jesus said would happen and did happen.  We are not like the Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus to come down from the cross in order that we may see and believe.  We see Jesus when we believe His words the Scriptures and in Baptism and Holy Communion.  So now we proclaim that Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.  We can say the same as that young man in tomb.  What is normal is that Jesus is alive, sin and death are defeated and you are a child of God.  Just as Jesus has told us. 
But why does Mark tell us, “And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”?  Seems like a strange way to end the story of the resurrection much less the whole Gospel of Mark.   Why not a glorious ending to the story.  Everyone lives happily ever after?  Well, think about it.  Everything was so new and different from what they had expected. The reality of it all had not yet sunk in.   It probably doesn’t sink in with us always either.  We see the paper is still full of obituaries.  We still know people who are nearing the end of their life.  we drive around and see that the cemeteries are still full and getting fuller. But Jesus has changed all of that He has defeated death.  And you will too.  You have had your sins washed away.  You are saved from the wrath of God.  Jesus will return and on that last day will destroy death and for us it will be life everlasting. (John 11) Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
That is the question today.   Do you believe the words of Jesus?  
Christ has risen!  He has risen indeed!

Pastor Dave Dukovan


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