Faith vs. Unbelief

Read Proverbs 28:1-14


Read Mark 6

We have a stark contrast between the first half of this chapter and the second half. In the first half, we see a saddening lack of faith. We see that Jesus is rejected in his own town. The people's lack of faith in him is surprising - so much so that we are are shocked when Mark says, "He could do no mighty work there," (v. 5). This doesn't teach us of Jesus' power (we know he is all powerful), but it teaches us of the peoples' lack of faith. We learn that where there is no faith in Jesus, then there should be no expecting of goodness and displays of divine power. Jesus himself "marveled because of their unbelief." (v. 6)

Jesus then sends out the twelve, with instructions on what they should do when rejected. Then we hear of John the Baptist beheaded. There are evil and wicked people in this world. And they lack faith. They oppose Jesus and his disciples. This drives home the point that God's grace is resistible.

But look what happens where faith exists! Even a few in the opposing town of Nazareth are healed (v.5). The twelve disciples are not always rejected as they go out. Rather they are able to heal and cast out demons (v. 13). Then also believing and faithful people are miraculously provided for as Jesus multiplies fish and loaves. And this Jesus, who walks on the water, has power over the weather and also over all sickness. Many people at Gennesaret believed that if they even touched the fringe of his garment, they would be made well.

See what miracles come when we believe in Jesus! Needs are provided for. Sicknesses are healed. "But," you might argue, "Jesus does not always heal us. Jesus does not always calm the storm. Jesus does not always multiply our bread (or dollars). Jesus does not always rescue us out of our suffering." Fair enough. But do not forget that Jesus has healed our sin-sickness! Jesus has quieted the raving Devil and his horde of demons! Jesus has provided the one thing needful, our salvation! Jesus has rescued us from sin, death, and hell! Aren't these the greater miracles?

Yes. And he has done these for us. And the faith that was given to us by the Spirit of God through the means of grace, this faith has enabled us to receive these miracles with joy and thanksgiving. "Sola Fide," Luther would say. Faith alone.

And so it is that we sing in the hymn "Salvation Unto Us Has Come":

Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone
And rests in Him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known,
With love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify;
Works serve our neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living.

(LSB 555:9).

Pray:

All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise
To Father, Son, and Spirit,
The God who saved us by His grace;
All glory to His merit.
O triune God in heav'n above,
You have revealed Your saving love;
Your blessed name we hallow.

(LSB 555:10)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!

Over Demons, Disease and Death

Read Proverbs 27:14-27

Read Mark 5

Today's chapter from Mark shows us three powerful miracles to encourage us.

In the first we see a legion of demons that torment a man while empowering him with super-human strength. Nothing could bind him. No chains, no shackles, nothing. That is, until Jesus shows up. Then this strong man comes cowering before Jesus, and the demons beg not to be tormented by Him. They beg to be allowed to enter the pigs. Their time of destruction and doom is coming. But for now, Jesus allows them to leave. Our conversion was very much like the conversion of this man. Maybe we didn't have a legion of demons in us, but by nature we were blind, dead in our transgressions, and an enemy of God. The Holy Spirit rescued us through the means of grace, not by any effort of our own. Like this man, then, we can go and tell "how much the Lord has done" for us.

In the second miracle we see a woman of great faith reaching for Jesus. She cannot be healed by doctors. But she knows that if she only grazes Jesus' garment with her hand she will be healed. And in fact, this is what happens to her. Our clinging to Jesus, our looking to him in times of trouble, our beseeching his mercy in prayer is a reaction like this woman's. She has faith. She responds in faith. We have faith, with trust, prayer, and faithful service, we respond in faith too. We know Jesus has the power to heal, to help, to rescue.

In the third miracle Jesus helps even after it seems like it is too late. Jesus has defeated a legion of demons. He overcome the woman's incurable disease. Now he gains victory over death. He speaks to a dead girl and says, "arise." We can expect to hear these words too. We know that he will be with us all throughout life. Even as he has given us new life, and has come to our aid all throughout this earthly life, he also when he returns will say to us "arise," and we will. We can be confident. Not only have we seen (in the Word) Jesus raise others from the dead, but we have also seen that death cannot contain Him. No chains of the grave, no shackles of death, nothing could hold him. And we who are baptized into his death are also united with him in his resurrection.

Thanks be to God!

Pray:

"Lord, rescue us from the power of Satan, and draw us from the grave through Your resurrection. May we learn joyfully to tell our neighbors what good things the Lord has done. Amen." (TLSB p. 1665).

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!

Growing Kingdom

Read Proverbs 27:1-13

Read Mark 4

In today's reading, Mark goes quickly from one teaching to the next, one parable to the next. Today we have several parables of Jesus followed by the calming of the storm. The last two before Jesus calms the storm have to do with how the kingdom of God grows. (We see the growth theme in the parable of the Sower too, but that is about growth on the individual level, not on the kingdom level).

In the "Parable of the Seed Growing," which is sometimes called the "Parable of the Automatic Action of the Soil," we see much encouragement that speaks to our situation. In America Christianity is declining. We face so many subtle and blatant lies of the Devil. People are being deceived more and more. Morality is on a steady digression. Faith (true Christian faith, not some generic, spiritual "faith" that everyone talks about these days) - faith is weakening.

But this parable encourages us by reminding us that we may not know how the seed sprouts and grows, but it does. Just as the earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear, so also the Kingdom of God spreads and grows.

Here is a good explanation: "God's kingdom grows mysteriously of itself, at its own pace, and through the power of the Word. This reality often causes frustration among those who eagerly long for a rapid expansion of the Kingdom, and all the more as we only have a short-term view of things. But God's kingdom grows according to His plan and timetable. And it is a great blessing that things ultimately depend on Him and not us, for only He is able to bring home a great harvest for eternal life." (TLSB, p. 1663).

And the parable of the Mustard Seed reminds us that the Kingdom of God continues to grow - if not here, then certainly elsewhere. We must not give up sharing the Word, because God is at work wherever his Word is sown.

As we pray in the Lord's prayer, God's kingdom will come. So we pray that it may come to us also, and that God would use us for his purposes in his kingdom. Jesus, by his death and resurrection, has forgiven our sins, and baptized us into his kingdom. He desires to do the same for others. We get to be part of that as we spread his Word. Thanks be to God!

Ask Yourself:

What frustrates me about the world I live in as I try to share his Word?

Do I get discouraged when others turn a deaf ear to God's Word? What can I remember to help give me hope?

How can I better share God's Word with those around me?

Pray:

"Lord, as You have begun a good work by planting Your kingdom in our world, bring it to a full harvest in Your own good time. Amen." (TLSB p. 1663).

My Mother and My Brothers!

Read Proverbs 26:17-28

Read Mark 3

Jesus does not disrespect his family - his mother and brothers. (And the word "brothers" may also include "sisters," we don't know for sure). We know that he loves them as he loves all people. We know that he always kept the 4th commandment perfectly - always honoring father and mother. We know he kept the 5th commandment perfectly - never hurting or harming his fellow family members. We know he loved them perfectly.

But Jesus in verses 33-35 gives an answer that sounds harsh to them. He ignores his family, but strangers his family!

But really, if we understand that he truly does love them, and in fact, truly loves us, then we do not see his answer as harsh. His very love for us compels him to answer so. We are not left out of his eternal family. Rather, we are included! The very Son of God and Son of Man is pleased to take on human form and call us his brothers and sisters!

He doesn't judge us as our sins deserve (though those who reject the saving gift of faith of the Holy Spirit will face punishment, as Jesus points out in verses 28-29). He didn't come down to terrify and destroy. No. He came to help. To heal. To make us whole. To do good. Sinful humans followed their own ways over showing love (which is why the Pharisees wouldn't tolerate Jesus doing good on the Sabbath, verses 1-6). Yet Jesus' love overcomes our lack of love.

And now, baptized into God's family, Jesus is my Brother. Amazing Grace!

Ask Yourself:

How do I follow my own heart rather than doing good toward someone else?

Who do I know that is rejecting faith in Jesus? What can I do about it?

How can I let the fact that Jesus calls me his brother or sister impact me today?

Pray: From "Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light"

All blessing, thanks, and praise to Thee,
Lord Jesus Christ, be given:
Thou hast my Brother deigned to be,
Thou Lord of earth and heaven.
Help me throughout this day of grace
To praise Thy love and seek Thy face;
And when I stand before Thee
Forever to adore Thee.

(LSB 378:3)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!

Who Is the Son of Man?

Read Proverbs 26:1-16

Read Mark 2

It is amazing how quickly Mark jumps into his Gospel and begins relating the events in rapid fire succession. One of my college professors liked to call Mark "The Gospel of Hurried Excitement." So, in chapter 2 we have four distinct narrative accounts: the healing of the paralytic, Jesus calling Levi (Matthew), question about fasting, and the Lord of the Sabbath. In this chapter (and really throughout the whole book) Mark tells true stories to teach us just who this Jesus is.

Mark begins his whole Gospel by declaring that Jesus is the Son of God (1:1). And in the Gospel, Jesus continually refers to himself as the Son of Man. What exactly do these terms mean? Well, today we see that this Son of God and Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins and to heal (story 1), is a friend of sinners and calls them to a new and better life (story 2), is the promised Bridegroom (story 3), and has authority over the Sabbath day (story 4).

He sure covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time, doesn't he?

And what do we take from all this? Well, we could focus on any of them and apply them to our lives. What are your thoughts? Feel welcome to post them. Me? I like to think about how Jesus came to befriend sinners and call them to a new and better life. Having the authority to forgive sins, he calls us with the Gospel out of sin. He breaks its power in our lives. With authority he calls us to "follow" him.

I am glad to be his disciple. Though the road is sometimes difficult, the Companion on the journey makes the travels easy. Though the road can be dirty and treacherous, the destination at the end makes it all worthwhile. How good it is to follow Jesus!

Pray:

Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Through a world that would deceive us
And to sin our spirits lure.
Onward in His footsteps treading,
Pilgrims here, our home above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, with me abide;
I shall follow where You guide.

Let us suffer here with Jesus
And with patience bear our cross.
Joy will follow all our sadness;
Where He is, there is no loss.
Though today we sow no laughter,
We shall reap celestial joy;
All discomforts that annoy
Shall give way to mirth hereafter.
Jesus here I share Your woe;
Help me there Your joy to know.

(LSB 685:1-2)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!