The Jesus Seminar From the Archives Q: What is the “Jesus Seminar?” I’ve seen them mentioned in the news from time to time, usually suggesting that our understanding of the Bible is wrong. A: The “Jesus Seminar” is a group of people who’ve come together under the basic assumption that much ... or most ... or all ... of the New Testament is a collection of myths, folk tales, or fabrications of the early Christians. Under the banner of “scholarship,” they assemble to discuss and then vote whether or not they believe that Jesus said or did the things recorded in Scripture and whether or not the records of His followers are true. Because of their biases coming in, they’ve decided that the miracles didn’t really happen, that Jesus’ words about Himself as divine are later fabrications, and that most of what we believe about the Savior is — if not an outright lie — wishful thinking. These people’s lack of faith is to be pitied, their conclusions are to be denied, and their conversion to the true faith to be prayed for. Send email to Ask the Pastor. Walter Snyder is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author of the book What Do Lutherans Believe, and writer of numerous published devotions, prayers, and sermons. Technorati Tags: Jesus Seminar | higher criticism | source criticism | critical theology | theology | exegetical theology | exegesis | Biblical theology | Bible | Holy Bible | Scripture | Holy Scripture | Lutheran | Lutheranism | Christian | Christianity | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor Revised and expanded from newspaper column #10:2 posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 23:57 | 0 comments links to this post Confessional Lutheranism From the Archives Q: I’ve read that call yourself a “confessional” Lutheran. What does this mean? A: Most of us are familiar with conservatism. In the case of our church (and many others), it means those unwilling or unlikely to make hasty change, who are connected to their past, and who interpret the Bible assuming that it is God’s revealed, true Word. We officially reject those who call the Bible a human invention, or a mixture of the divine and the human. The word “confessional” is not so commonly used. Normally, we think of a confession as an admission of guilt. “Confess” has a root meaning of “acknowledge together.” In matters of error, we state that we have, indeed, done what’s wrong — we “fess up.” But confession also has positive application: It can be used to declare faith. Thus, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” is a confession. Christians have always made such confessions. Lutherans emphasize the place of formalized confession of Scriptural teaching. We officially accept three of the early Creeds (statements of belief) of the Christian Church. These are the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. Each of these is a summary of Christian, Biblical teaching (doctrine). During the time of the Reformation, in the mid-1500s, various interpretations of the Bible were being used by the parties involved. The reformers went to Scripture to assemble statements of faith which were topically arranged. For example, how many places in the Bible speak of Jesus’ return in judgment on the Last Day? A formal confession pulls all these references together into a unified article with which all can agree. Many confessions were produced. Six were drawn together with the Creeds into The Book of Concord (Agreement). All who claimed the title Lutheran (or “Evangelical”) were asked to subscribe to, or agree with, the Holy Scriptures as the source and norm of all Christian teaching and these confessions as being correct expositions of Scripture. Pastors, other church workers, and congregations of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and other confessional Lutheran bodies are asked to do the same if they wish to join themselves to our body. A quick summary of this wholehearted agreement with the Confessions may be found at Aardvark Alley in the post Who You Calling Quia? Confession is finally and ultimately done in the lives of individual Christians. Our confession of faith involves all we say, think, or do. It includes our confession of sins, since this acknowledges our guilt before God. It involves doing everything in life under the cross of Christ, directed ourselves toward a heavenly end. Confession’s goal is to give all praise, honor, and glory to God. The heart of our confession of faith is that we are justified (declared righteous) by grace through faith in Christ. This is clearly expressed in Article IV of the Augsburg Confession: “Our churches teach that people cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works. People are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake. By His death, Christ made satisfaction for our sins. God counts this faith for righteousness in His sight (Romans 3 and 4 [3:21–26; 4:5].” Augsburg Confession quoted from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. 2005 (Edited by Paul Timothy McCain) (33). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. Send email to Ask the Pastor. Walter Snyder is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author of the book What Do Lutherans Believe, and writer of numerous published devotions, prayers, and sermons. Technorati Tags: Lutheran Confessions | confessional Lutheranism | Book of Concord | Augsburg Confession | creeds | creedalism | Lutheran | Lutheranism | Christian | Christianity | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor Revised and expanded from newspaper column #10:1 posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 23:21 | 0 comments links to this post Come, Join the Easter Parade (Bonnet Not Needed) Sitting high on Dad’s shoulders ... watching a parade ... wishing to be part of it.... Grand and glorious ... beautiful floats ... bright costumes ... flags and horses ... thundering bands. Only years later would I realize that I was already in the grandest, most glorious parade this world has ever known. These past eight days, from Palm Sunday through the Feast of the Resurrection open the heart and soul of Christianity for all to see. Christ’s parade through this world is here to watch and to join. The angels’ Christmas message of “peace” was not because a Baby lay quiet in a manger; it was because that Baby would remove our sins and make peace with God. Pentecost’s wonder wasn’t because Galilean fishermen spoke in different languages. Rather, in those languages they proclaimed Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Savior of the world. Jesus’ assigned path was laid out from all eternity. He came to earth not to entertain watchers, but to save sinners. He refused to be tempted from this path, either by Satan or by His own desires. He couldn’t be threatened or bullied from the route by religious or secular authorities. A parade for God Incarnate should be glorious, yet much of it was hideously ugly, grotesquely violent. This week — “Holy Week” — parades past us the lowest and the highest points of Christ’s entire life on earth. To human eyes, Palm Sunday topped Jesus’ life. The crowd sang his praises, “Hosanna! Save us, we pray!” He was cheered as conquering king and hero of the day. So He would be, but not in the way expected. The crowds thinned; Jesus kept on the route. He established His New Testament and called to Himself a new covenant people. Then He was betrayed, tortured, and killed. His parade left the city. Instead of being carried (on donkey-back) and cheered, He carried (His cross and our sins) and was jeered. The route appeared to end at a place called Skull. He was lifted up and nailed to the cross. The voices weren’t saying “save us.” Instead they taunted, “He saved others, Himself he cannot save.” In His pain, how much could Jesus have desired that the elements would wipe out his parade, so He didn’t have to endure its conclusion? The skies darkened. The earth even shook, but He stayed on the cross until His last breath left Him. In so doing, He rained on Satan’s parade. He interrupted the devil’s schemes to lead all humanity to hell, and fulfilled God’s plans to lead His people to heaven. He was taken down and buried. The procession seemed ended. But on the third day — miracle of miracles! — the parade resumed. Jesus was raised from the dead. Those who watched Him pass by to His death, who directly participated in it, or who were responsible for it because of their own sinfulness are all invited to join in the procession. Satan’s prisoners are forgiven and are free to follow joyfully where Christ Jesus leads. “Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’ (Ephesians 4:8)” The march is big and beautiful. Those with Him make music with their songs of praise. They are beautifully clothed, not in earthly attire, but with the righteousness of Christ which has been given them in Baptism and His Word. Everyone who believes in Him as Savior and who has been baptized in His Name has traveled this route with Him. We are “buried ... with him by baptism into [His] death. (Romans 6:4)” We are raised through that same baptism into life eternal. His death puts our sinful natures to death. His resurrection raises us to new life. Look to see who He brought into his ranks. Ahead of you marched Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John left all they had and followed Him. Look closer, now. There are faces less familiar. People throughout history and from around the world take up their cross and follow Him. See, there you are ... and there am I. Heaven stands open before us, the true end of this parade route. Our Palm Sunday “hosanna” is answered. We have been saved. Now the alleluias of Easter ring out again. “Praise the Lord!” The host of captives is free and is marching home, bearing Christ’s gifts. Christ continually gives his gifts in His Word and sacraments. You are invited to join the celebration throughout His Church. Lutherans (and other Christians) around the world will join in worship today, receiving the forgiveness and new life won on the cross and guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection. His body and blood, given and shed for us, are our Easter feast and our sustaining food as we continue in the parade toward our eternal home with Him who saved us and our Father who sent our Savior to take our flesh upon Himself. This celebration will never end throughout time and will attain eternal perfection in the day of our own resurrection to life everlasting. Ecclesiastical art by Ed Riojas. Graphics for the Church Year (1-Year and 3-Year Lectionaries) are available for for purchase on CD or by ZIP download from the Higher Things Store. Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Send email to Ask the Pastor. Walter Snyder is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author of the book What Do Lutherans Believe, and writer of numerous published devotions, prayers, and sermons. Technorati Tags: Passover | Holy Week | Maundy Thursday | Good Friday | Easter | crucifixion | resurrection | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor Revised from newspaper column #78 posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 00:01 | 0 comments links to this post 23 APRIL 2011 Christ’s Humiliation Ends in the Tomb Reposted Thoughts for Holy Saturday Q: An elder in my church said that Jesus is a little lower than God. Where is Jesus in relationship to God? A: Sometimes the Bible uses “God” and “Father” almost interchangeably. At other times, Scripture makes it clear that Jesus is God, as are the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is “lower” than the Father only in that He is eternally begotten of the Father and will always serve and obey Him. However, He is also the Father’s equal as touches His being God and possessing all divine attributes, including omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and the like. Jesus says of Himself in John 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” Regarding His incarnation and birth, the Bible (e.g., Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2) testifies to the Messiah, Jesus, being made lower than the heavenly beings or angels “for a little while. (Hebrews 2:7)” This is sometimes called Christ’s “state of humiliation” by the Christian Church. In this state, even though He remained fully God, He did not fully use all His divine powers. “Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:8-9)” Corresponding to His humiliation, we have a term for the Son’s condition before His incarnation and after His resurrection. This the Church calls Christ’s “state of exaltation.” Here in the quiet between Good Friday and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection in the coming services, we straddle the border between Christ’s humiliation and His exaltation. His Sabbath rest came after He fulfilled the fullness of the Law and suffered on our behalf. At some point during His time in the tomb, the Father granted Him life once again. Most likely, this is when He — the now exalted Son of God — descended into Hell to proclaim His victory over sin, death, and Satan. I invite you to read some of what I wrote previously concerning Jesus being God and about His descent into Hell in these following posts: § Jesus Christ: True God § Questions about God and Jesus § The Humanity and Deity of Christ § He Descended into Hell You can find more by browsing this blog if you use the search box at the top of this blog with the terms Jesus and God. Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Send email to Ask the Pastor. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe. Technorati Tags: state of humiliation | state of exaltation | Holy Saturday | Vigil of Easter | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 00:09 | 0 comments links to this post 21 APRIL 2011 Maundy Thursday Reposted Q: Where do we get the term Maundy Thursday? A: Also known as “Holy Thursday,” the Church uses this fifth day of Holy Week to remember the institution of the Lord’s Supper. From the account of the Upper Room in John 13:1-15, some have called it the Day of Food Washing. “Maundy” may come from the Latin Bible’s rendering of John 13:34, where Jesus gave the disciples a new mandatum (commandment) in the upper room: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Another idea is that it grew out from an ancient custom of carrying gifts to the poor in hand baskets (known as “maunds” or “maund baskets”) on that day. Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Walter Snyder is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author of the book What Do Lutherans Believe, and writer of numerous published devotions, prayers, and sermons. Technorati Tags: Maundy Thursday | Lent | Holy Week | Holy Thursday | maund | maund basket | Last Supper | Lord’s Supper | Holy Communion | Church year | Christian year | Christian calendar | liturgical calendar | liturgics | liturgical theology | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 00:01 | 0 comments links to this post 20 APRIL 2011 Holy Week: The Passover of Our God Reposted We now stand in the heart of Holy Week. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and the Vigil, and Easter Sunday lie ahead. These next few days are intimately and intricately connected with the Old Testament feast of the Passover. Back around A.D. 750, John of Damascus penned the hymn, The Day of Resurrection. It begins, “The day of resurrection, Earth, tell it out abroad, The Passover of gladness, The Passover of God. From death to life eternal, From this world to the sky, Our Christ has brought us over With hymns of victory.” The Passover foreshadowed the events of Holy Week, exactly as God intended. The Son came to earth to assume human flesh and to live perfectly in the stead of imperfect humanity. He carried our weaknesses in himself, resisting temptation to depart from his chosen path. He came knowing not only that he would die on our behalf, but choosing so to do. His death came during the time of Passover in Judah, as the children of Abraham praised God for his deliverance of his people from Egypt, the land of bondage. As the Children of Israel remembered the lambs’ blood painted over their forefathers’ doors, the ultimate Passover Lamb prepared Himself for the slaughter. His blood would be painted over sinful humanity, and all who believed that the death of Jesus brought the final deliverance from their sins would become heirs of new life in His resurrection from the dead. God established the Passover as the defining moment of His chosen people Israel. Through it, He called them out of slavery and into His family. Hundreds of years later, all of human history reached its defining moment as God used His Son to call people out of slavery to sin and into the family of Jesus Christ. The Passover observed at the time of Jesus looked back to the Angel of Death passing over the blood-stained doors of Israel. It remembered the Children of Israel passing over the Red Sea on dry land and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. It recalled a faithful God’s promises to an often faithless people. The New Testament Passover of Christ’s death and resurrection looks back to Jesus’ death and resurrection and forward to our own resurrection and eternal life. Christ passed over from life to death to life forevermore. As God used Moses with his staff, so on a far greater scale the Father used Jesus and His cross. Moses stretched out the staff in his arms to rescue God’s people from death on the shores of the sea. Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross to rescue all people from eternal death in hell. He leads the believers across death to life eternal in heaven. His Passover becomes ours. His resurrection is the guarantee that we too will rise to new life. The hymn continues: “Our hearts be pure from evil That we may see aright The Lord in rays eternal Of resurrection light And, list’ning to His accents, May hear, so calm and plain, His own ‘All hail!’ and hearing, May raise the victor strain.” The joy of knowing that Jesus is alive translates into the joy of knowing that we are alive. He cheers us on, telling us that we will make it safely to the other side. As we grow in the Faith, Easter takes its rightful place as the defining moment in our lives. Knowing better our sinfulness, we appreciate better our salvation. We need not fear death, grave, and decay: We will rise to live with our Savior forever. All sins, great and small, are washed away and Christ dresses us as kings and priests. God treats us as His dear children rather than as the illegitimate offspring of Satan. The ancient words of celebration become our own. John of Damascus’ hymn and others like it are our victory cheers until we join with the heavenly host in the unending celebration. “Now let the heav’ns be joyful, Let earth her song begin, Let all the world keep triumph And all that is therein. Let all things, seen and unseen, Their notes of gladness blend; For Christ the Lord hath risen — Our joy that hath no end.” God grant you full measure of that joy as you pass with His Son through this life and into life eternal, singing with all Christ’s Church our “hymns of victory.” Visit LutheranHymnal for MIDI audio for The Day of Resurrection. Send email to Ask the Pastor. Walter Snyder is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author of the book What Do Lutherans Believe, and writer of numerous published devotions, prayers, and sermons. Technorati Tags: Passover | Holy Week | Maundy Thursday | Good Friday | Easter | crucifixion | resurrection | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 00:01 | 0 comments links to this post 17 APRIL 2011 Do All Dogs — and Cats — Go to Heaven? From the Archives Q: I recently had to put down a beloved pet cat. Is there any hope from Scripture that she is in heaven or do animals just cease to exist? A: I am truly sorry to hear this. I’ve always been more of a dog person (please don’t throw rocks, cat lovers) but I can empathize with your sadness. Our relationships with our animals are often close and special. When death intrudes, it may well grieve us almost as much as the loss of a close human friend or family member. It’s especially trying when we are the agents of our pets’ deaths. I went through this several years ago. We had three dogs — the mom and pups from two different litters. The two older dogs loved to roam and hunt. Duchess could catch jackrabbits on the run, and Duke benefitted from mom’s speed and agility as she shared her catch. They crossed a porcupine one night, and that proved their undoing. Duchess was so filled with quills that the vet couldn’t remove them all and we had to have her put down to spare her the ever-increasing pain she felt. She was our family’s all-time favorite dog, and Dad buried her under a huge sandstone slab in our church’s patio, so scavengers could never get to her. A few weeks later, I found Duke dead on the back porch, evidently from a quill we’d missed which had worked its way into her brain. I picked him up and hid him in our camper so my younger brothers and sister wouldn’t see him as they left for school. I told Dad in private, and he prepared to tell everyone when they got back home that afternoon. Since my dad was a pastor, he worked through this with his five children. I was finishing high school, while the youngest was about ten, so we each got as much as Dad thought we could take. We also had the benefit of Princess, another of Duchess’s progeny. Through her, Duchess and Duke lived on, even as she blessed us with her own particular personality. More recently, just before Christmas 2010, our beloved Sparky died after nine years with us. She showed up on our porch on a cold, wet day in early spring, limping and underfed. We couldn’t resist her and she soon wormed her way into our hearts and lives. She was a bird dog and bull terrier cross with the sweetest disposition imaginable. Her main drawback was the ability to dig like a badger, so wherever she was looked like drop zone for bombing runs. Again, we’ve had help in dealing with our loss. This time, it’s a coon hound who was impounded and slated for death. The life we gave her has certainly added life to our family. She’s scatter-brained but smart and daily re-earns her name, Adhdie. I say all this to establish my pet-lover credentials, so you’ll know that I understand your concerns. My family owned probably a dozen dogs and was owned by three or four cats while I grew up. My theological credentials should be established by my years of college and seminary, plus my time putting it into action. The short answer to your question is, “I don’t know.” We do know that humans are the only creatures on earth who were made in the image of God. This sets us apart from the animals more than logic, planning for the future, or anything else that behavioral scientists and biologists might indicate. Perhaps heaven will have its share of animals. Still, the only “animal” definitely mentioned in heaven is the Lamb — who is, of course, Jesus Christ. I guess that you could also say that the “sheep” get to heaven, while the “goats” are definitely culled out. We do know that a new heaven and a new earth will be established. How the new life will be populated — except for God, the heavenly beings, and the saints who were saved by faith in Christ — we aren’t told. It could be that earthly animals will be replaced by something else altogether. Maybe only certain creatures will be introduced into the new creation. It may be that animals, while they glorify God by their very existence on earth, are destined to pass away at the end of time. Pets may be part of God’s providence to a world filled with sin and sorrow. Most people know by experience (and scientific experimentation bears us out) that pets are usually good for us. They help to provide companionship for people who feel lonely or alienated. Their mere presence around the sick and the elderly helps to ease physical and emotional symptoms. Spending a few minutes each day petting a dog or cat can dramatically lower blood pressure. Pets help parents teach children responsibility. I do know that the special relationship between dogs and their masters is a theme depicted in a number of medieval, Renaissance, and later works of art. Several different artists who depict the banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden show animals either running away in fear of man or else threatening to attack. However, a number of these also show one animal remaining with him — the faithful dog. For example, this woodcut depicts a loyal dog just behind the angel’s sword, preparing to follow Adam and Eve into the world. So the love and fidelity became a theological model, showing that even in a fallen world, God provided mankind companionship and protection through at least one of His creatures. Regarding life on earth, much of what we assume as “normal” is not forever, or even truly normal and natural. Death itself was an intruder brought into our world by sin. Marriage, which God instituted and blessed, and which is the greatest and best of human relationships on earth, is only “until death do us part.” Jesus told the Sadducees who came to challenge Him, “In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30 )” So also it may be with our other earthly relationships. What truly matters is our faith relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Heaven and earth can pass away. We might forget everyone and everything we knew on earth. We’ll still know no loss, because what is gained is an eternity with the God who loves us, who has made us His own forever. Woodcut of the banishment of Adam and Eve courtesy of the World Mission Collection of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. It was created by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld and scanned from Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden and has been used according to published terms. Pet photos from my Facebook album Critters. Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Send email to Ask the Pastor. Walter Snyder is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author of the book What Do Lutherans Believe, and writer of numerous published devotions, prayers, and sermons. Technorati Tags: pets | dogs | cats | animals | heaven | resurrection | Creation | the Fall | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor Revised and expanded from newspaper column #63 posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 23:04 | 3 comments links to this post Hosannas and Palm Branches Reposted “Everyone loves a parade.” This old expression indicates that whenever there’s some sort of festivities, all are happy to join in. Of course, “everyone” is an exaggeration. There’s almost always someone who’d rather not join in the fun. In fact, if the parade is organized by people we despise, we’ll go out of our way not to participate. Palm Sunday celebrates such a parade. Jesus’ reputation kept growing throughout His public ministry; when He entered Jerusalem on the donkey, the noise and celebration might make an observer think that finally a parade had come that all could join. No marching bands, no fancy costumes — Jesus was the sole draw. He and his disciples came through the gate with a growing crowd; the sounds of praise attracted more and more people to the celebration. The Son of David, the King of the Jews, was entering God’s city. Coats and palm branches paved the way, people waved their branches to honor this Healer and Teacher of whom they had heard so much. “Hosanna (save, we pray)” was the refrain of the songs of praise. It was used at various religious festivals. On Palm Sunday, the people sang it to this traveling Rabbi. Many of them anticipated an end to Roman oppression. They desired for the long-gone days when an anointed king ruled from his throne in Jerusalem. Jesus was their hope that the kingdom would be restored. The leaders of the Jewish people had other ideas. Jesus upset the status quo. He preached against some of their cherished beliefs. He had the potential to lead the common people into rebellion, which would bring the Roman armies down in crushing weight. The parade into Jerusalem made it clear: He had to be stopped. Amazingly enough, that’s just what the Father had in mind! Sinful thoughts were used to carry out His divine will. The festivities of the Palm Sunday parade are, of course, tempered by knowing its outcome. The King came Jerusalem to claim His kingdom — but not the kingdom everyone thought. As He would tell Pontius Pilate a few days later, “My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36)” Just as His kingdom was different, so were His ascent to the throne and His coronation. Palm Sunday’s hymnody is rich in irony; triumph is tinged with tragedy. One hymn begins: “Ride on, ride on, in majesty! Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry. O Savior meek, pursue Thy road, With palms and scattered garments strowed.” This sounds like the beginning of a huge celebration. But the next four stanzas change course. They anticipate the Passion of the Lord — betrayal and denial, trials and tortures, suffering and death. The King climbed to His throne on the ladder of the cross. He went alone, His followers scared to take a stand and running off. His own heavenly Father abandons him. The shouts of praise are replaced by taunts. Does everyone still love a parade? This parade? I do. “Ride on, ride on, in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O’er captive death and conquered sin.” I hate what they did to Jesus. Even more, I hate what I did to Him. But oh, do I love what He did for me. As disciples and hangers-on deserted Him on His parade to the cross, one thing remained: Sin ... all sin ... your sin and my sin — all the sins of the world were in that procession. God lifted our collective guilt and placed it on His sinless Son. The Christ carried that sin to the cross and accepted the punishment that was our due. He died with our sins so that we might die to them. We claim this death and receive its saving benefits in Baptism; there, we also claim the new life that burst from the tomb on the Third Day. Use this week to trace again the parade route. Go forth from the palms and hosannas; listen to His final words. Climb with Him to the upper room where He prepares his Supper on Maundy Thursday; then watch with Him as he prays and see him captured. Observe the trial and the crucifixion on Good Friday. But remember, the parade does not end in the tomb. Christ did not stay dead and buried. The route leads through the grave and on to the heavenly realms. And we who believe are free to follow Him the whole distance. “Ride on, ride on, in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die. Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain, Then take, O Christ, Thy pow’r and reign.” From praise to praise, the parade runs its course. Feeble, flickering earthy honor fades in the light of eternal glory for the Savior of the world. There will be no more hosannas — we’ll have nothing from which to be saved. Instead, we will join in the eternal “Alleluia (praise the Lord)!” — blessing the Lamb who was slain who now lives forevermore. I encourage you to focus with full intent on the loving sacrifice of your Jesus through the coming days. Attend whatever services you can during this Holy Week. Especially, make sure to hear for yourself the wonderful news of the Resurrection during the Easter services. Don’t let the parade pass you by — join in as it leads you home. Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Send email to Ask the Pastor. Walter Snyder is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author of the book What Do Lutherans Believe, and writer of numerous published devotions, prayers, and sermons. Technorati Tags: Palm Sunday | Holy Week | Passion | Lent | Easter | resurrection | The Resurrection of Our Lord | worship | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 00:01 | 0 comments links to this post 08 APRIL 2011 Cursing God Q: I have had these bad thoughts about cursing God. I love Him with all my heart, I believe in Him from my heart, yet I can’t control these thoughts. Please help. I think I’m going to hell. I’m scared and crying; I pray about it — I don’t want to go to hell. A: You don’t say what’s causing these bad thoughts. Are they popping up on their own or are you angry at Him for a specific reason? In other words, are they the result of emotional or mental problems or because things aren’t going your way in external situations? After being assured of His love for you, you also need to address the cause, both because it’s wrong of itself and because of the ongoing misery it’s bringing to you. If either leads to cursing at God, you have, of course, sinned. However, your getting to the root of the problem will take different courses depending upon the cause. As for the cursing itself, I suspect that you’re concerned that you are on the brink of committing an unforgivable sin. Yet your very worries lead me to think that this isn’t the case. The person whose sin remains unforgiven is the person who denies God’s power to forgive or His right to hold us in judgment. Such a person rejects either God’s holiness and wrath over sin or else denies the Savior’s blood-bought forgiveness on the cross. Anger against God is not usually unforgivable. Most often, those who yell at God do it because they know God’s power and His mercy and are upset because they aren’t seeing this concern more clearly in their own lives. Trust His forgiveness and give your sin to Him, just as you gave Him your anger. Then ask Him to lead you through a thorough assessment of yourself, whether on your own or under guidance of counselor, psychologist or others — along with a caring pastor. Remember this: God forgives sin, even the sin of anger at Him. Scripture occasionally shows Him allowing it to continue for an extended time, as witness Moses’s several outbursts in the Wilderness, some of the Psalms, or Jeremiah (see chapter 15, where the Lord rebukes the prophet more for doubting Him than for yelling at Him). Technorati Tags: blasphemy | cursing| unforgivable | sin | doctrine | theology | Lutheran | Lutheranism | Christian | Christianity | Pastor Walter P. Snyder | Walter Snyder | Ask the Pastor posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 21:23 | 7 comments links to this post 01 APRIL 2011 Lutheran Carnival of Blogs Pastor Alex Klages bids you Welcome to the Carnival! at his blog A Beggar at the Table. For the first time in several years, someone has compiled a cross-section of the confessional Lutheran blogosphere, featuring a number of posts involving the season of Lent and a few from other categories. Technorati Tags: Lutheran Carnival | blog carnival | Lutheran | confessional Lutheran | A Beggar at the Table posted by Pastor Walter Snyder | 22:45 | 0 comments links to this post
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 05:03:51 +0000