Pentecost 2 (year C proper 7)- Luke 8: 26-39

 The Gospel for this Second Sunday after Pentecost is an interesting episode from Luke 8:26-39. Jesus and the disciples sail across the Sea of  Galilee into the Gentile region of the Gerasenes. Upon landing, Jesus is met by a man possessed by multiple demons. When the demons are cast out, they enter into a herd of pigs which are driven mad and drown. This dramatic miracle shows the power of Jesus Christ, and then we see the remarkable reactions of the healed demoniac and of the other inhabitants of the region.

First, let us notice the reaction of the inhabitants. One might expect a positive amazement and perhaps even gratitude that the man and local society had been delivered from a long-standing problem. However, the populace does not react positively. They are more terrified of the divine power at work in Jesus than they had been of the demons afflicting the man. They just ask Jesus to go away.

Secondly, there is the totally different reaction of the healed man. He becomes a healthy and positive person. He is clothed, in his right mind, and in gratitude, he wishes to accompany Jesus. But Jesus gives the man a different mission. The man is called to return to his home in order to witness to God's work in his life. In Luke 8:39 (ESV), Jesus says, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And the man went away, telling everyone he met how much Jesus had done for him.

As Christians healed from our spiritual infirmities, we should seek to follow and serve Jesus. Perhaps, we may be asked to follow Him into new and strange places. Or perhaps, we may simply be asked to return home among family, friends, and neighbors. But wherever Jesus Christ calls us to serve Him, we should be faithful and witness to God's work through Christ.

Trinity Sunday (year C)- John 8:54-58

There is much to say about the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It is appropriate that we focus on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity one week after celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. Although human beings can use both reason and poetic language to talk about the nature of theTriune God, our personal appreciation of this unique Christian teaching depends on the divine grace that the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts and minds. In other words, perceiving, confessing, and appreciating the doctrine of the Trinity is not a natural human ability but a gift of divine grace. 

There are numerous Scriptural passages that both maintain divine oneness and unity and refer to all three divine Persons.  For example, there are texts such as Matthew 3:16-17, John 3:5-16, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Corinthians 13: 14, and 1 Peter 1:2. These biblical teachings are also summarized and explained in the three ancient Creeds, the ancient church fathers, and statements in the Lutheran confessional documents. 

The lectionary Gospel this year is from John 8:54-58, and it points to a slightly different emphasis. It highlights one aspect of Trinitarian doctrine- the divinity of Jesus Christ. In first-century Palestine and at many times down to our current epoch, a key issue in discussions about the Trinity has been understanding who Jesus is. In John 8:54-58, Jesus asserts His unique relationship with God the Father.  And in response to those who dispute His claim, Jesus boldly proclaims, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58 ESV).

These words "I am" are a reference to the divine name revealed in Exodus 3. When Jesus uses these words about Himself, both He and His opponents know that He is claiming to share one nature with God the Father. Jesus' divinity is a basic and essential aspect of who He is and the saving work that He accomplishes. Only a divine Savior can overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil and save us from our sins. Only the divine Christ can lay down His life, take it up again, and offer us new and eternal life with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost (year C)- John 14:26

 Today is Pentecost. the fiftieth day after Easter, It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ's disciples in a powerful new way, and it has sometimes been called the birthday of the Christian Church. There are many things that we can say about the Holy Spirit, but today I would like to focus on one verse from the Gospel of John. In John 14:26, Jesus tells the disciples, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." (ESV)

As Jesus looks toward the end of His earthly ministry with His approaching death, resurrection, and ascension, He promises His followers that divine aid will continue. God the heavenly Father will send the Paraclete or Helper to the disciples in Christ's name. Christians will still need teaching. In particular, they will continue to need reminding in a lively way of the teachings that Christ has already given. In other words, the central work of the Holy Spirit among Christians is to help them remember and apply the Gospel.

Unfortunately, through the centuries and into our time, many people have misunderstood and distorted this main work of the Holy Spirit among believers. They have gone to emotional and imaginative extremes. They have sometimes neglected Scripture and Christ's Sacraments in favor of some nebulous "spirituality." However, true spirituality inspired by the Holy Spirit must never be separated from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other Gospel that can save souls. So the Holy Spirit never contradicts the revelation in Christ. Rather the Holy Spirit recalls the Scriptural message, makes it alive, and helps us apply it in our situations!