Pentecost 26/Christ the King (year A)- Matthew 25: 31-46

This Sunday is the last Sunday in the church year. Since the 1970s, a number of churches have observed this Sunday as the festival of Christ the King. It is appropriate for Christians to think of our Savior as our King on any day. Days such as Christmas, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, and Ascension include themes of Christ's kingship. And the Gospels are full of Jesus' teachings about the kingdom of heaven. 

In today's Gospel from Matthew 25: 31-46, Jesus looks to His return to sit upon the throne and judge humanity as the righteous king. Yes, God in Christ is gracious and merciful, but before we can truly appreciate divine mercy, we must acknowledge His majestic power and holiness. In other words, we need to hear about divine commands and expectations before we can apply His forgiving promises. Thinking of Christ as our King should first point us to His righteousness and then lead us to the comfort of His mercy.

Human beings always need this two-fold message. Even the most faithful Christians need to be reminded again and again. Each day, month, or year brings new applications. This year has been a rather dramatic case. We have been buffeted by natural disasters, international conflicts, and political and social turmoil. Chaos and crisis have been abundant. Humanity has been reminded of its weaknesses, its failures, and its sins. All have been tested, and many have fallen into depression and despair.

So we all need to be reminded that Jesus Christ is King. He is both righteous and merciful. He holds us accountable, but He also pours out His grace. Despite the changes and challenges of this world, He is still our ruler, and one day, His rule will become clear to all creation.

Harvest Thanksgiving- John 6:25-35

The giving of thanks to God is a theme found in many passages of Scripture, and giving thanks for the blessings of the autumn harvest has existed in many nations. Americans may focus on Anglicans giving thanks in Virginia or Congregationalists giving thanks in Massachusetts, but other Protestants also had various local harvest festivals. So besides being rooted in ancient biblical customs, a day of Thanksgiving is also an aspect of the Reformation heritage.

The Gospel reading assigned for Thanksgiving Day is from John 6: 25-35. It refers to divine providence in supplying natural food, but then it looks beyond physical to spiritual nourishment. Our Lord concludes with this statement in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (ESV). So while we appreciate and give thanks to God for food and other material gifts, let us also look beyond those physical blessings to the spiritual blessings that we receive through Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for all His gifts, material and spiritual!

Luther's Birthday- 10 November

 Among all the happenings of November, one important event is often overlooked even by many Lutherans and other Protestants. On November 10, 1483, Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Saxony, Germany. He was born to Hans Luder (or Ludher, later Luther) and his wife, Margarethe Lindemann Ludher. Martin Luther was baptized the next morning on the feast day of St. Martin of Tours.

Of course, Luther later became an Augustinian friar, a priest, a doctor of theology, a professor of Bible studies, and the great reformer of the Western Church. He had many human failings, but his insight into the Christian faith was profound. Luther emphasized Scripture, Christ as Savior, divine grace, and living faith. Today, we offer a prayer of thanks for his birth and his work on behalf of the Gospel.