Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

In this episode, I explore the promises of God in contrast to the world’s empty guarantees. On All Saints Day, we’re reminded that true peace, healing, and hope aren’t found in politicians or worldly ideals but in God’s enduring promises. Unlike a fleeting “utopia,” God promises us a real place where we’ll be with Him, free from sin and suffering. Until then, we live as saints, blessed in Christ, and strengthened by faith. Together, we are part of a great, unseen multitude, surrounded by all the saints who await His final renewal of all things.

In this episode, I reflect on our fears, both personal and global, and challenge listeners to reconsider what truly matters. While we fear things like political tensions, wars, natural disasters, and loss, there’s a greater tragedy: not knowing the hope and love of our Savior. Drawing from Revelation, I explore how the message of the angels encourages us to fear God above all, give Him glory, and find peace in His promises. In Jesus, we are freed from judgment and can live without fear, trusting in the gifts He provides.

In this episode, I explore Jesus' statement, "How difficult it is for the wealthy to enter God's kingdom." This message challenges our desire for ease in faith, as we often choose convenience over commitment. Jesus teaches that true faith isn't about shortcuts but about following Him, even when it's hard. When the disciples ask, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus replies that with God, all things are possible. Salvation isn't by our own efforts but by His grace. Living our faith may be tough, but as we put Jesus first, He strengthens us, leading us to lasting life.

In this episode, I reflect on the big issues dominating the news—elections, war, and natural disasters—and how they all raise the question, “What’s life going to be like now?” With real-world problems weighing on us, the Gospel story of a rich man asking Jesus how to inherit eternal life might seem irrelevant. But Jesus’ response shows it’s deeply connected to how we live now. Real life and eternal life aren’t separate; following Jesus helps us face real-world challenges with peace and confidence. No matter what happens, Jesus remains constant, giving us the strength to live, love, and serve others today.

Today, I want to start at the end—with the image of children being brought to Jesus in the Gospel. The disciples tried to push them away, likely annoyed by their disruptions, but Jesus wasn’t having it. He welcomed the children because they see the world differently—through eyes of wonder and curiosity. Jesus uses this to teach us something deeper about faith: to receive the kingdom of God, we must have the faith of a child. As adults, we often get weighed down by regrets and broken dreams, but Jesus is calling us to look forward, to the hope and promise of restoration, not backward at our failures. The love and forgiveness of Christ make all things new, and that’s the powerful message of the cross. Just as children hold onto promises, we can trust that Jesus is holding onto us with promises that never fail.

A father in distress brings his demon-possessed son to them, and they failed. They couldn't cast it out. They had done so before. Not too long before this, Jesus had sent the disciples out two-by-two, and specifically with authority over unclean spirits. But how quickly things change. That's the scene Jesus steps into. So this father turns to Jesus. If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. This father knows and he doesn't know. Lord, I believe -- help my unbelief. Which really is a perfect summary of our life as Christians, isn't it? We are saint and sinner.

Be opened, Jesus said. And this man's ears were opened. Imagine what that must have been like. The joy. These miracles of Jesus were truly life-changing. There's an isolation that comes with these disabilities, try as we might to overcome it. If people don't want to be called disabled, we can certainly use different words. But, on a deeper level, this matters a great deal. Because if we normalize these things that sin has caused, then we are, in fact, normalizing sin. So what Jesus is doing is not just healing people, but overcoming sin and its disastrous effects.

So, gifts. That's been the focus these past three weeks. The funny thing about gifts, though, is that they can make us uncomfortable. Gifts are supposed to have no strings attached, and they often don't. Or they're not intended to. So it is with Jesus and His gifts. There are truly no strings attached. Jesus simply wants to give, and for all people to receive. We must have to do something! We have to be a certain way, we have to keep the rules, we have to follow the Law. But there are no strings attached. Truly!

So, gifts. That's been the focus these past three weeks. The funny thing about gifts, though, is that they can make us uncomfortable. Gifts are supposed to have no strings attached, and they often don't. Or they're not intended to. So it is with Jesus and His gifts. There are truly no strings attached. Jesus simply wants to give, and for all people to receive. We must have to do something! We have to be a certain way, we have to keep the rules, we have to follow the Law. But there are no strings attached. Truly!

Today, Jesus continues His program and teaching on the food that builds the Church. Bread that, as we heard today, one may eat of it and not die. The food that builds the church. But I think we're sometimes like the people in Jesus' day, who were thinking with their stomachs. Jesus said, this is the will of my Father, not that we have a good and comfortable life here for a while, but that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day. And for that we need the food that builds the church.

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink... Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. Do you take offense at this? Jesus asked. Yes, they did. And many left. It is offensive, scandalous, a hard saying. Whoever feeds on this bread -- on Him, on His Word, on His forgiveness, and most especially on His Body and Blood -- will live forever.

It doesn't matter how old you are, whether you're a one-year old or ninety years old. Everyone gets hangry. You're not yourself. That's how important food is to us. Which God knew. And hangry is what the people of Israel became in the wilderness. They got irritable and bad-tempered. They grumbled and complained. But God didn't snap back at them. He game them meat to eat, and sent bread from heaven. Did you ever consider, we can also get hangry spiritually. Just as we need nourishment in the body, so we need nourishment in the soul as well.

People often wonder what heaven will be like. The Bible tells us a little about that, but not much. I suspect because we wouldn't understand anyhow. There is a whole, big, glorious eternity waiting for us, when we, like Nancy receive our birthdays into heaven. Which is why even in the midst of tears and sadness today, there is joy.

So that day, right after feeding the 5,000, the disciples get into the boat to go to the other side. Business as usual. Jesus goes off by Himself to pray. Business as usual. the storm is calmed by Jesus. Business as usual. The crowds follow Jesus and He heals them. Business as usual. And even Jesus walking on the water, business as usual... for Jesus. In the midst of this world and it's business as usual of things falling apart and things going worse and chaos, is Jesus and His business as usual of calming, rescuing, and saving.

Who was in the crowd that day? Well, they are undoubtedly just like the group that has come here today. People struggling with issues in their lives. And when Jesus went ashore and saw them, that great crowd of people like that, He had compassion on them. Because when He looked out at that crowd, when He looks at you now, He doesn't see strugglers, He doesn't see failures, He doesn't see people who were a disappointment to Him. That's how you and I feel and think at times. But that's not what Jesus saw. He saw people who were like sheep without a shepherd.

If John wanted to save his head, all he had to do was shut his mouth. Easy, but not good. To love your neighbor as yourself meant that John had to speak. But a glorious inheritance was waiting for John, as we heard in the reading from Ephesians today. What he did not receive on earth, he was given now in heaven. John knew this, was sure of it, that this earthly life is not all there is, and so did what he did.

It was supposed to be a day, it should have been a day, that left everyone feeling good. The whole town coming out, to see Jesus and listen to Him preach. But Jesus didn't say what they expected Him to say. So what did Jesus say? What did He say that was so offensive? We're not told here, in the reading we heard today, but Mark tells us earlier what Jesus' message was as He went about preaching. Repent, because they are sinners. The kingdom of God is at hand for the King is at hand. Repent of yourselves and believe in Me, Jesus said.

There are three questions asked in the Holy Gospel we heard today. Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? And, who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him? The disciples were still learning. They had seen Jesus do wonderful, marvelous things, but nothing like this. This was nature. Uncontrollable nature. You can't stop nature. But that kind of power is terrifying. Because the one with that power can either use it for you or against you.

The kingdom of God is unpredictable. From our perspective, anyway. Because that means I'm not in control. That's what Jesus is teaching in the parables we heard today. Sometimes you are surprised. Sometimes what you get is unexpected, and so unpredictable. The alternative, then, is to live by faith, not sight. But to live by faith is to admit and acknowledge that I am not in control. Faith in the words and promises of God.

We do not lose heart. That's what Paul said today in the Epistle. Ever know someone like that? Someone who, no matter what's happening around them, no matter what's happening to them, they somehow remain confident, they don't give up, they don't give in to despair, they stay optimistic. And Paul knows. He knows the weight. But then that weight was lifted from Paul. Jesus forgave him, and even more, was going to use him to help others.