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Cured – Part 3

September 24, 2025

                            Cured - Part 3
                              Luke 17:14
                              09/24/2025

        14   When he saw them he said to them, ``Go and show
             yourselves to the priests.''  And as they went
             they were cleansed.  (ESV)

        Jesus was traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem along the
   border of Samaria.  This was His final journey.  He soon would
   enter into Jerusalem to the shouts of the crowds and the waving
   of palm branches.  There He would die to pay the price of sin for
   all people, to be the cure for everlasting death.

        Ten lepers, recognizing Him as the one who had cured others
   of their diseases, cried out, ``Jesus, Master, have mercy on
   us.''  ``When he saw them he said to them, `Go and show
   yourselves to the priests.'  And as they went they were
   cleansed.''

        The lepers recognized that they were condemned, considered
   already dead by society.  They also knew they could not cure
   themselves, that nothing they did would cure the physical stain.
   Seeing Jesus, they knew He was their only hope.  As they followed
   His command, the lepers were cured.

        As sinners, we recognize that we cannot pay the price of our
   own sin.  The damage we have done to our families, our neighbors,
   and ourselves cannot be undone.  Our only hope for a cure is the
   mercy of God, to have Him remove the sin which otherwise condemns
   us forever.  As we trust in Christ Jesus, our Lord, we are cured.

        This is the direct parallel between leprosy and our own sin.
   Saint John reminds us, ``If we confess our sins, he is faithful
   and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
   unrighteousness.''[1]

        May our Lord grant us faith to see Jesus as our Redeemer
   from sin and death.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. I John 1:9 (ESV)

Cured – Part 2

September 23, 2025

Broadcast

                            Cured - Part 2
                             Luke 17:11-13
                              09/23/2025

        11   On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along
             between Samaria and Galilee.
        12   And as he entered a village, he was met by ten
             lepers, who stood at a distance
        13   and lifted up their voices, saying, ``Jesus,
             Master, have mercy on us.''  (ESV)

        On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along
        between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a
        village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a
        distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ``Jesus,
        Master, have mercy on us.''


        How does this incident in the life of Jesus point to our
   salvation from sin, death, and the power of the devil?  Leprosy,
   at the time of Christ Jesus, was considered incurable.  Those
   affected with the disease were not allowed to have contact with
   other people.  They had to warn those unaffected by calling out,
   ``Unclean'' as they drew near.

        Lepers were considered already dead.  If the disease was
   reversed, they could be declared clean and whole by a priest,
   thus they could regain their place in society.  This was very
   uncommon.

        Sin is like this disease.  Because of sin, we are unclean in
   God's sight and removed from His presence.  In the same way the
   lepers saw Jesus as their only hope for a cure, we look to Him
   for our restoration before God.

        The lepers could not cure themselves.  Even today, with the
   modern antibiotics, the cure for leprosy is long and difficult.
   Once the skin and nerves are damaged, even if the underlying
   bacteria is removed, the effects are permanent.  No wonder the
   Church speaks of the leprosy of sin, the incurable and eternally
   fatal disease which only Christ may cure.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to understand our only hope is
   in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Cured – Part 1

September 22, 2025

Broadcast

                            Cured - Part 1
                             Luke 17:11-13
                              09/22/2025

        11   On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along
             between Samaria and Galilee.
        12   And as he entered a village, he was met by ten
             lepers, who stood at a distance
        13   and lifted up their voices, saying, ``Jesus,
             Master, have mercy on us.''  (ESV)

        The Gospel lesson this week is the familiar story of the
   thankful Samaritan, the only one of ten lepers who returned to
   thank Jesus for being cured from this horrible disease.  It is
   also the Gospel lesson appointed for Thanksgiving Day.

        On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along
        between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a
        village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a
        distance and lifted up their voices, saying, ``Jesus,
        Master, have mercy on us.''


        Why would the Holy Spirit, who inspired Saint Luke to write
   his Gospel, cause this incident to be recorded?  Was it to prove
   beyond a doubt that Jesus is true God?  This may certainly be the
   case.  Was it to serve as an example of gratitude?  Of course,
   that is one lesson.  Was it to show that faith in Christ Jesus as
   our Redeemer from sin and death leads to a response, a
   recognition that He has taken our incurable disease of sin upon
   Himself?  Absolutely.

        All of the Bible is written so that we know that Jesus is
   the promised Savior, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him
   we will have life everlasting.  This week we shall explore this
   miracle with the goal of your eternal life in mind.  We will see
   how the physical disease of leprosy is a perfect likeness to our
   spiritual disease of sin, and that our only hope of a cure is
   Jesus.

        May our Lord grant us faith to recognize Him as our only
   hope of salvation.  Amen.

We Wish to See Jesus – Part 5

John 12:23-26
09/19/2025

Broadcast

And Jesus answered them, ‘‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.’’ (ESV)

And Jesus answered them, ‘‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.’’

On Palm Sunday, after Jesus dismounted from the donkey, several Greeks who were in Jerusalem for the Passover feast asked the disciple, Philip, ‘‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’’ Three hundred years later the mother of Emperor Constantine walked through the Holy Land looking for evidence and places and relics of the events recorded in the Bible. Today we look for peace in this troubled and violent world, the comfort of knowing God’s love, grace, and mercy.

The greatest truths are also the simplest. It takes moments to learn but a lifetime to understand. ‘‘Jesus loves me, He who died, heaven’s gates to open wide.’’

Where do we find Jesus? He promises to be with us until the end of the age. He is present when we gather at God’s invitation to hear His Word and to receive the forgiveness of our sins through the sacraments.

Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. as we learn more of our Savior’s love, of His sacrificial death, and His victory over the grave.

May our Lord grant us faith to see Him where He promises to be found. Amen.

We Wish to See Jesus – Part 4

John 12:23-26
09/18/2025

Broadcast

And Jesus answered them, ‘‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.’’ (ESV)

Christianity is a paradox. The One through whom all was created, the Son of God, willingly takes on our human flesh and dies for sins He did not commit. Willingly He took up His cross, forgiving those who nailed Him to the rough wood, bringing peace to those who mocked and scorned Him.

Those who are great are the ones who serve. Those who receive the gift of eternal life are the ones who confess they are unworthy sinners. Those who are least in this world, the children, the sick, the poor, the humble, are great in the kingdom of Heaven.

No wonder that Saint Paul says the message of the cross is foolishness to the wise and a stumbling block to those who believe themselves righteous.[1] Yet, our only hope in this world, and the assurance that our sins are forgiven, comes not with the glory of God, but at the cry, ‘‘It is finished,’’ as our Lord gave His life for our salvation.

May our Lord grant us faith to recognize His victory over sin, death, and the grave as He died on the cross only to rise again on the third day. Amen.

We Wish to See Jesus – Part 3

John 12:23-26
09/17/2025

Broadcast

And Jesus answered them, ‘‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.’’ (ESV)

On the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey, several Greeks asked Philip, the disciple, if they could see Jesus. Philip asked Andrew, and both gave the request to Jesus.

Where do we find Jesus? It is not in historical relics, even if those artifacts were touched by Him. It is not in walking the same roads He traveled, just like following the route of the Oregon Trail as we drive along Interstate 80 does not give us the experience of seeking a new home in a distant frontier.

We find Jesus as the One who died to pay the price of our sin. His death brings us life. Because of His death, we are declared holy and righteous in the Father’s sight.

Did the Greeks who desired to see Jesus truly understand the meaning of His sacrifice on Good Friday? Yet, there, on the hill outside the gates, we see Jesus.

May our Lord grant us faith to recognize our salvation is by grace alone for the sake of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Amen.

We Wish to See Jesus – Part 2

John 12:20-21
09/16/2025

Broadcast

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’’ 22
Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. (ESV)

‘‘Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.’’

In the two thousand years since Jesus walked upon the earth, many people have made this request. Why do people ask to see Him? Are they looking for signs and wonders, as did the 5,000 men, plus women and children, that He fed in the wilderness? Are they looking for divine intervention in a crisis when there is no other hope? Are they looking for peace in their troubled souls, the assurance of God’s grace, love, and mercy? We don’t know the motivation of these Greeks who asked Philip to arrange an audience with Jesus, we know what they asked Philip, the disciple.

Where do you look for Jesus? Do you look for His favor by doing good works, by trying to be kind, by refraining from actions which might be harmful? You won’t find Him there. Do you look for Him in your heart, in feeling good about the personal relationship you have with Him, that you seem to walk and talk with Him in a garden? You won’t find Him there, either.

We find Jesus in the Word of God and in the sacraments which He gave the Church. We find Jesus, not in the glory of His majesty, but upon the cross where He bore the sins of all.

May our Lord help us to find Him where He promises to be found. Amen.

We Wish to See Jesus – Part 1

John 12:20-21
09/15/2025

Broadcast

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’’ (ESV)

Saint John, in his Gospel, recorded the events of Palm Sunday, the first day of the week that Jesus was crucified. Many people from all over the world were in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. ‘‘Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’’’

In many churches, this reading is used for the Gospel for the Feast of the Holy Cross, which was celebrated yesterday, September 14. On this date in the year 335, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was dedicated in Jerusalem. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, located Mount Calvary and the tomb in which Jesus was buried during her travels in 326. She had been sent by her son, the Emperor, to collect relics of Jesus, and to determine the historical places where events in His life happened.

In an age where people worshiped pagan myths, the historical relics and places proved that Jesus truly walked upon this earth. Unlike the gods of Olympus, unlike the animist worship of nature, Christians claimed that Jesus lived, died, and rose again in a certain place and at a certain time.

‘‘We wish to see Jesus’’ has led many people to look for the artifacts, the relics and places, which declare the truth, Christ Jesus did what was written of Him as reported by eyewitnesses. This week we will seek Jesus where He promises to be found.

May our Lord grant us faith
to recognize Jesus, to see Him as our Savior.
Amen.

The Deaf Hear,the Mute Speak – Part 5

Mark 7:37
09/12/2025

Broadcast

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’’ (ESV)

Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah wrote:

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.[1]

Although Jesus healed a man who lived in the Gentile region of the Decapolis, the witnesses of the miracle proclaimed words which show the prophecy was fulfilled. ‘‘And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’’’

Time and again we see how the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Everything we need to know about Him, from His incarnation and birth to His crucifixion and resurrection, can be found in the pages of the Bible which were written long before the events.

In proclaiming this miracle, in telling that Jesus fulfilled the words of Isaiah, the witnesses of the miracle were telling everyone that Jesus is the Savior promised first to Adam and Eve.

Today we proclaim the same message, Jesus is our Redeemer from sin, death, and the power of the devil. The forgiveness He earned for you is offered as a gift, without our works or merit. That is the message of the Bible, that is the message you will hear each Sunday morning at Trinity Lutheran Church. Please join us this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of Jesus, who has done everything well.

May our Lord grant us faith to trust in our Lord for our eternal healing from sin and death. Amen.

The Deaf Hear,the Mute Speak – Part 4

Mark 7:36
09/11/2025

Broadcast

And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. (ESV)

This week we have been looking at a miracle, Jesus healing a deaf and mute man. After curing the man, Jesus gave the witnesses of the miracle a seemingly strange request. ‘‘And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.’’

Why would Jesus make such a request? We remember that Jesus healed the deaf and mute man early in His ministry. What is the purpose of Jesus, true God, being incarnate, becoming true man? Was it to walk around Jerusalem, Judea, and Galilee to heal the sick? These healings proved who Jesus is, namely the Son of God who has power over creation. The miracles, however, are not the reason He was born, died, and rose from the grave.

Jesus came to redeem the lost, to save sinners from eternal condemnation. He was born to keep the Law perfectly on our behalf, yet to pay the price of our sin, the death and separation from God which we rightly deserve. By asking the witnesses to remain silent, Jesus was trying to shift the focus from miracles to our salvation, the message of God’s grace and favor.

When we are blessed by God, it is very hard to remain silent. Certainly, the man who was cured desired to speak of the miracle, to explain to all who were concerned what Jesus had done. The eyewitnesses could not keep the news to themselves, but were compelled to speak of the power that Jesus had over all infirmities.

May our Lord grant us the desire to follow His commands, and to properly speak of His grace and mercy. Amen.