Lutheran Church of the Resurrection

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Back in the days when parents were responsible for finding a spouse for their children, Abraham was determined to find a good Jewish girl for his son Isaac to marry. Because they lived in Canaanite country, good Jewish girls were as scarce as hens teeth. So, Abraham sent his servant back home, where his relatives lived, to look for a wife for Isaac. The servant took 10 camels with him. The camels carried the dowry for the lucky woman. 10 camels means that this was no small dowry that Abraham was prepared to give for the right daughter-in-law. (more…)

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From now until we arrive at Palm Sunday, we will hear of four encounters that Jesus has with various people on His way to the cross. Today, it is an encounter with a man named Nicodemus. Next Sunday, Jesus will meet up with a woman at a well outside of Samaria. After that, His path will intersect with a man who was blind from birth. Then Jesus will be summoned to a village called Bethany for a meeting with a man named Lazarus who lay dead in his tomb.

In each of these encounters, it will be important that we watch and listen carefully for two things. (more…)

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“If God didn’t want us to be tempted, then why did He make us like He did?” How many times have you heard that one? How many times have you asked that one? The implication behind the question is that God made a mistake in the way He made us. When God saw all that He had made, He said, “It is very good.” But when we evaluate God’s creation we think He did something wrong. In a perfect world, we think, there would be no temptation and therefore there would be no falling into temptation. It raises the whole question of just what God meant when He said “it is very good.” (more…)

Deb and I don’t go out to the movies very often, but when we do, I like to make sure that we get there early enough to see the coming attractions. Don’t ask me why, but the coming attractions are as much a part of going to the movies as is the feature presentation. They used to show cartoons before the movie and I used to really like them too. Now, even the videos that you rent have coming attractions included in them. And that’s a good thing because I really like watching the coming attractions.

I. The Feature Presentation A. Peter Wanted A ‘Feel Good Flick’ Jesus was preparing His disciples for the feature presentation. “Jesus began to show His disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and be killed and on the third day, be raised again.” (Mat.16:21). The feature presentation was going to be one of those shoot’em up flicks. Rated “PG-13″ for excessive violence.

Peter objected. That’s not the kind of movie he wanted to see. He wanted one of those “feel good flicks,” a romance where everyone lives happy ever after. “Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him. Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Mat.16:22). (more…)