Pastor’s Pen—January 2016

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“The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me” – Luke 4:18

For most of the world Christmas is a distant memory. Decorations are down from around the house and Christmas trees and lights are being packed away. In the Church however, we continue to celebrate the Light of Christ in the season of Epiphany long after the rest of society packs up Christmas. Epiphany is the pinnacle of Advent and Christmas and gives the church its marching orders for Mission. Epiphany means “to show”, “to reveal” or “to make known”. The Church season of Epiphany reveals and makes known to us and the world just who this baby in the manger is.

Leaving the celebration of our Savior’s birth, the Church is given the privilege to “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and proclaim to the world that Jesus Christ is born.

The Gospel lesson for Epiphany 3, Luke 4:14-21, helps us to understand what Jesus has been called to do. Being anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, Jesus sets out to “bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” In recent years this text, in some mission circles, has been called Luke’s Great Commission.

Simply stated, Jesus’ Mission is First Lutheran’s Mission. Jesus’ life is focused on the ministry that God gave to him and like a laser beam Jesus is locked on target. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the Church. Even with the best intentions, the Church gets side-tracked with issues that lead us away from our calling, issues that lead us away from bringing good news, proclaiming release, recovering sight, letting the oppressed go free, and proclaiming the Lord’s favor.

God’s calling to First Lutheran Church, is of paramount importance. We have been given the freedom to proclaim God’s word to the world no matter what issues cause us anxiety and no matter what events, local or global, top the headlines. Ultimately, when all is said and done, proclaiming Christ is all that matters. God’s Mission is all that matters. Revealing Christ to the rest of the world is all that matters.

Because of our Baptisms, the Spirit of God is upon us. We are called and sent to proclaim God’s love to the world, Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless the people of First Lutheran in the days, weeks, and months of 2016. May we join together to bring good news to all people and proclaim release to those things hindering our relationship with God and one another. May we join together so all may see the glory of God revealed through our witness, faith and hope in Christ Jesus.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Steve