All That is Gold Does Not Glitter

Every Monday we have a staff meeting at church.  We discuss business and schedules at that meeting, but we spend most of our time in some kind of study of God’s Word.  Recently we have been studying the Ten Commandments by reading Luther’s Large Catechism.  I was struck when Bob pointed out something in Luther’s discussion on the Conclusion of the Ten Commandments.  Luther wrote:

                    

I am of the opinion, indeed, that [in the Commandments] one will find his hands full and will have enough to do to keep these commandments:  meekness, patience, love towards enemies, chastity, kindness, and other such virtues and their implications (Galatians 5:22-23).  But such works are not of value and make no display in the world’s eyes.  For these are not peculiar and proud works.  They are not restricted to particular times, places, rites and customs.  They are common, everyday, household works that one neighbor can do for another.  Therefore they are not highly regarded.

But the other works cause people to open their eyes and ears wide.  Men aid this effect by the great display, expense, and magnificent buildings with which they adorn such works, so that everything shines and glitters.  There they waft incense, they sing and ring bells, they light tapers and candles, so that nothing else can be seen or heard.  For when a priest stands there in a surplice garment embroidered with gold thread, or a layman continues all day upon his knees in Church, that is regarded as a most precious work, which no one can praise enough.  But when a poor girl tends a little child and faithfully does what she is told, that is considered nothing. 

People of all times have been drawn to things that seem glorious, spiritual, and somehow special.  Unfortunately we overlook the common, normal, aspects of life which display our faith and give evidence to what God has done for us. 

On Sunday we read Mark 6:1-13 which tells about when Jesus went to His hometown and was rejected, at least in part, because He was so normal to the people there.  They said, “Isn’t this the carpenter?  Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?  Aren’t his sisters here with us?”  In other word, “This guy is just like us!  How can he be special?” 

The same thing happens with the way we receive God’s gifts.  Consider prayer.  How often people treat prayer as a last resort!  We would be better to pray – which looks like doing nothing – and then act using the talents and abilities God has given us!  Or think of how we treat God’s Word.  So many people complain that their faith is weak, yet the very thing that would strengthen that faith sits dusty on the table.  Reading the Bible looks so … boring, normal, unromantic. 

God, however, chooses how He will work, and He has chosen to work in some very common, even boring, things, and through very run-of-the-mill, normal people.  I think that’s good news, especially for everyday people like me and you! 

We don’t need to do super, amazing, wonderful things to be Jesus’ disciples.  He does all that for us – dying and rising, creating faith, and empowering us to live for Him.  He then uses our mundane lives in miraculous ways to share the hope of salvation with others.  So much of following Jesus boils down to everyday circumstances and choices made trusting in Jesus as we live in His forgiveness. 

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tritten

Questions to Ponder

-          Have you ever been disregarded because of your history?  Has anyone ever scorned you witness because they remember you from “way back”?  How did that feel?  Was it fair?  Why or why not?

-          Are there people in our midst that we discount because of their history, age, life situation, etc.?  Are there folks in our lives that we assume cannot be useful in God’s Kingdom? 

-          Mark 6:1-4 highlights Jesus’ humanity.  We often stress the fact that Jesus was true God, but do we sometimes do so to the exclusion of the fact that Jesus was true Man as well?  Is it important to confess that Jesus is both fully God and fully Human?  Why or why not?

-          What does it take to amaze Jesus?  Take a look at v. 6.  There is only one other passage in all the gospels that speaks of Jesus being amazed.  It is Luke 7:9.  What do these passages teach us about what God desires from us?

-          There was clearly nothing in Jesus outward appearance that drew the people of Nazareth to believe in Him.  They saw Him as a normal hometown boy.  Isaiah 53:2 foretold that this would be the case.  Do we ever dismiss or downplay things that outwardly look normal but that God uses to bless us?  What role do Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, God’s Word and prayer play in your life?  What are some of the physical blessings God has given you that you might be taking for granted?