There’s a new swear word in American English and it starts with an E. It’s those big red letters on the advertisement urging us to buy impulsively; it’s the snooty nose of a prideful country club member; it’s the reason for the teen’s tears who finds herself on the outside of the clique.
If you were to ask someone, “How do you feel about sleep?” what kind of answer do you think you’d get? Depends on who you ask right?
John asks you to see, through Christ, what you really are, and to look forward to that day when you will see him as he really is. Because if you see his reality, you see things as they really are.
What does this mean? That’s a familiar question, isn’t it, question that’s near and dear to many of us.
“Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” In that one, single sentence, as simple as it is profound, Jesus gives us the key to distinguishing church and state, to living as a citizen of two kingdoms.
It’s hard to turn down a good party, isn’t it? Our society, our culture loves to have parties. Any excuse to have a party and we’re going to have one.
The tension that filled the crowd as Jesus spoke was substantial. The church leaders that dotted the landscape weren’t used to being on this end of the rebuke.
In a culture of moral relativity, nothing is more absolute than the desire for what is true. Yet the desire for what is true is not just an American thing, it is also of utmost importance in the Kingdom of God. Sermon on Jesus’ parable of the Two Sons from Matthew 21.
They say you should, “strike while the iron is hot,” and “make hay while the sun shines.” So you get up before the crack of dawn.
We are part of the Kingdom of God. And here, in this Kingdom, forgiveness is what we do best. Because, in Christ, anything less just doesn’t make sense.
Eastside Evangelical Lutheran Church and School
2310 Independence Lane
Madison, WI 53704
