JESUS CHRIST
Contributors
The Revelation of
Rev. Matthew Brackman Peace Lutheran Church Texas City, TX Rev. Eric Brown Zion Lutheran Church Lahoma, OK Rev. Andy Guagenti Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Bardstown, KY Rev. A. Daniel Guagenti Holy Cross Lutheran Church Shelbyville, KY Rev. William G. Sabol Lutheran Church of Our Savior Winnebago, MN Saint Peter Lutheran Church Easton, MN Rev. Michael Salemink Saint James Lutheran Church Lafayette, IN Rev. Dr. Richard J. Serina, Jr. Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO Rev. Charles St-Onge LCMS Office of International Mission Rev. David Tannahill Grace Lutheran Church Vine Grove, KY Rev. Christopher Truelsen Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Lanesville, IN
JESUS CHRIST
Editor Rev. A. Daniel Guagenti Holy Cross Lutheran Church Shelbyville, KY
An Advent Devotional
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4
Devotions for Revelation 20-22
December 22-25, 2014
12/22
By Rev. Christopher Truelsen
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:1-15 I sometimes hear concern that there could be a one-to-one correlation between current events and the end times as described in Revelation. There are plenty of biblical passages meant to be taken in a straightforward, literal manner. Revelation is different in that it was written in coded language for the persecuted Christians of its time. That said, there are fearful things in this chapter regarding the devil and the judgment of all people. Though the things written here have figurative meaning, these events will happen in very real and concrete ways, if not according to the exact description here. Most important for you is, firstly, that the devil is judged. He was defeated on the cross of Jesus Christ once and for all. He has no jurisdiction or authority over what happens to mankind. Secondly, you may fear whether your name is written in the book of life. That fear is unfounded for those who are baptized and believe in Jesus. As God places His name on you in baptism, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, remember that it is now written in the book of life in Christ Jesus. Some Christians make it a major point of doctrine that God is “sovereign.” I used to think this was such a “duh” statement. Of course God rules over everything! But when fears and doubts assail us, that liar the devil is crafty. We who believe know the words and promises of God, but the devil always tries to get us to doubt the truth of God’s Word, just like he did in the very beginning. Revelation’s words remind us that God has the ultimate and final authority. When fear and doubt assail, trust Jesus! Lord Jesus, help us to always trust Your word and resist the devil and all his lies. Amen.
the Lord has come! Let earth receive her king!” Amen and amen! Come, Lord Jesus! No more let sins and sorrows grow / or thorns infest the ground; / He comes to make His blessings flow / Far as the curse is found, / Far as the curse is found, / Far as, far as, the curse is found! Amen.
By Rev. Michael Salemink 12/23 It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 21:1-8 Of all the stale TV Christmas specials, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” comes closest to the Gospel. The real hero of the story is King Moonracer, ruler of the Island of Misfit Toys. He is the dual-natured (halflion, half-bird), humble stranger who forgoes his natural majesty to endure obscurity. He takes responsibility for the defectives and makes his home with rejects. King Moonracer tirelessly braves icy nights in the arctic dark searching the earth for broken-down castaways, with no ulterior motive than befriending them, protecting them, and finding them permanent homes. He believes that because every toy is made for loving, every toy is worth saving. Brokenness is such an everyday experience in our lives and our world that even pagan winter myths like this cannot ignore it. The reality of our sinful human condition is intuited and felt even when it is not admitted and confessed. Consumerish addiction to novelty only isolates us in a cult of the contemporary and offers no hope or healing. “New” hurts if it means “replacement.” With Jesus and in Christ, “new” is “redemption.” Almighty God was crucified before resurrection and incarnate before He ascended. He’s not just another one of those operations that manufactures all new things; rather, His greatness and grace stir and stoke our hearts within us because, “Behold, I am making all things new!” The Creator doesn’t need new; our Father wants you. And this Christmas, on the tree of the cross, under it and around it, you will open up this same old Gospel, like the beloved blanket you thought you’d lost when you left childhood behind. Lord Jesus, be my Redeemer. Amen.
12/24
By Rev. Andy Guagenti
By Rev. A. Daniel Guagenti 12/25
Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 21:9-27
Revelation 22:1-21
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the One who was promised in the Garden of Eden after the fall, we might be surprised by the reading selection. Mary and Joseph at the inn or the genealogy of Jesus would be customary. Instead, we have a description of the new Jerusalem. Coming down out of heaven, New Jerusalem, adorned with every kind of jewel, pearlescent gates, and golden streets, is magnificent. Glory shines everywhere. “The glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev 21:23). “Nothing unclean will ever enter it.... but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:27). So who would chose to leave such a place? Jesus! This baby is born to begin the path to the cross so we, the once unclean, can spend eternity in heaven. He left His dwelling place to dwell with us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). Though He would hide His glory for a time, nothing could stop the angels from proclaiming His glory to the shepherds at His birth. Creation will be restored. The second advent of Jesus is at hand. The new heaven and earth will come down from heaven prepared for the bride of the Lamb, His people. And the angels will sing again about the glory of the Lamb.
“Amen” means “yes, yes, Lord, let it be so.” This is how the Bible ends: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” When you are a baby, you wait for your family. A hungry baby cannot walk to the pantry and open the crackers. A messy baby cannot wipe either chin or tush. Sometimes, a tired baby cannot even manage to sleep without a swaddle. So he cries. A baby’s cry says, “Come, family, come and attend to me. I cannot do this myself.” It is marvelous that the God who can do all things lived as a baby, waiting as we all waited. “Upon a manger filled with hay / In poverty content He lay; / With milk was fed the Lord of all, / Who feeds the ravens when they call” (from the hymn “Now Praise We Christ, the Holy One” by Caelius Sedulius and translated by Martin Luther). A baby, who has to wait for others to act, may seem a passive way for God to come to us. But in trusting His Father through this waiting, Jesus powerfully said, “Amen.” He said, “Yes, yes, Lord, let it be so.” Jesus’ “amen” to His Father’s will echoed throughout His life. He spoke “amen” in His agony: “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Mt 26:39). He spoke “amen” from the cross, saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit” (Lk 23:46). In response to His “amen,” the Father breathes new life. The tree of death led to the tree of life (Rev 22:1-5). He breathes new life into us. Amen! Yes, yes, Lord, let it be so! Now let our “amen” ring out! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come to us! He has come and He is coming. Let the Holy Child’s faithful waiting inspire in us the joyful anticipation of a child’s faith as we await our Lord’s coming again. Stand and sing, “Joy to the world,
Thank You, Lord Jesus for becoming flesh so that You could make the way for us to enter into the New Jerusalem. Amen.
(continued next page)
The Revelation of
Rev. Matthew Brackman Peace Lutheran Church Texas City, TX Rev. Eric Brown Zion Lutheran Church Lahoma, OK Rev. Andy Guagenti Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Bardstown, KY Rev. A. Daniel Guagenti Holy Cross Lutheran Church Shelbyville, KY Rev. William G. Sabol Lutheran Church of Our Savior Winnebago, MN Saint Peter Lutheran Church Easton, MN Rev. Michael Salemink Saint James Lutheran Church Lafayette, IN Rev. Dr. Richard J. Serina, Jr. Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO Rev. Charles St-Onge LCMS Office of International Mission Rev. David Tannahill Grace Lutheran Church Vine Grove, KY Rev. Christopher Truelsen Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Lanesville, IN
JESUS CHRIST
Editor Rev. A. Daniel Guagenti Holy Cross Lutheran Church Shelbyville, KY
An Advent Devotional
Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4
Devotions for Revelation 20-22
December 22-25, 2014
12/22
By Rev. Christopher Truelsen
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:1-15 I sometimes hear concern that there could be a one-to-one correlation between current events and the end times as described in Revelation. There are plenty of biblical passages meant to be taken in a straightforward, literal manner. Revelation is different in that it was written in coded language for the persecuted Christians of its time. That said, there are fearful things in this chapter regarding the devil and the judgment of all people. Though the things written here have figurative meaning, these events will happen in very real and concrete ways, if not according to the exact description here. Most important for you is, firstly, that the devil is judged. He was defeated on the cross of Jesus Christ once and for all. He has no jurisdiction or authority over what happens to mankind. Secondly, you may fear whether your name is written in the book of life. That fear is unfounded for those who are baptized and believe in Jesus. As God places His name on you in baptism, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, remember that it is now written in the book of life in Christ Jesus. Some Christians make it a major point of doctrine that God is “sovereign.” I used to think this was such a “duh” statement. Of course God rules over everything! But when fears and doubts assail us, that liar the devil is crafty. We who believe know the words and promises of God, but the devil always tries to get us to doubt the truth of God’s Word, just like he did in the very beginning. Revelation’s words remind us that God has the ultimate and final authority. When fear and doubt assail, trust Jesus! Lord Jesus, help us to always trust Your word and resist the devil and all his lies. Amen.
the Lord has come! Let earth receive her king!” Amen and amen! Come, Lord Jesus! No more let sins and sorrows grow / or thorns infest the ground; / He comes to make His blessings flow / Far as the curse is found, / Far as the curse is found, / Far as, far as, the curse is found! Amen.
By Rev. Michael Salemink 12/23 It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 21:1-8 Of all the stale TV Christmas specials, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” comes closest to the Gospel. The real hero of the story is King Moonracer, ruler of the Island of Misfit Toys. He is the dual-natured (halflion, half-bird), humble stranger who forgoes his natural majesty to endure obscurity. He takes responsibility for the defectives and makes his home with rejects. King Moonracer tirelessly braves icy nights in the arctic dark searching the earth for broken-down castaways, with no ulterior motive than befriending them, protecting them, and finding them permanent homes. He believes that because every toy is made for loving, every toy is worth saving. Brokenness is such an everyday experience in our lives and our world that even pagan winter myths like this cannot ignore it. The reality of our sinful human condition is intuited and felt even when it is not admitted and confessed. Consumerish addiction to novelty only isolates us in a cult of the contemporary and offers no hope or healing. “New” hurts if it means “replacement.” With Jesus and in Christ, “new” is “redemption.” Almighty God was crucified before resurrection and incarnate before He ascended. He’s not just another one of those operations that manufactures all new things; rather, His greatness and grace stir and stoke our hearts within us because, “Behold, I am making all things new!” The Creator doesn’t need new; our Father wants you. And this Christmas, on the tree of the cross, under it and around it, you will open up this same old Gospel, like the beloved blanket you thought you’d lost when you left childhood behind. Lord Jesus, be my Redeemer. Amen.
12/24
By Rev. Andy Guagenti
By Rev. A. Daniel Guagenti 12/25
Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 21:9-27
Revelation 22:1-21
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the One who was promised in the Garden of Eden after the fall, we might be surprised by the reading selection. Mary and Joseph at the inn or the genealogy of Jesus would be customary. Instead, we have a description of the new Jerusalem. Coming down out of heaven, New Jerusalem, adorned with every kind of jewel, pearlescent gates, and golden streets, is magnificent. Glory shines everywhere. “The glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev 21:23). “Nothing unclean will ever enter it.... but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev 21:27). So who would chose to leave such a place? Jesus! This baby is born to begin the path to the cross so we, the once unclean, can spend eternity in heaven. He left His dwelling place to dwell with us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). Though He would hide His glory for a time, nothing could stop the angels from proclaiming His glory to the shepherds at His birth. Creation will be restored. The second advent of Jesus is at hand. The new heaven and earth will come down from heaven prepared for the bride of the Lamb, His people. And the angels will sing again about the glory of the Lamb.
“Amen” means “yes, yes, Lord, let it be so.” This is how the Bible ends: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” When you are a baby, you wait for your family. A hungry baby cannot walk to the pantry and open the crackers. A messy baby cannot wipe either chin or tush. Sometimes, a tired baby cannot even manage to sleep without a swaddle. So he cries. A baby’s cry says, “Come, family, come and attend to me. I cannot do this myself.” It is marvelous that the God who can do all things lived as a baby, waiting as we all waited. “Upon a manger filled with hay / In poverty content He lay; / With milk was fed the Lord of all, / Who feeds the ravens when they call” (from the hymn “Now Praise We Christ, the Holy One” by Caelius Sedulius and translated by Martin Luther). A baby, who has to wait for others to act, may seem a passive way for God to come to us. But in trusting His Father through this waiting, Jesus powerfully said, “Amen.” He said, “Yes, yes, Lord, let it be so.” Jesus’ “amen” to His Father’s will echoed throughout His life. He spoke “amen” in His agony: “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Mt 26:39). He spoke “amen” from the cross, saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit” (Lk 23:46). In response to His “amen,” the Father breathes new life. The tree of death led to the tree of life (Rev 22:1-5). He breathes new life into us. Amen! Yes, yes, Lord, let it be so! Now let our “amen” ring out! Rejoice! Emmanuel has come to us! He has come and He is coming. Let the Holy Child’s faithful waiting inspire in us the joyful anticipation of a child’s faith as we await our Lord’s coming again. Stand and sing, “Joy to the world,
Thank You, Lord Jesus for becoming flesh so that You could make the way for us to enter into the New Jerusalem. Amen.
(continued next page)
