Freed FROM and Freed FOR

One of the things that came to mind when writing my sermon that, through my writing process, just didn’t make it in was this idea of freedom. Lately I hear the word “freedom” thrown around a lot. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians speaks about what it means to be free and teaches that freedom comes with responsibilities.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. (Galatians 5:13-15)

Paul is explicit and completely clear; our freedom should ALWAYS be viewed through the lens of loving and serving our neighbor. People today often disagree about that, and the fact that Paul has to explain freedom to the Galatians suggests it wasn't a settled question then either. Perhaps one solution is to examine the results. If the way you exercise your freedom results in the fruits of Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - Galatians 5:22-23), then it is likely to be the freedom that comes from Christ. But if the way you exercise your freedom results in the "works of the flesh," (fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these - Galatians 5:19-21) you might be acting out of selfishness, not freedom.

Some people have said to me “My rights come from God, not from the Government.” That is absolutely true…but our “rights” are not absolute as you think they are when viewed through loving our neighbor and the fruits of the spirit.

We are freed through Christ, but remain slaves to one another… Galatians 5:13.  

I AM my brother’s keeper.

I talked a lot about Paul today. Learning more about Paul, who he was and what he believed is valuable for a Christian. Below are links to a 2-part PBS documentary about Paul that I found entertaining and informative. One of them even features a relative of mine!

I pray that you all have a blessed week.

Pastor Bob

Part 1 of the History of St. Paul

Part 2 of The History of St. Paul

What's your excuse?

This week’s lectionary readings are pretty full of lessons for us. It’s hard to pick ONE thing to focus on, be it for my sermon or for this (virtual) time we have together. In doing some research and looking into the background of these texts I learned something interesting that points out how being aware of cultural and linguistic differences can really change the meaning of scripture for us.


Let’s focus on this part of the gospel reading (Luke 9:57-60):

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

To our sensibilities, Jesus must come across as pretty cold and lacking empathy. After all, the man had to bury his father, whom we assume must have JUST died. Surely Jesus could have allowed him time to mourn and finish his father’s affairs, right?

But here’s where those important cultural and linguistic differences come in. In the culture of the middle-east at that time (and in many parts still today) the last child who remained unmarried was expected to stay at home, NOT looking for a spouse or trying to establish their own home or family, to care for their parents until the last parent passed. THIS was the situation the man Jesus found himself in. Jesus called him to follow, but the man said “Let me bury my father first”, when in fact his father hadn’t even died yet.

Remember, earlier in this reading it says that Jesus had “set his face” to Jerusalem, where he knew his life would likely end. From what I know of Jesus, it sounds like he had reached a place (mentally and spiritually) where he just wasn’t going to listen to excuses. Still perfect in his love for us, Jesus was DONE with our apologias and gave the man an answer that may read as lacking charity.

What do YOU think? Is caring for an elderly parent a good enough excuse to put your own call (or just your life) on hold, indefinitely? I am torn, and I think the answer may vary based on a lot of other circumstances. I am certainly not here to judge YOUR circumstances.

For you to ponder I came across this list of “The Ten Lames Excuses in the Bible” compiled by writer Kenneth Berding. Some of them are just plain funny, but I wonder how many of them I have used (or TRIED) to use myself.

10 – That snake made me do it. (Eve in Genesis 3:13)

9 – That woman, that YOU gave me, made me do it! (Adam in Genesis 3:12)

8 – I would have DIED if I hadn’t eaten some of that red stuff! (Esau in Genesis 25:30)

7 – The rivers are cleaner back home. (Namaan in II Kings 5:12)

6 – My family ain’t much to speak of. (Gideon in Judges 6:15)

5 – I don’t speak no good. (Moses in Exodus 4:10)

4 – It’s only a few bleating animals. ( Saul in I Samuel 15:15)

3 – I’m too young. (Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:6)

2 – Gotta bury my father first. (an unnamed man in Luke 9:59 – his father wasn’t even DEAD yet!)

1 – I threw the gold into the fire and this calf came out. (Aaron in Exodus 32:21-24)

AND….my own special bonus “Honorable Mention” goes to: “Lord, he has been dead for 4 days and he stinks”, which was Mary (the sister of Lazarus) who was trying to make excuses FOR Jesus. Jesus was having NONE of it and raised Lazarus from the dead anyway. (John 11:39-43)

A Midweek Pause

 As part of my job at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church I produce a weekly video devotional we call "The Word on Wednesday".  We use pastors and lay people from churches in the area and share a brief time of prayer and preview the Gospel text for the upcoming Sunday.  I hope you enjoy this week's edition!

I needed a good laugh...

You'll be seeing more posts from me that feature Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.  On her website  she does a better job introducing herself than I ever could. I encourage you to experience her podcast or check out some videos of her preaching on YouTube, OR read one of her best-selling books.

While not a sermon, this recording of her at the Liminal Festival gave me exactly the laugh I needed and reminded me that once in a while we ALL misread the situation...and that's OK.

Warning: She uses frank language, in other words she swears, in a contextual not gratuitous way.  If that is offensive to you....well you've been warned.