Everyday Lutherans

Today within the Gospel, we hear of two disciples of Jesus Christ, Nathaniel and Philip.  As we encounter these two disciples, their names alone speak volumes as to who they are. Nathaniel is a good Hebrew name.  This is a man who knows and understands the Jewish traditions that are so very important as being a Chosen People of God.  Phillip bears the name of a foreigner, a Greek, someone outside of the Hebrew faith or at the very least someone who has recently converted to the faith.   As we hear these two men together, it is Philip, the foreigner, who actually introduces Nathaniel to Jesus.  However, in the very introduction, Nathaniel hears that Jesus is from Nazareth.  This is something that the people of this time knew about that we as readers need to know.  Nazareth to Nathaniel is a small town.  Phillip is thinking of Nazareth as a place out in the country that does not know of the modern breakthroughs. They are behind the times. They are slow on the uptake and the people in the

Just a few weeks ago, we heard about John the Baptist.  We heard the message that he brought to us; the message that soon the Messiah would come.  We should prepare for that day and know that when the Messiah comes, he will bring a great leveling.  This Messiah will bring great power.  This Messiah will be so great that even John the Baptist. This great man who delivers the message to us is not even worthy to untie his sandals. Now we revisit those words, their meaning, and we hear it’s drastic calling to each and everyone of us.  We hear of God now coming to us in this child.   He is now beginning to minister and deliver God’s Word. Not just through a prophet but actually through God’s own Son.   Which draws us to a crucial question for any Christian, how does Baptism shape you?   This often brings up the very debate among Christians of believer’s baptism or infant baptism.  Yet truly, instead of an “or” we should really be looking at an “and”.  Our focus should be always on welcoming

We often speak of Jesus being God’s Word made flesh, but how often do we stop and actually realize it?  Are we actually still thinking and bearing witness to it in our daily life?  Do we stop and see the trees, the sun, the people, and all the other life that is taking place around us as a constant reminder that God is indeed with us, loving us, and caring for us?  Like the four seasons, we know that they happen, and we even expect them to happen, and we can often even miss the very things that are taking place right in front of us.   The very beginning of the Gospel John opens with echoes of Genesis. We are drawn all the way back to the very beginning of life and all existence.  To a time before sin was among us at the very beginning God brought us into existence, and will use the same means through Jesus when we shall be restored. Here, John seems to be helping us realize the very gift  we have received of life.  We shall receive the gift of God’s Grace through God’s own Son.  This g