Fishers of men

Posted on January 21, 2018 by David Nuottila

Mark 1:14-20

Have you ever noticed when fishing that none of the fish you catch come willingly? Whether throwing a net or casting a line with a rod and real, the fish you catch always try to get away. It is their natural instinct to try and escape.

Jesus was walking along the lake shore and spotted Peter and Andrew casting nets into the water. He said to them, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” The two came willingly. They didn’t even put up a fight. A little while later James and John had the same experience. It seems Jesus has a knack for fishing for people.

Like Peter, Andrew, James and John, Jesus calls all Christians to become fishers of people. The disciples learned how by watching and imitating their teacher. Jesus taught them by his faithful example. We can learn in the same way, by gleaning from scripture the ways of God and by imitating our teacher Jesus Christ.

By sharing the gospel and inviting others to worship, we become fishers of people. Even as those we contact may decide to turn another way, or resist being caught, the mission remains the same. Jesus said he would make us fishers for people. The catching is the work of the Master.

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, give me the will and desire to be a fisher of men, that others would come to know you as Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Peace

Posted on January 20, 2018 by David Nuottila

Mark 4:35-41

The storm was raging and the twelve were frantic. Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat while the disciples felt that at any given moment, all could be lost. Finally, they called out to Jesus. How much are we like the twelve? How often are we overcome with doubt and fear and forget that our Lord is with us?

Living from day to day in our fallen world means living in the midst of disappointment and uncertainty. With each sunrise, we are confronted with doubts, fears, and broken relationships. People in all walks of life must deal with sickness, addiction, loneliness and a host of other predicaments. We can safely say the waters of the storm are raging all around us and our boat is in peril. If we allow these conditions to prevail, we will drown in the turbulent waters of the storm and peace will elude us. But Jesus is with us.

Our Lord Jesus is the one who heals the sick, brings comfort to those who are hurting and restores those broken by the power of sin. In the midst of the storm, Jesus stands with us and says, “Peace! Be still.” When we realize the power of his love, the raging storm loses its power and the peace of Christ prevails.

Prayer: Calm the storms of my life, O Lord, that I my live in your peace. Amen.

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Abundant life

Posted on January 19, 2018 by David Nuottila

John 10:1-10

A life of accumulation and consumption takes us away from God and from one another. Such a life often becomes lonely and isolated, with stored up treasures in barns rather than treasure stored in heaven. Soon we are no match for the thieves and robbers of the world, those voices of consumerism, materialism and competition that suggest to us we are lacking and lagging behind our neighbor.

Too often we see this even in our churches; congregations focused on “things” in abundance have little life. Congregations focused on earthly abundance spend a lot of time building, dressing and filling barns with more and more stuff. When we become preoccupied with ourselves, there is too little time for fellowship, relationships, and especially worship and prayer. Thankfully, through our Good shepherd, we have life, and we have it abundantly.

The Good Shepherd text is sandwiched in between stories of Jesus restoring eyesight to the blind and raising his friend Lazarus. We may glean from this that God wants us to “see” correctly what abundant life is. Abundant life is loving God with all your heart, mind and strength. It means loving your neighbor as yourself. And finally, abundant life means believing that through Christ your sins are forgiven, and through him only is the way to everlasting life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, cleanse me from my sin and give me life in your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Calling sinners

Posted on January 18, 2018 by David Nuottila

Mark 2:13-22

This time of year, one thing is certain, no one wants to meet the tax collector. In Jesus’ day, tax collectors were considered scoundrels taking unfair advantage of those from whom they collected revenue. They were also despised, seen as traitors working for the Romans. It’s no wonder the Pharisees objected when Jesus sat at the table with Levi.

Because of the hardness of their hearts, the Pharisees and scribes could not see that Jesus came to save people from their sin. In order to do this, he must reach out to sinners caught up in Satan’s snare. So often, Jesus met with sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors and shared with them the love and compassion of God. As Jesus met Levi at the table, Levi received mercy and grace.

Jesus’ call to Levi shines light on our need to follow Christ and his command to love God and our neighbor. Just as we are all sinners in need of redemption, we are also called by Christ to share the good news that God’s forgiveness is made possible through Christ the Lord. To do this, we share our faith in Christ with others and invite them to come and see. Jesus has a place for sinners at his table. There is even room for you and me. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Pour out your mercy and grace, O God, wash away my sins forever. Amen.

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A sure foundation

Posted on January 17, 2018 by David Nuottila

1 Corinthians 3:9-15

In order to build a structurally sound house, one must begin by laying a strong foundation. No matter the strength of your building materials, if the foundation isn’t sure and strong, it will buckle and the building will collapse. This is not only true of buildings; it can also be said about the life and fellowship of the church.

In our text, Paul writes to a young church for which he laid a foundation upon the truth of the gospel. Paul taught the new congregation the basics of faith and how to live in community with one another in the peace of Christ. It wasn’t long after Paul left Corinth, however, that conflict arose. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in order that he might remind them of what is truly important, the foundational teaching of grace through Christ crucified and risen.

Still today, the most faithful Christians sometimes disagree and conflicts arise. Yet, as we continue to live together in Christ, we do so within a community planted upon the strong foundation of the gospel. Set upon such sturdy ground, we rely on the durable materials of faith; weekly worship, participation in the sacraments, holy scripture, daily prayer, and fellowship among God’s people. For we are God’s people, built upon the sure foundation that is Christ the Lord.

Prayer: O God, keep us steadfast in your Word, set upon the sure foundation of Christ the Lord. Amen.

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Rejoice

Posted on January 16, 2018 by David Nuottila

Philippians 4:1-9

There was a song released in 1988 imploring its hearers to put away the worries of the world and simply enjoy life. Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” is certainly a nice little tune that might make us feel better for a while, but in the end simply being happy does nothing to address the true consequences facing humanity. Happiness is fleeting at best; what humans truly need is joy.

Certainly, the reality of our fallen world has much to say about happiness. Like others, Christians face the issues and concerns pointed out by McFerrin’s lyrics. Economic hardship, sickness, unemployment and failed relationships take their toll on happiness. However, by God’s grace through faith in Christ, Christians have a much different realization.

Paul exhorts God’s people to rejoice in all things, for the Lord is at hand. The sure and certain hope we have in Christ Jesus is cause to spurn the ugliness of a sinful world and live in the joy of God’s promise for salvation. There is joy in knowing that God knows our needs. As we make our requests known, the promise of God’s love in Christ Jesus brings gladness to troubled hearts and minds.

Prayer: Lord God, in the midst of worldly concerns, hear our prayers and fill our hearts with joy in Christ. Amen.

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Vessels of Grace

Posted on January 15, 2018 by David Nuottila

John 2:1-11

The miracle of Jesus turning water into wine gives us a glimpse of God’s redeeming power. When we hear this account of one of Jesus’ first signs, we are drawn to the water itself, that which became wine. One thing we often overlook is the vessels in which the water was poured. These clay jars, large as they may be, had one purpose, to contain water used for purification before sitting down for a meal. Simply put, they were used to hold water to wash one’s hands and feet. Upon the water’s transformation into wine, these vessels had a much different purpose; to hold and pour out that which God has made to reveal his glory.

In the beginning, our earthly bodies, these vessels of clay, had one intended purpose, to glorify God. Yet, through humanity’s fall into sin, our earthly bodies have become less that what God intended. Through Christ, we are redeemed, transformed and made new. As we are washed in the waters of Holy Baptism, we become vessels with a purpose; to glorify God. The power of the risen Christ is the power that saves and transforms. Through Christ Jesus, God redeems us, transforms us and calls us to pour out the good news of his grace.

Prayer: Redeeming God, through Christ you make all things new.  Make us vessels of your grace and cause us to share the power of your love.  Amen.

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Follow Jesus

Posted on January 14, 2018 by David Nuottila

Mark 3:7-19

As more people heard Jesus’ teaching, the crowds following him quickly grew larger. Within these crowds were people with great need. There were also people who were curious, and still others who questioned Jesus’ authority. Of these followers, Jesus called out twelve, setting them apart from the rest in order to prepare them for the task of establishing Christ’s Church on earth.

God continues to call people out of the crowds and separate them for the sake of the gospel. In many instances, Christ calls from the crowds those least expected to do extraordinary things for the sake of others. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God equips them with gifts, enabling them to preach, teach, and care for those whom God places within their midst.

The crowd that followed Jesus is the same crowd that gathers in churches and wherever the gospel is proclaimed. Pews, chairs and halls are filled with the marginalized, the needy, those who desire to learn more of the mysteries of heaven, and even some who would challenge the shepherd’s authority. How has God called you to share the gospel in the midst of the crowd? How has he equipped you to minister to the neediest among us? Surely, as Christ set apart the twelve, so too has he called all his people to be disciples engaged in the mission of God.

Prayer: O Lord Jesus, strengthen my will and desire to follow you in the work of your gospel. Amen.

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The Word was God

Posted on January 13, 2018 by David Nuottila

John 1:1-18

As John so aptly puts it, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” There has never been a time when the Son of God was not with God, nor has there ever been an instance when the Son of God was not God.

As we are in the midst of January, we are not that far removed from the observance of Advent, the celebration of Christmas, and the Epiphany. The retelling of man’s fall into sin, the promise of a Savior, and the birth of Emmanuel (God with us) is still fresh in our collective memory. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise we cling to, and the hope for our salvation.

In the beginning was the Word, but Jesus is not simply the Word which we hear and follow; he is the Logos of God. In earthly terms, logos means the logic supporting the argument. Jesus is the living Word, God’s Word made flesh. He is the living, healing, compassionate, and forgiving logic supporting God’s promise to save people from their sin. In Christ, we have God’s Word of hope. By God’s grace through faith in Christ we are saved. This has always been the case, for the Son of God has always been, and he always will be the Word of God.

Prayer: Thank you heavenly Father, so your saving Word, who is Christ the Lord. Amen.

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Seeking things above

Posted on January 11, 2018 by David Nuottila

Isaiah 55:3-9; Colossians 3:1-17; John 14:6-14

The past few days have brought with them plenty of sunshine. Have you ever noticed how sunny days lift peoples’ spirits? Smiles seem more prevalent and people more cheerful, especially when the sunshine is so bright.

This morning, daybreak brought with it heavy dark clouds and few breaks in the otherwise grey skies. Already, having met with a few people, I have noticed a change in the sunny disposition. Life seems a little more difficult, a bit more serious perhaps. What happened? Is it because the world all of a sudden became more sullen? Or could it be that people just seem to enjoy light over darkness?

The same thing happens to the people of God. As we continue living in the light of God’s grace, we see the world differently. With our eyes fixed on God’s love, we cannot help but reflect the light of Christ. Sharing the love of God and sharing our faith becomes second nature yet, just as the weather changes, so also our focus on Christ.

Earthly distractions beg our attention and often lead in a direction opposite from God’s desires. Joy is often overshadowed by the worries of the world. For this reason, the apostle Paul reminds the people of God to fix their eyes upon heavenly things; the compassion of Christ and the peace of the Holy Spirit. With our attention fixed heavenward, the people of God never lose sight of the promise of God’s mercy and grace, and we continue to live in the joy of our salvation.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, shine the light of your love upon me, that I may live in your peace each day. Amen.

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