Sermons of 2021

Today is Christmas worship. We are thankful for it. We had only on-line worship with no church attendance last January through March, last April through June, and last August through September. But even in such a situation, God’s words have worked. Today we are going to have the ceremony of baptism. We have another ceremony of baptism on Christmas Eve, too. We are very glad. Today’s text is from the Gospel of John. It does not talk about Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels, and wise men from the East. It refers to the Word.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John1:1-2)

What is the Word? When you read the text, you might remember the beginning of Genesis of the Old Testament.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3)

God created the world by the Word. God’s Word created light in the sheer darkness. Human words are sometimes just on the tip of tongue. But God’s Word brings something into existence. The “word” in Hebrew also means “incident.” God’s Word brings about incidents, and makes the history. God’s Word created the world and human beings. The Word was with God since the creation of the heaven and the earth. The Gospel of John refers to the Word.

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3)

The light shines in the chaotic darkness by God’s Word. And the Bible says that God’s Word took the form of human being into Jesus Christ on Christmas.

The Bible tells us that darkness still exists in our world. We are still sinful, and the world is filled with suffering and sorrow. We have our own chaos in our hearts.

But the Bible says, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5)

The word “understand” may be translated into “defeat” or “conquer.” We have still darkness, but it cannot get over the light. The power of sin, which exists in the form of war and violence, is yet over the world, but it cannot conquer the light. The light has already shone in our world, and darkness cannot put off the light.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) And, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

God, the light, comes into our severe reality, and the darkness does not work in the light. And the light, Jesus Christ, shines on everyone.

It is worthy of your attention that the Bible does not say, “The light shone in the darkness,” nor “The light will shine in the darkness.” But the light now shines in the darkness. Even if you feel in the darkness, or are groping your way in the dark under the trial, Jesus is now with you and shines around you. We have now Christmas. It means that God says “Let there be light,” and there is light. God calls us to live our lives, relying on the light, Jesus. We may feel living with no hope for the future, but the light really exists in any darkness. Christmas teaches us about it.

The word “night,” in the Gospel of John, symbolizes sinfulness or darkness in the chaotic world. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Jesus, and went out. It was night. (John 13:30)

Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish council, came to Jesus at night in fear of being seen by others. He belonged to the religious elite group. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Then, he wanted to believe in Jesus. And he said his opinion to Jewish people, so that Jesus might not be judged unfairly by the Jewish council. He also helped Jesus to be buried after his crucifixion. (John 19:39)

Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night, served him as much as possible under his conditions. Nicodemus who had lived in the darkness of night was shone by the light of Jesus.

Today, the ceremony of baptism is going to be held. I often say to those who are going to receive the baptism, “The baptism, in a sense, is like the ceremony where funeral, birth and marriage are held simultaneously.” At the baptism a person is going to be born of water and the Spirit as a son of God. We are tied with Jesus, who is the Word and the light. Though we have no power to change the darkness into light, on Christmas Jesus came to us to give light to us. When God says, “Let there be light,” and there is light in our everyday lives.

“The light shines in the darkness…. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” (John 1:1,9)

We remember now the grace of Christmas that Jesus, the light, gives light to us. Let’s believe God and celebrate Christmas!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

All Mankind will See God’s Salvation (Luke 3:1-6)

December 5, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Christ! Amen!

Today, the second candle on the Advent wreath is on. Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke is from the Book of Isaiah.

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”

Are your hearts made straight for God? Frankly speaking, our hearts are like bumpy road. So, we ask for God’s help. Today’s message is just for us.

The Gospel of Luke describes John the Baptist in detail. It was said that Luke was a medical doctor. He recorded the incidents chronologically. So, we know that the incidents of John and Jesus were historical. What we should pay attention to is “A voice of one calling in the desert” was given to John. “John went into all the country around the Jordan” where very few people were settled down. His message was told first in the desert, not in the main street of Jerusalem. It seems to us that delivery of message is more effective in busy streets rather than in the wilderness. But the message of the Bible　began in the wilderness. It meant the prophesy by Isaiah came true.

“A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

The prophet Isaiah lived, when Israel was perished, and the people were taken away as prisoners to the foreign country, and the people were going to see the release. His prophesy was told just in the situation. But the people hardly believed the coming of the salvation. Isaiah told them that the Lord was coming into their hearts. So, he told to prepare the way for the Lord. The wilderness meant the situation of their hearts. They faced the severity of reality, and it was difficult for them to believe God. Isaiah’s message was told just in the situation. We also live in severe reality. We have high mountains we cannot go over, and the rock bottom of the valley, and parched wilderness in our daily lives. However, such places are made straight so that God may come to us.

John the Baptist went into all the country around the Jordan, “preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” The baptism should be done first for preparing the way for the Lord.

Then, what is the repentance? It means not only reflection but also “change direction to God.” The original meaning of “sin” in Greek is “way off the mark.” We are going a way off the mark. Repentance means change direction to God. When we are at a loss, we change direction to God, and pray. People ask to John, “What should we do then?” His answer was very practical. He answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” He said to tax collectors, “Don’t collect any more than you are required to.” He said to soldiers, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely--be content with your pay.”

It is cold at night in the wilderness. People in the wilderness live a long way off the resident area. So, people, who were going to the low-lying land of Jordan needed to carry two tunics and enough food. But there were some people who could not make preparation. John advised the people to live with their neighbors. Tax collectors were regarded as sinners, because they collected tax from their fellow countrymen for the Roman Empire. It is said that some of them tried to fill their own pockets. But John told them not to collect any more than they were required to. The soldiers were Roman. They were regarded as those who should not be saved. But anyone who asked for salvation could be given it. Repentance is to live up to the teaching of God in our own everyday lives. John the Baptist teaches us who live in severe reality like the wilderness. He teaches us about Jesus.

“I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)

John baptized people with water. But Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire. After Jesus was raised, the Holy Spirit came down to his disciples like fire. Though they had been filled with fear and anxieties, they were strengthened with the Holy Spirit. Our baptism is performed in the name of Jesus. The forgiveness of our sins was sure, never unstable. Therefore, our repentance is reliance on the Holy Spirit, which makes our hearts straight to God. When we are at a loss, the Holy Spirit makes the way to the wilderness, and makes the river stream through the desert. Let’s rely on God’s work! So, people in the captivity for a long time said, “All mankind will see God’s salvation.”

Everyone will see God’s salvation. No one will be left out. Jesus stands at the front of the way which the Holy Spirit will make straight. Jesus followed God, and opened the way to the resurrection for us. We just follow Jesus’ route, believing his words. Jesus has already made the route to the Heaven for us by his crucifixion and resurrection.

The Communion service is going to be held this morning. It is going to be held for the first time in one year and ten months because of the need to prevent infection. Various incidents occur every day in our lives. We go on the bumpy and winding path. But the path is made smooth and peaceful by God’s power. Let’s receive His power through the Communion! Let’s believe firmly the mercy of Jesus’ cross! Let’s spend the Advent, believing Jesus coming again to us!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Your Redemption is Drawing Near (Luke 21:25-36)

November 28, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Christ! Amen!

We have had the Advent. Altar cloth behind the holy table is purple. We look forward to Christmas.

The word “adventure” is like the “Advent.” Both words have the same word origin. “Advent” means “come,” or “arrival.” And “adventure” means “new experience is coming,” or “something thrilling is happening.”

Then, what does come in the Advent? Jesus comes. The Bible recommends us, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life” (Luke 21:34)

Our hearts will be weighed down with the anxieties of life. So, we are startled by this message. We are really living with troubles of life. Then, what should we do to prevent our life from the anxieties of life?

Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke begins with “Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God.” (21:5) But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” After forty years his words came true during the Jewish Revolts. Jesus began to teach his disciples about the end of the world.

Just before the text, Jesus began to talk about deceiving leaders and wars. He said, “These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them, “Nation will raise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilence in various places. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in in the country not enter the city.” At the time Jerusalem surrounded by the castle wall or the temple were believed to be safe. But Jesus said, “Your salvation would not be based on the human -made building.” We always face wars, violence, earthquakes, and pestilence. We have been troubled with coronavirus for two years. Some of us are receiving suffering because of faith. But the Bible tells us that Jesus is always with us in those sufferings. “Jesus said, ‘I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.’” (21:15) And he said, “Not a hair of your head will perish.” He tells us so that we may not be afraid. Then, what should we watch?

“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)

We, who are in suffering in the world, should watch Jesus without being misled by false teachings. The text tells us that Jesus is coming “with power and great glory.” When Jesus came to the world first, Mary and Joseph had no room for them in the inn, and Jesus was born at its stable. Jesus, lying in a manger, came to the world without any power. But when he came to the world for the second time, he came with power and great glory. He rules over the whole world.

The world is in suffering because of wars, rebellions, disasters, famines and pestilence. But today’s text tells us that Jesus will guard us with his power. This is the completion of the history. Jesus was risen on the third day after his death. The end of the world is not terrible at all. It is the day of completion of God’s salvation. Therefore, we are able to live every day without any confusion, though we are troubled with daily troubles and sufferings.

Jesus says, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

We may be in low spirits now because of various troubles, and be unable to recover ourselves. But Jesus’ coming is the very sign of our salvation. The kingdom of God has already been realized. When he will come again, the salvation will be completed. Until that time we can live raising our heads. When we raise our heads, we watch Jesus’ cross. We know our all sins are forgiven.

A friend of mine in Kyushu, who was called to heaven last year, gave witness to me about her experience. When she was about to fall in sleep, her sins hidden in her heart had been revealed one by one. One of her sins was related to her family. She had been unable to forgive one of her family. Though the person died, the memory about her remained in her heart. So, she had been unable to sleep for nights. The moment she thought that she would not be saved at all, she found something glowing in the darkness. It was the cross shining aglow. And she heard Jesus’ voice, “I came here for you,” and “My cross is for you.” In that instant she was filled with gratitude and tears. The forgiveness of sin, which had been just knowledge till that time, came true for her.

What we watch is always Jesus. His cross and resurrection are always for us at any time

“When you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31)

When we are in fear, God is near with us at the very time. Today’s text does not tell us about the threats of end of the world nor dreadful judgment at the time. It tells us that Jesus’ cross and his coming are provided for us at the terrible time like now. What matters is how we should live now.

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34)

What does “your hearts will be weighed down” mean? Jesus said before, “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.” The worries of this life make us blind to the teaching of Jesus.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Luke 21:33)

When some of his disciples were lost in contemplating the beautiful temple, Jesus taught them that it would not last forever. We sometimes are obliged to receive the change of our life. But what we should rely on is Jesus’ teaching, not on human-made things. It does not weigh down our hearts that we live based on the Bible and follow Jesus.

During the Advent, we prepare ourselves for meeting Jesus at the end of the world, as well as looking forward to Christmas. Now we live in various trials, but let’s rely on Jesus’ words and look forward to Jesus!

　The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Listen to Jesus’ Voice (John 18:33-37)

November 21, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Christ! Amen!

According to the liturgical calendar, today is the last day of the year. Next week the Advent begins. In the past, I titled today’s worship “The last day of the year.” People living around the church spoke to me, “Your church is very hasty, isn’t it?”

We have to carry out a general clearing for church today. I am very glad that we can come together for a general clearing. Last year we could not.

Today we remember “Jesus is our king.” According to today’s text from the Gospel of John, Jesus was examined by the Roman governor. Judea was under the rule of the Roman Empire at that time. Today’s text tells that Jesus was examined by Pontius Pilate the governor before Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus was sued by the Jewish people over his blasphemy against God. They argued that Jesus said that he was the son of God.

But Pilate the governor was not a Jew. What mattered was whether Jesus said, “I am a king,” or not. It meant whether he was a traitor or not. So, the priests sued him who was going to rebel against the Roman government for Jews’ independence.

Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

“Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own idea, or did others tell you about me?’” (John 18:34)

Jesus asked Pilate who ought to ask Jesus. Jesus also asks us whether we believe that Jesus is our king or not. What is meant by “Jesus is our king?” Do we believe that Jesus has power and he guides us on his plan?

Jesus replied, “I am not a Jew. Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me.” Pilate thought it important that there should be no rebellion during his term of office, and could quietly get back to Rome. So, he wanted to settle the matter as soon as possible. Pilate asked Jesus, “What have you done?”

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’” (John 18:36)

“My kingdom” means that Jesus is its king. His kingdom is based on the heaven, not on this world. So, the kingdom is different from the political state like the Roman Empire.

“Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that

I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” (John 18:37)

This expression is difficult to understand. It means that Jesus is surely a king as Pilate said, but he testifies the truth, not a political leader in the world. And everyone who belongs to the truth listens to his voice.

Jesus once said, “The sheep will listen to my voice,” and “the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3) Jesus is the good shepherd and they will listen to his voice. Belonging to the truth means that the sheep will listen to the shepherd’s voice even in the trials and temptation in the world. Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Belonging to the truth means listening to God’s voice and following Jesus. Pilate was going to be asked by Jesus, “you said that I am a king. Then, do you recognize the truth in me and listen to me, and want to become a member of the kingdom?” This question is now to us, too.

Now we are studying the Revelation to John on line. It sometimes causes interesting concern of participants. For example, the Revelation refers to Jesus as a lamb having seven horns and seven eyes. Some of them asked, “How is the seven eyes of the Lamb?” We enjoyed a lively discussion. And we have learnt that God made us “a kingdom.” (Rev 5:10)

Now we believe in Jesus, and we are the people of the kingdom. We now listen to Jesus’ voice in the worship service. Making Jesus our king means that we believe in Jesus’ power and work for him at any time.

What does this year mean to you, when you look back the whole year? You must have come across unexpected incidents or suffering. But even in the situation, we listen to Jesus’ voice, and follow him.

We are going to have the Advent next week. We prepare ourselves for receiving Jesus. This means not only for Christmas but also for the Second Advent. We have to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming again. In due course of time, we come across the end of the world, and stand before God. On that day, Jesus our King receives us in the kingdom of heaven. Until that time, we live as members of the kingdom and live with faith in Jesus. We have troubles and suffering in the world on earth. We are likely to meet unexpected incidents or to have sudden change of our ways. But we listen to Jesus’ voice and go on to live, believing Jesus’ power on us.

Our church prepares for Christmas. It means that we renew our reliance on Jesus the King. Let’s have the Advent with this belief and listen to his voice at any time!

　The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Deliver Me in Your Righteousness (Psalm 31:1-6)

October 31, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Christ! Amen!

Today’s altar cloth behind the holy table is red. When I see it in the chapel, I am braced up. Today is Reformation Day. We remember that God saves us by His grace and He is always with us even if we would face difficult trials, and get depressed.

Today’s text from the Psalm 31 says, “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.” (Psalm 31:1)

The poet of the Psalm seemed to be in serious illness. He was avoided from not only people but even close relatives. He suffered from illness and human relations. He prayed “O Lord, I have taken refuge.” He asked for God’s help. We also troubled with sufferings every day. But we have God’s refuge. The poet also had deep trust in God.

Then, what is “deliver me in your righteousness?” To tell the truth, this word was the start of Reformation which was developed by Martin Luther. Righteousness is “justice” in Hebrew. So, “deliver me in your righteousness” means “deliver me in God’s justice.” We are apt to miss what is righteous in daily lives, and are deeply discouraged by hideous incidents. At the time God delivers us in God’s justice.

Martin Luther was shocked by “deliver me in your justice” in Hebrew text of the Bible. He began to think about “God’s justice.” The church had taught that it meant “righteous people are saved.” Luther was afraid that he himself was not righteous. So, he would be unable to stand up to God’ s justice. However, why did the poet say, “deliver me in your righteousness?” Why did the justice, which judge sinners like him, save them? When he read the letter of Romans, he found “In the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed.” (Romans 1:17)

God’s righteousness is revealed in good news. Namely, it is not judging us but forgiving sinners like us. God’s righteousness is giving us His righteousness to save us. It is revealed in the incident that Jesus received God’s judgement on our behalf. Therefore, we have only to receive the truth. It is the faith to receive the truth. Luther found the truth, and God’s righteousness became God’s grace to him. God’s righteousness is God’s work of grace. We cannot do anything good, but God receives us without any merit by God’s grace. We commit ourselves to God.

The poet prays, “Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.” (Psalm 31:5)

You maybe remember the phrase. Jesus lastly said the words on the cross. According to the Gospel of Luke, “Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’” (Luke 23:46) Jesus’s words on the cross is the prayer of the Psalm 31:5.

Committing one’s spirit to God means committing everything including one’s life, future, and heart to God, not desperately leaving everything undone. Committing everything to God means deep trust in God. We have hope in it, because God saves us by his righteousness.

Then, what is committing our spirit in God’s righteousness? It means that God makes us righteous, though we are really weak sinners. As we can never do anything good, God gives us His righteousness.

Justification has another meaning. It is not only making us righteous, but also making God righteous—believing that God is always righteous. Martin Luther says, “making God righteous is believing God.” When we trust in God’s work, we begin to believe in God. We are likely to lose our ways, and ask to God, “Why do we suffer?” But we should pray “O Lord, I commit my spirit into your hands,” and follow Jesus.

Today, the ceremony of baptism is going to be held. Those who are going to receive baptism are related to God in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They commit themselves into God’s hands.

At the end of the ceremony, the pastor recommends church members, by saying, “God has made these sisters Christian family, the successor to the kingdom of God. I ask you to pray God’s work of grace for these sisters be done.” God makes us “good,” and we trust in God.

Today we have learnt that God will help us in time of trials and suffering. God makes us righteous, when we are weak. Let’s go forward with the faith!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Your Faith has Healed You (Mark 10:46-52)

October 24, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

“Oh God, have mercy on me!” “Help me!” We ask God every day. When we find it difficult to decide my way, we wish God would clearly show us His plan. We are troubled, lose my way, and get depressed.

According to today’s text from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho. A blind man, Bartimaeus was by the roadside begging. “When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47)

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Just before today’s text, the Gospel of Mark tells about the disciples’ struggle for better position among them. Some asked Jesus, “Let us sit at your right or left in your glory.” The others became indignant with them. They did not understand Jesus at all. So, he showed them why he would go to the cross. Today’s text tells just after that.

Bartimaeus shouted, “Son of David!” It means the Savior. He knew that Jesus, who was going to Jerusalem for his crucifixion, was the Savior to save him. The blind man precisely understood Jesus. The eye of faith was opened for Bartimaeus, not for the disciples.

As far as the eye of faith is concerned, the Bible tells about some incidents. Though Jesus’ disciples were nearest to him, they could not understand why Jesus was going to the cross. After his resurrection they could not recognize him first. Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus, when she met him first near the tomb. Two of the Disciples were going to a village called Emmaus. When they were talking about everything that had happened in Jerusalem, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were kept from recognizing him. But when Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. Briefly speaking, the Bible tells us about the eye of faith, not the naked eye.

Is your eye of faith open now? God is always with us. Though Jesus is with us, we are unlikely to see his guide physically with eyes. At the time, the Bible is about to open your eye of faith. Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was.

“He shouted all the more, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Mark 10:48)

This is the prayer “Kyrie,” in our church worship. We sometimes cannot have prayer on our lips, when we are deeply troubled and moan in distress. At the time we can do nothing except “Have mercy on me!”

Last week someone said to me, “Teacher, I am really a sinner, and are troubled with problems. But recently I began to feel that God loves me as I am.” This is the prayer. It is our worship to say, “Have mercy on me!” Though we suffer from various problems for a week, we leave everything to God, and pray, “Have mercy on me!” Jesus will never abandon us.

Bartimaeus continued to shout, “Have mercy on me!” though people told him to be quiet.

“Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet!’” (Mark 10:49)

Bartimaeus said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus said to him, “Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. He walked the way to the cross. Suffering and trials would come to him. He would follow Jesus to the crucifixion. God’s salvation was revealed in the cross. Jesus’ resurrection was revealed through the cross.

When Bartimaeus was called by Jesus, people said to the blind man,

“Cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you.”

We also are called by Jesus today. “Cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you.”

This is Jesus’ calling. Bartimaeus, who was sitting by the roadside, jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. He had peace in mind. We also are called by Jesus today. “Cheer up! On your feet! He is calling you.”

When I was in Kumamoto, I worked in the church, which was closely related to Kyushu Lutheran College. A chaplain used to give blessing at the end of daily worship, “Cheer up! On your feet!” Some students often say, “I feel relieved to hear the blessing, though I am not yet familiar with the Bible.”

We are called by Jesus. When we are discouraged and troubled with unexpected incidents, the Bible says, “Cheer up! On your feet! Jesus is calling you.” When we are about to finish our lives, Jesus calls us to his kingdom of God and his life of resurrection. We are called, “Cheer up! On your feet! Jesus is calling you.”

We have various incidents every day. But Jesus says to us, “Your faith has healed you.” To our joy, we have people who are now preparing themselves for their baptism. Our life of faith is not always going smoothly. We sometimes are troubled with problems concerning our own affairs, family, and friends. We are unlikely to see God’s guidance physically with eyes. At the time we are allowed to say, “Have mercy on me!” Let’s pray that God clearly show us His way!

Bartimaeus followed Jesus. His way was to the cross of Jesus and the resurrection. We also share in Jesus’ suffering. But we surely have God’ s salvation through it. Bartimaeus had his eye of faith to recognize the truth.

Let’s pray that our eye of faith be opened, and let’s follow Jesus! Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior. So, let’s go forward in peace this week!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Serve not to be Served (Mark 10:35-45)

October 17, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Last week some of church members asked me, “Please pray for this!” And they said to me, “God really took me under His protection!” Involuntarily I praised, “Halleluiah!” I really felt that God always was with us, and helped us. Now we have those who are preparing for baptism. We are very glad. The pastor reads aloud Rome 6:3-4 in time of the ceremony of baptism.

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rome 6:3-4)

According to today’s text from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus said to James and John, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.” (Mark 10:39)

What does it mean? Various incidents occur in our everyday lives. We are troubled with them, and we sometimes are not able to control our anger or worry. Jesus’ disciples were the same with us. They were not always faultless.

Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But none of them could understand why he would go to the cross. Soon later James and John came to Jesus and asked, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” The disciples had competed one another so that they might become greater than others till they watched the crucifixion of Jesus.

“’You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’” (Mark 10:38)

James and John followed Jesus first with Peter. They were fishermen. When Jesus called them to follow him, they left their nets and followed him. They thought that they would be rewarded by their efforts. So, they answered, “We can.”

Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” (Mark 10:39-40)

Jesus was preparing for the death on the cross. He knew the coming trials and suffering they would have. And he notified beforehand, “Three days later the Son of Man will be raised.” When he receives glory in heaven, who will sit at his right or left is not the thing we human beings should ask.

“When the ten heard about this they became indignant with James and John.” Other disciples were also competed one another. They were really human beings like us.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:42-45)

We all are members of God’s family. We have been able to come together to have worship since October. I am really happy to sing hymns together with you. It is really wonderful for the family members to come together for the worship. We do not compete one another to become great here, but serve each other.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45)

Jesus revealed the reason why he was crucified. He gave his life as a ransom for us. Ransom means money for redeeming a hostage. He was crucified for salvation of us, who are seized with various sins. Our hearts are not free. The disciples were also seized with jealousy and resentment, and tried to be great among them. Jesus’ crucifixion was done to save weak sinners like us.

What is meant by “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” We, who are as weak sinners as the disciples, drink the cup Jesus drank and are baptized with the baptism he was baptized. This means our baptism and the Communion service. This means that we vividly receive God’s salvation. We hold back the Communion for a while because of prevention of the infection of new coronavirus disease. The cup we drink is not suffering but the testimony of our salvation. The Communion is vivid testimony that Jesus was crucified to redeem us, and he is always with us. “Serve” also means giving someone food at a dinner table. Jesus comes to us to give us food for the Communion.

When Jesus was baptized, a voice came from heaven.

“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11)

Our baptism means that we sinners are born as sons of God and are called “You are my sons whom I love.” We are forgiven and justified by our baptism. We are connected with Jesus through baptism. We sinners are buried with Jesus’ cross and are newly born as sons of God. Jesus walked to the cross and was resurrected. With him we walk. Jesus is always with us, and supports us, heals us, and helps us. Jesus thoroughly served us. So, he says to us, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:43)

Let’s go forward keeping his words in mind this week! Let our hearts be filled with his words when we are troubled with anger and fear! Let’s live and pray together as his family!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Be at Peace with Each Other（Mark 9:38-50）

September 26, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

“Be at peace with each other”

Jesus gives us this message today.

We live now far from peace. We have conflicts in this world, and our minds are occupied with blame, doubt and trouble rather than peace. We cannot control our minds at will. We are likely to feel jealous of others or not to be glad at hearing others’ success. Jesus’ disciples were also similar to us.

“’Teacher,’ said John, ‘we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.’” (Mark 9:38)

John was one of the disciples who followed Jesus first. So, he could not overlook some people who tried to be famous by utilizing Jesus’ name. The disciples themselves argued about who was the greatest among them. They were proud that they were the nearest to Jesus who would become the ruler of the country. From there was born their jealousy, blame and self-conceit. But Jesus’ answer was different from what they had expected.

“’Do not stop him,’ Jesus said. ‘No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.’” (Mark 9:39-40)

Though Jesus’ disciples were exclusive, Jesus was generous. His salvation is by far broader than we expect. We are apt to wonder if that person will not be saved. We are also likely to think about our faith, saying “Am I really a Christian?” or “Am I allowed to receive baptism?” But Jesus is receptive, not exclusive. Therefore, I am saved. Jesus says to us, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” The disciples’ concern was who was the greatest among them. But Jesus received his disciples who were really weak and little.

Jesus says, “Anyone who gives a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” What matters is that we are received as his disciples, though we are really weak and little. Jesus says to us, “Whoever is not against us is for us,” though we are little and weak.

Therefore, Jesus wants little and weak people like us not to stumble. ‘Stumble’ is the origin of ‘scandal.’ It is something to hinder others in their faith, or an obstacle to the way of others’ following God. The cause of ‘stumble’ yields within themselves, rather than owing to the trials coming from the outside.

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.” (Mark 9:43)

Jesus says, “If your foot or eye causes you to sin, cut it or pluck it out.” Our hindrance to faith is secretly born within ourselves. Our unbelief, doubt and blame are also born within ourselves, and they let ourselves and others stumble. We are weak and little. But Jesus wants us not to stumble and keep our faith to the last. Jesus’ such message is, to tell the truth, his calling to us so that we may enter the kingdom of God.

It is sure that his message is severe to us. When I was a junior high school student, and read the Bible, I clearly remember my surprise, saying, “Wow! I could never enter the kingdom of God.” Who, as a matter of fact, can enter the kingdom of God? We cannot enter the kingdom of God by our own power. Our hearts are filled with unbelief and jealousy, and concern “who is the greatest among us?” Therefore, we cannot help relying on the Jesus’ cross. Jesus devoted not only his arms and feet but also his whole life to God. Jesus does not exclude us who could not follow Jesus but has called us to enter the kingdom of God.

Therefore, Jesus teaches us, saying, “Everyone will be salted with fire. ‘Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.’” (Mark 9:50)

What does it mean? His message is related to the background of the Old Testament. According to the law of the Old Testament, the offering to God in the worship service shall be seasoned with salt. Leviticus 2:13 says, “Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.” (Levi 2:13)

That is to say, “Everyone will be salted with fire,” means that we ourselves are offered to God, and that we ourselves are valuable offering to God. Jesus saved us by offering his life to God. So, we have already been God’s own.

Our everyday lives are not always happy. We sometimes are troubled with human relations. But we are offered to God, and our whole lives are under God’s power. What we do every day is for God. When you think about it, your daily routine work will become different each day. It is not necessary for you to judge your behavior whether it has been done with jealousy to others or for the sake of God. Jesus teaches us, “Be at peace with each other.” Leave yourself to God, and offer your everyday lives to God.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rome 12:1-2)

Then our hearts will be filled with peace that Jesus gives us. We are now under God, and are called to greater salvation than we expect. Let’s offer your life to God every day as his disciples, this week! Let’s pray that we be protected from stumble, and receive your neighbors generously, so that we may be utilized as offering seasoned with salt!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Be Last of All (Mark 9:30-37)

September 19, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

When I married, a teacher of the seminary gave me a framed poem as a wedding gift. It is hung on the wall of my house. The poem is “Christ is the head of this house. The unseen guest at every meal. The silent listener to every conversation.”

The poem well shows a faithful Jesus’ follower. At the same time, it makes me reflect my faith as it is. We do not want Jesus to listen to our conversation as it is at home. We are really weak and little. The disciples who seemed to be nearest to Jesus were as weak and little as we are.

Today’s text from the Gospel of Mark well describes them as they were. “Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.’”

But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. (Mark 9:32)

They could not ask Jesus about what was most important. And they came to Capernaum. When Jesus was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

“They kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.” (9:34)

They never wanted Jesus to listen to what they had argued about. They were as weak as we are. They could not understand Jesus’ suffering at all. They tried to beat one another to get the best position of the disciples. And they must have competed one another and might have had factions among them. Some of them might have boasted that they were more devout or more talented than others. We are also likely to try to compete with others unconsciously, or be content with our own status. We also have inferiority complex or sense of rivalry in our society.

We are troubled in spirit by a superior air or behavior of someone else. And we are apt to think about our own affairs negatively. These situations clearly show us as we are. Today’s text describes Jesus’ teaching.

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” (9:35)

His teaching seems to be contrary to our ordinary thinking. What does his teaching mean?

“He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’” (9:37)

According to the sense of value in the ancient world, a child was not recognized as a character. Children were not allowed to participate in any male adults’ meeting. They were considered to be little, weak and helpless in their society. Mark 10:13 describes the incident in which people were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but his disciples rebuked them. At the time, Jesus scolded his disciples, saying to them, “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Jesus receives weak and little beings. He himself walked humbly to the cross. Who are weak and little beings like children? At that time, the disciples, who argued about who was the greatest, were the very people who were really weak and little. But Jesus received them as his disciples. Understanding that Jesus receives children means knowing their own weakness and sinfulness, and yet recognizing Jesus’ calling to them. The disciples were not the people who were proud of themselves, but needed God’s help and salvation. To tell the truth, they should know that they were last of all.

Paul, who became Jesus’ disciple after his crucifixion, was the best and brightest among the elite people. He was a Roman citizen, highly educated, and wellborn. But he considered such profit loss for the sake of Christ. “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philip 3:8) Paul was a sinner at first, because he persecuted Jesus’ disciples. Notwithstanding, Jesus received him. So, Paul knew that he was the least of the apostles. (1 Corinth 15:9)

Paul was always troubled with disease, though he performed wonderful works as a missionary. He prayed to God for healing his disease.

“But the Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Following Jesus means knowing one’s own weakness and littleness. But one’s strength is revealed through one’s weakness.

The other day I prayed for one thing at night. It seemed to be very difficult to solve it. But while I prayed, I incidentally experienced comfort from God. I wondered that I might rely on Jesus, though I was helpless, because Jesus’ power would be revealed through my weakness.

Therefore, we are called to receive others. It is difficult for us to receive people who have different opinions or positions. But Jesus received weak and little ones like us. So, we should receive our all neighbors. It means that we should serve all people in spite of different opinions or ideas. Jesus says to us, “Be the servant of all.” You may provably think, “It is impossible for me to serve all people.” But Jesus knows everything about you. It is Jesus to judge you, not the matter for you to do. It is to “serve” that we worship Jesus and listen to God’s words, and pray for someone else. However weak and little we may be like children, God receives us first of all.

Let’ s believe that God will never abandon us and pray for our neighbors with his words in mind this week!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

With Your Lips or From Your Hearts（Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23）

August 29, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

“These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain.” (Mark 7:6-7)

This is the language of the prophet in the Old Testament which Jesus cited. Where are our hearts now? Jesus tells, “You say, ‘We believe in God,’ but your hearts are far from Him. And you worship Him in vain.”

When we reflect ourselves based on Jesus’ words, we see that we are really sinful. We are likely to judge others in our hearts. We often repent we should not have said such a thing to others. And we sometimes do not trust God, and doubt our belief. The confession of our sins in the worship of service says, “We committed many sins by thoughts, words, acts or neglect.” It is also a sin that we should not performed our duty. There are also conflicts in the name of religions.

Human lives are now jeopardized in Japan and in the world. They are threatened by the prevailing infection of new coronavirus, violence and force of arms. We pray for God’s healing. Where does our salvation come from?

Today’s text refers to argument between the religious elites like the Pharisees and teachers of the law and Jesus. They wanted to find out an excuse for proceeding against him. They saw the disciples of Jesus eating food with unwashed hands. We think it is important for us to wash hands before eating from the view point of sanitation. Particularly now we emphasize washing hands before eating. But it was religious rite to wash hands in the time of Jesus. Originally the rite might have developed from the viewpoint of sanitation. In the time of undeveloped medicine, it must have come from forefathers’ wisdom. But this custom gradually became religious rite, under which it was very important to “keep rule.” Then, keeping the rule became the criterion of keeping the faith.

So, Jesus said, citing the words of the prophet, “These people honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from God. They worship God in vain.” Are there your acts, which seem to be very devout, but your hearts are from God? The gist of today’s text is “heart.” Are our hearts far from God?

Jesus teaches two things. One is “Nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean.” Another is “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’”

Nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean.

What matters here is not whether the food is good or not from the sanitary viewpoint, but hearts. There were minute regulations in the law concerning foods. For example, there were regulations concerning clean animals and unclean ones. A cow was clean, but a swine was unclean. Fish with scales was permittable but fish without scales like a shrimp, a crab, and an eel were forbidden. The Jewish people thought themselves clean under the law unlike the other races. These regulations originally must have come from forefathers’ wisdom. But they gradually became perfunctory. At last, it became most important to keep the regulations, and keeping the regulations was turned into the criterion to judge people’s faithfulness. Later there was argument whether the foreigners who believed in Jesus should keep the regulations or not. When Peter, Jesus’ disciple, in the Acts of the Apostles, said, “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice from heaven spoke to him, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Till the time, it was thought that foreigners were unclean because they ate unclean foods. So, they were considered far from the salvation. But Jesus’ crucifixion was done for all the people. Foods never make anyone’s heart unclean. Nothing outside a man can make unclean. What matters is heart. Jesus says, “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man unclean.” (Mark 7:21-23)

Then, where does our salvation come from? The forgiveness for us who are far from God is based on His crucifixion. Jesus’ love makes our hearts new. Peace always starts from here. The way to peace seems to be far away, but it starts from our hearts. Anything good does not come from within us, but Jesus gives us love and new hearts.

Many miracles by Jesus are described before and after today’s text. Jesus drove the demon out of foreign woman’s daughter. (Mark 7:25-26) The Jewish elite like the Pharisees and the teachers of the law did not believe in Jesus, but the foreign woman believed in Jesus. In those days foreign people were discriminated in the Jewish society.

In Mark 6:50-52, his disciples were straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. They saw Jesus walking on the lake. They thought he was a ghost. They all were terrified.

“Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” (Mark 6:50-52)

The disciples who were straining at the oars experienced the miracle of feeding more than five thousand through sharing five loaves and two fish. Nevertheless, they could not understand who Jesus was. Their hearts were hardened.

How about us? Our hearts are hardened and are unable to trust God. From our hearts, various sins come out. We also struggle to find out the way. But you should remember Jesus’ words “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “It is I” has a special meaning. Jesus is the Son of God, the Creator, who is with you.

We judge one another and forget Jesus’ love in the world filled with fear and worries. But Jesus’ forgiveness based on His crucifixion is for us. Jesus is the Son of God, who created the world. He heals the world. We worship God from our hearts, not in vain. Jesus renews our hearts in today’s worship. When we worry, Jesus says, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” We trust in His words, and pray for healing the world and peace. We believe the world will be filled with His love.

Let’s go forward believing His love and forgiveness, this week, too! Let’s perform our duties with trust in Him!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Walk with Jesus (John 6:56-69)

August 22, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

The new coronavirus infection is still prevalent. And big incidents are occurring in the world. Some of them really trouble our hearts. We pray, “Please, God, help us! Pay your attention to our harsh reality, and heal us!”

What does the Bible tell us in this situation?

Today’s text from the Gospel of John says, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6:66)

Then Jesus asked the twelve, “You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the twelve.” (John 6:67)

This question is asked not only to the twelve disciples but also to everyone who reads the Gospel of John. Do you really believe in Jesus in face of various merciless realities? What does the Bible tell us?

The chapter 6 of the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus is the bread of life from heaven. We eat the bread and wine in the Communion. It means we eat the body of Jesus and drink his blood. Jesus says to us, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.” (John 6:57)

“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it.’” (John 6:60)

I would like to emphasize that the disciples of Jesus said so, not the scholars who were against Jesus. In those days some of people who heard his words thought “eternal life” might be like a magical rite or some understood Jesus’ body might contain an elixir of life.

But Jesus said about more surprising thing. He, the bread from heaven, was back to heaven through the crucifixion. If people could not understand that he was the bread of life from heaven, what was still more incomprehensible was that he was going back to heaven through the crucifixion. Thus, many people could not understand Jesus’ message.

So, we wonder if we really believe in Jesus. Frankly speaking, we sometimes could not thoroughly believe in Jesus nor firmly trust in him in face of harsh trials. Today’s text tells that many disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Believing in Jesus means working with Jesus. We follow Jesus, and eat the bread and drink wine in the Communion. We keep Jesus’ commandment, “Love one another!” Jesus says, “The one who feeds on me will live because of me.” Even when we are discouraged and cannot go forward, we live because of Jesus.

People could not understand “eternal life,” nor “live forever.” But Jesus teaches us, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

We know in our everyday lives that we are with Jesus and know his power is working over us. Even if we live in a harsh reality, we know Jesus walks with us and he promises us that we will be raised after we finish our earthly life. And when Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you? Peter, the top disciple, answered.

“Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’” (John 6:69)

But what did Peter do, when Jesus was arrested? Peter escaped from Jesus and said three times, “I am not his disciples.” But Jesus never abandoned him. Jesus would never say, “Peter is no longer my disciple.” Resurrected Jesus met Peter, and forgave him, and called Peter as his disciple, and said, “Follow me.” This is eternal life. Even if Peter might be very sinful and he might fail in his life, or he might be about to leave from Jesus, Peter was in Jesus, and Jesus lived in Peter.

　When I attended church for the first time, I was a second-year student of junior high school. It was mass of Catholic church. I remember well solemnity of the worship of church. The holy Communion impressed me well. To tell the truth, it is unique words in Catholic Churches in Japan, after the priest said “Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” the congregation said, “Lord, you are the Holy One of God. You have the words of eternal life. To whom shall we go, but you.” I was startled. These words were very impressive.

We have various incidents every day. We are confused and troubled by them. Sometimes we are likely to have doubts about our own faith. In the situation we attend church, and participate in the Communion. It means that we confess “We go to no one except you.” We have already been in Jesus. We are protected by his hand. So, we can pray to Jesus anytime. We can pray for healing the people in the world and for those who are now in sorrow or in trials. We already have eternal life. We are apt to have doubt about our faith. But at the very time we should remember the words: “Lord! We go to no one except you. You have the words of eternal life.” And you should perform your duties every day, and live in Jesus’ hand.

People said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” But to tell the truth, Jesus’ message is a wonderful story. Let’s walk forward with firm trust in him this week, too! Let’s pray for the people in suffering in the world!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Real Food (John 6:51-58)

August 15, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

When I was in Kumamoto, an elementary school kid of a family who attended to church said to me, “I want to be baptized. I want to be a Christian.” The reason why he said so was “I want to eat the bread in the worship service like my elder sister.” I was very glad to hear him. This boy taught me that he really wanted to join the Communion at the sacred table. He wanted to eat the bread of Jesus and drink the vine juice of His blood. This is wonderful. With this as a start we began to study for the preparation of baptism for kids.

To our regret, we are unable to have the Communion for more than one and half years. Now today’s worship is on line only. Each of us lives in a trial or with a burden. However, today’s text from the Gospel of John cheers us up. It seems to us that we are in the wilderness. Our long and severe journey is unlikely to come to a close. The Old Testament tells us that the Jewish people wandered harshly in the wilderness for forty years. They grumbled about their lives and began to have a mistrust to God and said that they wanted to go back to their past lives. But God did not abandon them and led them. God gave them manna from heaven to make them live. They realized through the experience that God would help them to live in the wilderness. They knew that God was the real helper for them. The reason why God gave manna from heaven was described in Deuteronomy 8:3.

“Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Manna was given to them in order to make them believe in God and live in the wilderness.

Today’s text tells us that Jesus gives us the bread of life to make us live forever, though those who ate manna later died. This bread is Jesus.

The same content is repeated by John 6:51 and 6:58. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven” and “anyone who eats of this bread will live forever.” Jesus teaches us that he is the real bread.

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.’” (John 6:35)

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” (John 6:56)

Those who heard Jesus’ words could not understand him, and said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven?’” (John 6:42) And “The Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” (John 6:51)

Jesus said, “This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” “Give” here means that Jesus sacrifices his life. It shows Jesus’ crucifixion. We are with Jesus when we drink his blood. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” Remain (iru) here is the same with “remain” (tsunagaru) in John 15:4 and “remain” (todomaru) in John 15:9

When we live in the trial with a dark future as if we were in the wilderness, Jesus is always with us. We remain in his love. The testimony is the Communion in which we eat the bread of Jesus and drink his blood.

When the Gospel of John was written, the church was severely persecuted. The people held the service and had the Communion at the risk of their lives. In the latter half of the 6 chapter of John, we find that many disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the twelve, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” This Jesus’ question must have urged the people, who read the Gospel of John, to decide their own decision. It also urges us to examine our own faith in the perpetual trial. Those who remained in their faith and kept the Communion were supported by the promise “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:54)

The Communion gives us God’s grace visibly and renews our faith, though we live in the severe trial like in the wilderness.

When I prepared myself for baptism, my pastor said to me, “Why did Jesus say that the bread was his life and the vine was his blood, and told them to eat the bread and drink the vine in his remembrance?” Jesus knew at the time that Judah would betray him, and all his disciples would run away from him. He also knew that Peter, his best disciple, would deny Jesus. Jesus knew all human beings’ weakness and sins, and he walked to the cross to forgive them.

The Communion is a testimony that Jesus was crucified for us. Briefly speaking, it is the testimony of his forgiveness. We, weak human beings, are likely to doubt our own faith. We sometimes are not sure of really believing God. While we live severe daily lives like in the wilderness, we are mentally exhausted, and our faith is weakened.

It is an undeniable incident that we eat the bread of Jesus and drink the vine of his blood. It is also an undeniable fact that we are forgiven by Jesus and he is with us. The Communion is set for us so that we may confirm that his body on the cross and the shedding blood are just for our forgiveness.

Jesus said, “Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.” (John 6: 57)

Even when we do not become lively, we live by Jesus. What did the Jewish people think, when they were exhausted in the wilderness and found manna? They must have thought that they were given manna this day, too, and they recognized that God was with them.

Jesus is also with us, when we live in dark daily lives. Let’s walk forward this week, too! Let’s look forward to participate in the Communion and continue to pray with Jesus’ help!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Beat their swords into Plowshares (Micah 4:1-5)

August 1, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

August is the time to think about peace. Today’s text from Micah tells us “They will not train war anymore.” This is a surprising message. Because we now train war in this world. We also train war among people. Some of us make anonymously malicious slanders against other people. While the infection of new coronavirus becomes prevalent, it has stood out clearly that we are apt to divide people in our hearts. What is the reason why today’s text says, “They will not train war anymore?”

The prophet Micah is told that he worked in the same age when Isaiah, a famous prophet, worked. Politics at the time was unstable. They had wars constantly and lived under the threats from other countries. The political leaders became corrupt, and engaged in graft. Micah declared very severe judgements against them. Micah harshly criticized the greed of the people. He predicted that Jerusalem would become a heap of rubble. But today’s text from Micah abruptly tells about the salvation of God. He says that God continues to work on the people who would experience the fall of Jerusalem.

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come. Let us go up to the mountain of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Micah 4:1-2)

He describes the end of war and the worldly peace. The peace is not only for a country but also for every people in the world. Briefly speaking, the peace is not supported by a certain country but God’s rule will be realized.

“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” (Micah 4:3)

In the background of this message there seemed to be a slogan in that age. It was “Beat the plowshares into swords, and pruning hooks into spears.” It was a slogan in order to secure arms in face of war. But the prophet turned it back. They do not need arms to make war any longer. Arms are used to destroy human knowledge and technology. But now they will be used for construction and production for human lives.

“Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.” (Micah 4:4)

The peace which Micah tells about is not a false one which is supported by massive military power. It is not a superficial peace left behind someone’s greed. It is the peace from the viewpoint of ordinary people. It is the peace under which individual person’s life is protected by God. “Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree” is the phrase which is occasionally used in the Old Testament. It is used in 1 King 4:25, 2 King 18:31, and Zechariah 3:10. It visualizes that people who are farmers in Palestine live in peace. They are threatened by no one and they are given place to work. They are given foods to foster their families. They are not forced to become soldiers because of poverty.

“All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” (Micah 4:5)

The ultimate peace which the prophet declared is not yet realized. Our world is covered by human sins and greed which bring about sorrow and suffering. However, this message is declaration of our faith. It is our firm belief that we will rely on God in spite of the severe reality just ahead. This is the promise of God.

Then, when does “the last day” come?

It has already begun by Jesus. Jesus taught us God’s way of living. Jesus said as follows:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34)

The peace which Micah taught us begins to spread around us who believe in Jesus. Micah’s message “They will not train war anymore” begins to work from within our hearts. We are really governed by jealousy, hatred, greed, and exclusion. While the infection of new coronavirus becomes prevalent, it has stood out clearly that we are apt to divide people in our hearts. We are unwilling to receive people with different opinions from us. But Jesus forgives all our sins and, and walked to the cross to make us the sons of God. Jesus said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mathew 5:44) Jesus really put it into practice. When the centurion of the Roman Empire, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47) Through the incident of Jesus’ crucifixion, the centurion’s arms in his hand were incapacitated, and he believed Jesus.

The peace begins to work when we follow Jesus in our everyday lives, and we love our neighbors. It is difficult for us to do, but Jesus, the Son of God carries it out. It is important for us to pray for our leaders, for our country, and for the world. We should pray for the people in face of danger of lives. Let’s pray that arms like swords and spears in our hearts be beaten into the tools for peace! Let’s pray that human knowledge and technologies be used for us to live, not for destruction and killing!

Jesus said to people, “Go in peace.” Let’s pray that your family and your office be filled with peace! Let’s pray that no countries train war against one another! Let’s walk in peace that Jesus gives us, this week, too!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Jesus Provides (John 6:1-15)

July 25, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

We have a 3000-meter hurdle race as one of athletic sports. This is called “Steeplechase,” which means “chase church towers.”　In days of old there was a race in Europe, in which people raced from a village church to another. While they ran, they jumped over streams and fences. This is the origin of a hurdle race. It is interesting to think that people ran from church to church to hear Jesus’ message.

Then, who is Jesus? Today’s text from the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus provides us with necessary things in our suffering or troubles. Jesus is the bread of life, and he is the Son of God.

Today’s text tells that a great crowd was coming toward him. And it tells,

“The Jewish Passover Feast was near.” (6:4)

The Jewish Passover Feast is closely connected with the incident of Exodus, in which Jewish people were saved from slavery in Egypt. When they escaped in haste from Egypt, they had no time to leaven dough. So, they carried the bread without yeast. Therefore, they eat the bread without yeast in the Passover Feast. Whenever they see the bread, they think about the Exodus and celebrate it. While they wandered about the wilderness for forty years, God gave manna from the heaven. They remember the salvation of God through the bread. When Jesus saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Phillip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (6:5)

It does not mean that they have to prepare meals for a great crowd. It means, “where do the bread come?” Therefore, the point is ‘where we buy,’not ‘how we buy.’ Yet Jesus knew what he should do. Jesus was about to show that he was the Savior from the Heaven, and he was the bread of life to foster the people.

But the disciples did not realize the meaning of Jesus’ words. They just thought that they had to prepare meals for a great crowd.

“Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite.’ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’” (6:7-8)

Philip and Andrew did not realize that Jesus was the Son of God and the bread of life, and said, “There are no money nor foods for a great crowd.”

There are differences between Jesus’ questions and people’s answers in the Gospel of John. The differences, which are always very meaningful in the Gospel of John, lead us to recognize the important truth.

Philip said, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for them.” Andrew said, “Five barley loaves and two fish are useful for nothing.” This situation often occurs to us in our daily lives. We think that our ability and resource can do nothing to overcome the coming severe situation.

It is wonderful to know that a boy had five small barley loaves and two small fish. This boy must have wanted to listen to Jesus’ message. His family might have prepared for his meal. Barley loaves, which were not so good as wheat bread, were foods for poor families. The disciples thought that these barley loaves and small fish were useless at all. But this boy wanted to offer his meal to Jesus. This showed his faith.

“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of gras in that place and the men sat down, about five thousand of them.” (6:10)

This passage reminds us of the Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

And it tells, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm23:5)

We perceive the Psalm 23 is fulfilled. Briefly speaking, Jesus was about to reveal who he was. The situation, in which the Psalm 23 was made, was severe. We know the situation through its passages: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Jesus, the Son of God fulfils our needs. He takes care of us in time of pain of death. He is the bread of life given from the Heaven. The Gospel of John continue to tell as follows:

“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” (6:11)

It was the role of the host, according to the Jewish custom, to pray thanks and share foods with guests. Jesus is our host.

“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”

The answer to this question is to show that Jesus is the bread of life, and he is the Son of God who saves us. Let’s throw your thoughts away like “I can do nothing for others” or “This is not enough.” When a boy offers five barley bread and two fish to Jesus, he uses them for his abundant grace.

The people in our world live now in the great trial. Various incidents really occur every day. In this situation we are painfully aware of our littleness. But let’s believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who guides us in this situation and he is the bread of life! Though we are little, Jesus fulfils our prayer for healing of the world.

Let’s walk forward with Jesus’ help this week, and continue to pray for the world!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Jesus’ Compassion (Mark 6:30-34)

July 18, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

We have had the fourth Declaration of a state of emergency in Tokyo (Covid-19). Worship in attendance to church is going to be held under the strengthened control of the infection. I am relieved that the spring semester of the student center was over in this situation. What does the Bible tell us in this trial?

The 34^th chapter of Ezekiel describes people’s uneasiness, suffering, troubles and embarrassment in confusion of society. The burden of suffering in society in any period of history ends up falling on the weak people. Ezekiel compared the weak people to the sheep, the Israel leaders to the shepherds. But the shepherds, the leaders at that time, left the sheep, the weak people as they were, and exploited them, and engaged in graft.

“You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” (Ezekiel 34:16)

Furthermore, Ezekiel 34:5-6 describes the miserable situation.

“So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.” (Ezekiel 34:5-6)

Ezekiel tells about what God is, however. God never abandon the people.

“I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declared the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 34:15)

“I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them and be their shepherd.” (Ezekiel 34:23)

This was the hope of salvation which Ezekiel told the people. And this prophecy was realized by Jesus which is described in the Gospel of Mark.

　Mark 6:30 tells that the disciples, who returned from the journey of mission, were about to get some rest for a while. But many people saw them leaving and ran on foot, and got there ahead of them. They were eager to get their salvation from Jesus.

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mark 6:34)

The reason why the sheep need the shepherd is that the sheep are very weak and they cannot go away from danger. They cannot see through far away and they see just around themselves. I understand that the Bible often compares us to the sheep. We have various temptations and trials every day. And we are worried about our indecision, suffering and troubles. We are apt to lose our way. We are really the weak sheep who cannot see far away and just see around our own feet. But Jesus will never abandon us. The two things that Jesus did for the crowd are; Jesus had a compassion on them, and he began to teach them many things.

The Greek word for compassion means internal organ is twisted. When we see other’s suffering, we feel like our own internal organ being twisted. When Jesus performs miracles, this word is often used. Jesus understands our suffering so well that he feels our suffering like his body being twisted. Jesus knows well our suffering. This is the first point that the Gospel of Mark tells us.

We are now studying the book of Revelation in the Bible study of the church. Now we are reading the letters to 7 churches. I am finding comfort in preparing the study. Jesus knew well the real pictures of the churches, and he knew the toils and troubles of the churches. The churches were weak and they encountered with persecutions and difficulties. Jesus knew well them.

By the way what image of “Awaremi (pity)” do you have? One student in my class of the Bible study in a college said, “I do not want to be pitied by others. I am making a strenuous effort. Therefore, I dislike to be pitied.” I understand the young student’s feeling, considering worldly sense of the word. But the Bible uses the word in another meaning. The pity in the Old Testament comes from mother’s womb. God protects us just as the womb protects an embryo and foster it. God protects us gently just as the womb protects and fosters embryo. Affection, mercy or love is used instead of pity. Jesus always protects us from various worries and is taking care of us every day.

The second point is “Jesus began to teach them many things.”

The people were eager to know the teaching and leading by God rather than merely fulfilling their material desire. We, the sheep, are protected by Jesus, the shepherd. It means that we listen to Jesus and follow him. Later Jesus directed the people to sit down, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he broke the loaves and divided the two fish among them all. This incident shows the sermon of our worship service and the Sacrament. When we come together under Jesus, we are protected, and our needs are satisfied, and we are fostered.

A person who is preparing for baptism, entered the hospital, and received surgery. When she was about to enter the operating room, we prayed together. Before she went into the hospital, she said to me, “Please teach me the Bible passage for my surgery.” So, I taught her the Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd.” She was uneasy at first, but when I prayed that Jesus was always with her, she had put trust in Jesus into words. It surprised me. And I knew God encouraged her and was always with her.

According to the Psalm 23, Jesus, the shepherd, prepares the table before me in presence of my enemy. Jesus provides us with necessary help in time of our suffering, or trial.

When Jesus provided five thousand with foods, Jesus directed the disciples to have all the people sit down on the green grass. This place was the wilderness. But when Jesus, the shepherd was there, the Psalm 23, which tells that the Lord makes the people lie down on the green pastures and prepares the table in the presence of suffering, was realized.

　Today’s text from the Gospel of Mark teaches us that Jesus, the shepherd is with us and he has compassion on us, and will never abandon us, the sheep. Let’s trust in Jesus and rely on him this new week, too! Jesus’ message is our foundation. Let’s pray for help of Jesus, the shepherd for the people all over the world!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Go In Peace (Mark 5:25-34)

June 27, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

A worship in attendance to church has been reopened. Yet we have many restrictions as compared with ordinary worship service. The Bible tells us, “Go in peace.” We have many worries and suffering every day, above all the infection by the new coronavirus. But Jesus says to us, “Go in peace.” What is the belief in Jesus?

Jesus was on the way to a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus, whose daughter was dying. A ruler of the synagogue was a leader of Judaism. So, many people in the synagogue might be against Jesus’ teaching. But Jairus came there and he fell at his feet. He believed that Jesus was able to heal his daughter. Jesus went with him. On his way to Jairus’ house, he met with a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.

　Two women were in common that the both were in so severe situation that they had no one except Jesus to rely on. But the Bible teaches us that Jesus would never abandon the both. These women in another common were that the both believed in Jesus.

“When she had heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” (5:27-29)

The woman in bleeding had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet in stead of getting better she grew worse. So, even if she might have had doubt about Jesus, or might have given up her healing, it would not have been strange. And her illness was regarded as unclean. So, she could not come near to Jesus openly. But she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Jesus accepted her attitude as her faith in Jesus.

“At once Jesus realized that power had gone from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ ‘You see the people crowding against you, his disciples answered, and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.” (5:30-32)

Jesus was in haste to help Jairus’s daughter. His disciples might not want Jesus to stop to heal the woman in bleeding. She was also leaving there. But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. What matters here is that we have to know the true meaning of the salvation and the healing. Her salvation was her eternal involvement in Jesus’ care

“Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’” (5:33-34)

The woman in bleeding was regarded unclean, but God healed and accepted her in His care. Jesus said to her, “Go in peace.” Many things happen in our lives every day. We sometimes encounter with a harsh incident like a storm. But God says to us, “Go in peace.”

The Bible further teaches us about the belief in Jesus. When Jesus was talking with the woman, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. They said, “Your daughter is dead.” Jairus might have regretted that Jesus was a little bit late. They said, “Why bother the teacher any more?”

They thought that Jesus’ coming was no longer needed, because they considered the situation was just beyond Jesus’ power. We are often in such situation, and think that it is useless for us to depend on Jesus. We think about our real lives and faith separately, and apt to think, “this situation is beyond the faith.” But the Bible teaches us as follows:

“Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (5:36)

We worry about various things such as the new coronavirus, our own future and so on. But the Bible teaches us, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

The Bible teaches us, “All you have to do is to believe.” Jairus rely on Jesus, and walked to his house. And Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter. This was the sign that Jesus was the Son of God, and the kingdom of Heaven was already there. Thus, Jesus calls us to believe in Him. Jesus is the Son of God who raised from his crucifixion. The Bible teaches us, through the miracle, that Jesus will never abandon us. Surely, in future we will be able to see face to face those who have been called to Heaven. When we will be given the life of resurrection before God, it will be realized. We live every day with this belief on earth.

Today’s message is “Go in peace” and “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” We really have many worries in our lives. To believe in Jesus means that we are defended by Jesus. So, we go forward in peace. To tell the truth, “Go in peace” in the Bible is the calling by a priest to the people in worship service. The woman in bleeding for twelve years fell at Jesus’ feet. This is the worship. We are now in the worship, falling at Jesus’ feet. Jesus says to us, “Go in peace.” We are apt to think that we live now beyond Jesus’ power, but Jesus says to us, “Go in peace.” All is under the rule of Jesus. So, we are not to be afraid. Let’s do our own duty in peace, believing that Jesus is with us! “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Let’s go forward with this belief for a week!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Still Remains the Hope (Isaiah 6:1-13)

May 30, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

“Woe is me!” This is the cry of Isaiah, the prophet. He was very famous prophet among the people in the Old Testament. He was a great prophet, yet he uttered such a desperate cry. We also have a similar experience. What does the Bible tell us at such time?

Today is Trinity Sunday. The word of trinity is used as “trinity-like structural reform. The trinity expresses the belief that there is one God who exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We remember this truth well on Trinity Sunday. On that day the chapter 6 of Isaiah is read.

The prophet Isaiah made efforts in the 8^th century BC. He lived in the capital of the kingdom of Judah. According to a theory, he died in persecution. We know he prophesied the Savior. The 6^th chapter of Isaiah describes God’s calling to him.

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple.” (6:1)

King Uzziah died nearly 740 BC. He was a great king. The country prospered under his reign. But after he died, the kingdom began to decline. It was exposed to the threat of Assyria in the north. About this time, Isaiah was in his twenties. He was born of noble birth and was deeply related to the king’s family. It was told that he had a deep interest in politics. The respectable king died, and Isaiah worried about difficult times ahead. He might have prostrated himself in prayer in the temple. He saw a vision in which angels called ‘seraphs’ were in attendance above him. They called to one another.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (6:3)

He experienced in worship that God was just in the temple. King Uzziah, who had long reigned, died, but Isaiah saw living Almighty God. He was overwhelmed by the holiness of God, and the sense of sinfulness came over him.

“And I said, ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’” (6:5)

Sinful human beings cannot look up at God directly. Even the seraphs covered their faces with their wings. Isaiah said, “Woe is me!”

He lost the respectable king, the threat of the enemy was approaching, and the future was hopeless. And all the people including him were covered with sin. He realized how helpless and sinful he was.

At the time, God gave him forgiveness for his sin.

“Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the alter with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’” (6:6-7)

What the Bible tells us is that God is holy and He also forgives our sin. Even when the world around us is chaotic, God’s power extends widely over the world. “The whole earth is full of his glory.”

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ (6:8)

Isaiah readily answered because he experienced that he had been saved. But his duty was extremely difficult.

“And he said, ‘Go and say to this people, ‘Keep listening, but do not comprehend: keep looking, but do not understand.’ Make the mind of this people dull, and stop their ears, and shut their eyes, so that they may not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and turn and be healed.’” (6:9-10)

This paragraph is a little bit difficult to be understood. It means that even if Isaiah would tell about God’s word, the people would refuse to accept it. They would never repent of their sins. The outcome of Isaiah’s efforts is described. And Judah would be ruined and the people would be captured. The trial and suffering would continue.

The Bible does not stop here, however. It refers the hope in the very end.

“‘The Lord sends everyone far away, and vast is the emptiness in the midst of the land. Even if a tenth part remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth of an oak whose stump remain standing when it is felled.’ The holy seed is its stump.” (6:12-13)

As a matter of fact, Israel was ruined, and later in the period, Judah was also ruined, and the people experienced the Babylonian captivity. But at a later period, the people would be given hope, when they would live with God. It teaches the true meaning of the faith in God.

Later, Jesus the Messiah, who was prophesied by Isaiah, gave us the forgiveness through the crucifixion and the resurrection. God teaches us that He will never abandon us.

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)

This is God’s promise to us. When we cry, “Woe to me!” God gives us His promise that our sins will be forgiven and God will always be with us. Jesus is almighty God, as Isaiah knew that “the whole earth is full of his glory.” God the Father, Jesus the Son of God, who reveals God for us, and the Holy Spirit is always with us as Trinity God.

Last week there was the incident that we had been surely helped by God. God gave us help, when we were at a loss. And at the time we surely realized that God had sent us to this area. God really is working in such a chaotic situation.

Isaiah encountered God in worship. A pastor in our church makes the sign of the cross at the beginning of worship service, saying, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It tells us that we worship today the holy, holy, holy God; the Father, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit, because Jesus says to us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

The word, “Whom shall I send?” is directed to us, too. What we should do is to live as Jesus’ disciples in our everyday lives, and to bring the fragrance of Jesus to them, and to pray for the people in sorrow and suffering.

We are with Trinity God. Let’s walk forward in peace this week, too!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

In the Same Boat with Jesus (Mark 4:35-41)

June 20, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Even if we wish to live in peace every day, we are troubled with worries, something great, or something small, one after the other. Looking back just for a recent week, we have been worried about various things. What message does the Bible tell us?

Today’s text from the Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus and his disciples were about to go over to a foreign land, leaving the base of their activity behind.

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.” (4:35-36)

According to Mark 4:1, Jesus on board sometimes taught the people on the shore. The boat was just like a pulpit. He taught the kingdom of God on board this time. The disciples, who heard his sermon, rowed out with him. It seems to us that we, who hear God’s message at church, go out with Jesus to our daily lives for a new week.

But a great windstorm blocked their way.

“A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.” (4:37)

The lake which they were crossing is called Lake Galilee. A sudden gust of wind occasionally arises in Lake Galilee. There were fishermen among the disciples. Peter, Andrew, James, and John used to be fishermen who worked in Lake Galilee. So, they ought to be familiar with windstorm. But they were at a loss as to what to do.

We are apt to experience various similar situations like these disciples. When we decide to do something new, we are likely to fall into difficult situation. But the noteworthy point is that Jesus was asleep in the boat.

“They woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’” (4:38)

There was a remarkable contrast between the disciples who were terrified and Jesus who was asleep. Briefly speaking, there are two different points of view here. The disciples were terrified in the great windstorm, but Jesus was asleep in peace. The wind nor storm could break the peace around Jesus. To tell the truth, the disciples would have had no need to worry about the windstorm, because Jesus was with them. To begin with, the journey started because Jesus told them to go across Lake Galilee. So, they followed him, but they did not know who he was, and were terrified in the great windstorm.

There is exactly the opposite scene described later in the Gospel of Mark. Just prior to Jesus’ arrest, he prayed alone at Gethsemane. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly for God’s help. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. At the time his disciples were sleeping. No one could be awake. On Lake Galilee the disciples were terrified in the great windstorm, though they were with Jesus. This reveals our weakness. Jesus went to the cross for such weak human beings like us.

Then, who is Jesus?

“He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.” (4:39)

　The raging sea in the Bible stands for assailing trial or power of death. Human beings cannot calm the wind and wave. Peter and the other former fishermen were thoroughly familiar with the matter. But Jesus now showed the miracle of “even the wind and the sea obey him!” Namely, Jesus is exactly the son of God.

The Old Testament (Genesis and Job) describes the creation of the world. There it tells that God controls the sea. Jesus, the son of God, the creator of the world, was with the disciples. What Jesus taught them was to rely on Jesus who was with them.

“He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’” (4:40-41)

We are assailed by the wind and the wave. We are likely to worry about job or family. Faith in Jesus does not assure that we will not meet with the wind and the wave. Rather we have sometimes occasion to go out in accordance to the call, “Let us go across to the other side!” But we can rely on Jesus without anxiety, because Jesus will lead us.

There is a person who is preparing for baptism. God calls the person to get on Jesus’ boat and row out with him.

　But we still are afraid of the wind and the wave. We cry for Jesus’ help. It is told that when Mr. Rinzõ Shiina, writer, was baptized, he said, “Well, I have been allowed to wriggle about when I die.” You may wriggle about in front of the wind and the wave in the world, because Jesus is in the same boat with us, and will take us to the kingdom of Heaven with him.

Our church exactly stands for the boat in which Jesus is with us. We cannot yet attend together at church. But let’s get on the boat from next week! The space of the seats of church members is called ‘nave’ (‘boat’ in Latin). Let’s get on this boat next week!

　The church has always been in the trials in any period. When the Gospel of Mark was written, there were great persecutions. But the church has been the boat to go out and work for Jesus. The church rows out every day, when Jesus says, “Let us go across to the other side.” “They took Jesus with them in the boat, just as he was.” This is an encouraging message to the church.

Our church is now in the trial which we have never experienced. Though we have many worries about the future of our church, Jesus is in the same boat with us. Even the wind and the sea obey him.

The disciples said to Jesus, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” They thought that Jesus did not care about them. We are likely to have the similar thought, when we have doubts about God, or we cannot find God’s help. Today’s text from the Gospel of Mark advises us to rely on Jesus, the Son of God. He is in the same boat with us. Let’s live in peace this week, too! Let’s pray for the world in suffering!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

The Wonders of God (Acts 2:1-13)

May 23, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

The color of cloth of the altar has been changed into red. We have greeted Pentecost, which is a big festival to rank with Christmas and Easter. It is called the birthday of church. We are having on-line worship this year as well as last year. We have news on various conflicts and military expansion in the world, and prevalence of new coronavirus infection in the whole society. Each of us also has various trials every day, and suffers from them. But today we know that God, the Holy Spirit, came on the disciples. What consolation do we have, when the Holy Spirit is with us?

　Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples. He was the most closely related to Jesus, and one of the twelve disciples. He was the first disciple among them. He acted like their leader. But Jesus said to him, “I will tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22: 34) Actually Peter denied Jesus three times. But Jesus said to him before Peter would deny Jesus, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32) This is Jesus’ words of forgiveness. Jesus will pray for us, when we are in suffering. He will not blame us nor abandon us. The promise of the Holy Spirit on the disciples was Jesus’ proof that he would forgive them.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:1-2)

“They were all together in one place” means that they were in worship. I feel envious of them because we are unable to come all together in one place now. But what matters is our hearts work together in perfect accord.

The disciples who were together at this time experienced the incident of Jesus’ crucifixion and knew their weakness that they had not followed Jesus to the last. They escaped and denied the relationship with Jesus. So, they felt guilty about that. They also worried about their future like us. What they did in the situation was to pray, keep Jesus’ words, and wait for a fair start. “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14) What we should do is to pray and to continue worship in a possible manner. God’s promise will be surely achieved.

“They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:3-4)

‘Violent wind’ and ‘fire’ happened since the Old Testament times, when God would reveal Himself. What does “tongue” mean? “We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:11) Tongues rested on the disciples like fire are the words declaring the wonders of God. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.

　Then Peter stood up and began to speak about God. Peter had said one month and a half before, “I do not know Jesus,” when people asked, “Are you with him?” But at that time, he was encouraged by the Holy Spirit and spoke in the tongue like fire, and cut to the heart of people. When the people, who heard Peter’s speech, were moved and said, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. The tongues like fire, which came to rest on each of the disciples through the Holy Spirit, are the word of gospel itself of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and forgiveness. It has been given to us as well as the disciples.

We are now in on-line worship. So, we are eagerly for ordinary worship. But I am receiving many mails concerning on-line worship. Some of those mails came from the places that I had never dreamed of, saying, “I listened to your sermon,” or “I have been encouraged by your sermon.” I think God’s word itself has power, though our worship goes on under several restrictions.

“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.” (Acts 2:5-6)

God’s power to send the message of Jesus’ salvation is directed to all the nations in the world. No one is outside of his salvation. Now we have the trials of coronavirus over the world and fear of military power of other countries. The Bible tells us that God loves this world and will never abandon us. Now we can hardly talk about our image of our lives in the future. But the Holy Spirit shows the image. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

The encouragement by the Holy Spirit is the promise that is given to our church. The group of Jesus’ disciples was very weak and was on the verge of dissolution. But they grew into the church which disseminated Jesus’ salvation all over the world. When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended on him from heaven. This was the beginning of Jesus’ work. The disciples began to work since they received the Holy Spirit. Today the Holy Spirit has been poured on our church, too. The word of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is given to us as the tongues of fire. 　

　“Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’” (Acts 2:13)

Surely, some took cold attitude toward us. Our missionary work always goes with difficulty. But Jesus once said, “In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5) ‘Baptize’ means ‘be soaked,’ ‘immerse, dip in water.” They did not rise to their feet. They were filled by the Holy Spirit, and God’s word made them stand up.

Jesus said to Peter, “When you have turned back, strengthen our brothers.” This word was realized by the Holy Spirit. We also rise to our feet. Our church, the sunny corner of grace, is here to encourage people around us.

Last month I made a prayer for Mr. N’s ashes to the ossuary. Mr. N was a member of Hongo church. At the time I heard the story about him. He visited the rectory with his big decision. He realized that he could not live by his own efforts, walking by the side of the University of Tokyo. It pained him. But when he was passing the red gate of the University, he felt somewhat relieved. He realized his own weakness and sinfulness, and he honestly depended on God. It was the beginning of his Christian life. Later he thought that the Holy Spirit worked on him near the red gate of the University. The Holy Spirit is working on each of us and protects us.

Let’s sincerely pray together! The Holy Spirit is always with us. Let’s walk with faith this week, too!

　 The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Remain In Love（John 15:9-17）

May 9, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

The emergency state declaration has been extended. On-line worship continues a little longer. We worry about a variant species of corona virus. We are disturbed by various worries every day. What does the Bible tell us in such situation?

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (John 15:9)

This is Jesus’ words which were spoken to his disciples, when they were disturbed as Jesus was about to be crucified. This is also his calling to us in worship. Jesus would never abandon his disciples. He has always kept his words for us, too.

Jesus said, “I am the true vine.” And he said, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” The Greek word for ‘remain’ is often used in the 15^th chapter of the Gospel of John. It means ‘stay’, ‘continue’ or ‘remain.’ He says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”

Jesus tells us what “remain in me” means. This means his command, “Love each other as I have loved you.” But this is nothing more than difficult. When we look back to the past week concerning family relations, office or school, we easily realize that “Love each other” was very difficult for us to put it in practice.

When I experienced how difficult for me to love one another, I happened to have an opportunity to read this message in the Bible. What I soon thought of is, “Oh God, you say to me to love that person? It is impossible for me!” I myself was surprised at my ugliness, but I could not control my feeling by any means. It is a severe reality that it is difficult for us to accept others and love them. For we are imperfect and weak sinners. I sincerely thought at the time that love would never come out of my own heart. Each of us may have a human love, but that love is not the love Jesus teaches us. “Love each other as I have loved you” never comes out from our hearts.

But Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” This love has the firm basis. It is not love which comes out of our hearts. It is the love of God the Father to Jesus. It is Jesus’ love to us. Jesus says to us, “Remain in my love.”

Now one woman is preparing herself for baptism. In baptism of a Lutheran church, a Lutheran pastor, saying “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” sprinkles a water three times on the head of a person who is going to be baptized. The Greek words of “In the name” means “into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” So, the person who is going to be baptized is accepted or tied in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” God loves Jesus, and Jesus loves us, and he sends the Holy Spirit to us. We are closely tied with Jesus through the baptism.

We live uncertain lives every day. When we know bleak news, we worry about our near future, and we are aware of our weakness and smallness. Anyone has no peace of mind under the new coronavirus environment, and feel it difficult to love others and to love himself or herself. He or she knows own sin. But Jesus loves us as we are. And he calls us, “Remain in my love.”

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)

Jesus’ love was shown by it that Jesus was crucified in substitute for people’s sin. That love is the basis of his love for us. We are unable to love one another. But even if our love is weak, Jesus’ forgiveness for us based on his crucifixion is immovable.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 15:16)

The Bible tells us about the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22)

　Jesus’ command and the fruit of the Spirit remain in us and in this world forever. Now anxiety about the new coronavirus prevails in the world, and splitting happens there. Therefore, we are sent to the world this week, too, so that peace, generosity, kindness, good will, gentleness, and self-control may remain in the world. Though we cannot perform something great, the aroma of Christ from us is floated to our neighbors.

Last week I also received letters and mails from people who participated in on-line worship. I realized that people were supporting one another in prayer, even though we live far away from one another. Particularly, I have been encouraged by the witnesses that God talks to each of them and support them. I really feel that we are supported by a great and warm love of God. Jesus produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus calls to us, “Remain in my love,” when we are about to be defeated by worries, or we know that love does not come out of our hearts. Jesus’ love is the basis of our lives. Jesus supports us in any situation. Let’s pray for Jesus’ love this week, too! Let’s pray the fruit of the Spirit remain firmly in us! Let’s pray for the healing of our world in suffering!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

God Who Leads Me Beside Still Waters (Psalm 23)

April 25, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

The third emergency state declaration has been announced. Last week it caused my trouble concerning my preparation for church worship and the activities of the student center which had just started. We all are experiencing suffering from this situation. The Bible tells us like this.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (23:5)

Surely, we have time to suffer. But this Psalm tells us that we are short of nothing. God satisfies our need. Psalm 23 begins with this word.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

My last post was in charge of the church located in a pasture in the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, the region of which is called, “California of Japan.” It is famous for a long spell of fine weather. I recall a scene in which sheep are feeding on grass in a green field under a blue sky. It is owing to the good work of the people including shepherds in a pasture. The condition of Palestine is very severe for sheep farming. The region is short of grass and water. Weak sheep cannot manage to find grass and water without the shepherd’s guidance. At times they come across with dangerous valleys or fierce animals. The shepherds protect sheep in such a severe condition. The Psalm compares the relationship with sheep and the shepherd to the relationship with human beings and God.

The Bible tells us about the trust in God. Can you say that you shall not want? We rather complain that we are short of many things. Last week I wanted to cry to God, “Why do you not answer to my needs?” But Psalm 23 teaches the trust in God to us in such a situation: We are truly blessed with much grace. There are many songs in the Book of Psalms which emphasize the trust in God. However, those songs are closely connected with songs of grief. A song of grief means “God, help me! Why do you leave me alone?” What is the situation in which the poet lives?

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” (23:4)

The poet is now in danger of death. The trust in God is being questioned truly, when we are in danger of death. He tells himself about how important the trust in God is. The trust in God is a firm belief that God is always with me, and God always protects me.

Last week I prayed for a patient who was about to undergo surgery. I said to her, “Jesus is always with you, when you are in the anesthesia, during the operation in progress, and when you are awakened.” The Psalm teaches the faith that God is always with me.

Staff and rod in the song means the shepherd’s ones. The staff is used for protecting sheep from wild beasts, not hitting sheep. God, the shepherd, always defends us under any circumstances.

Verse 5 refers God as the master of the house.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (23:5)

God prepares a table to give guests warm hospitality. Even when a traveler wanders in the wilderness or a thief runs after him, he has only to run into the house. When a traveler is attacked by a sandstorm, God, the master, prepares a good table to him. We are troubled with many things. We have many things to ‘afflict me.’ But God is always with us in such situation, and gives us what we need.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” (23:6)

Surely God is always with us, and the close relationship with God continues our whole life long. Though we worry about many things, goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.

What do you mean “We are short of nothing. We are blessed with grace.”?

According to the chapter12 of 2 Corinthians, Paul said that he was given a thorn in the flesh. It is told that Paul suffered from a disease. Three times he appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave him. God said to him, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

We are likely to be aware of our deficiencies. We are filled with many things that we cannot help but deal with. When we realize our weaknesses, the power of God reveals in our weaknesses.

We now live on trial. We live in the presence of suffering. We cannot see ahead. But Jesus is with us. When we are weak, we are strong. Though we are not able to come together at church, we are strong, for we all rely on Jesus. And the power of Christ is made perfect in us. “He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.” (23:2)

When we are away or together in worship, here is ‘still waters.’ The Bible now teaches us to have trust in God, the shepherd. We believe in God at the very time when we cannot see ahead, and our hearts are troubled, wounded, and exhausted.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

Jesus bore our all sins and was crucified, and raised. He leads me as our shepherd. Though we are now in suffering, goodness and mercy surely will follow us. Let’s start this week with Jesus, praying for all the people in suffering!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Why Only Me? (John 20:24-31)

April 11, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Worship service with attendance was reopened on Passion Sunday the week before Easter. The general meeting of Hongo church was also held. I was really relieved. The student center is going to begin this week. But the situation from now on is uncertain. We must rely on God, and pray to Him. And we have to decide what we should do in the future. Our daily lives are full of problems.

Jesus’ disciples were also full of anxiety. Though they heard that Jesus was raised in the Easter morning, they were full of worries in the evening. They locked the house in fear of the Jews. Though they heard that Jesus was alive, they were still afraid of the Jews. But Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” And he promised the Holy Spirit to them. We also are helped by the Holy Spirit and follow him without anxiety.

However, Thomas, one of the disciples was not there. Why was he not there with the other disciples? He maybe did not want to come back to them. According to the 21 chapter of the Gospel of John, there were seven disciples. They must already have been on the verge of being dispersed.

Today’s text from the Gospel of John teaches us that Thomas like that came to believe Jesus again. We sometimes are unable to believe God, or our faith sometimes is weakened like Peter who denied Jesus three times. On another occasion we think that our faith is like Thomas. How did Thomas come to believe Jesus?

The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them,

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (20:25)

Thomas seems to us that he was a rationalist or a modern person who will not believe without evidence. He perhaps felt he was left behind all alone. He must have thought, “Why only me?” We also have time to think, “Why only me?”

What was Thomas like? When Jesus, knowing his imminent danger, was about to go to Judah, where Lazarus of Jesus’ acquaintance was dead, Thomas said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (11:16) Thomas would follow Jesus to the end. But he asked Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (14:5) We can know that he could not realize that Jesus was the Messiah sent by God, and he began to have doubt about it. He could not follow Jesus on the cross. Thomas said, “I will not believe.” But what he really wanted to say might be “I wish to believe, if possible.”

But today’s text from the Gospel of John teaches us that Jesus would never abandon Thomas.

“A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (20: 26-27)

Jesus wanted Thomas to realize that the forgiveness by the crucifixion was done for his sake. Jesus said to him, “Do not doubt but believe.” It means Jesus’ forgiveness and a calling to him for his faith. The other day Thomas said to his fellow, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” But he could not follow Jesus to the end. So, it must have afflicted his mind. You also may have similar experience. However, Jesus teaches us his forgiveness by the crucifixion is just for our sake. The forgiveness leads us to the faith. Thomas said, “My lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (20:29)

How Jesus appeared before his disciples on the evening of Easter and how he appeared before Thomas with them was very much alike. They were in fear. They locked the doors of the house in which they met together. When they were with Thomas, they were in fear and also locked the doors of the house in which they met together. Then Jesus came and stood among them, saying “Peace be with you.” When they were glad to hear Jesus’ words, and Thomas came to believe Jesus.

The situation happens in our church worship every Sunday. We get tired, worry about many things, or are in suffering in our daily lives. We sometimes are about to lose our faith. We like that worship at church every Sunday. Thomas, who was about to leave the group, was with them when Jesus visited them the second time. He was probably advised to come to the meeting by his friends. When we are about to lose our faith, or think that we are left alone in our community, or feel down as things are not going well, Jesus will not abandon us. He will come to us, just as he visited Thomas. It happens in our worship service. Jesus comes and stands among us. He says to us, “Peace be with you.” And he talks to us. Then our faith, “My Lord and my God” is born.

We live in harsh realities including new coronavirus. There are many people who live in danger of military power and violence.

I once listened to my respected teacher’s sermon. He said, “Seeing is believing?” Jesus’ disciples saw Jesus. But we cannot see Jesus. My teacher said to us, “The more we see, the more we stumble and lose our faith.” For the world we, sinful beings, see is full of contradictions. According to 1 Corinthians 13:12, we, still on earth, see the things in a mirror dimly.

Jesus calls to us, “Do not doubt but believe." He does not mean that we have to shut our eyes to the real world. Jesus teaches us about the basis of faith. Thomas, who knew the severe reality including imminent danger of life, was forgiven by Jesus’ love, and finally came to have faith from unbelief. He does not say to us, “Do not doubt,” but he knows that we live in the world, where ‘seeing’ does not lead us to ‘believing.’ So, God pours his love based on Jesus’ cross on us. Therefore, we, living in harsh reality, believe Jesus and go forward today, too.

Jesus gives us peace. We do not know what trials we will have this week. But Jesus is always with us. Jesus comes to us as well as Thomas. Let’s pray peace for the people living in fear and go forward this week!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

God’s Salvation Going Ahead (Mark 16:1-8)

April 4, 2021　Easter Worship

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Happy Easter! Easter corner is set up at a supermarket near my house, and we find Easter eggs, rabbit ornaments, and cookies sold. A friend of mine who is not a Christian mailed me, saying, “Happy Easter!” The word of ‘Easter’ has recently begun to spread. Last year we had no egg hunt game nor Easter celebration party. But this year Easter is not the time of grieving but the day of starting. After the worship service we are going to hold the general meeting of Hongo church, where we look back on our activities for the last one year, and make a new start to go ahead.

What is Easter? When Jesus was arrested, all his disciples abandoned him, and ran away. When someone said to Peter, Jesus’ top disciple, “You also were with Jesus,” he denied it. The disciples could not follow Jesus to the end, when they encountered with the trial. After Jesus died on the cross, they would not come to his tomb. They must have got depressed.

But on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. They saw the very large stone put on the entrance to the tomb rolled away and saw a young man dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side. He said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” (16:6-7)

The three points are shown here. First, the women looked for Jesus in the tomb, but he was raised and he was not there. What is it that we look for Jesus in the tomb? It means that we do not rely on God’s power, because he has already been dead. But Jesus is not put in the tomb, which man set up, but he goes ahead of us. Jesus is alive. We, our church, pray to Jesus and go forward, relying on the power of God.

Second, this young man said to the women, “Tell his disciples and Peter about his resurrection.” They were those who abandoned Jesus and ran away. Particularly, Peter denied Jesus three times. But he said to the women, “Tell the disciples that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This was the word to the disciples which meant forgiveness and call given to them.

Third, Jesus goes ahead of us to Galilee. Galilee was the starting point of the disciples, where they met him, and they started to live as his disciples. According to the Gospel of Matthew, “When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.” (Matthew 4:16) Galilee was an avoiding place. It was also the place where the disciples came back in times of despair. They came back in disappointment. But Jesus came ahead of them, and they met him. They started over again in Galilee, where Jesus was.

“They went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” (16:8)

We find a subtitle “The shorter ending of Mark” after Mark 16:8. It is told that the Gospel of Mark originally concludes here. But you may think it strange. ‘Terror and amazement seized them.’ Is that the end? Why? Even though they do not see resurrected Jesus, does the Gospel of Mark end? But here the Gospel of Mark informs us of its important message.

Where do we meet resurrected Jesus? We meet him in Galilee, where Jesus goes ahead. Jesus called the disciples, who came back to Galilee in despair, to come again to him as his disciples. So, the day when they met Jesus was the day when they became his disciples again.

I have a memory concerning Easter. It is related to a story that the disciples were called again to come to Jesus. On Easter three years ago, I returned to the work of part-time pastor after maternity leave. I started to work with a new-born baby. Though I waited for returning to work, I had been filled with fear. At night before I went to sleep, I thought of my weaknesses one after another ever since the distant past. I thought of how sinful and weak I had been and how annoying I had been to others. A doubt sprang up. Would God use such a sinful being like me? But when I was preparing for my sermon for Easter, I realized that Jesus called his disciples again, even though he knew all the weaknesses of the disciples. They could not follow Jesus on the cross. But the young man sent by God said to them, “Go to Galilee. You can see Jesus there.” On Easter we listen to Jesus’ forgiveness to the disciples and Peter. More exactly speaking, Easter is the time when the disciples and we listen to his forgiveness. When we know our weakness and powerlessness, we come to stand as witnesses for his enormous forgiveness.

Today we are going to have the general meeting of Hongo church. Church attendance has just begun. There are many things which we have been unable to perform as planned. We have repeated trial and error. Church attendance has been limited in number and any event or gathering has not been held at all. This new coronavirus incident is really serious in the long history of Hongo church. When we examine our activities only in terms of numbers, you may think Hongo church has retreated. Some of you may feel sorry when you look back our work in the past.

But it is necessary for us to go back to Galilee of Hongo church, its starting place. We meet Jesus there. Jesus goes ahead of us and leads us. The theme phrase of the Bible this year is going to be decided as “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Even though we will be unable to gather at church, the place where we stand at the time is the place where we have been sent by God so that we may witness to the world. Whenever we are, we are the light of the world and we are Hongo church—sunny corner of grace.

Today is the day of new starting, when we listen to the message of forgiveness by Jesus and we are called to live as his disciples. Let’s start from Galilee, as Jesus goes ahead of us! Let’s pray for the people in the world and work as the light of the world this new year, too!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

A New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

March 21, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Church attendance has been suspended since January 10^th, but from next week we can participate in worship service under the prevention of infection spread and the limitation of numbers. We also continue on-line worship service. The general meeting of Higashi Diocese was held on-line yesterday. Every church has been in persistent suffering of the trial. Hongo Church and the Student Center still continue their evangelical works step by step, though slowly.

Today’s text is from the Book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah experienced many suffering and persecution. He was called “the Weeping Prophet” or “the Prophet of Sadness.” The prophets in the Old Testament were those who were entrusted with God’s message and delivered it to people. Jeremiah was entrusted with the work of telling the people about the approaching ruin of the country. Whenever he prophesied the defeat of the country or condemned people’s sin, they persecuted him hard and he was in peril of his life. He was always lonely. But he prophesied to the people about not only condemnation against them but also God’s salvation for them. One of his prophecies was recorded in Jeremiah 32:14-15. He bought the land to which he had the priority to buy as a relative. But the area of the land had already been occupied by the enemy. So, the people around him could not understand his action.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last for a long time. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.” (Jeremiah 32:14-15)

His action to buy the land during the occupation by the enemy meant that God would bring about His salvation, and the restoration of people’s daily lives would definitely come true. That hope was given by God. We sometimes are afraid of unpredictable future or suffer from lack of neighbors’ understanding around us. Our effort to do our works in that situation is like buying the land occupied by the enemy. But Jeremiah told the people that God’s salvation would definitely come when they should rely on God.

Jeremiah’s faith which proclaimed God’s forgiveness and hope is inherited and recorded in the Book of Jeremiah.

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

The “heart” is a very important key word in the Book of Jeremiah. “The sin of Judah is written with an iron pen; with a diamond point it is engraved on the tablet of their hearts, and on the horns of their altars.” (Jeremiah 17:1)

This description means that human beings’ sin can never be erased. The relationship between God and the human beings had collapsed, as they could not observe the law. But God tells us that He will renew our hearts thoroughly. God writes His law on the tablet of our hearts. This is the content of a new covenant. God will forgive our sin and never keep it in mind. The new covenant was realized through the crucifixion of Jesus.

Our sin is forgiven by the cross of Jesus, and we are made sons of God by the baptism. Martin Luther says, “Therefore I believe that the sentence ’The law is written on their hearts’ is the same as ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit’(Rom.5:5). This is, in the real sense, the law of Christ and the fulfillment of the laws of Moses.”

Jesus said to the disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Jesus’ message “Love one another” is written on our hearts through baptism by which we are made sons of God.

However, it is difficult for us to observe the commandment. We are righteous but sinners, too. We are not perfect. Our church also has various problems. But what is important is that the new covenant is based on God, not on us. However hard we may make efforts, we cannot reach the goal. When we are driven to despair, we should remember that we, whose sin is engraved on the tablet of our hearts, are unconditionally forgiven by God. So, we should forgive one another and live, relying on God.

Various incidents happen around us. It is sometimes difficult for us to follow a schedule course owing to the spread of new coronavirus. But what matters is that our daily lives and our church activities are based on God. So, we can restart at any time, even when we face any hindrance on our way.

Jesus has fulfilled the new contract. He has wholly forgiven our sins, and given us the hope to resurrection. So, God shows the way to get through any difficulty at any time even in suffering. Our work may be like buying the land as Jeremiah did. It may not get the results as we expected first. But the hope based on God surely will be realized. So, let’s follow Jesus, who walked on the way to the resurrection through his cross!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

In Order to Have Eternal Life (John 3:14-21)

March 14, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Ten years have passed since the Great Earthquake and Tsunami. The new coronavirus is still prevalent. You may have had a various feeling. We are apt to be tormented by thinking, “why did such a thing happen?” According to the Old Testament, The Israelites who used to be slaves in Egypt got away from there, and travelled for forty years in the wilderness to Canaan, the promised land. They met with various hardship on the way to Canaan. We superimpose our daily lives on the story of their journey in the wilderness. The Israelites’ journey in the wilderness was hard. Their suffering was due to the lack of water and foods. Our suffering was the same. Without these daily goods we cannot live. They also experienced spiritual crisis. They were at a loss about their faith.

Today’s text from the Old Testament is Numbers 21:4-9, describing the incident during their journey in the wilderness. Just before today’s text, they were obstructed on their way, and they had to take a roundabout route. And one of their leaders, Aaron died. We also have similar experiences in our daily lives. They began to grumble against God and Moses.

“They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert?’” (Exodus 21:5)

　“Why” is also our voice, which wells up in our heart in suffering. The Israelites, who got away from Egypt, began to feel regret. We also have the same feeling.

The Israelites said, “There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” This miserable food was the manna, given by God from the heaven. This food had supported their lives in the wilderness. But they said, “this miserable food!” We also grumble against God, saying “Why,” or “This miserable thing!” though we are fully given grace from God. And they were assailed by a severe trial.

“Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died.” (Numbers 21:6)

Fiery serpents assailed Israelites in the wilderness. When serpents bite people, they give burning pain. So, they might be called, “fiery serpents.” But God gave them a way out of such a danger. When the people repented of their sins and came to Moses to solicit him to pray to the Lord to take away the serpents, God gave them help.

“And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” (Numbers 21:8)

Please give attention to one thing here! People solicited Moses to pray to the Lord, “Take away the serpents.” But God did not take away the serpents but helped them so that everyone who was bitten might look at s fiery serpent set on a pole with belief in God and live. This was God’s sign that people, who continued their journey in the wilderness, might know that God was with them and would forgive them, whenever they looked at the serpent.

When we pray that God take away our burden, our prayers sometimes are not filled, and sometimes are not filled as we prayed. Jesus says to us, “Take up your cross and follow me.” When we have our burden, it does not mean that God’s help is not given to you or your prayer will not be filled. At the time God calls to you to trust God’s plan.

Jesus said that the incident, showing us God’s forgiveness and salvation, would indicate Jesus’ crucifixion. “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)

As the Israelites looked at the serpent and lived, those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God are given eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Jesus said later, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Surely, we walk every day in the wilderness. But we believe that God is with us. We are anytime given God’s forgiveness and help. Eternal life is not only the matter just after we finish our life on the earth, it has already been given to us, when we are alive. When the Israelites complained that there was no food nor water, God sent the manna to them from the Heaven. When they lost their way in the wilderness, God went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. And God prepared resurrection for Jesus who died on the cross. The Bible tells us that none is left out from God’s salvation. We have only to believe in Jesus.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)

This is God’s call to invite you to the faith. The Israelites were saved by just looking up at the bronze serpent. The same goes for us. Though we grumble against God, God gives us His salvation and forgiveness through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. We have only to believe in Jesus.

We are apt to go astray or go by a roundabout route. But all we have to do at such a time is just to believe in Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus have already been saved. We are given today’s food and Jesus’ help. Let’s pray in Lent for healing people in suffering in the world!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

What is the Death of Jesus on the Cross? (Mark 8:31-38）

February 28, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

It was about this time last year that the church began to be gravely affected by the new coronavirus. We were uneasy about this unknown virus last year, and we have been busily coped with the daily situation concerning the student center and church since that time. When I chanced to look up at the sky, I felt mild spring sunlight. I have been too busy to notice the changes of the seasons. Various flowers have started to bloom. Though we have been anxious with one thing and another every day, God gives us sunlight and rain appropriately. I am thankful for it. We unexpectedly meet with a severe trial, and we often bear our cross that we would not wish. What is it that Jesus is our Savior? What is it that we follow Jesus’ way to the cross? Let’s listen to the message of the Bible!

The Gospel of Mark tells us that people around Jesus hardly understood Jesus. How about his disciples who lived with Jesus? Just before today’s text from the Gospel of Mark (8:29), Peter, one of his disciples, said to Jesus, “You are the Messiah.” Immediately after that, Jesus began to tell them about what would happen to him from now on.

“Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” (8:31)

The disciples could not receive Jesus’ message. They expected that Jesus would work as a hero to free Israel from the Roman Empire like King David in the golden age of Israel. The cross is the tool to execute criminals. It was difficult for them to understand that Jesus would wait for such miserable future. They thought that Jesus, the Messiah, should never be such a savior. So, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” (8:32) “But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’” (8:33)

Peter and Jesus used the same word “rebuke.” The Greek word for “rebuke” means very bitter word. Peter and Jesus blamed each other, though Peter was his disciple. Peter’s rebuke revealed his attitude toward Jesus. His message would never realize Peter’s expectation toward Jesus, the Savior. Peter’s attitude well reminds us of our faith or our expectation toward Jesus. When God leads us in the different direction that we had not imagined, we hardly follow Jesus. We are apt to lose heart or feel angry.

Jesus said to Peter, “You are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

It is hard for us to accept the crucifixion. We rather think it should not be real. But Jesus is the Messiah who bears his cross. The Bible tells us that God’s salvation exists in it.

Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” The word “Satan” is a fiery word. It does not mean that Peter is Satan, but his selfish thought that has been tempted by Satan. It meant that Peter should get behind Jesus. Peter took Jesus aside, but, to tell the truth, Peter should have got behind him.

The Old Testament tells us that man could not see God directly, when he met God. Moses talked with God according to Exodus 33:22. But he could not see God except His back. Sinful human beings can never see God. In the book of 1 Kings, “God said (to Elijah), ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’” (1 King 19:11)

When we waver in our judgement, we want to know God’s plan. But we, sinful human beings, are unable to know it. At the time God passes by, and leads us at the front. We go behind God. When Jesus called Peter and other disciples, he said to them, “Follow me.” It means that “Get behind me.” “Get behind me” means that we should rely on Jesus. He stands at the front of us, and guards us and gives shelter to us. He breaks new ground for us.

Jesus said to us, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

A pastor whom I respect explained this passage as follows: Peter tried to make Jesus his own Jesus, Peter’s Jesus. But the Bible tells us to make Peter Jesus’ Peter.

The word “deny” is used when Jesus was judged at night. “Jesus said to Peter, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” (Mark 14:30)

Jesus told Peter, who had interest in human beings not in God, to deny himself and get behind Jesus. But Peter denied Jesus, when people said to him, “You were with Jesus.” He deserted Jesus, not himself. This well expresses human weakness. Jesus knew it well. Jesus received judgement in substitute for us. This is the death of Jesus on the cross. God’s salvation worked on the cross. When we unexpectedly bear our own cross, we are about to deny the cross. And we think that it should not happen to us.

The earthly values tell us that God should work to let us get through with the problem. But Jesus told us to follow him, bearing our own cross. God’s power works on the cross. God leads Jesus to the resurrection. We should trust him and follow him. Even if your burden is unsolved, it does not mean that you are not saved. You have only to rely on Jesus.

Today’s text teaches us to get behind Jesus. This is our way. Let’s modestly seek God’s plan, when we cannot manage our own problem successfully! Jesus’ way to the cross is the way to the resurrection. Let’s spend Lent, praying for people in suffering!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

God Will Never Forsake You (Mark 1:9-15)

February 21, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

I sometimes hear from those who participate in live on-line worship. They ask about the color of pastor’s stole or the curtain behind the altar. Some say, “I am interested in the pastor’ s fashion next week.”

The liturgical color is now purple. The color of Lent is purple. Today’s text from the Gospel of Mark, says, “And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.” (1:12)

It troubles my mind that the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness. What does it mean that Jesus was baptized and that the Spirit drove him out to meet the suffering and trial in the wilderness? Another translation (Shin Kaiyaku in Japanese) of the Bible is “A voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert.” (1:11) It is very strange. The incident that God drove Jesus out into the wilderness lets us think that Jesus’ way to the cross, on which Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (15:34) had already started from here.

We also think why such sufferings occur to us. They are great trials, disasters, or new coronavirus disease.

What was the temptation Jesus received? The Gospels of Matthew and Luke tell about the details of the temptation Jesus received. But the Gospel of Mark says nothing about its details. It emphasizes that he was in the wilderness, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. The background of this description is related to the Old Testament. The tradition of Judaism teaches us that Adam, the first humankind, governed the beasts when he was in the Garden of East. “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26)

　Briefly speaking, God entrusted Adam with the dominion of the earth. A tradition tells that the angels served meals for Adam. “The angels waited on him” also may mean that the angels prepared meals for him. Though Genesis does not tell that the angels served meals for Adam, people at that time easily must have remembered the tradition of Judaism. What matters is that Jesus came to us as new Adam. The first Adam submitted to the temptation. He ate the fruit with Eve, though God said, “You shall not eat the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden.” They committed the sin. So, God sent them forth from the garden of Eden. From the time man was obliged to live in suffering and trials through all his life.

But the Bible recorded the history of God’s salvation of human beings who had to live in sin and suffering. The prophets had prophesied that the Messiah would come soon, when God’s salvation would be completed. Isaiah refers to the situation when God’ salvation is completed.

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of the roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, …. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kids, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. …. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; ….” (Isaiah 11:1-9)

Briefly speaking, today’s text from the Gospel of Mark teaches us that Jesus is the Messiah, Savior who was prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus was with the beasts. It shows that the kingdom of God is already in the wilderness. God and human beings live together. Human beings one another become reconciled. The Lutheran church to which I attended in the States had a picture on the tapestry in the cathedral at Christmas. A wolf and a lamb were woven. The picture shows the ultimate peace described in the book of Isaiah. It was very impressive to me.

The first Adam was defeated by Satan and the power of sin. But Jesus defeated Satan. The Gospel of Mark soon describes Jesus who has the power to liberate people from sin and the evil spirit. And the world, which was locked in the power of sin, is going to be healed and reconciled with God.

God had to send out Jesus as the new Adam to the wilderness in order to overcome the power of Satan and sin. And God sent Jesus to the cross to save human beings.

We occasionally walk in the wilderness with a heavy cross on our back. Martin Luther tells us that we cannot find God except in suffering and the cross. God is hidden in the cross of Jesus.

The death of Jesus on the cross seems to be powerless defeat from the view-point of human beings. An undesirable incident is likely to occur in our lives, and we are nearly crushed by it. But Jesus comes to us as the Savior in the midst of the situation. God surely works in our suffering of the cross. God will never forsake us. Because Jesus cried on our behalf, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” and he received the judgement for us. This is the power of God. So, we will never be judged or forsaken by God. He tells to us, “You are my beloved son” in time of the judgement. We can rely on Jesus at any time in the wilderness or in suffering of the cross on the back.

Lent began from last Wednesday. I had prayer time Ash Wednesday at home. I became calm before God, though I usually flurried. I was much worried about a thing which occupied my heart. Someone said to me, “It is your cross, isn’t it?” When I heard it, I could not understand its meaning. But I have got it now. It is really my cross. I confirmed it in prayer Ash Wednesday. I prayed that I could endure it, if it might be my cross. Jesus said to me, “Take up your cross and follow me.” When I go forward, I find God on the way. Frankly speaking, I cannot solve it soon. But my feeling has been relaxed a little bit. I have decided to leave the matter to God. The wilderness with Jesus is already the kingdom of God.

When we feel powerless as if we were in the wilderness, we are assured that the Son of God takes care of us. He is new Adam, who overcame the power of sin and Satan.

Let’s follow Jesus in Lent! Let’s believe that we find God in the cross of Jesus and God’s power is revealed! Let’s rely on the salvation given by Jesus’ cross!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

That is Why I Have Come (Mark 1:29-39)

February 7, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Today’s worship is also on-line. Recently I have received messages from new people and faraway friends, saying, “I participated in live on-line worship of Hongo Church.” I have been much encouraged by them. What is it that we believe and live every day?

“As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. (1:29)

Four people became Jesus’ disciples first. They entered the house of Simon and Andrew. The house probably became the base of their activities. Simon, who was called Peter, was married and his wife also became a believer. (1 Corinth 9:5) “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” (1:30-31)

A theory tells us that “in bed with fever” meant “in a serious illness” in an ancient world. Just before today’s text, the Gospel of Mark tells us Jesus healed a man with an unclean spirit. It was likely that Simon saw the incident, and he brought his mother-in-law, who was in a serious illness, to Jesus.

Jesus came near to the woman who suffered from a high fever, and took her by the hand and lifted her up. It is likely that we emphasize her recovery from a high fever. Surely it is important, but we should equally observe that Jesus came near to her and took her by the hand and lifted her up. This is truly Jesus’ healing.

We are often troubled with various things. Last week the state-of- emergency declaration was extended, and the winter classes of the student center were decided to be held on-line. As a result, those who wanted to have a face-to-face learning, gave up participating in classes. It gives me pain to think of it. Now it is a difficult time for the center. But today’s text of the Gospel of Mark has given me encouragement. Jesus comes near to us, and takes each of us by the hand and lifts us up. When we cannot rise to our feet, Jesus lifts us up. “In bed with a high fever” applies to our present situation, in which the new coronavirus is prevalent. Jesus comes near to us and takes each of us by the hand and lifts us up.

Then the mother-in-law’s fever left her, and she began to serve them. The Greek “διάκονιά” is used here. You probably heard the word somewhere. The verb is “διάκονέω.” It means “serve,” “care,” “look after,” or “wait.” This word is used in daily lives as well as in public service.

Wow! She was in high fever just before. We think Simon and Andrew should have served them on her behalf. But the usage of “διάκονέω” here means continuous activity from now on, not only once. So, the Gospel of Mark suggests that she continued to serve them or always served them.

Briefly speaking, the story means that the mother-in-law became a disciple of Jesus, not she just recovered her health. Simon and Andrew, who were working as fishermen, were called by Jesus, “Follow me.” So, her son-in-law became Jesus’ disciple. She believed that Jesus was the Son of God and followed him. There were many anonymous disciples like her in the Bible.

The Bible tells us in detail how Zacchaeus, tax collector, and Paul, great preacher, became to believe Jesus, but it does not tell us how many anonymous disciples came to believe Jesus. But they are seen among ourselves. We are suffering in a sordid state of reality. Jesus comes to us, and takes each of us by the hand and lifts us up. We believe in Jesus, and, thanks to Him, we, who are anonymous, barely live every day. What is it that we are Jesus’ disciples? Today’s text shows us the answer. “She began to serve them.”

The word “διάκονέω” is used: ‘In Galilee these women followed Jesus and cared for his needs.’ (Mark 15:41) ‘Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.’ (Luke 8:3) Besides them, there were many anonymous followers.

Jesus said, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of God did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45)

Here the word “διάκονέω” is used. Those who were healed by Jesus served people as his disciples. For Jesus the Son of God came to serve not to be served.

We are apt to think that “serve” is too difficult for us. But “διάκονέω” is commonly done in our daily lives. Various works which we perform in daily lives are just “διάκονέω” as Jesus’ disciples. They should not be done to satisfy our own needs, but to serve people as those who are healed by Jesus. For he came near to us and took each of us by the hand, and lifted us up.

It is told that mother Teresa said, “We cannot do great things. Do small things with great love.”

Our society as a whole is now in the severe trial. The works of churches are under various constraints. So, you may think that churches can do nothing. But it is “διάκονιά” that we live as Jesus’ disciples in daily lives. Our living is just missionary work. “Дιάκονιά” is not to perform conspicuous big projects, but to live as his disciples in daily lives. The churches exist for that purpose.

Jesus said, “’Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (1:39)

Jesus heals us. He comes near to us, and takes each of us by the hand, and lifts us up. And then, our daily lives with Jesus begin. We walk as his disciples this week, too. We have many troubles every day. But not be worried! Jesus always holds out a helping hand to us. Let’s do “διάκονιά” as his disciples! Let’s trust Jesus who came to save us and pray for people in suffering!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Repent and Believe（Mark 1:14-20）

January 24, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Today’s worship is also on-line. We cannot come together for worship nor hold other meetings. We are experiencing ups and downs in our own everyday lives. New coronavirus is gravely affecting our lives. We are deeply worried about our work and our future. What was the age, in which Jesus began to start his mission?

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:15)

This is the first Jesus’ message, according to the Gospel of Mark. Jesus said this message just after John, who baptized Jesus, was arrested. This time was also difficult to Jesus, because some people regarded him as one of John’s disciples. But Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near.” God’s power works in the time of the trials. Today’s text says, “The kingdom of God has come near.” You may say, “The kingdom of God has come.” To say the least, its nuance is that the kingdom of God has arrived at the door. So, Jesus encourages us to repent and believe in the good news.

What is ‘repent’? This is not just ‘look back our past and reflect.’ It means ‘turn ourselves one hundred eighty degrees.’ It is not ‘turn our back on God’ but ‘turn our face to God.’ Where do you face now? We are tired out in the trials. We criticize one another, or are nearly squeezed by much worries. But God says to us, ‘Turn our hearts and believe in the power of God.’ We think little of God in our daily lives. But we now should repent and believe in God.

What sort of people heard Jesus’ message? When John, who was arrested, was at work in the wilderness, many people came to John. The Gospel of Mark tells us, “People from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan.” But Jesus walked alone along the Sea of Galilee. The Gospel of Mark does not tell that the whole Judean countryside came to Jesus.

“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen.” (1:16)

They had lived ordinary lives like us. “Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people,’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (1:17)

We are surprised at their quick decision. They must have asked to Jesus “who are you?” And an ordinary conversation must have been exchanged between Jesus and them. The Gospel of Luke tells us about a concrete conversation between Jesus and them. But the Gospel of Mark tells us about just the result of their encounter with Jesus. Our encounter with the faith is different one another concerning time, motives and emotional turmoil. But the author emphasizes the most important thing concerning their encounter with Jesus: that they followed Jesus. And James son of Zebedee and his brother John left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed Jesus. It was very symbolical that they left their family, their nets and boats, which were necessary for their lives. But please don’t mind! It does not mean that you could not be Jesus’ disciples if you had not left your family and property. As a matter of fact, these four people kept their relationship with their family after they were Jesus’ disciples. The Gospel of Mark tells us that they were with Jesus in their boat, and that Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever and they told Jesus about her. Later, James and John’s mother appeared on the scene. The important thing is that they all turned face to God, and followed Jesus.

Then, what is ‘believe in the good news?’

Jesus said to his disciples, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” According to the book of Jeremiah, “I am sending for many fishermen, says the Lord, and they shall catch them.” (Jeremiah 16:16) To tell the truth, this message was God’s wrath. Human beings’ sin cannot be concealed before God. They will be drawn out and judged by God. They are caught in a net and no one can escape from God’s judgement. ‘Fishermen’ in the book of Jeremiah meant God’s wrath and God’s judgement. But ‘I will make you fish for people’ meant God’s salvation, not God’s judgement. This great conversion means that Jesus has come. Now the time when God shows His love and forgiveness has come. This is the good news.

　All the world is now in a great trial, but it does not mean that we are drawn out to God’s judgement. God has compassion on us, and gives us hope and love. God helps us to endure the trial. God rescues us from the storm of severe trials, suffering and sins. This is the work of fishermen. So, Jesus says, “I will make you fish for people.” Soon after this, Jesus began to heal people who were sick or possessed with demons. “He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons.” (Mark 1:34) The word of ‘cure’ means not only ‘heal’ but also ‘serve’ or ‘look after patients.’ Jesus, the Son of God, heals and looks after us who are in the midst of trial. Jesus restores the human relationship among us.

The whole society is now groping for healing. God will never abandon us. The Son of God will cure us. To believe it is to turn our face to God. “The kingdom of God has come near” means “God’s rule has come near.” Though we live our lives every day, having no hope for the future, God’s rule is over us, and God helps us. Therefore, you should believe in Jesus, and walk on your way. Later, Jesus says to us, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Each of us has own cross. Sometimes following Jesus becomes painful for us, just as Jesus was hard when he walked to the cross. But God helped him to walk to his resurrection. When we follow Jesus, God never fails to lead us to Jesus’ resurrection. When we take up our own cross, Jesus is always with us. We are busy with work just ahead every day, but Jesus is with us. It is to follow Jesus that we live our lives provided by Jesus.

“Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5)

Jesus heals us, and calls to us, “Follow me.” Now we should repent and turn our hearts, and believe in Jesus. Simon and other disciples were not always exemplary. They often made mistakes. They went away from God or had doubts about God. They were sinners like us. But today Jesus calls to us, “Follow me.” So, we turn our face to God from now on, and follow Jesus.

We have worries and fear every day. But let’s trust in Jesus’ power on us and continue to pray! Let’s walk this week, too, praying for people in suffering in the world!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Follow Me（John 1:43-51）

January 17, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Today we are also unable to come together at the church building, but we are keeping on-line worship service. The student center has begun its winter classes on line. The church also started moving. We, Christians, also began to work every day. What promise does Jesus give us?

Today’s text from the Gospel of John tells us about the scene of Jesus’ calling to the primary disciples. Phillip and his friend Nathanael became Jesus’ disciples. Jesus said to Philip, “Follow me.” Today’s text says nothing about why Jesus called to him. Philip believed that Jesus was the Messiah whom the Bible had promised. And he said to his friend Nathanael, “Come and see him.” But Nathanael, unlike Philip, did not believe Jesus. Nathanael, who was as skeptical as we are, said to Philip, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael’s preconceived idea hindered his faith. Philip said to him, “Come and see.” He, unwillingly, went with Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” (1:47)

　Jesus said to him, “There is no deceit in him,” though Nathanael was skeptical about Jesus. A true Israelite means a model believer who keeps the law faithfully. What matters was Jesus had already taken notice of Nathanael. When he became aware of it, he came to say, “You are the Son of God.”

Our minds are too much occupied with new coronavirus, but Jesus pays his attention to every one of us before we are aware of his care.

Here, the action “see” is repeatedly used. Philip says, “Come and see.” Jesus “saw Nathanael coming toward him.” Jesus said, “I saw you under the fig tree.” This word means not only ‘perceive with the eyes,’ but also ‘experience’ or ‘understand.’ Jesus says, “Whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (John 12:45) ‘Jesus had already taken notice of Nathanael’ means Jesus had already received Nathanael. Jesus knows everything about him including his fear and doubt.

Jesus said to Nathanael, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (1:51)

You will find the word ‘see’ again. What did he come to experience? It is necessary for you to understand this word against the incident written in the chapter 28 of Genesis. Jacob committed a serious error because of his strong desire. So, he escaped from his home. Jacob was not a fine man but he was weak and ugly like us. Genesis describes his weakness without reserve. He was rather typical of a weak human being. He deceived his twin brother and his father, and ran away from his home. Jacob went to his mother’s family. He traveled alone. He was not sure that he would safely arrive at the destination. But at this late he could never come home. His unstable situation is similar to our daily lives. We cannot come back to our lives one year before. And we are unsure about our own future. In addition, we suffer from our weakness and sinfulness.

But God appears to us on the way of our journey. God never abandoned Jacob who committed a serious error and was traveling alone. He dreamed at night that “there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” (Genesis 28:12) There was a temple called “Ziggurat” in ancient Mesopotamia. It was twenty meters high. Ziggurat is a rectangular stepped tower. You may see it in the text of world history. What Jacob saw in his dream might be such ziggurat. But that ladder does not lead a human being to his salvation, but it is used for God’s coming to us from the heaven to the earth. God said, “I am the Lord, the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring;….Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. (Genesis 28:13-15)

Though Jacob was sinful and weak, God’s blessing on him was never taken away. He encountered God and was forgiven by Him, and he returned to the faith. He said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. (Genesis 28:17)

Jesus said to Nathanael, “you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Jesus showed that the ladder to heaven was truly Jesus himself. Jesus is the evidence of God’s words “I am with you. I will keep you, wherever you go.” So, he said, “You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Jacob was later called Israel. He became the foundation of Israelites. Jesus said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite.” Nathanael would come to experience what Jacob experienced. We who believe Jesus will also be called new Israelites, and experience what Jacob experienced.

The whole society we live in is in the midst of great trials. We ourselves live uneasily and in fear. But God met with Jacob, when he was really weak and committed sins. God is always with us even when things do not go well. Our everyday lives are like Jacob’s journey. But God promises us, “Wherever we may go, God keeps us.” We can never return to our past, but God surely keeps us every day even now and in the future.

The cross of Jesus shows God’s forgiveness and calling to us. It also shows that God is always with us. Jesus promises us that he will never abandon us.

Let’s walk in peace this week too! Let’s receive his call, “Follow me.” Let’s rely on Jesus and pray God protect many people in suffering!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

New Start from Here（Mark 1:4-11）

January 10, 2021

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

A state-of -emergency declaration has been issued again. So, we have not been able to worship at the church building again. Our daily lives are affected and our worries are increasing. What encouragement does the Bible give us?

The Gospel of Mark was written, when Christian churches were under the severe persecution, maybe, soon after Nero’s Persecutions. Christians were about to lose their faith. In that situation, the Gospel of Mark encouraged them to continue their faith in Jesus.

What matters is that its beginning is Jesus’ baptism. Japanese word “Sen-Rei” for baptism is used in various fields. For example, when an energetic high school baseball player entered a professional baseball team and had a bitter experience there, “he has received ‘Sen-Rei’ in professional baseball.”

Baptism is an important rite for a person to be admitted into Christianity, with the use of water. A person dies in water, and is changed into a son of God. Today’s text from the Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus, the Son of God, was also baptized.

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (1:9)

Jesus firstly appears here in the Gospel of Mark. He suddenly appears on the scene. It does not refer to a genealogy which is a must-have item in ancient Israel. It neither refers to Christmas stories. Jesus was considered to be about thirty years old. But it tells us about nothing his way of living. Mark, the author, begins his message with the encouragement by baptism to the people in suffering. Mark thinks that baptism is the beginning of salvation．This is very important.

Then, what is baptism? When Jesus was baptized by John, a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (1:11)

When we are baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit from God, and we also receive God’s words; “you are my son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” It means we have been made righteous before God. Frankly speaking, we are very weak. We are afraid that we might not please God. We are fully occupied with daily works, and worry about many things. But baptism is we are closely tied with God.

After Jesus was baptized, he tempted by Satan in the wilderness. But the angels waited on him. We are baptized. So, we are tied with Jesus, and we are able to get through difficulties. However weak we are, God says to us, “You are my son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Every day we cannot foresee our way to go. We live as if we were in the wilderness. But the Holy Spirit is with us. Through baptism we are formed into a son of God.

　Today’ s text reminds us of God’s creation of the world.

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the water. Then God said, “Let there be light; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3)

There were water, God’s spirit, and God’s words. They remind us of Jesus’ baptism.

Genesis tells us there was a formless void in the beginning. It also means wilderness. There is a desolate state and no hope. But when God said “Let there be light, there was light.” God separated the light from the darkness. God showed His power into chaos. The world was no longer void, and no longer evil nor sinfulness, but was ruled by God’s power.

It seems to us that the world is still chaotic. Coronavirus is on a rampage. Human power is weak, and our society is filled with sorrow. Our lives are damaged, and many people have no hope in the future. But today’s text from Genesis tells us that God keeps at work in the world that seems to us to be chaotic. All the world is ruled by God’s power. Everything is created by God, and God is now working to save us.

A pastor asks at the ceremony of baptism in the Lutheran church, “Do you thoroughly drive away the devil, his power and his void promise?” Please remember your day of baptism! You promise, “Yes, I will.” We live everyday like in the wilderness but God protects us from the power of evil. Pastor asks next, “Do you believe the power of God?” “Yes, I do,” we answer. We live now in the chaotic world, but God protects us. The baptism is our new start with the power of God.

But while we were not aware of it, our hearts are filled with worries, even when we look back the last week. We are now in the worship service every Sunday. We are standing before God as we are, just as we stood before God in the ceremony of baptism. Then, we promise before God and brothers and sisters, “I believe in God, and Jesus, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. I will live my whole life in faith.” Then God gives us His message, “You are my son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Our faith is weak, and we are unsure about our own faith. But the fact that we have received baptism is unshakable. The fact that we have been baptized and saved is immovable.

Some years ago, there was the ceremony of baptism that impressed me very much. A woman was baptized with her little child. She remembered well that her mother, who died young, was reading the Bible at a room in the hospital. After that, when she lived a hard life with various suffering, she recalled her mother’s Bible. It led her to the church. She greeted after the ceremony of her baptism, saying, “I have lived a hard life concerning my family and my job. I was really worried about bringing up my child by myself. But now I have been tied with God by baptism. So, I believe that God will help me, whenever I am in need.”

We live now in a chaotic state like the wilderness. What we need now is that we leave ourselves to God and rely on His power. God, calling to us, “You are my son, the beloved,” will never abandon us.

The Gospel of Mark begins with Jesus’ baptism and ends with a clear promise,

“The one who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (16:16)

We are tied with God, even when we live in the chaotic present age. The Christians in the age of the Gospel of Mark were encouraged to live through their severe time.

Let’s rely on God’s power at the very time of trial! God gives us the power to live every day. Let’s go forward this week with prayer and hope!

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! Amen.

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

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