Sermons of 2022

Have you ever seen a satellite blinking and moving across the night sky? It looks just like a star, but this kind of satellite is made by men and women and sent into space where it circles the earth. Many satellites orbit our earth continuously and some are no bigger than a beach ball.

Satellites are used for many different things:

Some look at the weather and warn us about storms.

Some relay television programs and telephone messages.

Some give us information about the universe.

Satellites take pictures of things on earth and are able to locate mountains, rivers, deserts, cities, and even individual buildings. With help from a satellite and a computer, you can find your house or school and see what it looks like from space.

Satellites help travelers find their destinations. Airplane pilots, boat captains, and drivers of cars are able to receive information from satellites so they know their exact location almost instantly.

When Jesus was born there were no such things as man-made satellites. There is however a story in the Bible about wise men who used a star as a satellite to help them find their destination and know about what was going on in the world around them.

In today’s reading, we read about wise men who used a star to help them find what they were looking for. The Wise Men were also called Magi. This term was used for men who were advisors to kings in some countries.

At times they were asked to interpret the king's dreams and when they wanted to know something. Magi were wise in many things. One of the things these men studied was stars. These men knew a lot about the stars and their locations in the sky.

One night as these wise men looked out at the stars they saw a star that they had never seen before. It was amazing to these wise men. They began to read books and find out what they could learn about this star that seemed to miraculously appear in the sky. As they looked through their books maybe they came across some notes that people had written many years ago. These notes may have been written during the time when Daniel was living. Maybe they read a prophecy from Numbers 24:17 that says: “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Somehow the wise men learned that a Ruler was going to come out of the land of Jerusalem. This King would be a special king because the One True God had promised to send this King. Because the star was so spectacular and they knew that it had been shown to them. They wanted to find this King that this Star was pointing them to. They wanted to find this King and worship Him.

These men set out to seek the King of the Jews. These men knew that they could find out more about this King if they traveled to the land of Jerusalem to learn of Him. They knew that the Jewish people lived in Jerusalem. They traveled there because they thought they might find all the people of Jerusalem worshiping the King God had sent.

As these wise men are traveling the long trip to Jerusalem, the star moved in such a way as to guide them along the way. When the men arrived in Jerusalem, they caused quite a stir. They began asking where they could find the child who was the new King of the Jews. The people of Jerusalem and King Herod were greatly distressed at this. When King Herod heard about it, he was very upset. Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too. So Herod called together all the chief priests of the people. He also called the teachers of the law. He asked them where Christ was going to be born. - Matthew 2:3-4

Herod did not want a new king to come along! He wanted to remain the king. So he went to the Jewish religious leaders who knew God’s promises about the Messiah.

“After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.

The star guides them again not only to Bethlehem but to the very house where Jesus was to be found, along with His mother. Having found the Messiah, the magi worshiped HIM (not them, and not her), presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Let’s take a look at the different responses, upon hearing that the long-awaited Messiah had been born.

Herod became angry at the thought of giving up any of his power. Herod knew this was no ordinary child. There was something about this boy that struck fear in his heart. So, he deceived the Magi, and he began to work out an evil plan to seek out and try to kill Jesus.

There is one other group of people that the Bible mentions. It is the people living in Jerusalem. These were the sons and daughters of Abraham. They were the very people to whom God had made His great promises. They were supposed to be watching and waiting for the Messiah to come. However, Matthew 2:3 says, “Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled.”

The Magi, on the other hand who were Gentiles, not Jews, left their homes and their families. They set out on a very long and possibly dangerous journey, hoping that they would have the opportunity to bow down and worship Him.

They set out on a journey to find this child under the star and to worship Him.

This child under the star would grow up to become the man on the cross, then the Savior risen from the grave, then Lord up in heaven, then one day the King returning to claim His people.

This Advent, before Christmas, comes, it’s good to be reminded that God was at work all along, that in the to save His people. Today, we live in between the times of when the Messiah came and when the Messiah will come again. Christ has come. Christ will come again. Thus, we experience in part the joy, hope, and transformation of Jesus, but we realize we do not live in a time of final fulfillment. We continue to walk and live by faith.

God continues to be at work in this world and in our own lives and the world, committed to transforming deserts into gardens overflowing with joy. This matters because, while we wait for Christ to come again, we don’t have to despair. God has given us a joy that no one can take away. No matter what happens in this dark world, we can experience light.

We experience difficulties differently than the world. We have light even in the darkest moments. May we like the Magi guided by the light of Christ, go forth with Joy today.

Lord, As the Magi came to you, into the place where you lived, they knew they were at journey’s end. This Christmas, after the journey through Advent, may we come before you in awe and wonder at your birth and be filled with wonder, thanks, and praise. Amen

Repent, For the Kingdom of Heaven is Near (Mathew 3:1-12)

December 4, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Today’s text from the Gospel of Mathew says, “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” (3:1-2)

“In those days” means that twenty or thirty years passed after Jesus Christ was born. When Jesus Christ was born, wise men came from the east and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. King Herod gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the wise men.

The Jewish people did not accept Jesus the Lord who was the Messiah. So, John the Baptist said, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near. He said not only “Repent” but also cited Isaiah 40:3-4 as the voice of one calling. He cited, “A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord make straight paths for him.” In the ancient times, there were the roads called “King’s Ways” in the Middle East and the Mediterranean area. Those roads efficiently connected each territory with the city where the emperor or the kins lived within the spacious domination area. So, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him” means that the people should return to the Lord and prepare the way to the kingdom of heaven. So, the mission of John the Baptist was to make the people prepare for coming of Christ the King.

“John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. His figure was said to be a style of traditional prophet. (Cf. 2 Kings 1:8 “He (Elijah) was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist.”) Afterward Jesus Christ said, “If you are willing to accept it, he (John the Baptist) is the Elijah who was to come.” (11:14) Indeed, John the Baptist was a second coming of the prophet of Elijah.

“People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (3:5-6) “Baptize” means “sink” or “immerse” in the Greek word. One theory is that baptism is a ceremony for cleansing gentiles when their religion is going to be converted to Judaism. If this is true, the Jewish people do not need baptism. (Cf. Galatians 2:15 “We are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’…”)

It is safe to say that the Jewish people thought in those days that they were to be saved automatically, because they were the offspring of Abraham.

But “People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” It was clear that Jewish people as well as gentiles were baptized. Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees came to where John the Baptist was baptizing. He said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” (3:7-9) John the Baptist warned them, who thought that they had no need to repent, to be unable to escape from God’s wrath.

The Lord had said to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3) But the blessing would never be automatically realized just because they were Abraham’s descendants. God’s blessing was to be realized by God’s direct intervention into the history. It is clearly written in the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (1:1) If the Pharisees and the Sadducees would not repent and prepare the way for the Lord, John said, “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (3:10)

John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (3:11)

According to the usage of biblical words, “fire” stands for God’s judgment and the symbol of the Holy Spirit. So, baptism by the Holy Spirit and fire means burning up of our sins, that is to say, purification of our sins. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (3:12) Jesus Christ is the Savior who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire, and purifies our sins. The Lord is the Savior and at the same time gives us the last judgement.

The people in the world would respond to the evangel in two ways. One is to repent of their sins, and be baptized and saved. The other is to refuse to repent of their sins, and perish. Paul the apostle declares in the first letter to the Corinthians, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) You, who live in this age, are also saved or going to be saved by the faith in Jesus Christ. You are led to produce good fruit worthy of repentance. You should live for yourselves but for Christ who died for you and was raised again. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:15)

Let’s love and trust in the Lord, and pray!

We ask you to guide us so that we may seek first the kingdom and righteousness. We pray with thanks and this asking in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:33-43)

November 20, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus us Christ the Son of God obtained the eternal redemption of our sins on the cross. He began his ministry when he was about thirty years old, after he was baptized by John the Baptist. At first, he travelled about from one town and village to another in Galilee, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed healing. He continued his journey, and entered Jerusalem. The crowd welcomed Jesus.

He taught about the kingdom of God for a few days in the precinct of the temple. The crowd listened to Jesus but chief priests, scholars of the law, and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. But they could not find to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover came. The time of Passover of two thousand years ago was the very time God determined. Once John the Baptist said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.

Well, today’s text of the Gospel of Luke says, “When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (23:33-34)

First of all, Jesus prayed to God, “Forgive them” on behalf of those who crucified him. This prayer is for mediation. Briefly speaking, Jesus loved God the Father as the Son of God, and kept the law completely, and was crucified. So, he asked God to forgive them in deference to his deeds. This is Lord’s prayer of mediation. “The people stood watching and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself. There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (23:35-38)

Here, I want you, who are to be saved, to remember one thing. It is what the angel said to Mary, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you…The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:28, 32-33)

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Jesus: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’”

The criminal who was crucified with Jesus at the same time must have listened to Jesus during a passing time. (Cf. Romans 10:17; “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Acts 26:28-29; “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.’”)

Then, he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Paradise is the place where Christians live after their death on the earth.

Jesus, in another Biblical message, said clearly, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’” (John 11:25)

This criminal met with Jesus at the last moment of his life, and repented of his sin, and believed in Jesus as the Messiah the Savior, and was given eternal life.

You are also given eternal life through the belief in Jesus the Son of God.

Let’s pray to God! We thank you that you have given us grace through Jesus Christ the Son of God.

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 1:5-6)

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Today Salvation has Come to This House (Luke 19:1-10)

October 30, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God told the disciples and the crowd about the kingdom of God on the way to Jerusalem to perform the eternal redemption on the cross. Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke tells us about an incident during his journey.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. Jericho is a historical city, called “the City of Palms.” (Cf. Deuteronomy 34:3) It is blessed with good fountains, and inhabitable from ancient times. It has been an important place in terms of transportation. “He entered Jericho” means the last phase of his journey.

“A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.” “Zacchaeus” originally means clean or sinless. But his way of living was opposite to the meaning of his name.

In those days tax collectors, who were Jewish, worked for the Roman Empire and collected money from the Jewish people more than the tax rate. So, they were betrayers and hated by the people. They were treated as “sinners” in the Jewish society. Jesus said, “Zacchaeus was a tax collector and wealthy.” As Zacchaeus was a chief of tax collectors, he was more despised by the people. They regarded tax collectors as “the dogs of the Roman Empire.” And Jesus once said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” This is the background for understanding the story. Today’s text says, “He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not because of the crowd.” (19:3) He was full of curiosity and a short man. In addition, he wanted to hear Jesus’ words. “A faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Cf. Romans 10:17) He must have heard about Jesus before he met Jesus. So, his faith might have started on that point. “He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.” (19:4) He was good at climbing a tree.

“When Jesus reached that spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’” (19:5)

Jesus the Son of God knows well about anything. He had already known Zacchaeus. (Cf. The Letter to the Ephesians 1:5 says, “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”)

“So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.” (19:6) “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to the guest of a sinner.’” (19:7)

They muttered, because Zacchaeus was regarded as a leading sinner and yet Jesus was interested in him. Jesus would have very close relationship with Zacchaeus. “He stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord!’” Zacchaeus believed Jesus as God of Israel by grace. And he said, “Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” (19:8)

Here we know his joy of going back to the Lord through his repentance of his sin. One of the features of being saved is giving something to others. Zacchaeus said, “I will pay back four times the amount.” According to the law, four times the amount means roughly the highest amount of compensation. (Cf. 2 Samuel 12:6, “He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”) Zacchaeus believed Jesus as the Lord, and was saved by calling Jesus as the Lord in his mouth. (Cf. Romans 10:10, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”) He proposed his redemption for his sin to Jesus according to the law, and Jesus the Lord received it. Jesus the Lord the Son of God said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.” (19:9) “Salvation has come to this house” means that his family, his servants and slaves have been all saved through his confession and salvation. (Acts 16:31, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”)

“This man, too, is a son of Abraham” means that the faith of Zacchaeus was credited to him as righteousness, as the Bible says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3)

We who are now alive are forgiven our sins by the faith in Jesus Christ, and send blessing to the people.

After Jesus the Lord talked about forgiveness of sin and restoration of his relationship with God, he said to Zacchaeus, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (19:10)

This message is very important for understanding his purpose of coming to the world.

We human beings like Zacchaeus were naturally lost because of sin and lived apart from God. But Jesus came to seek us and to save us. (Cf. He who created you and formed you says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name,” and “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.” (Isaiah 43:1, 4, 5)

After B.C. 700 of Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus Christ came to the world and called the names of those who would inherit God's salvation as Isaiah promised. Jesus the Lord called the name of Zacchaeus and made him live with the Lord.

Jesus is calling your name, when you are in any difficult situation. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

Let’s love and believe the Lord, and pray!

We pray that those who are going to step forward to their faith, when we in the Holy Spirit work for them. We pray that God use us for the kingdom of God and righteousness. We pray by the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

He Who Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted (Luke 18:9-14)

October 23, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke describes, “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told the parable.” (18:9)

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. “Temple” means “The temple of Jerusalem.” Here the high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering.

The Pharisees mean those who thought highly of the law of Moses and the oral tradition of the law. They were one of the sects of Judaism. The word of “Pharisee” originally means “separate.” The Pharisees literally kept the law strictly and lived separating themselves from common people who did not observe the law.

The tax collectors who were also Jewish worked as the agents of the Roman Empire and collected tax from the Jewish people. They often collected tax more than the tax rate from the Jewish people. So, they were considered as sinners and hated by them. Jesus told the parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector, and taught his disciples about the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’” He did not pray to God but talked about himself like a monologue. He said, “God” but his mind did not focus on God. His pray well expressed it. He was proud of his righteous way of living. In those days fasting was required a few times in a year. So, fasting twice a week was extraordinary as compared with the common way of living. Giving a tenth of all his revenue was also exceptional.

Jesus said, “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'" “Stood at a distance” means “He prayed at a far distance from the sanctuary within the precincts of the temple of Jerusalem.” The Jewish people usually looked up to heaven and prayed with their both hands up. But this tax collector would not even look up to heaven and beat his breast and prayed. “Beat his breast” expressed his repentance or remorse. He grieved over his sin and prayed “Have mercy on me, a sinner.” This Greek word for “mercy” is used only twice in the New Testament. This word, exactly speaking, means “atone for a sin,” or “forgive a sin.” So, he prayed “Redeem me from my sin,” not “have mercy on me.” (Cf. Psalm 130:8; “He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.”) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

The sinners are given forgiveness because of such faith, and are made righteous.

Jesus the Lord concluded the parable, saying, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (18:14) “Being made righteous” means that God loves the sinners and made them righteous by His grace and mercy. Once God of Israel said to the people of Israel, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Two thousand years ago at the end of the age of the Old Testament God told through Jesus Christ to the people of Israel, saying, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” (John 14:10) So, all the human beings created by God, not merely the Jewish people, must listen to Jesus and follow him. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) So, today you too are made righteous and go home.

When you continue to repent of your sin and live with the faith every day, you do not exalt yourself and look down the other people, and “in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Lastly you must remember that Jesus the Lord himself was most humble.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Let’s pray! We thank you that you live with people brokenhearted and humble yourself and revive the heart of the contrite. Give your grace to us so that we may work for the kingdom of God and His righteousness! We pray with gratitude in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Our Duty We Should Do (Luke 17:5-10)

October 2, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God was on the way to Jerusalem for his mission to obtain eternal redemption. The apostles on the way said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” (17:5)

Just before the today’s text form the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said to his disciples, “If your brother sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” (17:4)

His disciples thought it was impossible for them to forgive their brothers as Jesus told them. So, they said to Jesus, “Increase our faith.” They thought about their difficulty to forgive their brothers owing to their faith. So, they thought if their faith would be sufficient, they could forgive their brothers.

Jesus the Lord said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” Jesus taught them that faith should not be considered quantitively, small or big. If it should be, the disciples would have had no faith. But when they would be given God’s grace, the power of God the Almighty would work upon them. Therefore, it is most important for them to trust God. If they would firmly believe God, He would work upon them so that they might forgive their brothers who say “I repent.” The power to forgive brothers comes from God.

Then, Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat?’” (17:7)

The Greek word of “servant” also means “slave.” It does not mean an employee. A slave at the time was more important than the ordinary property, and he was a member of the master’s family. But he was under the severe rule of a relationship of higher and lower just like our society. It is necessary for us to understand the Lord’s words in terms of historical background.

Jesus said in this parable, “‘When he comes in from the field,’ the master says no thanks to the servant and says to him, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink, after that you may eat and drink.’” Jesus said, “Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (17:8-10)

Jesus told this parable to his apostles who said, “Increase our faith.” So, the answer of the servant to the master in this parable was very natural.

What Jesus taught his disciples and also teaches to Christians who live today is “the truth of grace” which means that if the faith is given, they are able to live as the servants (slaves) of Jesus the Lord.

　　The truth of grace has been revealed through Jesus Christ the Son of God who was crucified on the Cross. We Christians are all God’s slaves who have been saved by the faith in Jesus Christ who was died on the cross and resurrected. We Christians are free from the creation except God. Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

And if we Christians are slaves of Christ, it is very natural for us to say “We are untrustworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” We are given faith as small as mustard seed—the most sacred faith. When we have the faith, God works upon us. But you have to make best efforts to seek the kingdom of God in your place of living, and at the end you may leave yourself to the hand of God the Almighty.

Let’s pray!

Please lead us to work for the kingdom of God to reveal God’s glory!

Please give birth to the faith for those who are interested in Christianity!

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

There Will be A Great Rejoice In Heaven (Luke 15:1-10)

September 11, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God started to go for Jerusalem and taught the people the kingdom of God on his way. One day the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him.

Israel was ruled under the Roman Empire 2000 thousand year ago. Tax collectors’ job was to collect tax from Jewish people for the Roman Empire and the King Herod. Many of them abused their authority of public office, and filled their pockets. So, they were hated by the people. “Sinners” were not criminal. They were those who could not keep the law for various reasons.

Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke says, “the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him.” (15:1) Jesus once declared “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37) We are also called by Jesus and have been given grace by God.

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (15:2) They were religious leaders of the Jewish people. The Pharisees strictly kept the time-honored tradition rather than the law. The teachers of the law taught how the Five Books of Moses should be performed. So, they took it for granted that they were received by God. They had nothing to do with the tax collectors and ‘sinners,’ and they thought that they would be religiously tainted with the involvement in “the tax collectors and sinners.”

There is a popular Japanese idiom “Onaji Kama no Meshi wo Taberu” (Eat from the same bowl). It means that eating together helps ones to deepen human relations. The truth also applies to the Jewish people. So, the Pharisees and the teaches of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then, Jesus told them three parables about the Kingdom of God. The first parable is about the Lost Sheep. Jesus told them, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. He left the ninety-nine in the open country and went after the lost sheep. He found it and joyfully put it on his shoulders and went home. Then he called his friends and neighbors together and said, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ Sheep is a very weak animal. It cannot live by its own power. It can hardly find its own grass and water, and it easily becomes missing.

Jesus taught the Pharisees and the teachers of the law that the tax collectors and sinners were ‘lost sheep.’ Jesus would want them to rejoice together the repentance of tax collectors and sinners. And he said, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (15:7)

The Lord continued to talk about the parable of the Lost Coin. “A woman has ten silver coins and loses one. She sweeps the house and searches carefully until she finds it. And she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’” One silver coin (Greek drachmas) was worth about a day’s wages. You may think that this woman’s rejoice is exaggerated, but this parable is meaningful in terms of the Jewish custom. In those days, a woman in the Jewish region wore a neckless of ten silver coins to prove her marriage. Or a man presented a necklace of ten silver coins as an engagement ring to a woman. Now such a present corresponds to a wedding ring or an engagement ring. In addition, a neckless of ten silver coins was so important that a moneylender was not allowed to take it away as payment.

So, a woman who loses a silver coin confusedly lights a lamp (it is said that a house is generally dark), sweeps the house, and carefully searches until she finds it. When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.” Jesus the Lord taught the Pharisees and the teachers of the law that the lost coin was the tax collectors and ‘sinners,’ and said, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (15:10)

How did the religious leaders hear the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin? I think that two parables affected them. Because Jesus the Lord compared the tax collectors and sinners to the lost sheep and the lost coin.

As you know, the “sheep” is an offering for atonement. (Cf. The Gospel of John says, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” <John 1:29>) The silver coin is the money for redemption. (Cf. Numbers 3:47-50)

Therefore, the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law readily understood that the sheep and the silver coin were significant as the offering to God. Furthermore, the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were compared to the sheep and the silver coin. So, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law must have been shocked at hearing Jesus. They became aware that the tax collectors and sinners were regarded as valuable by God. Jesus continued to talk about the third famous parable of the prodigal son.

As you know, “the prodigal son” is “the tax collectors and sinners,” and the elder brother of the prodigal son is “the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.”

God the Lord consistently would want the religious leaders to rejoice with the repentance of “tax collectors and sinners.”

Jesus explained God’s love and tenacity in the two parables. At the same time the parables meant hypocritical righteousness of “the Pharisees and the teachers of the law” who sought “the sheep” and “the silver coin” which should be needed for offering to God.

Jesus made it clear that the religious leaders refused to accept the tax collectors and sinners who repented of their sin, because they persisted to keep their time-honored selfish tradition. So, to tell the truth, they should be led to repent of their sins and come back to the Lord. The book of Ezekiel says, “I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32) God the Lord takes no pleasure in the death of anyone. So, Jesus would be pleased that the disciples, “the tax collectors and sinners”, “the Pharisees and the teachers of the law,” and those who live now like us “repent and live.” God is Love.

Let’s pray! Jesus the Lord “comes to seek and to save what was lost” and “he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” (Cf. Luke 19:10, Philippians 2:8) We, who have been saved from the world of sins and death and the Satan, are going forward with joy given by God. Please lead us to develop the kingdom of God, in this world, of “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!” We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

He who humbles Himself will be exalted (Luke 14:1, 7-14)

August 28, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. In his days, worship was kept on Sabbath about noon, and Moses and the words of prophets were read.

And it is said that after worship a grand luncheon was held at a prominent person’s house in that region. In that case, who takes the place of honor? Its manners seem to be the same all times and places. In those days, experts in the law and the Pharisees were respected, and it was usual for them to take the place of honor. Above all the right and left of the host were best places of honor. The nearer to the master’s seats, the better served.

When Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told the parable. In the parable he told people not to take the place of honor. Because they might be humiliated afterward. So, he told them to take the lowest place. Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests afterword.

Did Jesus teach them a general rule of life? Well, in addition to the rule of life he was about to teach us how to be in front of God in his kingdom.

Jesus says, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” His message means that we should humble ourselves in front of God and be discreet. (Cf. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” <James 4:6>　“You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.”< Psalm 18:27>) In the Bible many witnesses say that those who do not give thanks to God and exalt themselves are God’s enemies.

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.” What did Jesus mean? His message means that social rule in the world does not apply in the kingdom of God. Because the invitation of people with high social status or rich people may bring the profit back to you as you expect.

The Lord says, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” (13)

The theme of the parable is whether we are accepted in the presence of God or not.

The important points of his message are

　When you invite people, you should not forget the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.

If you are so rich that you are able to help the needy people, you should help them according to Jesus’ words. (Cf. the Proverbs 3:27 <Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.>)

So, if you are given power to do good, you are responsible to help “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.”

(Cf. “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” <1 Timothy 6:18> “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. <2 Corinthians 9:7>)

Jesus says, “Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (14)

When the righteous will be resurrected?

There seems to be various opinions concerning this matter. I think we cannot conclude from the Bible that the time of resurrection comes only in the future. Because when Jesus Christ the Son of God began to work his life as the Savior, Jesus said, “The time has come, the kingdom of God is near.” (Mark 15)

Christians in Jesus Christ have already received the time of resurrection” owing to Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Paul an apostle clearly says in the letter to the Colossians, “(Christians) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)

(Cf. “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.” (Romans 6:4)

Furthermore, Paul says in the letter to the Ephesians, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)

These witnesses in the Bible are very important when we read “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Christians have already been raised with Christ and been seated with Christ. Resurrection and the coming of the kingdom of heaven do not necessarily happen in the future.

The kingdom of God which began with Jesus Christ will develop and go forward to completion through the work of Christians who have already been raised and seated with Christ.

Two thousand years ago, “Jesus Christ who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death---even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8)

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” As the Lord said, “he who humbles himself will be exalted,” God the Father “exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9) And “every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

Therefore, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

This wonderful gift, “the light of life” is given by the grace of God.

So, we are urged to “let our light shine before men” and preach the good news to our families, friends and people in the world without any reward.

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Let’s pray.

Jesus Christ said to us, “he who humbles himself will be exalted.” We are thankful that Jesus the Lord really humbled himself to the death on the cross. We leave everything to God the Almighty so that you may use us for the development of the kingdom of God. We pray to God with thanks in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

I Have Come to Bring Fire on the Earth (Luke 12:49-56)

August 14, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God told the good news mainly in the region of Galilee. And he resolutely set out for Jerusalem as the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven through his crucifixion.

When a crowd of many thousands gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus said first to his disciples, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.” What did he mean by it?

“Fire” symbolizes God’s words or the judgement by God in most cases.

“From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire.” (Deuteronomy 4:36)

“‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:29)

Therefore, we understand that Jesus came to the earth to tell God’s words and pass judgement to those who were against God. But Jesus himself denied the purpose to destroy those who were against God. (cf. Luke 9:54)

Then, what does “fire” symbolize? We need to listen to the testimony by John the Baptist. Luke 3:16 tells us, “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.” Therefore, John the Baptist witnessed the Holy Spirit and fire connecting Jesus’ coming to the earth.

The Gospel of Luke tells us about the Pentecost, “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” (Acts 2:3)

According to the usage of “fire” in the Bible, we understand that “fire” symbolizes the Holy Spirit as well as God’s words or God’s judgement. So, “the Holy Spirit and fire” means God’s judgement which burns out our sins, namely, purifies sinful beings like us.

So, Jesus’ purpose of coming down to the earth is to bring fire of the Holy Spirit, and its true motive might be his wish that the relations between God and man would be restored by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, Jesus the Lord said, “But I have a baptism to undergo, and I have distressed I am until it is completed!” (12:50) “A baptism to undergo” means his suffering given by God, namely his crucifixion.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee once came to Jesus and they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Jesus said, “You don’t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only of ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12) He was buried, and raised on the third day, and appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days and ascended into heaven. And after ten days, on Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit to them by his grace.

Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (12:51) “Peace” corresponds to “Shalom” in Hebrew. “Division” is used only here in the New Testament. Jesus compared the word “division” against “peace.” The antonym of “division” is “unity.” (Cf. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” <Ephesians 4:3>)

Jesus means that he came to the earth and he was going to give the disciples the unity of the Spirit. But the result of the unity of the disciples would bring division between God’s people and the people in the world. Further he concretely says, “From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.” (12:52)

I do not want you to misunderstand that Jesus teaches disorder to Christians within their families. This division inevitably happens, when the truth and love in the Bible is brought to them. Jesus says, “They will be divided, father against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law.”

Jesus taught the disciples at that time the one important thing, that there should be no compromise as far as the fact of belief was concerned. This is true of Christians who live now. The fact of belief is that Jesus Christ the Son of God was crucified in place of the sinners like us, and was resurrected, and gave us the Holy Spirit, and received us as the sons of God. He saved us from the Satan or any negative rule of the evil. As far as the belief is concerned, it might bring family trouble or division between Christians and non-Christians in the world.

It is said that Jesus’ message of Luke 12:53 comes from the Book of Micah in the Old Testament. “For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law― a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. (Micah 7:6) But the Bible teaches us hope after division. Micah 7:7 tells us, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

He truly wanted to say that it is necessary for Christians to wait for God’s salvation, even if disruption might occur within families because of the faith in Jesus Christ, because “I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7b) This is the lesson given to the disciples and Christians who live now.

Jesus said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”

“The present time” means the end of the world of the Old Testament. Jesus said so, because the crowd did not realize the end of the Old Testament, though they heard Jesus’ message. (Cf. John 6:36, Hebrews 1:2)

What do we learn from today’s text?

First of all, the Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

The purpose of Jesus’ coming to the earth is “to tell the good news of the kingdom of heaven,” and to perform the redemption of sins through the crucifixion, and to restore the relationship between God and human beings. This grace is given to us living now. We are qualified to be sons of God. This salvation is not owing to our effort and good conduct but only to the grace of God. If you are now not understood by your family and are facing division within family, you should remember “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) And please not be ashamed of the gospel, and be proud of the good news, and witness Jesus Christ to your family. (Cf. Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 16:32)

As a matter of fact, the Lord in us drives us to witness to our family, because “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:5)

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Our lives are guided by a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So, you should bring “fire” to people around you without fear, just as the Lord “bring fire on the earth.” Then, God the Father will give you “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household.” (Acts 16:17) This is the promise of the Lord.

Let’s pray! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes. Please lead us to continue to preach the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ, and our family and neighbors will believe and be marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit!

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 Give the Holy Spirit to Those Who Ask Him (Luke 11:1-13)

July 24, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God began the hard journey for his crucifixion to Jerusalem through the region of Samaria. When he arrived at Bethany, he said to Martha, “Only one thing is needed. He taught her the importance of listening to his words.

Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke says, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’” (11:1)

The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus was a man of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit followed his prayer. His prayer ran from his baptism by John the Baptist through his last breath on the cross.

He said to his disciples, “When you pray, say “Father.” “Father” is a word used by infants when they call their own dear father. The prayer he taught their disciples is divided into five parts.

First, “Hallowed be your name.” This prayer can be literally translated into “Your name be made holy.”

When “the name” is used in the Bible, it means “God the Lord himself.”

Then, what does “the name of God the Lord be made holy” mean?

It is a difficult question. The Bible tells us that God the Lord shows us his holiness through the revelation of power of saving human beings. And the people of God, members of kingdom of God believe in God, so that people in various countries may know, believe and love Jesus as God. (Cf. Isaiah 29:23)

Therefore, the second prayer is followed. Because “your kingdom come” is the kingdom of God “of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” be realized. (Romans 4:17) The kingdom of God in the world will never be realized, if not only the members of the kingdom of God but also an immense people in the world would not follow the Lord.

The third prayer is “Give us each day our daily bread.” “Daily bread” means all the things which we need in our daily lives. Jesus says to us, “Man does not live on bread alone.” (Luke 4:4) “Man lives on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3) Thus, we can work for development of the kingdom of God by means of daily foods and God’s words.

The fourth prayer is “Forgive our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”

Three prayers so far are for the realization of the kingdom of God. The fourth prayer teaches us what man should do. It is “we also forgive everyone who sins against us.” Those whose sins are forgiven by God the Father are led to forgive everyone who sins against us.

This indicates the forgiveness by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ the Son of God. “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in which we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. " (Colossians 1:13-14)

Lastly, fifth prayer is “Lead us not into temptation.” God will never tempt anyone. “Each one is tempted when, by his own desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” (James 1:14) So, the fourth prayer means that God keeps us every temptation which threatens our faith.

How should we pray the Lord’s prayer? The parable of today’s text shows the answer of this question.

Traveling in Jesus’ days took place during a cool time zone (from evening to night). An arrival time naturally might be at midnight. It is said that “three loaves of bread” means what people need for daily foods.

Usually, we do not go to a friend and ask for bread. But suppose, someone might go to a friend and ask for bread at night, and even if he might be refused, he persistently asks for bread. What becomes of the result? Jesus said, “Because of the man’s persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.”

That is to say, prayer is to continue to pray persistently, shamelessly, and imprudently. If so, God the Father will give us everything we need.

As you see, the word of “friend” is used four times in the parable. Yet at the end of the parable, “I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread” is used. It tells about more than relationship of friendship. The antonym of “friend” is “enemy.”

The Letter to the Colossians says, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” (1:21) We human beings by nature are spiritually dead. We were alienated from God the Creator and His enemies. But God is love. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) “You are my friends, if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:14-15)

Really Jesus the Lord laid down for his life on the cross for his friends. Even when we sinners were God’s enemies, Jesus called us “friends,” and

died on the cross, having obtained eternal redemption. And he rose on the third day. (Cf. Romans 5:10, Hebrews 9:12)

Jesus the Lord who was raised called his disciples “my brothers.” And he said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44)

Thus, “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 2:16) And “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” (Titus 2:11)

Precisely for this reason, we ask God “persistently” for the realization of the kingdom of God. Then, Jesus said to them, “Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (11:9)

This passage is very famous and used generally when people explore something deeply. But it is necessary for us to know exactly what Jesus taught us. According to the tense of the Greek text, it means; Continue to ask for the kingdom of God, if so, God will never fail to give you the kingdom of God; Continue to seek, if so, you will find the kingdom of God; Continue to knock and the door will be opened to you. That is to say, God will never fail to accept our “persistent” prayer and you will surely live under the dominance of Jesus Christ. So, do not doubt this truth at all.

Lastly, Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (11:13)

This message tells us that the best present God gives us is the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit makes us, spiritually dead because of sins, born again and gives the right to become children of God. (Cf John 1:12)

The Letter to the Romans says, “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14)

The Christians who are members of the kingdom of God are qualified to ask for God’s help “impatiently.”

When you tell the good news to your families and neighbors, the kingdom of God will grow. When you pray, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,” righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit will develop in the world.

Please remember “this is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1John 5:14)

Let’s pray that we may believe your promise that the kingdom of God will develop and lead us, regardless of changing present world situations!

We pray with thanks in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Do This and You Will Live (Luke 10:25-37)

July 10, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ preached the good news in Galilee. As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Jesus appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. When they entered a town and village, they healed ill people and preached “the kingdom of God comes near to you.”

The seventy-two returned with joy and said to Jesus about their missionary activities. Jesus said to them, “Do not rejoice that that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, praised God the Father.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus, “Teacher,” he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” “An expert in the law” means a scholar who knows well about the five books of Moses written in Hebrew and a leader of people of Israel. He wanted to test Jesus. He wanted to know how far Jesus knew about “inherit eternal life.”

Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” He answered, citing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Levites 19:18, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The writer of the Gospel of Luke translated Hebrew text into Greek one. He used the word “αγαπη” for “love God” and “love your neighbor. Moreover, he used its future tense, ‘will love.’ So, literal translation of the Greek text is “You will love the Lord of God, with your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

It is possible to translate “justify himself” into “make himself righteous.” Briefly speaking, he was confident in observing the words of God and took it for granted to inherit eternal life. Then he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said about the famous parable of the kingdom of God which is well known as “the Good Samaritan.” Almost all of what Jesus said is about the kingdom of God, or the governance of Christ. We, who live now, listen to what Jesus said as the teaching of the kingdom of God. Namely, the parable of “the Good Samaritan” is the teaching of the kingdom of God.

He would not want to just tell us, “Be kind to people regardless of their own standpoint” as a simple moral.

What did Jesus teach us?

I want to confirm the characters of the parable and its major points.

a. A man who fell into the hands of robbers, leaving half dead

b. Robbers

c. A priest who saw the man and passed by on the other side

d. A Levite who saw the man and passed by on the other side

e. A Samaritan who helped the man

f. The innkeeper who was asked to keep the man by the Samaritan

A priest, who was a descendant of Aaron, the elder brother of Moses, performed religious duties in the temple. According to the Law, he had to be purified by the ceremony when he was stained by blood. A Levite assisted priests in the temple. So, a priest and a Levite were religiously afraid of being stained by blood. And when they would be stained by blood, the ordinary people would be troubled in the end.

So, we cannot say simply that they are afraid of robbers or they are indifferent to a needy man.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was. The Samaritans in those days lived in the region of Samaria, the northern part of Palestine. The Samaritans and the Jews were hostile one another and no relationship between them.

But the Samaritan of the parable took pity on the man. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” We easily know that the expert would not want to say “A Samaritan.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” He meant, “Go and do the same like the Samaritan.”

Then, who is a man compared to a Samaritan, who helped the man who fell into the hands of robbers? Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke says, “a Samaritan took pity on him. (10:33) Through this word, we are able to know who is the Samaritan.

The Greek word of “pity” is Σπλαχνιζομα. It means “gut-wrenching,” which expresses a deep compassion of God the Lord in the Gospels.

Speaking about it at full length, Σπλαχνιζομα in the Gospels is used only in relation to Jesus Christ the Son of God. As you know, “the Samaritan” is Jesus himself. It is needless to say that Jesus was a Jew, a descendant of the king of David. But in this parable, he spoke about himself as “the Samaritan,” who was not welcomed. Though Jesus came to the Jews as the Savior, some of the people would not receive him as the Lord. Some Jews said to him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” (John 8:48)

Then, “Go and do the same like the Samaritan” means “Go and do the same like me.” The expert in the law asked “who is my neighbor?” His neighbor was Jesus himself.

Reading the Bible from the context, the major theme of the today’s text is “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But do we naturally have “αγαπη?”

We sinners by nature do not have αγαπη. Are we sinners able to love (αγαπη) our neighbors like ourselves? It is impossible. Then, could we inherit eternal life?

The Gospel of John tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) And the first letter of John tells us, “This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) The book of Hebrews says, “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12) Jesus loves sinners like us, and becomes our neighbor. So, the Greek text says, “we will love.”

As a matter of fact, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) And he was crucified, died, having obtained eternal redemption, and buried. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He gives the promised Holy Spirit to those who believe him. The letter to the Ephesians tells us, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13) And “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:5)

Thus, we sinners by nature are forgiven and God’s love (αγαπη) are poured on our hearts, and will love our neighbors, and inherit eternal life.

Those who love God love themselves, and love their neighbors. Speaking about it in more detail, God pours his love on them by the Holy Spirit, and they come to love God, and come to love the Son of God as their neighbor like themselves.

Today, our Lord tells us, “Go and do likewise.” Jesus tells us to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God like him. So, it is quite natural that you come to tell the evangel to your families and neighbors, and develop the kingdom of God full of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Those who are spiritually dead now will be raised by your work of words, and “live with Christ.” (2 Timothy 2:11)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Let’s pray with love to the Lord and confidence in him!

Today, you tell us, “Go and do likewise.” We are grateful for your guidance so that we may proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to people in the world who have not yet known Jesus Christ the Son of God. Amen

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Proclaim the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:51-62)

June 26, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

After Jesus Christ traveled about from one town and village to another proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God, he knew that time was approaching for him to be taken up, and decided to go to Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke described his travel to Jerusalem in detail.

It was necessary for his journey to Jerusalem to pass through the region of Samaria. Jews and Samaritans at the time had distrust each other and had no relationship of trust. So, Jesus sent messengers on ahead. But the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. Samaritans believed that God’s blessing was put on Mount Gerizim, not on Jerusalem.

When the disciples James and John got angry with the Samaritans, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”

The disciples’ remark was closely related to the story described in the 2 Kings in the Old Testament. The king Ahaziah was in Samaria, the capital of Israel. He was ill. He depended on Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron. Elijah, the prophet denounced him and said that his death was coming soon. The king Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. But a fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and fifty men. The king Ahaziah tried again and failed. James and John said based on the story.

The disciples knew well that Jesus was the Savior, but the people in Samaria did not know that. The disciples thought that the people in Samaria should be punished. It was needless to say that they had no power like Elijah. So, they expected Jesus to exercise his power like Elijah. But Jesus turned and rebuked them and went to another village.

Jesus, on earth, devoted himself to perform the role of the Savior. So, he admonished the disciples for their wrong idea of the Messiah who would liberate the Jewish people from the rule of the Roman Empire.

Anyway, the story implied that his journey to Jerusalem would be difficult and hard. Though the journey to Jerusalem was to show the love of God and proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, it was not welcomed by the people.

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He meant that even animals have place to live in peace, but he had no place at all. Even so, “you are going to follow me?”

Jesus said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

What does “let me go and bury my father” mean? Was his father dead just at the time? Or did he mean that his father was still alive but after his death he would follow Jesus?

We should know that it was one of important duties to bury father and mother two thousand years ago. It is still the same now.

One of the Ten Commandments is “Honor your father and mother.” But Jesus said, "Let the dead bury own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” He did not permit the man to bury his father. Why?

Jesus meant that “the dead” was “dead from the view point of Jesus.” It does not matter that the heart is moving or not. He meant that “the dead” is “spiritually dead in front of God.”

According to the interpretation, “Let the dead bury own dead” means “Let the spiritually dead bury the real dead.” And “you should follow me and proclaim the kingdom of God to the people who are appointed for eternal life.” (Cf. Acts 13:48)

All human beings by nature are spiritually dead. They are dead in their transgressions and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) Truly speaking, we are unable to follow Jesus and to proclaim the kingdom of God. But those who by grace followed Jesus Christ the Son of God begin to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God.

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

What does it mean?

“Fit for service in the kingdom of God” is the key to solve the question. Jesus said to the second person, “You go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Reading the context of the Bible, the third person should have said to Jesus, “I follow you. First of all, I will proclaim the kingdom of God to my family.” Because even a spiritually dead person is able to say good-bye to his family. However, there is the matter that spiritually dead people are unable to do, but only spiritually alive people are possible to do. That is to follow the Lord, and proclaim the kingdom of God. And the Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts16:31)

What is the background of today’s Jesus’ teaching? It is Jesus’ resolution to go to Jerusalem. He was crucified on the cross two thousand years ago. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world,” and “he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood having obtained eternal redemption” (Cf. 1 John 2:2, Hebrews 9:12)

He was buried and raised on the third day, and now working. This good news is given to you by his grace today. You are predestined to be saved.

So, we Christians should conduct ourselves in the world in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. (Cf. 2 Corinth 1:12) Namely, you should live according to his message “you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” The kingdom of God is the dominance of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God leaves the work of the development of the kingdom of God to you by his grace. You ought to proclaim Jesus’ words to your family, friends, and neighbors.

Let’s love the Lord and pray! Today we have listened to your words through the Lord’s journey to Jerusalem and the cross. So, please lead us to proclaim the kingdom of God to the people in the world. We pray to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

The Spirit of Truth Comes (John 16:12-15)

June 12, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus delivered the farewell sermon to his disciples about the kingdom of God on the night before his crucifixion on the cross. In it he said, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” (16:12)

Jesus’ teaching was not understood at all by his disciples before a series of incidents, namely his crucifixion, resurrection, ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit. But Jesus encouraged them to have patience and courage for a while. So, he said to them, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes he will guide you into all truth.” “The Spirit of truth” is the Holy Spirit the Lord.

The Holy Spirit is included in the Trinity, which is made up of 3 distinct persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

After his farewell sermon, he was arrested, suffered, and died on the cross. He completed his mission, and he was raised, ascended, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. And after ten days of his ascension, namely, on Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, he sent them the Spirit of truth. This is Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s text from the Gospel of John leads us to understand that all the teachings the Holy Spirit called “the Spirit of truth” tells the disciples comes from God. Because Jesus makes it clear that the teaching about the Holy Spirit comes from God the Lord. The Spirit of truth is God the Lord.

But we should accept it carefully that the Spirit of truth guides us into all truth. We are likely to accept anything we will face in terms of the Holy Spirit. Then we easily face not agreement but dispute. Though we believe that the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, the message should be understood within the range of the words of the Bible. Because the Bible itself testifies about Jesus Christ the Son of God, and “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16)” The Bible is written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and what the Holy Spirit guides us to learn ought to be in harmony with the Bible. As a matter of fact, Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, says in the 1 Letter to the Corinthians, “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing my mind.” (14:15) Paul teaches us the importance of mind, though it is necessary for us to accentuate the work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible moderately tells about the Holy Spirit as compared with God the Father and the Son of God.

And Paul also says in his same letter, “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit. (12:3b)

Jesus says, “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” (16:14)

The words teach us that the work of the Holy Spirit establishes Jesus’ rule, namely, the kingdom of God firmly, and maintains what the Father gives his Son eternally. Briefly speaking, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth that gave the glory to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And Jesus Christ’s mission was to show the glory and to sacrifice himself on the cross. Today’s text tells us that the Holy Spirit works according to God the Father and the Son of God. Today’s text says, “All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” (16:15)

John 16:14-15 of today’s text is the most important passage in the Bible consisting of 66 volumes (the Old Testament 39 and the New Testament27) to learn the Trinity, which is made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

As you know, “what is mine” is repeated in today’s text. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus Christ, who was crucified and raised, in the people who are predestined. Paul really called the Holy Spirit “the Spirit of Christ,” “the Spirit of the Son.” (Cf. Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6)

Paul testified, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

You, who are alive now, are also given the grace that Christ lives in you through the Holy Spirit. So, you ought to repent of daily sins, and continue to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. “He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Ephesians 1:4) “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)

And our Savior Jesus Christ said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (8:32) So, you are free from the sin, death and the Satan, any negative power of the darkness.

Whatever problem may seem to face you in your real life, it does not matter. You are free in Christ the Lord. “The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) “The faith is being sure of what we hope for ad certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) So, what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Then, the kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is spreading over your families, neighbors, and other human relations. (Cf. Romans 14:17) And in the end of the history every tongue confesses through education and gospel preaching that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Cf. Philippians 2:11)

I pray that God of the Trinity bless you to whom the Spirit of truth is revealed, and who live in the kingdom of God.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

I Pray Also for Those Who Will Believe in Me (John 17:20-26)

May 29, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ declared, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (John 15:1) He delivered this farewell sermon to his disciples on the day before his crucifixion. After his sermon he also prayed for those who will believe in him through their message.

Jesus prayed not only for those who believed in him through his disciples’ message but also for all those who would believe in him. Namely, Jesus prayed for us, too. So, we have been given abundant grace so that we may keep our faith every day.

Jesus continued to pray for those who will believe in him “through their message that all of them may be one, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (17:20-21) “All of them may be one” does not mean all human kind but all those who are predestined to receive eternal life.

Jesus prayed, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.” (17:22) It is necessary for us to understand that “the glory” here implies “the glory will be given in the future.”

Paul clearly says in his second letter to the Corinthians, “And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinth 3:18)

(Cf. “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8))

Jesus made the same prayer again by other words to make his disciples confirm that they would show God’s glory. “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (17:23)

We will be transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the disciples of Jesus Christ will be one though they are different one another.

Jesus explains about the purpose of “being brought to complete unity.” It is “to let the world know that God sent Jesus and God has loved them even as God has loved him.”

Please remember this message today “God has loved them even as God has loved him.” Jesus is the one and only Son of God. We are loved by God only when we are united with Jesus the Son of God through faith. We sinners will be never loved by God except through Jesus. Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (14:6) “I am the vine; and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (15:5)

In the Letter of Ephesians it is referred that “He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6)

It is necessary for us to live our lives with Christ in us. Then you will know the message, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” (17:24) This message means that Jesus’ prayer will be fulfilled when “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Rom 8:30)

Jesus prayed, “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.” (17:25) By “Righteous Father” Jesus made it clear that the world was not righteous and arrogant, and ignored God. This prayer showed the contrast; the ignorance of the world and the knowledge of God. The biblical use of the word “know” contains “experience.”

Jesus himself teaches his disciples the meaning of “know” concretely and repeatedly in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” “Know” means close relation of Jesus and his disciples. Therefore, we have “eternal life” and love Jesus the Lord only when we, Christ’s disciples, experience the meeting with Jesus and his love.

The verse 26 is his last prayer of mediation. “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (17:26)

Jesus the Lord had made his disciples know the name of “the Lord God of Israel.” He also wanted to make them from the time on. (Cf. “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.” <Luke 1:8>)

As you know, “I AM” is referred several times in the Gospel of John. God revealed the name to Moses. (Exodus 3:14) There is a Japanese common saying, “People’s names often show what they are like.” The same is true of “I AM.” We are able to know what God is like through “I AM.” And we, who are tied with Jesus, are also given God’s love, God’s love to the Son of God, through the name. We would never be loved by God without Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Therefore, we will receive an immeasurable privilege, once we are loved by Jesus Christ who revealed his love through his crucifixion and resurrection.

This privilege would never be realized unless he would be in us.

Jesus the Lord was crucified, died and buried; the third day he rose again from the dead. He defeated the sin, death and the Satan. He got over all the negative power of the evil. After he performed his work of salvation, he appeared in front of more than five hundred disciples. And he ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Fifty days after the resurrection of the Lord, on Pentecost, the Father and the Son of God sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples of Christ.

The Holy Spirit comes down on the Christians who believe in Jesus Christ ever since 2000 years ago. So, all the Christians who are saved through the faith receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in us. It means that God the Father and the one and only Son of God is in us. So, we receive the immeasurable highest privilege to be loved by God the Father. Therefore, each of us must be like-minded, having the same love, and one in spirit and purpose. And we must seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. For Christ’s love compels us to do so.

Thus, when we continue to preach the evangel of Jesus Christ the Son of God who was crucified, to our families, neighbors, and people of the world, every knee bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Cf. Philippians 2:10-11)

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)

Let’s love the Lord and trust him, and pray!

We praise God the Father of Jesus Christ the Lord. We thank that that the Son of God was raised and ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and lives today to intercede for those who are predestined. (Cf. Hebrews 7:25)

Give us, Christians with the Holy Spirit in us, the power necessary for us to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God, and to develop the kingdom of God.

We pray with thanks in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ who completed the salvation. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

My Sheep Listen to My Voice (John 10:22-30)

May 8, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus, the Son of God, came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Dedication. It was an annual festival of the Jews held throughout the country for eight days, celebrating the restoration of the temple following its desecration at the hands of Syrians under Antiochus Epiphanes. (See Leviticus 23:34-) Its origin went back to about halfway point between the age of the Old Testament and the age of the New Testament.

Jesus was in the temple walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” The original Greek word of “suspense” means “take one’s life.” The Jews were so worried about it as well as their lives.

Why did they repeatedly ask Jesus whether he was the Christ the Savior or not?

Speaking from the context, their question was closely related to the Feast of Dedication. Judas Maccabees led the insurrection against the Syrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes. So, they wanted to know whether Jesus was a military and political Messiah who would liberate the Jewish country from the rule of the Roman Empire. They continued to ask Jesus whether he would resort to force or not. Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me.”

When did Jesus tell the Jews about it? Jesus said to the Jews, in the 5th chapter of the Gospel of John, “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.” (5:36)

Jesus referred to “the miracles I do in my Father’s name.” “Father’s name” means “the Lord, God of Israel.” Jesus often declares, “I AM” in the Gospel of John. “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14) Jesus alone declared in public, “I AM.”

Though the Jews restored the temple of Israel and independence from the rule of Syrian king, Antiochus Epiphanes the Fourth, the Jewish leaders prohibited the people from calling the name of God. So, the custom of calling the name of the Lord ceased to exist. But Jesus, the Lord restored not only calling the name of the Lord, but also used it predicatively seven times in the Gospel of John.

First, “I AM the bread of life.” (6:35, 51)

Second, “I AM the light of the world.” (8:12, 9:5)

Third, “I AM the gate of the sheep.” (10:7, 9)

Fourth, “I AM the good shepherd.” (10:11, 14)

Fifth, “I AM the resurrection and the life.” (11:25)

Sixth, “I AM the way and the truth and the life.” (14:6)

Seventh, “I AM the true wine.” (15:1, 5)

These show the evidence that God, the Father who sent Jesus, the Son of God to us.

Furthermore, Jesus shows seven leading miracles as “the signs” in the Gospel of John. They are the miracles Jesus did in the name of his Father’s name.

The first sign is that the water was turned into wine. (2:1-11)

The second sign is that Jesus healed a royal official’s son who was close to death. (4:46, 54)

The third sign is that Jesus healed an invalid for thirty-eight years near the pool called Bethesda. (5:1-18)

The fourth sign is that Jesus, near the Sea of Galilee, fed five thousand people counted in by men alone. (6:1-15)

The fifth sign is that Jesus walked on the water in the Sea of Galilee. (6:16-21)

The sixth sign is that Jesus healed a man blind from birth in Jerusalem. (9:1-12)

The seventh sign is that Jesus raised Lazarus who was in the tomb in Bethany. (11:1-46)

These seven signs show the evidence that God sent Jesus to the people.

Thus, Jesus did not hide at all that he was the Messiah. He wanted to make the people understand that they had wrong idea of the Messiah. He said to them, “The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep,” (10:25-26) and “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (10:27)

How should we receive these words?

We have a famous biblical passage: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Do you think, relating to this passage, that those who do not believe in the Lord, the Messiah, will perish and those who believe in him will have eternal life?

This understanding seems to be correct, but is not right.

We human beings are by nature sinners. We are “dead in transgressions.” (Ephesians 1:1,5) So, We, Adam’s descendants, are born sinners and are destined to perish eternally. But God so loved us that we have been given the way to salvation.

Jesus says to us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Namely, Jesus calls those who have been saved through faith as “My sheep,” and Jesus clearly says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

Jesus who is “the bread of life,” “the light of the world,” and “the gate of the sheep” becomes “the good shepherd,” and gives us “the resurrection and the life.” He is “the way and the truth and the life,” and is “the true wine.”

Therefore, our salvation is in the hand of Jesus Christ who declares “eternal life” for us. And Jesus says, “What my Father has given me is greater than all else; no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.”

Seeing from the context, all who are appointed for eternal life are the sheep God gives his Son, and Jesus says the sheep is “greater than all else.”

More plainly speaking, the sheep God gives Jesus is greater than all else and are in the hand of God as well as in the hand of Jesus. So, God and the Son of God guarantee us for eternal life. No one can snatch Christ’s sheep out of the hand of God and Jesus Christ. Because God’s power and rule is greater than all else.

Today, Jesus Christ wants you to believe your salvation firmly. So, “let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (Hebrew 12:28) And “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

Finally, Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one.” As you know, the union of God the Father, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit is one. Therefore, his declaration is understood in terms of the close connection of the Son of God and God the father. The connection means the immovable relationship of God the Father and the Son of God.

We are spiritually dead. We can do nothing to save ourselves. But now we are in a different situation. Because the Son of God performed eternal redemption once for all by his own blood. And he was raised on the third day from the tomb. And he appeared in front of his disciples. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father. And he gives the Holy Spirit to those who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

There are wounds in his both hands at the time of his crucifixion which save you from eternal ruin. We are able to go to God the Father by way of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ connects us with God the Father. There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

“He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…. Through him, we both have access to the Father by one spirit.” (Ephesians 2:14, 18)

So, God the Father and the Son of God has made you believe the gospel and has given you the Holy Spirit and eternal life. “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Rome 5:5)

We are able to love Jesus Christ and God the Father through the love of God (άγαπη).

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rome 8:28)

So, do not forget that God and Jesus Christ will never let go of your hand, even when you are now put in a difficult situation or whatever will happen to you in the future. Because “you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13)

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rome 8:37)

Let’s pray to the Lord who was raised and work now with trust in him!

Our salvation is kept by the hand of the Lord. Let us understand God’s love and the grace deeply!

We are thankful that Jesus Christ gives us the power for the kingdom of God and the victory through the Holy Spirit.

We offer this prayer to God in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:19-31)

April 24, 2022

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, having obtained eternal redemption once for all by his own blood, was buried. The Lord was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. The resurrection of Jesus is so wonderful that the Lord called his disciples “my brothers” and gave the right to become children of God to those who will inherit salvation. The Bible says, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 5:26) Therefore, Christians, who have been given the right to become children of God, no longer need to worry about anything, and can serve to develop the kingdom of God, Jesus Christ’s rule.

2. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. Jesus clearly showed them that he was raised from the dead. He said, “Peace be with you!” What is peace which the Bible tells us? “Peace” in Greek is “eiréné, which means “peace” or “rest,” and corresponds to “shalom” in Hebrew. As you know, “shalom” is daily greeting word, which means “peace, safety or security.” At the same time, shalom is the general term of God’s blessing. Talking about usage of “shalom” in the Old Testament, “You will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age.” (Genesis 15:15) The peace here is “shalom.” Furthermore, “go to your fathers in peace” suggests “go to your Father.” It is truly shalom that we sinners are able to go to our Lord, God our Father. Therefore, “Peace be with you!” connotes that you are able to go in peace to God, our Father.

3. After he said this, he showed his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. It was very useful for their recognition of the Lord that he showed his wounds to his disciples. The author of the Gospel of John showed that the sorrow and doubts among them were wiped away by “the disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” Because the Greek word of “overjoyed” comes from “xaipw.” It corresponds to “shalom” in Hebrew. Briefly speaking, this passage means that the Lord came to his disciples, and produced their faith in him, and that they were given “shalom” through the wounds of the Lord.

4. Again, Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” As the Lord blessed them by saying “shalom,” they realized that they could go to God, the Father by the Lord who was crucified and raised. The blessing by God is “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son to the world. By his grace whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Therefore, the disciples of Christ can go in peace to God in heaven.

5. Then, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This is the first order since his resurrection. The expression “breathed on them” reminds us of the creation of man written in Genesis. “The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7) So, the order “Receive the Holy Spirit” means that they shall receive God’s order which makes man a living being. Grasping the meaning from the context, we can go in peace to God, the Father of Jesus Christ through receiving the Holy Spirit.

6. The first human beings, Adam and Eve were deceived by the Satan, and committed sin. So, they were bound to die. We human beings are spiritually dead and are governed by sin, death and the Satan. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God died on the cross and performed eternal redemption, and got over the sin, death and the Satan. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinth 5:17) This recognition is brought about by the Holy Spirit.

7. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Rome 8:14) Thus, we are able to go in peace to God, our Father by receiving the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ disciples were saved by grace through faith. And he taught that they would become the sons of God by receiving the Holy Spirit. And, he breathed on them, and said “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven.” He had the authority on earth to forgive sins. As a matter of fact, he declared forgiveness for a paralytic so that he may get up and go home. No one except God can forgive sins. The Savior who had been promised came to the world, and the kingdom of God began. The Lord entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Therefore, Jesus Christ, the Son of God gave the right to become children of God to those who believed in him, and marked in them with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

8. What will become of sinners who are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ and are made the sons of God? It is natural that they are given the same authority to forgive sinners. The Lord declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” So, those who are saved by grace through faith are given the authority to forgive sins. As the Son was sent to save the world, the holy Spirit descended on you who are saved by grace through faith, and you, as another Christ, should work to give life in the world. Paul, an apostle, clearly says in the letter of Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) Therefore, those who received the Holy Spirit and live with Christ in them, being given the right to become the sons of God, should witness Christ in them.

9. You are sent today to the world to save the people so that they may go in peace to the Father. God says to you, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Let’s pray to the Lord who was raised and live now! Let’s praise the name of God, the Father of Jesus Christ!

10.Two thousand years ago, Jesus, the Lord of resurrection said to his disciples, “Shalom.” He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” They were made the sons of God on Pentecost, the day of the descent of the Holy Spirit. We are thankful that we are also given the grace through faith in him, and are given the right to become the sons of God. We can go in peace to the Father We pray so that we may say “Shalom” to those in the world, and become full of the Holy Spirit and faith. We pray that our families, neighbors and all the people in the world be led to repentance and be given righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We pray this thanks in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

I Must Keep Going (Luke 13:31-35)

March 13, 2022

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

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

Last week I was invited to speak at the graduation worship of a senior high school. The graduates of the high school have been affected by the new coronavirus for two thirds of their three-year school life. We are likely to suffer from various trials which we do not want to go through. I delivered my speech to them, based on the Book of Jeremiah, that God had a plan of peace and hope for each of them, and I wanted them to keep going their own way in their lives that God would show them. We are now worried about the world situations and pray for peace. We well remember great disasters, and think ourselves really powerless. But today’s text from the Gospel of Luke teaches us the way to follow Jesus. It begins as follows:

“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’”

“Herod” is Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and of Perea. The Pharisees told Jesus that Herod was about to kill him. The Pharisees were the religious elite people at that time. They would rather want him to go out from Herod’s territory than they worried about his life. They would probably skillfully induce the King Herod to arrest Jesus.

“He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day.’”

‘Fox’ symbolizes the crafty Herod. Jesus knew that his life was endangered, but he was quite resolved. Jesus said, “I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.” He was going to work as the Son of God. His work was God’s plan. Jesus’ work of driving out demons and healing was for saving people, not threatening to Herod’s political governing. He just worked according to God’s plan. So, he declared that he would not stop his work.

Jesus works today tomorrow, and on the next day for us. His way is to the cross. Though each of us has the cross that we have to bear, Jesus is at the front, and gives his power to us. Jesus says, “On the third day I will reach my goal.” It means that he will be raised on the third day after his crucifixion. Jesus continues to say, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Jesus was going to Jerusalem, but “Jerusalem” in today’s text stands for the people who did not believe him. People did not believe Jesus in spite of his work of telling, healing and saving. Jesus said, “Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

What does this mean?

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” is quoted from the Psalm 118:26. The Psalm118 also tells us, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22)

It is told that this really happened at the time of the construction work of the temple. It became clear later that the stone the builders rejected was used as the capstone of the temple. This passage of the Psalm describes, as God’s mysterious work, that what people throws away as useless first turns out to be most useful later. Jesus cited the Psalm later to the effect that the Son of God, who was going to be abandoned and crucified, would become the basis of the salvation for them. (see; Luke 20:17) The poet of the Psalm, just after the passage, refers to “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” “He who comes in the name of the Lord” means that Jesus will be crucified and raised, and come to the world as the Son of God.

Then, Jesus reveals that he is going to be threatened to be killed and rejected by the people, but he will come again to us. Though the people will not see him until that time, they will meet him again at the last day. Jesus is really the Son of God, and he will perform judgment at the last day. On that day the people will stand before Jesus, the Son of God.

Everything will be revealed at the last day. We are now troubled with something sad or uneasy. Sometimes we are apt to have a doubt about God. But everything will be revealed at the last day, and God’s plan of peace will be evident. The last day will never be terrible for us. Jesus has borne our sins upon himself, and his salvation by the cross and resurrection has been made clear. Jesus is reliable and gives us hope for the future. Jesus gathers us, “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” God keeps us under His wings.

So, today’s text is the word of calling to us. It shows us Jesus’ cross and resurrection, and the future when he will come again. God calls us at Lent for our repentance and faith.

How shall we respond to his calling? It is to follow Jesus. He followed God and continued to keep going to the cross. As Jesus continued to keep going his way “today and tomorrow, and on the next day,” we walk our own way until the last day when we will meet Jesus again.

As Jesus was raised through his crucifixion, we are given hope through our hardships. Let’s pray, as peace makers, for peace of the world and keep going our own way in our daily lives 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)

As Your Father Is Merciful (Luke 6:27-38)

February 20, 2022

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

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

A person who has participated in the on-line worship every week mailed me, saying, “I am very thankful to God, our Father who is very merciful.” Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke tells about that. We are very thankful for God’s guidance and help. We are not at all worthy of God’s care. We are likely to miss our way, doubt, judge others or speak ill of them. But Jesus teaches us that God is our Father. And he teaches us about our practical way of living.

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those mistreat you.”

This is a very famous teaching of Jesus. But it is so difficult for us to accept it. When you hear “enemy,” what do you think of? You provably remember someone whom you will never forgive. Jewish people at that time, hearing “enemies,” quickly remembered Roman soldiers who ruled the Jews. “Someone strikes you on one cheek” was never an abstract idea to the Jews. It was very real to them. Jesus talked to those who were suffering from war and poverty. So, Jesus’ words were shocking to them. The reason why he said was as follows: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Jesus teaches us who is our Father in heaven. “Because the Most High is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” And “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.”

We think his message is unfair or unreasonable. But such a point reveals the importance of Jesus teaching.

To begin with, the fact that Jesus came to this world is nothing more than a mystery. The fact that the Son of God was killed on the cross was unreasonable.

But it was God’s plan. It showed God’s love to the human beings. Jesus was crucified for them to make them righteous or the sons of God. The human beings love good people and hate bad ones. But God loves even bad people and enemies. Jesus really showed us God’s plan. Jesus on the cross prayed to God for people who abused him.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a)

The Gospel of Luke tells us that the centurion, a Roman army officer, seeing what happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." If you take evil for evil or force for force, you can never break off the chain of the cycle. Jesus teaches us that love prevails against the evil.

“If you love those love you, what credit is that to you?”

God loves even an evil man. His love is the last thing we would think of. We are likely to think that such love makes the evil thrive. But Jesus tells us to pray for those who persecute us. His love overcomes the evil. When you hate people, they become enemies. When you love enemies, they become friends to you.

If God were merciful only to those who are thankful to God, we would never be qualified to receive God’s mercy. But God is merciful to the sinners like us.

You may provably think that religions are likely to cause wars. What causes war is human beings’ sin. They can never keep God’s words. Who are “enemies” whom Jesus mentions? We are just the enemies who betray God. But Jesus was crucified to give us his salvation. The Letter to Romans describes as follows: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Rome 56-9)

The truth that God is merciful means that God’s salvation is perfect and would never be removed from us, however sinful we are. When you ask for a cloak to God, He also gives you a tunic. So, Jesus teaches us to live as those who are forgiven.

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Let’s love, bless and pray! This is our power. Someone might hate, despise or insult us. At the time we might be troubled and our hearts might be filled with jealousy and resentment. Someone who hates, despises or insult us might be ourselves. We sometimes cannot accept ourselves, and speak ill of ourselves. But Jesus tells us to love, bless and pray, because God has already accepted us.

Martin Luther King Jr., who received the Nobel Peace Prize, made a sermon titled, “Loving your enemies.” He said, “Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, the command to love one’s enemy is an absolute necessity for our survival. Love even for enemies is the key to the solution of the problem of our world.”

There are so many divisions and conflicts in our world. But “Love your enemies” is the key to heal the world. Its basis is that God never abandons us.

Today Jesus tells us “Your Father is merciful.” So, each of us is sent to our own place in peace this week, too. God is with us. So we love, bless and pray for one other. Let’s live with prayer for God’s love to the neighbors around us and the people who are suffering from military and other various violence!

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

You Are Blessed (Luke 6:17-26)

February 13, 2022

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

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

The Hongo Church receives various calls and mails. Last week a person called me, saying, “Mrs. Goto, I have received God’s help. I’ve actually felt God’s protection.” It was the witness that God was with us and His power was over us. We are now troubled with various incidents like prevalence of Omicron variant of coronavirus, and approaching threats to world peace. But the Bible tells us that hope and healing will come to us from Jesus.

Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke says, “The people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” (Luke 6:19)

A large crowd of people were coming to Jesus to hear him. The power of healing comes from Jesus to all the people. And Jesus taught the people,

“Blessed are you who are poor, …. But woe to you who are rich, …”

His message reverses our common knowledge. What does it mean? Jesus saves everyone. So, it is not a condition of salvation. The message does not mean that poor people are saved and rich not saved. Jesus mentions “you,” not “anyone.” “You” includes you who are in worship now. Our everyday lives and ages are different one another. The same went for the people who heard Jesus. Some of them were poor and some were rich. The both were Jesus’ disciples. Even the same person experiences “I am satisfied with my life” at one time and “I am unhappy” at the different time. Therefore, “blessed are you who are poor” and “woe to you who are rich” are applicable to each of us.

Then, why are poor people blessed and woe to rich?

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

God will never abandon you. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will be comforted by God. That is to say, you are blessed because God’s grace has been poured on you. Jesus does not mean that you are blessed because you are poor or hungry. Jesus’ power has already been upon you. Jesus’ salvation has already been near to you.

On the contrary Jesus says, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.”

Jesus means that woe to you because you have already received your comfort, not because you are rich or satisfied. Jesus grieves that, though the kingdom of God is near at hand, you are a slave to the other comfort.

“Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.”

Your comfort will not last long. How regrettable it is that you are comforted by the other thing, though the kingdom of God is near at hand!

Then, which side do you belong to? What is your heart filled with? Are you ready to listen to Jesus’ words? Are you really peaceful, when you are filled with worldly comfort?

The kingdom of God means God’s domination. Jesus’ power comes out from him to heal and guide us. Those who are weeping will laugh. This means that Jesus has been to us.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”

We are blessed, because Jesus has already been with us. Though we are troubled with suffering and trials, God’s domination has already been with us, and we are helped by Jesus’ power. Paul, one of the apostles, says as follows;

“(We are) …sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinth 6:10)

Paul became ill, was whipped, and was arrested. His situation was so miserable that he nearly lost hope to live. But he still continued to work for God. Even when other people thought that Paul seemed to be unhappy, he said, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinth 6:2b)

When he suffered because of his illness, he prayed for God’s help. But his Lord said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, “I will boast all the more gladly my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” He said, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” Jesus is with us, and His power of salvation comes out. So, we are blessed.

I want you to take notice of Jesus’ words in today’s text. “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” The situation of “now” will change in the future. Jesus directs our attention to the future which is in the hand of God. He teaches us what we should rely on is not the wealth or fame of the world, but God who will never abandon us.

　Our worship service ends with the word of blessing. It means that we are blessed by Jesus, and come home. We may have various troubles, suffering and trials this week, too. But you receive God’s blessing, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” So, you are blessed and protected by God. Let’s go 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)

But Because You Say So, I Will Let Down the Nets (Luke 5:1-11)

February 6, 2022

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

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

Last week a pupil of the elementary school came to the center at one o’clock, three hours earlier than four. Her school ended after four-hour lessons. Other kid comes to the center, saying, “I’ m back home.” I am very glad that they regard the center as their territory.

Today’s text from the Gospel of Luke tells about the people crowding around Jesus and listening to him. We are supported by Jesus’ words. By the way, fishermen, who were not interested in Jesus, were washing their nets. They worked hard all night, but they could not catch anything. We sometimes think that we work hard in vain. Now we are in severe environment because of new coronavirus like Omicron variant.

But Jesus would never abandon those fishermen. He called them at first to help his work. He asked them to put out a little from shore. He sat down and taught the people from the boat. He used the fishermen for that purpose. When he finished speaking, he said to Simon.

“Put down into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)

Simon and other fishermen were professionals with knowledge and experience. So, they thought Jesus’ order was useless.

“Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.’” (Luke 5:5a)

We are also likely to complain to Jesus, when we come to a standstill in spite of our prayer and much effort. But what was important was that Simon followed Jesus despite of his prospect.

“But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5b)

His words meant that he trusted Jesus in the final analysis. He left all his efforts to God, and started to work again with trust in Jesus.

How about us? Today’s text teaches us that we should have faith in Jesus, even though our efforts and troubles seem to be unfruitful.

Simon thought that it was useless to let down the nets, but because Jesus said so, they followed Jesus’ advice in spite of their disappointment. Truly speaking, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

This miracle teaches us that Jesus’ promise and plan transcended human thoughts. God knew that their hard work was done all night and that they thought it unrewarding. But Jesus would never abandon them. Simon Peter followed Jesus’ advice, though he thought it fruitless. But when they obeyed Jesus’ instruction, they saw his miraculous power.

"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’” (Luke 5:8)

Have you ever had an awesome experience, when your prayer was amazingly responded? We feel, at the moment, that we would never be qualified to stand before God. We should take note that Simon had called Jesus as “Master,” but at the moment as “Lord.”

“Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you catch men’” (Luke 5:10b)

Then, what does his word “you catch men” mean?　The chapter 16 of the Book of Jeremiah says, “’But now I will send for many fishermen,’ declares the Lord, ‘and they will catch them.’” (Jeremiah 16:16) God at the time got angry with people whose sins could not be hidden before God, and would be judged by God. But Jesus meant “You will become a fisherman who saves people from lives in suffering and trials like a raging lake.” This was Jesus’ call to Peter. From this time Peter went through hardships for Jesus.

We are in many troubles. But Jesus will never abandon us. So, we would like to follow Jesus and obey his plan, saying, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Paul, one of the apostles, says to us, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinth 15:58)

We occasionally wonder what our church will do from now on, though we have made much efforts. But today’s text says, “People crowded around Jesus and listened to the word of God.” Our world needs Jesus’ words. All the people are waiting for God’s salvation. We have Jesus’ promise, when we follow him. So, we would like to devote ourselves to the work of the Lord.

Let’s follow Jesus with trust in him! Let’s witness to Jesus living in our own daily lives, and go forward with Jesus 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)

I Will Rescue You (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

January 30, 2022

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 ceremony of baptism is going to be held. Next month a new member is moving in our church. I am very glad. There are various motives for us to come to church. But the one thing is common for us. It is God’s call.

Today’s text from the Book of Jeremiah describes God’s call of Jeremiah. He was called by God so that he might become a prophet who would deliver God’s words to the people. The prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus’ disciples were called by God. When people are called by God so that they may become pastors or clergyman/clergywoman, we usually say, “They have received God’s call.” But what is important is that those who believe in Jesus are all called by God. “Church” is “ekkresia” in Greek. “Ekkresia” means a group of those who are called out by God.

We are now together for worship here. We are a group of people called out by God. Then, what was God’s call of Jeremiah?

“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’ ‘Ah, Sovereign Lord,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.’” (Jeremiah 1:4-6)

When Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, he was not prepared for God’s call. God’s call was God’s plan, not man-made one. He hesitated to receive God’s call, because he was a young man. He was probably twenty years old. He was from the priesthood. In those days, people who were allowed to serve in the holy work had to be thirty to fifty years of age according to the Book of Numbers 4:3. Jeremiah was in training and inexperienced. A prophet sometimes advised a king, and was required to tell to seniors or leading figures in the country. So, it was natural that he hesitated to receive God’s call.

“But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.’” (Jeremiah 1:7)

The call of Jeremiah was God’s work. God performed his plan. Jeremiah’s message was God’s one, not his thought nor his opinion. So, whether he was young or not was not important. What mattered was God called Jeremiah. God said to him, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declared the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:8)

Furthermore, “Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.’” (Jeremiah 1:9-10)

God told Jeremiah about his plan. His plan included Judah’s tragic history in the future. He worked as a prophet for about forty years, during which Judah was perished, and the capital Jerusalem fell, and the people experienced the Babylonian captivity. Namely, Jeremiah was called by God to tell the people about the downfall of Judah. His life was really stormy. He was always lonely. He was not understood by his family and relatives. He was despised, persecuted, and nearly executed because of his message. False prophets always agonized him. Against their optimistic prophecies, he maintained the surrender of the Jewish people so that they might survive. He was regarded as betrayer, arrested and imprisoned. He was released by Babylonians who perished Jerusalem. Those who were not captured tried to escape into Egypt. But Jeremiah told them to stay in Jerusalem. They refused his advice, and they took Jeremiah and his disciples away into Egypt. After this incident, he was never heard of again.

God’s call is likely to involve suffering. He was lonely and persecuted. His prophecy was to tell God’s words, “to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow.” But the people, who experienced the truth of Jeremiah’s prophecy, realized his message was God’s words. And they also found “to build and to plant” in his prophecy. Surely trials come, but we have hope when we follow God, and go with Him. We experience unseen future of suffering. We occasionally have doubt about God’s lead. But God’s call is always followed by hope. Jeremiah always trusted God’s word “I will rescue you.” Jeremiah prophesied God’s words for people in suffering.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Jesus, the Son of God, who opened the way to resurrection in the trial of crucifixion, calls us and gives hope in our future.

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

This is the promise given to us who are called by God and baptized to be the sons of God.

People are going to be baptized “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The baptism means baptism entering into the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are tied with God by baptism. God is always with us and leads us. All our sins are forgiven by Jesus’ crucifixion and are given the promise of entering into the kingdom of heaven.

The call of Jeremiah teaches two things. First, God’s work is performed by God Himself. God has each plan for each of us. Second, even when we are in the trial, God has the promise in His call. God says, “I am with you and will rescue you.”

The Lutheran church teaches us that we are called by God in our daily lives and in our own places of work. So, we trust in God’s grace and believe Jesus’ promise, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Let’s take your own way with trust in God’s plan 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)

Then, They Put their Faith in Him (John 2:1-11)

January 16, 2022

Rev Yuki Goto

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church　

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

Last week, one of members who had belonged to Hongo Church since its creation, was called to heaven. Her favorite hymn was No. 355. Its words are, “When I look up to the Lord, my old self is gone at once with this world, and new self is coming and revealed in the kingdom of heaven.” When I visited her house the other day, we sang this hymn together. Her voice was clear. Our lives are made new by Jesus. Though we suffer in this world, Jesus makes our old selves into new ones. He makes our lives into peaceful and joyful ones.

Today’s text from the Gospel of John tells us about a marriage ceremony where Jesus, his disciples, and his mother Mary were invited. Wine was very important in the marriage ceremony. It is told that a marriage ceremony at that time continued for a week. So wine was indispensable.

But an undesirable incident often occurs in our daily lives. Today’s text tells about such a incident.

“When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’” (John 2:3)

Mary might be a person concerned, because she cared about wine. She might be a relative to the bride or bridegroom of the marriage. Mary relied on Jesus when she was in trouble. She knew that he was able to do something about it. But his response seemed to be cold.

“‘Dear woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’” (John 2:4)

“Dear woman” sounds to me very cool. But, to tell the truth, this calling is very polite and formal. “Mary” might not be Mary herself, but rather might stand for those who believe in Jesus. The Gospel of John often includes dialogues which do not seem to mesh each other. But those dialogues are very important.

“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” means “Dear woman, what is that to you and to me?” in the original Greek text. Jesus’ concern was different from Mary’s one. Mary was concerned about wine in the marriage ceremony. Jesus’ attention was directed to the bigger matter.

Then, what did his message “My time has not yet come” mean? The Gospel of John refers to it in the 7^th chapter, too. When Jesus’ brothers said to him, “No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come.” Just before he was arrested, he looked toward heaven and prayed, saying, “Father, the time has come.” (John 17:1) That is to say, “my time” is the time of crucifixion and resurrection. At the time God’s plan is clearly shown. When our prayers are not answered soon, we are likely to say, “Why does God not respond to me?” But Jesus’ time transcends our thought. So, it is important for us to wait. And Mary’s response is very meaningful.

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” (John 2:5)

It was Mary’s faith that she continued to believe in Jesus. She thoroughly relied on him. Though she was troubled with various affairs, and did not recognize what Jesus was going to do, she completely trusted Jesus. When we pray to God, it is difficult for us to say, “My Lord, do what you are going to do.”

Jesus did not refuse Mary’s request. He responded to it. Though Mary’s concern was for the ceremony preparation, Jesus would teach Mary what he was—he was the Son of God, and he would lead us.

“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’” (John 2:7-8)

The servants, whom Jesus told to bring water to the master of the banquet, followed Jesus. We learn much from their behavior. It would have been natural that the servants had doubts about Jesus’ words. But they faithfully followed Jesus. When they followed him, the miracle came about.

“The master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.” (John 2:9)

To tell the truth, the miracle of water is very meaningful. When God created the world, He used water first of all. Darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. God said, “Let there be light,” there was light. God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.” So, God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.”

Now Jesus changed water in six stone water jars (nearly 600 liter) to wine. He had the same power as God who created the world. Furthermore, the wine was so good that the master of the banquet praised it as the best wine. It reminds us that God saw the world he created was good. Briefly speaking, today’s text tells us that Jesus is the Son of God, the Creator of the world.

New creation is born by Jesus’ hand. Chaotic world covered with darkness, suffering from sinful power, is changed to joyful and peaceful world like fragrant wine. God, who created the world, created us. We, chaotic water, are changed into new beings by Jesus. We think about our lives full of suffering and distress, but we live under Jesus’ power. God says that we are very good. Jesus, who changed water to the best wine, changes our daily lives full of suffering into joyful and peaceful ones.

Jesus, who was raised from the cross and changed water to wine is always with us. Let’s believe in him and come home to our own place! Let’s go forward with this joy, 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)

You Are My Son, whom I Love (Luke 3:21-22)

January 9, 2022

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 worry about what we should do, when we are troubled with some trial or our future. Just before today’s text from the Gospel of Luke, Luke tells that people came to John the Baptist and ask, “What should we do?” John gave them very practical advices. He taught them how to live in their lives with faith. There were tax collectors, foreigners, and soldiers among them. Jewish people, who strictly observed the law, regarded them as those who were far from God’s salvation. But John told them that all mankind will see God’s salvation. Some of us also might feel, “We are far from God’s salvation.” However, the Bible tells us about baptism.

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:21-22)

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that John the Baptist tried to deter him to be baptized. Jesus was sinless and his baptism was not needed at all. But he said, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.”

　Briefly speaking, what the Bible teaches us is that baptism is righteous. As baptism is in accordance with God’s will, Jesus received baptism. Baptism is not the matter of preference. Baptism is the important rite of church. It means that we shall faithfully follow Jesus.

Our faith is so weak that we sometimes do not understand it well or have doubts about it. Therefore, baptism is concretely provided for us. However unsure we may be about our faith, baptism by which we became the sons of God is the immovable fact.

John the Baptist said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Baptism which we receive means that we are newly born by the Holy Spirit. People asked a question “What should we do?” to the disciples after the incident of Jesus’ crucifixion. The Acts of the Apostles describes as follows:

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” (Acts 2:38-39)

We rely on the baptism of forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit, when we are at a loss. In time of the ceremony of baptism, the pastor of church marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of each of the baptized and says: “______, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” God forms the fruit of the Holy Spirit within us. It is the way of life to love God and people. Paul’s Letter to Galatians says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Furthermore, Jesus said to his disciples after his resurrection, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:18) Baptism is what Jesus wants us to do. We may think that we are so weak that we might be undeserved to be baptized. But our decision to be baptized is really what God wants us to do.

Then, what is baptism? It is for us to be forgiven and to be newly born. When Jesus was baptized, a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Our baptism means that we, who are old sinful self, are crucified with Jesus, and we hear the voice from heaven with Jesus.

This means that God recognizes us as righteous, though we are really sinful. God made us the sons of God, though we are really unworthy of receiving the grace. When we receive baptism, some of us receive Christian names as the sons of God. We have the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and we begin to live as Jesus’ disciples.

Jesus was tempted by Satan after his baptism. Whatever trials and temptations may come to us, God protects us from them, calling, “You are my sons, whom I love.” When we are troubled with suffering, let’s remember that God is always with us.

Today’s hymn 199 is popular in the ceremony of baptism. Its first words are “Oh, Jesus, I was at a loss in the dark way of life. But you have given me the light of grace, for which I am greatly thankful.”

Ayako Miura, famous novelist, wrote a book called, “Michi Ariki”. She wrote in it about her experience of baptism. She could not have any hope in life, and was about to take her own life. But she was baptized, and the light of grace was made in her heart. She was moved by it, and was very glad at it.

To our joy, we had those who were baptized on Reformation Day and on Christmas last year. Now there are those who are preparing themselves for baptism. Baptism is not the goal but the start. Let’s go forward with them with faith!

Let’s remember our God’s salvation and rely on Him, whenever we think about what we should do! God is always with us. Let’s live our daily lives, believing God makes us have the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our family and in our office, or in any other place!

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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