Hongo Lutheran Church - Sermons of 2024

During this Advent season, we remember the miraculous birth of Jesus. With his birth, the good news came to the small town of Bethlehem. The angels announced, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). When we talk about the Christmas story, we usually focus on the beautiful parts. We celebrate the fact that God became human, but we often skip the second part of the story. The Christmas story in the book of Matthew ends with a terrible event — the killing of all the baby boys in Bethlehem. Even though we celebrate “Peace on Earth” and sing “Hosanna,” and hear about the wise men’s gifts and the joy of the shepherds, it’s easy to overlook the painful political situation surrounding Jesus’ birth.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem during Herod the Great's rule, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star and have come to worship Him.” 1-2

Though Bethlehem was small, it held historical importance as the birthplace of King David. This humble town became the setting for Christ's birth, showing that greatness can emerge from unlikely places.

Wise men from the East came: These travelers are called wise men, which in the ancient Greek is magoi. The Wise men were not kings but scholars of astrology. Likely influenced by Jewish exiles and prophecies, they traveled far, seeking the prophesied King. The magi asked King Herod, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?" A special star had appeared, signaling the birth of a king, so they likely thought he would be born in a palace. However, their question showed they were curious: Where was this king?

Verse 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. (3)

Even as an infant, Jesus’ presence influenced the world. Without speaking a word or performing a miracle, His birth stirred hearts and set events in motion.

King Herod wanted the Jewish people to like him, but he was not Jewish—he was an Edomite. Rome allowed him to rule as a puppet king over Judea. Herod was a skilled but ruthless leader, known for his building projects and harsh policies. His obsession with power made him paranoid and brutal, especially toward perceived threats.. He was willing to hurt or kill anyone he saw as a threat, even his own family. This shows how tyrants often do anything to stay in control, even harming innocent people.

So when Herod heard of a newborn King, he was troubled—and so was Jerusalem. To Herod, the greatest threat was a child prophesied to be a king, especially since foreigners recognized this child as a king. If this child was the Messiah, he would rule with God’s authority, while Herod’s power came from the Romans. This is why Herod was afraid. The people were also troubled because they feared how Herod might react, knowing his violent nature could lead to terrible punishment for them. Their fears came true when Herod ordered all young boys to be killed to try to get rid of Jesus (Matthew 2:16-17).

In verses 4-5, We read “When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

Herod gathered the Chief Priests and the Scribes together. The Chief Priests included former High Priests. Herod often replaced the High Priest for political reasons. While the Scribes were experts in the Old Testament and Jewish traditions. They taught the Scriptures instead of just copying them. “In Bethlehem of Judea”: The religious leaders quoted Micah 5:2, which says the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. This distinguished it from another Bethlehem in the north. Micah's prophecy showed that the Messiah would be a Ruler who cares for Israel like a shepherd. Sadly, even though these experts knew this, they did not seem eager to meet the Messiah. These religious leaders knew the Bible well and gave Herod the correct answer, but they did not apply this knowledge to their lives. This was their first chance to know Jesus, but they missed it. Ironically, simple shepherds in Bethlehem knew more about the Messiah than the educated leaders in Jerusalem.

After hearing from the High Priests and Scribes, true to character, Herod attempts to use wise men to find the child that he may kill Him. He called the wise men and secretly questioned the wise men about the star’s appearance and sent them to Bethlehem, pretending he wanted to worship the child. In reality, he planned to kill the child.

After hearing Herod, the wise men left. They saw the star they had seen in the East. The star went before them: The star appeared again to guide them. It seems the star first appeared months earlier, leading them to the general area. After visiting Jerusalem, the star reappeared to show them exactly where Jesus was. This was clearly a supernatural event. When they went into the house, they saw the child with His mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they gave Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It was normal in their culture to give gifts when meeting someone important. Since they believed this child was the King of the Jews, they gave valuable gifts.

Now the Christmas story doesn’t end here though.

In the book of Luke, the story begins with a young pregnant girl, Mary, having to give birth far from home because of the orders of a powerful emperor. The Christmas story in the book of Matthew ends with a terrible event — the killing of all the baby boys in Bethlehem, and Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus having to run away to Egypt as refugees.

When Herod realized the wise men had tricked him, he became very angry. He ordered the death of all male children in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas who were two years old or younger, based on the time he had learned from the wise men. This fulfilled the prophecy spoken by Jeremiah:

"A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping, mourning, and great sadness,

Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more." It also ended with

Even in the light of such an end to the story, the Gospels show that God’s way is not through violence or control. From the time of his birth until he went to heaven, Jesus challenged people's expectations. The king who should have been born in a palace was instead born humbly in a manger. Through his teachings and miracles, Jesus changed how people understood things: He said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). He also said, "You have heard it said, ‘Do not murder,’ but I tell you that anyone who is angry with their brother will be judged" (Matthew 5:21-22).

Jesus changed the lives of those who followed him. Sinners became saints, and wrongdoers became evangelists. Tax collectors gave money away. He worked to bring peace between Jews and Samaritans, sat with people considered outcasts, and gave dignity back to women. Through this, he also restored the dignity of all humanity.

He showed us how to be human, made in God's image. He taught us what it means to be human, how we should treat others, and how to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). He taught us to love and show mercy to those who are suffering. He encouraged us to be peacemakers, especially in times of conflict, and to help the oppressed, not through violence, but by loving and praying for our enemies. He also taught us to strive for justice, saying, "The Son of Man came to serve, not to be served" (Matthew 20:28).

Even in hard times, when evil and injustice seem to be everywhere, God brings light into the world through his faithful followers. Those who accept Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to transform them become like the star that guided the magi to Jesus, the King of kings. They show God's justice, which changes hearts and brings people closer to Him. Jesus is the King of peace, justice, and mercy.

He taught us to serve others out of love and to grow in faith. He said, "If anyone wants to be first, they must be the last and the servant of all" (Mark 9:35). Jesus, the heavenly king, came to serve and save the world.

Let us pray

Lord let us be like your son, Jesus Christ. Let him dwell in our hearts, fill us with the abundance of his peace, and change us to walk in his ways—with love, faithfulness, and speaking the truth. Make us like the star that leads people to You, O loving, just, and merciful God. In Your love You sent Your only son to us and for us, so that we could be returned to You through the cross. Therefore, Lord, we raise our thanks and praise to You, who deserves all glory and honor, and we ask, Lord, that You grant us peace in this time—a peace in which humanity coexists with fellow humanity in love, supporting one another.

Amen

A voice of One Calling in the Desert (Luke 3:1-6)

December 8, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caeser—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiapha, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.” (1-2)

Mediterranean world was under the rule of the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. “Fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caeser” is AD 28 or 29. Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea during AD 26-36. Herod and Philip were the sons of Herod the Great who was notorious. He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, when Jesus Christ was born.

Herod Antipathy was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea during BC 4-AD 39. And Philip was tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis during BC 4-AD 34. And Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, the region of Syria. The writer of the Gospel of Luke tells us about the political situation of Judea and its vicinity.

He also tells us that Annas and Caiapha were in the high priesthood. According to the law, the high priesthood was a lifetime position. Herod the Great changed the lifetime position by the power backed by the Roman Empire. The custom continued even after the death of Herod the Great. Annas was in the position during BC 6-AD 15. He was removed by the Roman Empire, and Caiaphas, who was the husband of Annas’ daughter, was appointed as the high priesthood during AD 18-36.

In such political and religious situation, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert in AD 28 or 29. John was called to prepare the way for the Messiah, Christ. “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (3)

The Gospel of Luke tells us, “The angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteousness, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’” (1:13-17)

The writer of the Gospel of Luke cites Isaiah the prophet, “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’” (3:4-6, Isaiah 40:3-5)

This word means that the king’s servant shall go before the king and prepare the way, when the king goes in the desert.

As the matter of fact, John the Baptist made the people prepare for the coming of the Messiah, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) As he testified, Jesus Christ the Son of God appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26). The Lord once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. And he was raised on the third day.

John the Baptist once worked to make the Lord’s way straight. So, we Christians should work to get rid of the power of enemies and prepare the way for Jesus’ coming again so that the kingdom of God may be expanded.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that we are saved from sins, death, Saten, any misfortune and the rule of darkness by the faith of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist worked to make the way straight. We Christians will follow the Lord and work for the kingdom of God with courage. Please guide us so that our family, neighbors and the people in the world may be saved through the words of the Lord.

We pray with thanks and petition 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)

My Words will never Pass Away (Luke 21:25-36)

December 1, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” “Teacher,” they asked “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (25)

Jesus the Lord told his disciples about the collapse of the temple of Jerusalem and the ruin of Israel, that is to say, the end of the age of the Old Testament in relation to the end of Israel. We should correctly understand the prophecies and the Revelation in the Bible. The literatures like the Revelation should be understood symbolically not literally when you read the Bible.

So, today’s text is not the teaching of the end of humankind nor the end of the world.

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

“At that time” means at the time of the end of Israel. “The Son of Man” means the ruler of the kingdom of God, that is to say, the Son of God Jesus Christ. This verse means that Jesus Christ the Son of God comes with power, glory and authority at the time of the end of Israel.

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (28) This verse means that Jesus’ disciples should stand up and lift up their heads with no fear, because the kingdom of God will be established.

Jesus the Lord talked about this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (29-31)

The fig tree symbolizes Israel in the Bible, and other trees means gentiles.

As the Lord noticed, the temple of Israel collapsed in summer (June–September) in AD 70 during the war between the Roman Empire and the Jews which began in AD 66.

Do you remember the first message of Jesus Christ? He said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14) And “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43) Jesus Christ also said, “If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” (Luke 11:20)

The Gospel of Luke tells, “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.’” (Luke 17:20-21) “The kingdom of God is within you” means that kingdom of God is within the range of your hand. The kingdom of God 2000 years ago was within the range of hands of the Pharisees. The kingdom of God was Jesus Christ, the ruler of its kingdom. The coming of Jesus Christ was the beginning of the kingdom of God, ruled by Jesus Christ. And he completed eternal redemption on the cross at the last moment of his life of love just as the Bible prophesied. Further, he was raised on the third day and appeared before his disciples, and ascended. He gave us the Holy Spirit as he promised. We live now on the basis of the good news.

“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (32-34)

He meant that the world of the Old Testament would not end before the collapse of the temple of Jerusalem. The end of Israel was the time of establishment of the kingdom of God.

“The generation” in Greek is 30-33 years, but 40 years according to the usage of the Bible. Jesus the Lord meant that the end of Israel would come before the generation in which his disciples lived would pass away. Jesus really promised, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:27)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” means, according to the context of the Bible, that the world of the Old Testament will pass away with the collapse of the temple of Jerusalem, but my words will never pass away in time of the New Testament.

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (34-36)

It is natural that Christians who are the temples with the Holy Spirit within them are careful so that their hearts may not be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life. “That day” means the end of Israel and, at the same time, the time of establishment of the kingdom of God ruled by Jesus Christ. So, Jesus’ disciples 2000 years ago should have been always on the watch. The rule by Jesus Christ have continued to have impact on those who live on the face of the whole earth, and the kingdom of God is going forward to completion in the stream of the history.

Let’s pray. We are grateful that the kingdom of God is established according to God’s plan through Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

Please guide us so that we may love the Lord and seek first of all the kingdom of God and righteousness of God, and live our lives with the faith on the earth. Please guide us so that our family and neighbors may be saved through our work based on Jesus’ words.

Let us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! 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 Kingdom is not from this World (John 18:33-37)

November 24, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Today’s text deals with the incident on the very day when Jesus Christ died on the cross in order to achieve eternal redemption for our sins with his own blood.

"Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’” (33)

Pilate was the local governor of the Roman Empire. He ruled the Jews 26 AD-36AD.

The governor headquarters was usually located in Caesarea on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but it was temporarily moved near the temple in Jerusalem for maintenance of public order at the time of Passover and other busy season.

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

“Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priest handed you over to me. What have you done?’” (35)

Criminal trial usually is opened to judge defendant’s crime. But Pilate did not find the need of criminal trial of Jesus at all. So, he was annoyed by the Jews’ coercive request of the trial of Jesus. Jesus the Lord was innocent. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”)

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

“The world” is the people who do not know God the Father nor Jesus the Son of God. So, “my kingdom is not from this world” means that the kingdom of God does not belong to the people who do not know God.

“Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” (37)

Jesus said the kingdom of God in other way. He used the word of “truth.” (Cf. John 8:32 “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”)

Jesus Christ the Son of God, who is the ruler of the kingdom of God, testified in front of Pontius Pilate 2000 years ago, and performed eternal redemption on the cross to save us from sin, death, and Saten. Furthermore, he was raised on the third day, and appeared before his disciples. And he declared, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Watch Out That No One Deceives You (Mark 13:1-8)

November 17, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’” (1)

The temple in Jerusalem was built by the king Solomon the son of David in 963 BC. But the temple was destroyed at the time of Babylonian aggression about 587 BC. The Jewish people was permitted to build the temple after Babylonian captivity. The temple was commonly known as the second temple. So, the temple in Jerusalem 2000 years ago was the second temple. The temple began to be built by the notorious King Herod who gave orders to kill all the boys who were two years old and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity.

The temple was completed within one year and half after starting construction. But construction work of the whole temple continued after the death of the King Herod. So, it still continued to be built when Jesus the Lord was crucified and his disciples worked in Jerusalem. According to the record at the time, the whole work was completed about 64 BC, and the number of workers who became unemployed was more than eighteen thousand. We can know that how massive the work of construction was.

Jesus’ disciples were amazed to see the buildings. But Jesus said, “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.” (2) Jesus notified that the buildings would collapse before long. So, his disciples were probably disturbed.

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’” (3-4)

Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.’” (5-6)

Jesus said that many would come and say “I am Christ,” and they would deceive many people. And those were warning signs. “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (7)

Why did Jesus the Lord say that the collapse of the Jerusalem temple was the end of the world? Because the Jewish people thought that the temple of Jerusalem was the center of the world in which God the Lord exists. Peter the apostle says, “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter1:20) He also says, “The end of all things is near.” (1 Peter 4:7) John the apostle says, “Dear children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18) These witnesses clearly show that “the last hour,” “the last time,” or “the end of all things” was the time when Christ and his disciples lived. So, the end of all things was 1 century AD. The end of the world, according to the Bible, was not the collapse of mankind nor the termination of the world. Jesus the Lord meant that the end of the world was the collapse of the temple 70 AD. The end was the end of the age of the world of the Old Testament.

Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” (8)

We think that he notified earthquake in Pompei in 62 AD, internal strife after the death of the Emperor Nero in 68 AD, the unstable phase of the Roman Empire, and famine in the middle of 1 century AD. Jesus said that these natural and man-made disasters were the birth pains with which new world, the age of the New Testament, was born. Do you remember Jesus’ first message “The time has come; the kingdom of God is near.”?

Let’s pray. We are thankful that you taught us that the temple in Jerusalem would collapse in 70 AD which meant the end of the world of the Old Testament, and the kingdom of God came. We will continue to tell the evangel of the kingdom of God to family, our neighbors, and the people in the world. May your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.

We pray with thanks and petition 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)

Not Far from the Kingdom of God (Mark 12:28-34)

November 3, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ debated the parable of the tenants, paying taxes to Caesar, and marriage at resurrection in Jerusalem. He always dealt well with the matters.

“One of teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’” (28)

“One of teachers of the law” seemed to be one of Pharisees teacher.

Jesus the Lord answered, “The most important one is this: Here O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (29-30) Jesus answered, citing Deuteronomy 6:4-5. The teacher of the law probably foresaw Jesus’ answer, because the Jewish people kept the commandment traditionally. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” That is to say, all the Jews well knew the commandment.

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (31)

“‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

That’s the teacher of the law! Because he answered with a mind to 1 Samuel 15:22 “Samuel replied ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.’”

“When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” (34)

Jesus said, “You are not from the kingdom of God” but he did not say “You are in the kingdom of God.” Why? Because the teacher of the law did not love Jesus the Lord as himself. Three days later Jesus was crucified.

John the apostle says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16) Human beings by nature are sinful and do not know the love of God.

The commandment of “Love your neighbor as yourself” is cited from Leviticus 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Israel people think that “neighbor” is their brother or “an alien living with an Israelite.” Another race is not included in “neighbor.” Israel people regarded other races as “enemies” or “aggressors” who should be hated.

The Bible tells us, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” (Colossians 1:21) “We were by nature object of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:3-5) “Greater love has no one than this, that he lays down his life for his friends.” Thus, Jesus the Lord became our neighbors who were by nature the enemies of God, and showed his love for us on the cross.

Please do not forget that you are “not far from the kingdom of God,” but you are the son of God with righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit. You have already been in the kingdom of God.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that you love sinners like us as neighbors, and achieved eternal redemption on the cross. God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Please guide us to tell the good news to our family, neighbors and all the people in the world so that they may believe in Jesus Christ. Please guide us to develop the kingdom of God.

I pray with thanks and petition in the name of our Lord 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)

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

October 27, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus and his disciples were on their way up to Jerusalem.

“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.” (46)

Jericho is 26 kilometers far from Jerusalem. As the festival of Passover was near, the roads seemed to be filled with pilgrims. So, Jesus and his disciples were leaving the city. “When a blind man, heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (47)

“Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (48)

Bartimaeus believed that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, so he continued to shout, “Have mercy on me!” The reason why many rebuked him and told him to be quiet was that Jews had already decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. (John 9:22) So, many who followed Jesus probably did not want to cause unnecessary problems.

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

“Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.” (50)

“‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’” (51) “Rabbi” is the word which connotes a great respect for teacher.

We know that Bartimaeus, a blind man, had his deep faith because of the word of “Rabbi.” As the matter of fact, he did never say, “If you can do anything, take pity on us.” (Mark 9:23)

“‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (52)

“Go” means that Jesus told Bartimaeus to witness his faith toward people.

“Your faith has healed you" is the phrase which is liable to cause misunderstanding.

Bartimaeus had already been saved by his faith. Paul the apostle says, “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) The word of Christ had reached the blind man through people, and his faith had begun. Bartimaeus waited for Jesus’ coming to Jericho. He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me!” Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) So he was recognized by God through his faith. Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus the road.

We should know that salvation and healing are different. I want to emphasize that you are saved before you are healed. Bartimaeus received Jesus’ declaration of salvation, and he received his sight. There would be some who were unable to follow Jesus, if they were not healed, but Bartimaeus was healed, so he could follow Jesus. In other words, his healing made him be able to go with Jesus the Lord. The word “Your faith has healed you” is liable to cause misunderstanding that faith heals an illness. Surely when you pray to God without doubt, you will be healed if God will. But you would not be healed at all without God’s will.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that we are able to say to you every day, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” Please let us fill with the Holy Spirit and faith, and seek first the kingdom of God and righteousness of God. Please let me work for our family, neighbors, and the people in the world so that they may believe in the good news. We pray with thanks and petition 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 Son of Man Came to Give His Life as a Ransom (Mark 10:35-45)

October 20, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Lord went forward Jerusalem after he notified his suffering for the third time.

“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’” (35)

“‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’” (36-37)

They must have understood coming suffering of the Lord in Jerusalem a little bit, but at the same time they imagined the kingdom of God as like earthly kingdom, and they wanted to confirm their good positions in the kingdom.

“‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’” (38) “‘We can,’ they answered.” (39)

“Your glory” means Lord’s suffering on the cross for our sins. Jesus the Lord talked about his suffering on the cross, but James and John thought about the throne in the kingdom of God. Jesus made them look toward suffering of death.

“Cup” means the wrath or judgment of God. (Cf. Jeremiah 49:12 “This is what the Lord says: ‘If those who do not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, why should you go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, but must drink it.’”)

“The baptism I am baptized with” means that Jesus Christ the Son of God receives the cup of wrath of God against men’s sins on the cross as a ransom for them.

James and John answered, “We can,” though his question implied a serious meaning. They did not understand rightly the words of Jesus the Lord.

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

Jesus the Lord knew in advance that James and John would work as courageous disciples in spite of persecution and suffering and reflect the Lord’s glory. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “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.”) As the matter of fact, James the apostle was killed by sword. And John the apostle was sent into the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

“When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.” (41)

The ten other disciples were angry with James and John who forestalled them, and they thought that James and John were given something like approval from Jesus the Lord. The other disciples also must have hoped earthly honor on the earth.

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.’” (42-44)

This message is not a new one. Jesus the Lord had already said to the twelve disciples, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (9:35)

But this time Jesus the Lord got a step closer to the matter. He used “slave” instead of “servant.” The following message is very important.

Jesus the Lord said, “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (45) Here the purpose of going into Jerusalem—the crucifixion of the Lord—was made clear. “Ransom” means compensation for redeeming war prisoners or slaves. That is to say, Jesus the Lord teaches them that God the Father saves human beings who are sinners by nature only through the crucifixion of the Son of God. The prophecy of Isaiah the prophet was realized. He said, “Therefore I will allow him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bored the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12)

Jesus Christ the Son of God said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) “The Law or the Prophets” means the Old Testament of the Bible.

Let’s pray. Jesus Christ the Son of God came to the world to give his life as a ransom for many. He is the Savior of the human beings. We will work to make the whole world as the kingdom of God. Please guide our family, neighbors and all the people in the world through our work to believe in the true word of salvation. And let us seek first of all the kingdom of God and righteousness of God.

We pray with thanks and petition 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)

Anyone Who Will Receive the Kingdom of God Like a Little Child (Mark 10:2-16)

October 6, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news, saying, "The time has come. The kingdom of God is near," and drove out evil spirits.

"Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them." (1)

"Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, 'Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?'" (2)

"'What did Moses command you?' he replied." (3)

"They said, 'Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.'" (4) "'It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,' Jesus replied." (5) This law intends that writing a certificate of divorce is effective for protecting a woman who is in a weak position from a man's selfish decision.

"'But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one." (6-8)

Jesus the Lord cited relating words of Genesis. He showed the Pharisees that marriage should not be human affair but it was laid down by God. Furthermore, the Lord said, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (9) This is not cited from Genesis, but Jesus' own word.

Marriage can be dissolved in the Protestant church when the condition of dissolution is satisfied. Its condition is immoral conduct, crime, antisocial behavior by a partner of marriage. Antisocial conducts which make family life impossible include disrespect, slander, insult, domestic violence against the partner.

Today's text does not refer to Pharisees' counterargument. So, they must have agreed with Jesus the Lord.

"When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, 'Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.'" (10-12)

"People were bringing little children to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them." (13)

"Little children" are babies or infants who are less than seven years old. People wanted to bring little children to receive Jesus' blessing.

"When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" (14)

"The kingdom of God" means domination by Jesus Christ the Son of God. (Cf. Mark 9:36-37 "He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.'")

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (15)

Little children cannot live without adults. Little children who receive the kingdom of God cannot rely on anyone except God.

"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." (16)

Let's pray. Please save our family and neighbors, and fill the world everywhere with righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit. We pray with thanks and petition 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)

Certainly Not Lose His Reward (Mark 9:38-50)

September 29 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

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

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

This episode reminds us of Numbers 11:27-29. “A young man ran and told Moses, ‘Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.’ Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, ‘Moses, my lord stop them!’ But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!’” Jesus the Lord corresponds with Moses, and John with Joshua.

Jesus the Lord said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” (41)

“And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.” (42) “One of these little ones who believes in me” means “a disciple of Christ.”

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’” (43-48)

What does “fire” mean? “fire” is repeatedly used.

Elijah the Prophet once had showdown with 450 prophets of Baal. He said, “Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” (1 Kings 18:24) And “Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God.” (1 Kings18:38-39)

Jesus teaches us that we should not cause our brothers and sisters lose their faith without good reason.

Jesus said, “Everyone will be salted with fire. ‘Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.’” (49-50) “Be salted with fire” means that an old self is burnt and converted into a new by the Holy Spirit. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”)

Salt is seasoning which is necessary for daily meal and it prevents food from being rotted. (Cf. Matthews 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”)

Let’s pray. Please realize the kingdom of God and righteousness of God, and fill the world with righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit. We pray with thanks and petition in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Anyone Who Wants to Be First (Mark 9:30-37)

September 22, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God preached the good news, saying, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the evangel.” He went throughout Galilee, and preached and drove out the demons. And Jesus the Lord trained with patience his disciples who were slow to understand.

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Eijah; still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” Jesus asked. Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Peter confessed that Jesus the Lord was the Savior of the world, the Messiah, Christ. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

“They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.’ But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” (30-32) His disciples did not understand God’s will until Pentecost. Jesus the Lord said, “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road? But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.” (33-34)

Though Jesus said in advance about his suffering, death and resurrection, his disciples argued about who was the greatest. So, they did nothing but kept silence. They were ignorant and silly.

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

“Anyone who wants to be first” means “Anyone who wants to be greatest.” “Serve” means in the Bible “give joy.” So, “anyone who wants to be greatest” means “anyone who gives joy to all the people.

Here, I want you to remember a famous phrase in the Letter to Philippines 2:6-11.

“Christ Jesus who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name. so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every name should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

“He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me’” (36-37)

Exactly speaking, we human beings by nature including babies are sinful. There have been no sinless beings since Adam and Eve committed a sin. Only exception is Jesus Christ who was born from a virgin.

Children at the time were regarded as worthless. But Jesus the Lord said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” He meant that whoever welcomes people who are with Jesus Christ welcomes Jesus Christ, and whoever welcomes Jesus Christ does not welcome him but welcome God the Father.

Jesus the Lord also takes you in his arms. You are now with Jesus the Lord.

When one of the teachers of the law asked the Lord, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, ‘is this: ‘Here, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

You know well these commandments. Strangely enough, “Love your neighbor as yourself” is repeatedly cited in the letters of the apostles, but “Love the Lord” is not written. One of the reasons why is explained by the fact that the Lord is always with Christians. Your neighbors are also with the Lord. So, if you love your neighbors with the Lord, it means that you love the Lord.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that we are made as another Christ by the faith in Jesus Christ based on the crucifixion and resurrection. We will accept the message with joy given the Holy Spirit, and deliver the good news to the people in the world. We pray that the world be filled with righteousness, peace and joy given the Holy Spirit so that your will be done in earth as it is in Heaven.

We pray with thanks and petition in the name of Jesus Christ the Son 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)

Who Do People Say I Am? (Mark 8:27-38)

September 15, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’” (27)

“They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Eijah; still others, one of the prophets.’” (28) (Cf. Mark 6:14 “King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.)

The answers of his disciples were appropriate.

“‘But what about you?’ he asked. Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ.’” (29)

Peter confessed that Jesus the Lord was the Savior of the world, the Messiah, Christ.

“Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.” (30)

“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” (31) He spoke plainly about this. “The Son of Man” was used, when Jesus the Lord talked about himself. “The Son of Man” is closely related the Savior. (Cf. Daniel 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

And Daniel prophesied that the Anointed One (the Son of Man) will be cut off and will have nothing.”

Isaiah the prophet also prophesied the suffering of the servant of the Lord. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:8 says, “By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people.”

“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)

But his disciples had not yet understood the love of God which was going to be shown on the cross. Though Peter said, “You are the Christ,” and Jesus notified his suffering, his disciples could not understand what Jesus said.

“He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” (32-33)

“Then he called the crowd to him along his disciples and said, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” (34)

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (35) This Jesus’ word teaches us, who believes Jesus and live as his disciples, about our preparedness for the faith. He tells us that we should be little interested in our own affairs and always rely on Jesus Christ.

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (36)

(Cf. Psalm 49:7-8 “No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough--.)

Jesus the Lord said, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (38)

“This adulterous and sinful generation” means the generation which do not know God and do not believe that God sent his Son to the world to save it. In other words, it means the end of the world of the Old Testament which happened 2000 years ago. It means the end of Israel. Jesus Christ said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel. And Jesus Christ achieved his work on the cross, and the kingdom of God began with righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Many thousands of Jews believed in the middle of first century AD and Gentiles became Christians. But some of Jews began to persecute Christians conspiring with the Roman Empire. The temple of Jerusalem collapsed 70 years AD and Jerusalem was perished, and the kingdom of God was created and the new era began.

This is the explanation of “when he comes in his glory with the holy angels.”

So, Christians 2000 years ago were proud of the good news. Paul says, “For 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.” They needed to stand firm to the end with courage and perseverance.

Let’s pray. Jesus Crist the Son of God is our Savior. “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) We are thankful for the grace given by the Son of God.

Please lead us to seek first the kingdom of God and righteousness of God, and to work for the development of kingdom of God.

We pray with gratitude and petition in the name of 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)

Ephphatha! (Be Opened) (Mark 7:24-37)

September 8, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.” (24)

Jesus the Lord left Galilee, and went over to Phoenicia, the coast of Mediterranean Sea. Phoenicia was the land where gentiles lived.

“In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.” (25-26)

The Mediterranean Sea area was ruled by the Roman Empire, and in its east area Greek was used officially. So, “the woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia” meant that she was a Syrian Phoenician who used Greek. We have to be aware that she had the faith in her heart. Jesus Christ the Son of God was popular among the people in the vicinity of Tyre. She heard that he drove out the demons in Galilee.

“‘First let the children eat all they want,’ he told her, ‘for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs’” (27)

“Children” mean “children of Abaham,” Israelites. God promised the Jewish people, the descendants of Abraham. So, this promise had priority over the other things. When Jesus’ words are translated nonliterally, it is “First of all, Israelites should let be eaten, and it is not appropriate that gentiles be given first.” Against Jesus, she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (28) Briefly speaking, she knew Abraham promise and salvation was from the Jews.

“Then he told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.’” (29) “She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demons gone.” (30)

“Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.” (31)

“There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.” (32)

“After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue.” (33)

“He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (which means, ‘Be opened!) (34) “Ephphatha!” is Aramic.

“At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.” (35) (Cf. Isaiah 35:4-6 “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.”

Jesus Christ the Son of God came 700 hundred years after Isaiah prophesied the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecy had been realized.

“Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. ‘He has done everything well,’ they said. ‘He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’” (36-37)

One of the reasons why Jesus the Lord commanded them not to tell seems to be that his eternal redemption on the cross had not yet been achieved. As the whole picture of the good news of Jesus Christ was not yet revealed at the time, (even his disciples did not understand the idea of suffering servant) Jesus Christ did not want the wrong idea of Messiah to prevail.

Let’s pray. The Lord gave the faith to a gentile mother, and healed her daughter. And the Lord gave the faith to people of Galilee, and he healed a deaf.

Please give us the firm faith that the Lord heals suffering people with illness.

Please bless our work for education and mission so that our family, neighbors and all the people in the world may repent of their sins and believe the good news.

We pray with gratitude and petition 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 SListen to Me and Understand This (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23)

September 1, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God delivered the message, "The Time has come, the kingdom of God is near." He went throughout Galilee and preached and drove out the evil spirits. He chose the twelve disciples and trained them. He performed various signs before them.

"The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were 'unclean.'" (1-2) "The Pharisees" is the most stoic sect of Jewish people. The name of "Pharisees" means "the separated ones, separatists." They were separated from the gentiles and the Jewish people who did not keep the tradition of the elders. They took it for granted that they were received by God by their righteous conducts. "The teachers of the law" were specialists of the Old Testament. At any rate, they came to Galilee to investigate whether Jesus was Messiah or not. They saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were 'unclean.' The Pharisees and the teachers of the law kept the tradition of the elders. (When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. They observe many traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) (4)

But Jesus' disciples did not hold to the traditions of the elders. So, they asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" (5)

"He replied, 'Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.'" (6-8) Isaiah the Prophet lived and worked before seven hundred years. The Prophets and religious leaders were also in sharp conflict in the age. God the Lord of the Israel people through the prophets criticized the religious leaders and urged them to repent of their sins. Jesus Christ sharply criticized the mistake of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law through the words of Isaiah the prophet.

"Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'" (14-15) Jesus told about the matter of heart and soul.

"Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (18-19)

"He went on: What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'" (20-23)

Then, what is needed so that what comes out of a man may not make him 'unclean'?

There is a famous David's song, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:12) When God the Lord create a willing spirit within our hearts, we sinners are able to be received by God the Lord, and be freed from evil thoughts. (Cf. Ephesians 2:8 "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.")

We human beings commit sin as long as we live. No Christian commits any sin in the world. Martin Luther says that we Christians are righteous and at the same time sinful. But Jesus Christ the Son of God achieved complete redemption for sinners on the cross. (Cf. John 1:29 "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.")

We sinners are redeemed by our faith that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ have been achieved for our own by the grace.

Let's pray. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

We are thankful that we are granted a willing heart by the Holy Spirit. We once lived in the darkness, but we are now linked with the Lord and live in the light. We go out to deliver the evangel to our family members, neighbors and all the people in the world so that they may believe Jesus Christ and be given eternal life.

We pray with thanks and petition in the name of 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)

The Spirit Gives Life (John 6:56-69)

August 25, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’” (32-33)

Jesus taught his disciples that Jesus himself was the living bread.

“Jesus said, ‘Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven.’” (56-58) Jesus the Lord clearly testified that the source of eternal life is God the Father and Jesus the Son of God. He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. So, we know that many people heard his message.

“On hearing it many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, ‘Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!’” (60-62)

Jewish people could not believe that God became man (incarnation), and it was blasphemous to mention God’s name. Jesus knew what was in a man.

Jesus said, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (63) Jesus taught that if disciples would doubt God’s promise because of their unbelief he who was the bread of life was useless at all to them. We human beings by nature are ruled by sins, death and Saten. We are spiritually dead. So, we are unable to understand God’s words--grace and truth--by our own efforts. The world did not know him through its wisdom. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21a)

Paul the apostle says, “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Corinthians 2:12)

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (66)

Jesus said, “‘Yet there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.’” (64-65)

Jesus had known that Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of Twelve, was later to betray Jesus.

Paul the apostle testifies in the Letter to the Romans, “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” (Romans 11:11) He says, “I do not want to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, …” (Romans 11:25-26a)

So, it is safe to say that some Jewish people went away from Jesus for a while. But since the Pentecost they knew the whole picture of the evangel because of apostles’ work, they came to believe Jesus the Son of God and received eternal life in the name of Jesus.

“‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’” (67-68) “Words of eternal life” means spiritual words which gives eternal life to the human beings. Briefly speaking, it means no one else except Jesus Christ, the bread of life, can give salvation. (Cf. Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”)

“You are the Holy One of God” is “You are Christ, the Son of living God” according to the other convincing handwritten copy (Byzantine Copy) of the Greek text.

Let’s pray.

Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:12) We are proud of this gospel, and will deliver Christ, the bread of life to our family members, neighbors and all the people in the world. Please save them by the faith of Jesus Christ.

We pray with gratitude and petition in the name of 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)

I am the Bread of Life from Heaven (John 6:35, 41-51)

August 11, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

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

But “at this time the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that comes down from heaven.’” (41)

As the matter of fact, the people said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came from heaven’?” (42)

“‘Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered.’ No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.” (43-45) This Jesus’ message is the same with “all that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (37)

Jesus the Lord said, “I will raise him up at the last day.” This message means that the day of judgement for people who believe Jesus the Son of God is the time of resurrection.

Jesus once said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (5:24)

No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. (46)

“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. (47) This word is the repetition of the word hitherto.

Jesus declared again, “I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But there is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (48-51)

Please remember Jesus’ words just a few days before his death on the cross. “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)

Let’s pray. Jesus repeated “I am the bread of life.” Jesus Christ the Son of God is “the living bread which came from heaven.” We will go out to the world, preaching God’s grace given by his crucifixion and resurrection. Please guide our family, neighbors and all the people to believe in the faith so that they may work together with us for the kingdom of God. We pray with gratitude and petition in the name of Jesus Christ the 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)

I am the Bread of Life (John 6:24-35)

August 4, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. (24) “When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, ‘Rabbi, when did you get here?’” (25) They did not know that Jesus walked on the water across the lake.

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.’” (26) They were not interested in why Jesus could achieve miraculous work by “five barley bread and two fish.” They were indifferent to the purpose of Jesus’ miraculous sign. They just looked for Jesus in order to satisfy their appetite for food.

Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (27)

However much we may eat the bread, we get hungry in the course of time. And those people who eat heartily will get old and die. But there is food which Jesus Christ the Son of God gives us. That food endures to eternal life.

“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’” The crowd asked the question, presupposing that they were able to do the works God requires. “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’” (29)

Briefly speaking, Jesus taught that we human beings by nature were not able to do the work of God without believing the Messiah the Son of God. He taught only the faith was the work of God.

So, they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (30-31)

“Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (32)

“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (33) Jesus changed “the bread from heaven” into “the bread of God.”

“‘Sir,’ they said, ‘from now on give us this bread.’” (34)

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

According to the Greek text, Jesus revealed “he is God the Lord,” and he declared, “I AM the bread of life.” (Cf. Exodus 3:15) Jesus calls himself as “I AM” seven times in the Gospel of John. “I AM the bread of life” is the first time in the Gospel of John.

We human beings by nature have no eternal life. We are spiritually dead. Jesus said in Jerusalem, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) “The bread of God” is not the material food. Jesus Christ the Son of God is truly “the bread of God,” who gives eternal life to those who are spiritually dead.

Let’s pray. Jesus Christ the Son of God is really the bread of God who died on the cross because of our sins and was raised on the third day and achieved the eternal redemption by his own blood.

We will tell the bread of life, Jesus Christ to the people in the world. Please give eternal life to our family, neighbors and all the people in the world, and achieve the righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit.

We pray with this gratitude and petition 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)

It Is I; Don‘t Be Afraid (John 6:1-21)

July 28, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

A great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Jesus’ name had already been known in Judea and Galilee. Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover was near. The Passover is one of the most important Jewish three festivals. Its origin comes from the Jewish Exodus from Egypt. Moses delivered the Jewish people from slavery under Egypt. (Cf. Deuteronomy 5:15 “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.”)

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” (5-6)

“Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’” (7) The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer.

“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two fish, but how far will they go among so many.’” (8-9)

“Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them.” (10) Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with fish. (11)

“When they had all enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’ So, they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” (12-13)

“Twelve” signifies all the Jewish tribes, and it is one of perfect numbers in the Bible.

Therefore, this miraculous sign meant Jesus was the Mesiah, and it also showed Jesus was the Savior who had achieved the contract which God made with Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Jewish people. (Cf. John 20:31 “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”)

So, this miraculous sign of bread and fish alone was recorded in all the four Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John)

“After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.’” (14)

But those people at the time had wrong idea of Messiah. “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (15)

Those people at the time thought wrongly that Jesus was the king who was going to free the Jewish people by force from the domination by the Roman Empire and Herodian king. Surely, Jesus was the Prophet who was to come into the world and the man who was going to restore Israel. But he was not the king who would bring freedom from slavery under the Roman Empire and the king Herod. His work was to bring the kingdom of God.

“When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake from Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus; had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. (16-18)

“When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.” (19)

The Bible tells us that God the Lord says his word out of the storm. (Cf. 1 the Kings 19:1, Job 38:1, 40:6)

“He said, ‘It is I, don’ t be afraid.”"(20) The Greek text means “I AM who I AM. Jesus the Lord revealed that he was God the Lord. (Cf. Exodus 3:14) He declared out of the storm that he was the Lord.

“Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” (21)

Let’s pray. Jesus the Son of God supported so many crowds by “five small barley loaves and two small fish,” and declared “I AM who I AM, don’t be afraid” in the midst of storm. Lord died on the cross on behalf of our sins and raised on the third day. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Let us seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and glorify your name.

We pray with thanks 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)

Get Some Rest (Mark 6:30-34,53-56)

July 21, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ the Son of God proclaimed the good news, saying, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

And the Lord called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve—designating them apostles. He sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” (30-31)

“So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (32) Jesus the Lord used to get out to a solitary place, where he prayed. So, he must have thought he and his disciples should have some rest and pray.

“But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.” (33)

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” (34)

Jesus the Lord said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37)

People like “sheep without shepherd” are those who lose their way and are utterly exhausted. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd and my sheep know me—just the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15) So, Jesus taught many things to them. Jesus is really the shepherd mentioned in the Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

Jesus the Lord preached the kingdom of God to the people, and he took five loaves and two fish and he performed miracle, feeding the five thousand (men). Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

However, the boat of the disciples had rough going in the lake. At the time Jesus was walking on the lake. The disciples, seeing Jesus, were terrified. Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. But when they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. Gennesaret is northwest coast of the lake.

“As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.” (54-55)

“And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.” (56)

The people in Gennesaret were totally different from the people in Jesus’ hometown. He said, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and their own kin, and their own house.” (Mark 6:4) Jesus could not do any miracle in his hometown and he was amazed at their lack of faith.

The people in Gennesaret did not believe in the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God, because Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection had not yet achieved. But they were given so deep faith that they “begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”

Let’s pray. You have taught us that you have compassion on us and give us healing through your miracles. Guide us to seek first “the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God.” We pray for the completion of the kingdom of God—righteousness, peace, and joy given by the Holy Spirit. We pray the people believe Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection, and have eternal life through their baptism.

We pray to God with the gratitude and petition 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)

Jesus’ Name Had Become Well Known (Mark 6:14-29)

July 14, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

King Herod heard about Jesus. Because Jesus’ name had well known mainly in Galilee and around the area. King Herod Antipas was the son of the Herod the great who was notorious among the people. King Herod was tetrarch of Galilee.

“Some were saying, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘He is Elijah.’ And still others claimed, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.’” “But when Herod heard this, he said, ‘John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!’” (14b-16).

According to the Gospel of Mark 1:14, Jesus began to preach after John the Baptist was arrested. Briefly speaking, Jesus began to proclaim the good news, replacing John the Baptist. Up the time, the reason why John the Baptist was arrested was not known. It was made clear. “For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’” (17-18) According to the book of Leviticus, “Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.” (Leviticus 18:16)

“So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him (19-20)

“Finally the opportunity time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.’ And he promised her with an oath, ‘Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.’” (21-23)

“She went out and to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ ‘The head of John the Baptist’ she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: ‘I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’” (24-25)

“The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it her mother.” (26-28) Herodias took her revenge on John the Baptist.

“On hearing this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.” (29)

According to the Gospel of John, John said, “He (Jesus) must become greater, I must become less.” (John 3:30) And Jesus said, “John was a lamp that burned and gave light.” (John 5:35) The incident of John’s killing tells us that the time of Jesus Christ the Son of God really came, while John the Baptist had achieved his role.

Soon Jesus the Lord was going to stand in front of Herod who killed John the Baptist. According to the Gospel of Luke, “When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. He plied him many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.” (Luke 23:8-9) Why did Jesus give Herod no answer? Because John the Baptist had already said about repentance to Herod. In addition, “the good news of God” proclaimed by the disciples whom the Lord had sent was listened to by Herod.

Please remember the parable of Sower which the Lord told us. “Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19) Herod was a typical example of the parable.

Today you, who are listening to the word, must be the good soil. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7) “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)

Let’s pray. Today, we are thankful that you taught us about the Lord’s mind and word through John the Baptist and Herod. We will tell the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God to our family and neighbors. Please fill this world with righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit so that they may believe the good news and be given eternal life. We pray this gratitude and petition 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)

Shake the Dust Off Your Feet (Mark 6:1-13)

July 7, 2024

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“When Jesus and his disciples had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, ‘My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.’ So Jesus went with him.” (21-24)

The original Greek text of “heal” means not only physical healing but also mental healing. Jairus wanted her to be saved physically and mentally.

“A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.” (25) Her disease was a kind of women’s illness but the name of her disease was not medically known. “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” (26) “When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’” (27-28)

According to Leviticus15:19-33, a bleeding woman is unclean, and a man who touches her becomes religiously unclean. But the bleeding woman must have not thought that Jesus would become unclean. She should have asked directly to Jesus for her help. But she just believed that Jesus would heal her disease physically and mentally.

“Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” (29)

“At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched me?’” (30)

“‘You see the people crowding against you,’ his disciples answered, ‘and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” (31)

“But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.” (32) Jesus the Lord wanted her to come up to him, and say clearly in front of people what Jesus had done for her.

“Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.” (33)

“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’” (34)

“While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher anymore?’” (35) Jairus’ little daughter died. His hope disappeared. “Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (36)

“He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.” (37) “When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.” (38) It is said that at the time flutists made sad sound in order to soften grief and agony when someone died as one of preparations of funeral. As the matter of fact, the funeral had been prepared.

“He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing?’ The child is not dead but asleep.’” (39) “But they laughed at him.” (40)

“After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’).” (40-41)

“Talitha koum” is Alamic which Jesus used at the time. Our human beings’ voice is useless at all. But the voice of Jesus Christ the Son of God had the great power to give life to the dead. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” (John 11:25) The soul of Jairus’ child came back to her by the order of Jesus Christ.

“Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.” (42) People were overwhelmed by Jesus’ miracle.

“He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.” (43) Jesus must have wanted to let people know the miracle in moderate situation, but not in commotion. Jesus told them to give her something to eat. We feel vividly Jesus’ compassion and care for our human beings.

There is the one thing we should think about. It is the fact that Jairus’ daughter came back to life by Jairus’ faith. She did not ask for help to the Lord. Her father did. And she came back to life. You know Paul and Silas who was prisoned in Philippi said to the jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) This word of God is true.

What do we believe? What do we continue to believe?

The faith is to believe the good news that Jesus Christ the Son of God died on the cross, was raised on the third day, appeared in front of his disciples and still is working now. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Let’s pray. We are thankful for your glorious grace. We first seek the kingdom of God and righteousness. We pray that, through our work of God’s words, our families, neighbors, and the people in the world repent of their sins, and go back to the Lord, and be saved.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Amen.Jesus Christ the Son of God preached the good news, proclaiming, “The time has come, the Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Jesus went up on a mountain and called to him those he wanted. He appointed twelve—designating them apostles.

Jesus left the lake of Galilee, and went to his hometown, Nazareth. The incident meant that Jesus the Lord preached the good news to his family.

“When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him.” (2-3) In Japan there is a popular saying, “Return home loaded with honors.” But the people in Nazareth did not respect Jesus and receive him warmly.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.’” (4) The people of Nazareth knew Jesus well as the man. So, they could not humble themselves, and repent of their sins, and believe the good news.

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.” (5-6a)

Jesus healed the woman suffering bleeding for twelve years. He raised Jairus’ daughter who was dead. The bleeding woman and Jairus, who was father of the daughter, had faith in Jesus. But the people in Nazareth had no faith. So, Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith.

I would like to say a few comments so that you may not have the wrong idea.

God is the Almighty. Nothing is impossible with God. Isaiah says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2) The Bible teaches us that God does not want the people, who are destined to be saved, to perish. God waits with patience people’s repentance and restoration to the Lord. When we human beings commit sins and do not repent, it is clear that we have no faith.

“Then Jesus went around teaching village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” (6b-7)

Jesus’ work was expanded. So, the Lord decided to send the Twelve for the missionary work. The Lord sent them out “two by two.” Deuteronomy says, “One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) And, two people can help together, and cheer up together. We know Jesus’ love and care deeply through this instruction. Jesus gave them authority over evil spirits.

“These were his instructions: ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.’” (9) They are a minimum necessary amount of goods for their journey. “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.” (10)

“And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.” (11) Jesus taught his disciples about the severe reality that they would face. The people in the world would not necessarily receive the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Jesus’ instruction of “shake the dust off your feet” might not be merely preparedness for people’s harsh words but also a judgement or warning on the people who would refuse his good news. Acts tells us that Paul and Barnabas were persecuted in Antioch and when they were expelled the region, they “shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.” (Acts 13:51)

It is clear fact that missionaries in the course of their activities met the people, who were against the good news, and parted from them. Paul the apostle says, “For 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)

“They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” (12-13)

When the training of Jesus’ disciples began, the whole view of the good news was not clear to them. Because the incident that Jesus died on the cross, was buried on the tomb and raised on the third day had not yet occurred. So, the content of the evangel which was entrusted by Jesus to the twelve was repentance of people’s sins and their restoration to the Lord. Worldwide missionary activities of Jesus’ disciples began only after the Pentecost.

Let’s pray. Today we learnt the importance of our own duties for missionary work. Please lead us to seek first the kingdom of God and righteousness of God, and guide us to tell the good news of Jesus Christ to our family and neighbors so that they might repent of their sins and be restored to the Lord.

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)

Don’t be Afraid; Just Believe (Mark 5:21-43)

June 30, 2024