Hongo Lutheran Church - Sermons of 2025

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dog came and licked his sores.” (19-21)

Lazarus was helpless and only relied on God. The rich man was totally indifferent to Lazarus. He lacked in love of neighbors.

Desteny after their death: reversal of their lives

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” (22-24)

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’” (25-26)

“Remember that in your life time” must have affected each of your hearts. You have been given your good things on earth: talent, time and wealth. How do you use them now? Do you use them according to God’s will? We will be judged whether we use them or not after we die. So, it is too late that you repent of your way of life after you died.

Calling to repentance: Testimony of Moses and the Prophets

The rich man, who understood that his life could never be tried again, said to Abraham, “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” (27-28) Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” (29)

Briefly speaking, the Old Testament clearly shows the answer to the rich man’s question. “No father Abraham,” the rich man said, “but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.”

Abraham said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (31)

This word is very meaningful to us. Then, what is written in Moses and the prophets; the Old Testament?

Jesus said in another place, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40)

And Jesus said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (John 5:46-47)

Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.” (Matthew 5:17)

What Moses and the Prophets testify is Jesus Christ, the ruler of the kingdom of God. The Bible shows that Jesus Christ alone, who was raised from the dead, can cross over the chasm between earth and eternity.

The Christ of the cross and the resurrection is the only way of salvation

According to the context of today’s text, Jesus the Lord teaches Pharisees like the rich man in the parable so that they may repent of their sins and be saved from the hell. Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Conclusion: our way of life which was changed by the Holy Spirit

We were those who were ruled by sins, death and the Satan, and did not understand the Bible, and despised it. We were spiritually dead. But now we are not. The Holy Spirit opened our minds so we could understand the Scriptures.

Paul the apostle says, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Let’s pray. Jesus the Lord taught us that he fulfiled the law and the Prophets, and achieved the redemption for our sins on the cross. We are grateful for that.

The Holy Spirit changed us, and we were given the power to tell the good news. We will develop the kingdom of God-righteousness, peace and joy given the Holy Spirit. We believe our family and neighbors are saved through our effort in faith.

We pray with thanks and the 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)

Shrewd Manager and Eternal Dwellings (Luke 16:1-13)

September 21, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’” (1-2)

The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job.’ So, he called in each one of his master’s debtors. And he rewrote a bill of each debtor so that each bill was lessened. He thought each debtor would welcome him after his unemployment.

The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. The master did not praise his dishonesty but his shrewd way of life.

2 The teaching of the Lord; shrewd way of life

He says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (9)

Jesus teaches his disciples that they should not think only of the immediate gain but think about eternal dwellings. He does never recommend unfair or unlawful acts. He instructs us that it is important for us to be prepared for eternal life in advance.

Faithfulness in terms of eternity

Jesus says, in the Gospel of Matthew, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (16:26)

You should be always prepared for eternal dwellings in your life. You are given talents, family, jobs, academic career, good lineage, friends and wealth. You should use those things in terms of eternity. Jesus says those things as “very little.” It is very clear that “much” is “eternal dwellings.” He says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (10) I think this is the summary of the parable of shrewd manager.

Contrast of wealth on earth with heavenly wealth

“So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own.” (11-12)

What are “worldly wealth” and “true riches”?

Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)

“Worldly wealth” is “treasures on earth” and “true riches” is “treasures in heaven.”

Briefly speaking, our lives on earth is “period of test,” and eternal wealth is according to its result.

Our life is period of test

Jesus considers present life as period of test. Those who live faithfully to God are rewarded in heaven.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked us for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Way of life for the kingdom of God; to accumulate wealth in heaven

Jesus said to his disciples, after the crucifixion and resurrection, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and to the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

So, we should use the wealth and power to build the kingdom of God. We should tell the good news to our family, friends, neighbors who are still governed by the power of darkness; sins, death and Satan. Or we should help those who work for the good news for the development of the kingdom of God.

Let’s pray. We are grateful that Jesus the Lord teaches us the way of life to rely on God, not on the wealth on earth. We who are saved from the power of darkness; sins, death and Satan are going to seek first the kingdom of God as children of the light. We believe that the kingdom of God will be achieved through the work of the words, and the mission and education.

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)

He Who Humbles Himself will be Exalted (Luke 14:1, 7-14)

August 17, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.” (1)

On the Sabbath, a luncheon after the worship used to be held at a prominent man’s house. At that time an expert of the law or a Pharisee was usually given the place of honor. The guests had interest in the seating order. The seats nearer the host were given the better service. Japanese people also think much of the seating order.

But when Jesus went to eat in the house, there was an unfavorable atmosphere.

The people around Jesus set a trap for him. So, he was carefully watched.

(The first instruction: Those who humble themselves are exalted)

When Jesus noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he talked about one parable.

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for more than distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.” (8-10)

What does Jesus teach here? Surely this story gives us a universal rule of life. But he teaches us the rule of kingdom of God. He says, as a conclusion, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (11)

It means that we should be humble before God.

(The second instruction: You should not be repaid)

“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon of dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’” (12-14)

Jesus teaches us that sociability does never be righteous before God. Invitation of influential people makes you expect reward. So, Jesus tells us to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. If you are able to invite people, you should invite the people who need most. Jesus teaches us that it is the happiest way of life.

(Jesus Christ’s achievement: the grace of resurrection which has already been given)

When is the time of resurrection of the righteous? It is not the incident which will take place in the future. The kingdom of God has already started through the coming of Jesus Christ the Savior. And Christians who believe in the cross and resurrection are going to have the time of resurrection.

Paul the apostle says, “You have been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)

(Summary: the way of life as the child of light)

Jesus Christ performed these instructions through the life of love.

Paul the apostle says, “Jesus Christ who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

You, who are given the light of life, should brighten the light before the people without any repayment. This is not merely good conduct but the work of building the kingdom of God in family, office, and all the areas of society. Briefly speaking, you should tell the good news to family, friends, and those who live in trouble in the society.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that you teach us, “He who humbles himself will be exalted,” and Jesus Christ humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. We will work to develop the kingdom of God—the righteousness, peace, and joy given by the Holy Spirit. Please lead our family, neighbors, and the people in the world to be saved through 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 God Who Sees: Where Dignity is Restored (Luke 13:10-17 )

August 24th, 2025 | Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

ELCA J3 Missionarius Ms. Vola Ranaivoson

Missionary of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Creator, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Helper. Amen.

In today’s gospel, we see Jesus teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath —a place of worship, rest, and community. Despite the growing tension with religious leaders, he still chooses to participate in their worship gatherings, opening the Scriptures to those who have gathered.

And then—she walks in.

Imagine spending eighteen years bent over, unable to stand tall, your view of the world always from the ground up. That’s the woman we meet today—suffering not just physically, but socially, spiritually, and invisibly. We don’t know her name, only her pain. She doesn’t expect this day to be any different from the last eighteen years.

She doesn’t ask to be healed. She doesn’t interrupt. She simply shows up, slipping into the crowd. Her posture is bent toward the floor, but Jesus’ eyes are already fixed on her. And in that moment, the focus of the synagogue—and the focus of heaven—shifts.

In a society that might have overlooked or even blamed her for her condition, Jesus notices. He calls her forward—interrupting his own teaching—and speaks words that transform her life: “You are set free.” He lays his hands on her, and instantly she stands tall. She knows exactly who the source of her healing is, and she praises God.

Dedication to God’s heart always leads to meeting human need. Jesus embodies that truth—choosing compassion over caution, people over programs.

But not everyone rejoices.

The synagogue leader was very angry. With righteous indignation, he scolded Jesus in front of everyone: “How dare you heal on the Sabbath? You know we are not supposed to work today. Healing is work, and the rabbis have always said so!”

Then he told the people: “Stop bringing sick people here on the Sabbath! There are six other days to do that. Today should be only for God’s work.”

In his anger, he thinks he is defending God’s work, but he is actually missing God’s heart. His dedication is to a system, not the suffering. He has confused protecting tradition with honoring God—forgetting that God’s work is always about life, healing, and liberation.

Jesus does not spare him. He does not use polite disagreement. Instead, he uses a common rabbinic argument called Qal wahomer, which means: “If this is true for something small, how much more is it true for something greater?” Jesus shows the leaders that their own rules do not make sense when it comes to helping a person in need.

He says: “You hypocrites! If you untie your ox or donkey on the Sabbath to give it water, how much more should this woman—a daughter of Abraham, bound by Satan for eighteen years—be set free?”

If compassion for animals is allowed, how much more compassion should be shown to a human being? One day of rest? What about eighteen years of bondage?

Here, Jesus gives her a title no other woman in Luke receives: daughter of Abraham. He restores not just her body, but her dignity and her place in God’s covenant family. Like Zacchaeus, the “son of Abraham” in Luke 19, she is an outsider in the eyes of the religious establishment—but embraced and named by Jesus.

The room falls silent. The religious leaders are shamed—not by mockery, but by truth. Then joy erupts. The people see in Jesus not only someone who beats an oppressive system, but someone who genuinely cares for “the little people”—those with no defender against religious gatekeeping or political maneuvering.

They recognize his acts for what they are: glorious, divine, and unmistakably in line with God’s purposes.

A Word for Us Today

This passage speaks in two directions:

To the religiously comfortable: If our dedication is more to preserving our ways than meeting human need, Jesus will confront us. The church is not meant to be a country club, a gated community, or a museum of tradition. It is meant to be a place where people are seen, freed, and restored.

To the unseen and bent over: If you feel invisible, unnoticed, or bowed under life’s weight—Jesus sees you. Jesus calls you. Jesus frees you.

The woman’s healing was not just a private blessing—it was a public declaration of God’s kingdom breaking in. She stood tall and praised God, and the crowd rejoiced.

May we be a community that notices, calls forth, liberates, and rejoices—choosing people over programs, compassion over control, and God’s mission over our own comfort.

In God’s kingdom, everyone whom Jesus sees, Jesus frees—and dignity is restored. Amen

Now it is Time to know the fire of the Kingdom of God Which is Burning (Luke 12:49-56)

August 17, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

What is your image of Jesus the Lord? You may answer it is “gentle and modest,” “the prince of peace,” or “man of love.” Any is true. But today’s text says, “I have come down to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.” (49) And “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (51)

Why did Jesus, who is prince of peace, say such extreme words?

There may be some who became Christians having uncomfortable relations with family and friends. Today’s text will give you a light and hope to solve your trouble.

Jesus said, “I have come down to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.” What does this message mean? “Fire” symbolizes the word of God or judgement in the Bible. (Cf. Deuteronomy 4:36) But Jesus himself taught us that he did not come down to destroy people. (Cf. Luke 9:54-55)

We should learn from the witness of John the Baptist to understand the true meaning of “fire.” He prophesied, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (3:16) “Fire” of the Lord signifies the Holy Spirit. Jesus the Lord wanted that relations between God and man would be restored through the cleaning fire.

Jesus said, “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” “A baptism to undergo” means the crucifixion in Jerusalem. Receiving God’ judgment on behalf of our sins is the baptism of the Lord.

The ultimate incident of the crucifixion of the Lord brought down fire on the earth of the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God went forward through the evangel of the good news by the disciples, and the age of Church began.

Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (51)

Jesus the Lord said, this division might happen even in the family which should be unified. “From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (52-53)

It is said that this message is cited from Micah 7:6: “For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.”

This message does not mean the disruption of peace in family but inevitable conflict between the truth of the kingdom of God and the value system in the world.

For example, people in the world think most of their own success and satisfaction, but Christians seek first the righteousness of God and the kingdom of God. Or while they depend on something visible and firm, Christians depend on invisible God and devote their lives to God. These fundamental difference of ways of lives often cause division. Deep schism between Christians and non-Christians is often found. But we can say that this division is the pains of childbirth. Micah the prophet says, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for Go my Savior; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)

The good news brings about division, but through it, Christianity has got victory in the history.

He said to the crowd; “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. Is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” (54-56) This is not Jesus’ final criticism, but his cry based on love of us, so that we may notice God’s imminent time. The time was the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem at AD 70. It was the end of the world of the Old Testament and the beginning of the world of the New Testament. The people at the time could not know the spiritual sign of the great turnover of the history.

We live now between the First coming of Christ and the Second coming of Christ. The present age is the time when the fire of the Holy Spirit is spreading, and the kingdom of God is strongly going forward. We should be willingly to participate in the movement.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that Jesus Christ the Son of God pours the fire of the Holy Spirit upon us and uses us for the development of the kingdom of God.

Please encourage us to witness the good news to our family and neighbors without fearing division caused by 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)

Happiness of a Servant Being Watching (Luke 12:32-40)

August 10, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.” (22) “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (31)

The kingdom of God is Jesus Christ’s dominion which is the righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus the Lord gave his disciples a very important message: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Little flock seems to be powerless in the world, but Jesus said, “Do not be afraid,” because they are given the kingdom of God.

Then, Jesus said, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (33-34)

What is your concern now? Is it a treasure which is exhausted on the earth? Or is it eternal wealth in heaven?

God calls you to make use of all the possessions like time, talent, and property for the kingdom of God, not for your own desires. Jesus the Lord asks you, “What is your way of life?” He does not tell you to lead an extreme asceticism.

Jesus teaches them to make preparation for coming destruction of Jerusalem at 70 AD.

Then Jesus said, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.” (35-36)

“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and wait on them.” (37) This is a surprising reverse. The master, not servants, serves servants. We see the humble love of the Lord toward us. When we work faithfully for the kingdom of God, the Lord will be glad and reward us.

“It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.” (38) “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (39-40)

“The Son of Man will come” is interpreted in various ways. But my interpretation is that it was achieved as the historical judgement 2000 years ago. This achievement is very important fact which shows the certainty of the word of the Lord.

The kingdom of God came through the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and the Advent of the Holy Spirit. And the end of the world of the Old Testament came on AD 70. The end of the world of the Old Testament was the beginning of the new world of the New Testament. The world is never in the direction of the collapse. The kingdom of God is developing through the work of Christians on the earth. We live now in such situation.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that we received the kingdom of God, and that we are taught the importance of continuous effort for the completion of the kingdom of God.

We first seek the kingdom of God in our daily lives. Hallowed your name through the salvation of our family, friends, neighbors.

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 Life for Investing on the Kingdom of God (Luke 12:13-21)

August 3, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’” (13)

This man asked Jesus to arbitrate the matter of inheritance. But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” (14) Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (15)

This man wanted to get more his inheritance, namely he was greedy. So, Jesus refused his request. But Jesus the Lord began to talk about the parable of the kingdom of God.

“The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to shore my crops.’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’” (16-19)

This monologue is filled with selfish words like my grain, my goods, my barns, my crops. There are no words of thanks to God anywhere. Deuteronomy 8:14 tells, “When your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God.”

This man of parable is just the man God warned.

This parable is not only to warning to selfish rich man but also warning to Jewish society and Israel state 2000 years ago.

Some Jewish leaders and the people forgot God’s blessing and they thought that their success was owing to their own merits, and were satisfied with their own old traditions (Pharisaism) and the temple of Jerusalem. They refused to accept Jesus the Lord the Savior. Their catastrophe was spoken at the end of the parable.

According to the warning of Jesus in the parable, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman Army after 40years later in AD 70. Israel as the state was perished. The wealth accumulated was owned by the Roman Empire.

Jesus the Lord concluded the parable, saying, “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” (21)

This word may impress hard on us who live now. Are you deluded that our talents and property, which are given by God, are own and our lives are able to be controlled by ourselves? So, this parable is told to ourselves. There are some people in the world who think wealth is security for us in life. But the Bible teaches us that our lives and property are lent to us by God. The ownership of our lives and property belongs to God. What does “rich before God” mean? Is it we could go to heaven after we died? It is not wrong, but you should think more positively.

“Rich before God” is to invest our lives, time, talents and property for the kingdom of God. A rich fool accumulates wealth for himself, but we wise people use wealth for the kingdom of God. A rich fool invested all the property on the market on earth, but we are invited to invest our property on the good market of the kingdom of God.

Descendants of the first man Adam, who were ruled by sins, death and evils, were spiritually dead, and used to be rich fools. They could not understand the words of the cross and thought it was unnecessary for God’s salvation. But now we are different from them. Jesus Christ prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them,” and achieved once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Thus, we have been given the Holy Spirit, and made members of the kingdom of God. Paul the apostle says, “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)

We are now not rich fools but investors who live new lives. What is our life for?

We should build the kingdom of God on the earth. And we should tell the good news to our family, the office and the neighbors in the world and expand the kingdom of God--righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit. Concretely speaking, earn the money and offer to God, work honestly, and have compassion to the colleagues, love your family and be patient, and forgive them. It is important for you to save time for prayer for the kingdom of God. You can also invest your time for church, and volunteer works in your community. Paul the apostle says, “Whether you eat for drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Let’s pray. We give thanks to you, because you have taught us the way to be rich before God. We used to walk the way of the fool, but you have made us children of God. Please lead us to tell the good news to our family and neighbors so that we may develop the kingdom of God on the earth.

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)

Teaching on Prayer (Luke 10:38-42)

July 27, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’” (1)

Jesus taught his disciples Lord’s prayer which had been most valued in the history of Christianity. But we are apt to forget the grand vision of the kingdom of God and his intention put into the prayer. Today we are about to seek what meaning had it in the great turnabout of the history. And we are going to think about what linkage the change of the history has in our mission and hope.

The first point is that the prayer of the Lord is the prayer of the new age”.

“He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.’” (2) “Father” is the word a child uses to his favorite father.

Jesus taught the prayer to his disciples 2000 years ago, just before the great change of the history. The age of the Old Testament in which the temple of Jerusalem was the center was going to end. “Your kingdom come” does not mean just longing for abstract kingdom of God, but new kingdom of God in which Jesus Christ is the king be established on the earth. Namely, the dominion by Jesus Christ the Son of God—righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit—be established on the earth. The history testifies the accomplishment of the prayer. The temple of Jerusalem collapsed in 70 AD, and Israel came to the close. But the church of the body of Christ entered into the new age.

What does the historical fact tell us who live now? It tells us that “Your kingdom come” is not just a wish but the power to develop of the kingdom of God on the earth. So, we should receive the power and go forward to develop the kingdom of God on the earth, and give good influence on all the areas of society and culture. We Christians live in the history of the victory, not under the defeat. That is to say, “Your kingdom come” is not a negative prayer which means the kingdom of God comes at the end of the world.

The second point is that the prayer of the Lord is the daily prayer for the workers who develop the kingdom of God.

“Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” (3-4)

This prayer was also acute for the disciples. For Christian disciples were persecuted by some Jewish people, and isolated from old communities, and they were in trouble economically during the war caused by the Roman army.

Such acute situation may hold true for Christians who now live.

We are working for the mission of developing the kingdom of God on the earth. We need daily bread for energy of our work. We need forgiveness of sins and reconciliation based on Christianity. Without them, Christianity would collapse.

We could not achieve God’s glory if the Lord would not guard us from temptation.

Briefly speaking, this part of the prayer asks for the material which is vital for our healthy community and our continuous performance of our mission.

The third point is that the prayer of the Lord confirms our victory of the good news and we can pray for necessary material bravely.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (9, 13)

The disciples at the time 2000 years ago, needed to pray fiercely in order to overcome urgent crisis. And the final gift which was given to them was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was the driving force to change the history, and achieve the new age. The promise—righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit—is still alive. The Holy Spirit is given not only for individual encouragement and healing and mysterious experience but also gives to all the Christians wisdom and driving force to achieve the kingdom of God.

Let’s pray. Please lead us not feel up or down when we know the changing situations in the world, but firmly believe the Lord’s promise, and tell the kingdom of God to the people in the world. 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)

Only One Thing is Needed (Luke 10:38-42)

July 20, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.” (38) “Village is Bethany. It is located three kilometers far from Jerusalem. Martha had a sister named Mary. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus the Lord loved Martha and Mary, and Lazarus.

On this day “Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what Jesus said.” (39) “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’” (40)

Martha was dissatisfied with Mary who listened to Jesus, while she was busy for preparations. We understand Martha’s complaint. What mattered here was that Martha said to Jesus, not to Mary. But Jesus the Lord said to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (41-42)

What is “one thing?” It is listening to what Jesus said. It is important to serve to Jesus. But the most important thing is to listen to Jesus’ words.

Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mathew 4:4) God’s word is spiritual food needed for living in the kingdom of God.

We have to pay attention to Martha whom Jesus did not criticize at all. Because her motive to serve to Jesus was based upon her faith in Jesus. I think Jesus led Martha to remind her of importance of listening to the word of God. Mary had the time to listen to Jesus. Jesus taught Martha that it would not be taken away from her, because she would have time to serve Jesus in some time like Martha. According to the Gospel of John, “Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3) One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot criticized her action. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone, it was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” (John 12:7) Mary served wonderfully Jesus at the time.

Today’s text teaches us that we should serve Jesus with the hearts of both Martha and Mary.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that you taught us, “Only one thing is needed.” Please lead us to listen to Jesus like Mary, and willingly serve Jesus like Martha.

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

What is Written in the Law? (Luke 10:25-37)

July 13, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus, ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’” (25)

“‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’” (26)

An expert in the law, citing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:8, answered “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (27)

“‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’” (28)

“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” (29)

Jesus the Lord talked about the famous parable of the good Samaritan.

I would like to check the points of the parable.

Jerusalem is 762 meters above sea level, and Jericho is 244 meters below the sea level. The different height between the two is 1,006 meters. So, road from Jerusalem to Jericho is the long downslope.

The characters of the parable are a man assaulted by robbers, and robbers, and a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. And an innkeeper.

“Jesus said, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They skipped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, ad when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.’” (30-31) A priest, who belonged to the descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses, could not perform the duties in the temple without ceremony of cleansing, when he touched the blood. A Levite who worked in the temple was also afraid of touching blood and getting religiously dirty. In case they were made dirty religiously, they could not perform rite, and the people would be troubled. So, their attitude toward the man who fell into the hands of robbers had been partly reasonable.

A Samaritan came where the man was. The Samaritans lived in northern area of Israel. They were in conflict with the Jewish people. But when he saw the man, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he put him on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. (33-34)

Oil and wine were used as medicines. The author of the Gospel of Luke was a physician.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Jesus asked the expert of the law. (36) He replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” (37a) He did not say, “A Samaritan.” He did not want even to mention it.

“Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (37b)

Then, who was a Samaritan? He took pity on the man. Through the Greek text of the Gospel of Luke we could suppose who he was. The Samaritan stands for Jesus the Lord.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Jesus the Lord loves us sinners and is our neighbor.

Paul the apostle says, “The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Romans13:9)

Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.” This is not an ordinary moral. It means “we should become neighbors of sinners. We, as another Christ, should show God’s love to them. “Go and likewise” is told to you today.

Let’s pray. We are grateful that you have taught us the love of Jesus Christ.

Lead us to witness the good news to our family, friends, and neighbors, so that our work may develop the kingdom of God—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)

Rejoice that Your Names Are Written in Heaven (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20)

July 6, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” (1)

Jesus the Lord had already appointed twelve disciples. In addition, he appointed seventy-two. Jesus would think that the missionary activity in Samaria was well prepared.

Jesus told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (2)

This message means that those who proclaim the good news are few, so ask the Lord to send out more people in order to prevail the good news.

The Lord said, “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” (3)

Jesus the Lord taught that travel for prevailing the kingdom of God was followed by physical and spiritual risks, and caution was necessary. But it was unnecessary for the disciples to be afraid, because it was Jesus Christ the Son of God who sent them out.

Jesus said, “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.” (4)

He meant that telling the message of the good news was the objective of sending disciples out, so he instructed them not to talk about useless things with the people.

He continued to say, “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’” (5)

“If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.” (6)

“A man of peace” means a man who is kind to the disciples and does not malicious things to them. In another place Jesus said, “Whoever is not against you is for you.” (9:50)

Jesus said, “Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.” (7)

This instruction was encouragement to the disciples so that they might be brave, because telling the good news guaranteed success.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into the streets and say, ‘Even dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’” (10-11)

“He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (16)

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” (17)

When the disciples proclaimed the kingdom of God to the people, they were freed from the rule of various evil spirits.

Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.” (18)

“Heaven” stands for not only supreme heaven where God is but also the authority or government in the world according to the usage of the Old Testament.

Satan is the head of evil spirits. According to the original Greek text, Jesus repeatedly saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. It meant that the kingdom of Satan began to collapse by the missionary activity of the disciples against demons.

Human beings had been ruled by sins, death and Satan since the fall of Adam, but the rule of Satan began to be shaken by the appearance of Jesus Christ the Son of God. At the end of the journey Jesus the Lord died on the cross, buried, and raised on the third day. By this Satan was going to be decisively defeated. It is safe to say that the New Testament of the Bible tells us about the victory of Christ and the defeat of Satan.

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you.” (19)

This message tells us that the disciples who proclaim the kingdom of God have no enemies.

The authority to overcome the enemy is given to us Christians who live now.

“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (20)

“Names are written in heaven” is the basis of the victory over the enemy.

“God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4) We rejoice the grace that God chose us unilaterally. So, however we may temporarily experience failure in temptation, we will be filled with joy, when we are patient and stand firm to the end.

Let’s pray. We are grateful that our names are written in heaven before the foundation of the world. So, we will proclaim the kingdom of God with thanks and trust to you. We pray that all the areas of the world be filled with righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit through our work.

We pray with thanks and petition in the name of Jesus Christ of the cross and resurrection. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

How Much Jesus Had Done for Him (Luke 8:26-39)

June 22, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus the Lord traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Today’s text deals with one incident during his travel.

“They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.” (26) “The region of the Gerasenes” was said that it was the region where gentiles lived.

“When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.” (27)

“When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!’ For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.” (28-29)

At this point twelve disciples of Jesus had not understood who was Jesus. But the evil spirit knew that Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus Christ the Son of God wanted to save the man possessed with the evil spirit.

“Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’” The evil spirit who ruled the man replied, “Legion.” Legion is the big corps consisting of 6000 soldiers in the Roman Empire. The reply showed that many demons had gone into the man. (30)

“They begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.” (31) Demons were most afraid of Abyss.

“A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.” (33) The pig was considered religiously unclean by the law. (Leviticus 14:8) The demons begged the place worthy of them.

“When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.” (34-37)

Though they should have been joyful to see the man cured by Jesus, they were overcome with fear. So, they asked Jesus to leave them. Jesus said in another place, “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John3:19)

We Christians who live today used to be ruled by sins, death and demons. We were spiritually dead and had led selfish lives. But now we are saved by the faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved from the negative rule of darkness. Paul the apostle says to us, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)

Then, how should we live as children of light? We can see one example of such life in today’s text. “The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with Jesus. But Jesus sent him away, saying ‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’” (38-39a) The man was changed into one of the children of light. “This message was “You are one of my witnesses. So, you should tell the grace you have got to your family and neighbors.” “So, the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.” (39b)

Let’s pray. We are grateful that Jesus Christ the Son of God saved the man who was possessed with Legion, and the Lord achieved his work of salvation through the cross and resurrection. We will tell the good news to our family, neighbors and the people in the world. Please let the people seek the kingdom of God, and walk as children of light.

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 Spirit of Truth Will Guide You into All Truth (John 16:12-15)

June 15, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus said, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.” (12)

Jesus the Lord taught many things to his disciples before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, but they did not understand them.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. “The Spirit of truth” is the Holy Spirit, which is trinity God. Jesus made it clear that the Holy Spirit came from God the Father.

God the Father and the Son of God sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples as it was promised at Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection.

Today we have to understand the Holy Spirit well. If we maintain that anything is owing to the Holy Spirt, division not conformity happens among us. It is necessary for us to understand the Holy Spirit in terms of the Bible, because “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness.” (2 timothy 3:16a)

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

This means that the work of the Holy Spirit establishes the dominion by Jesus Christ and maintains forever all what the Father gave to the Son. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth which gives the glory to Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Jesus Christ’s mission is to give glory to God the Father. And Jesus the Lord devoted his life to the crucifixion for our sins. The Holy Spirit, following God the Father and the Son of God, maintains to give glory to the Lord as the Spirit of truth.

Jesus the Lord said, “All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” (15)

The verses of 14 and 15 of the Gospel of John is the most important part in the Bible in terms of the trinity. The Holy Spirit works within the people who are destined to be saved, and Jesus Christ is revealed to them. Paul the apostle called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Christ or the Spirit of his Son. (Romans 8:9, Galatians 4:6)

The Spirit of Christ is given to us who live now. It lives within us.

Let’s pray. God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) The love of God drives us to deliver the good news to our family and neighbors.

We pray that God’s blessing be given to those who work for the development of the kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit 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)

The Spirit of Truth (John 14:8-17)

June 8, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus Christ made farewell sermon about the kingdom of God. He said in the sermon, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (6-7)

“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’” (8)

“Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (9)

Jesus the Lord lived with his disciples more than three years, and he showed them the Father through many miracles. So, Jesus said, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (10)

“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” (11)

“I tell you the truth, anyone wo has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (12)

This word tells us that those who believe in Jesus Christ will expand his dominion in all the areas of the world. He said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (13-14)

As the matter of fact, the Lord said to his disciples, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Mathew 6:33)

Jesus the Lord said to his disciples, ‘If you love me, you will obey what I command.’” (15)

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (13:34) Paul the apostle says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

But we sinners, the descendants of Adam, are controlled by sins, death and the Satan. We “were dead in our transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) So, Jesus the Lord said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (16-18)

“The Spirit of truth” is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is Counselor.

The Holy Spirit came to those who believed the Lord on Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection of the Lord. Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes down to those who are saved by the faith in the Lord. The Holy Spirit also comes down to you Christians who live today. The Son of God is now with God the Father in heaven, but the Lord lives in you through the Holy Spirit. Paul the apostle clearly declares, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Let’s pray. We are grateful that we were included in Christ when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and having believed, we were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. We will send the good news to our family, neighbors and the people in the world, as Jesus’ disciples delivered the message to the people in the world on the morning of Pentecost. Please lead us to expand the kingdom of God-righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit all over the world.

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)

I Am Going to Send You What My Father Has Promised (Luke 24:44-53)

June 1, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’” (44)

This message means that the Old Testament testifies Jesus Christ the Son of God. Jesus said in another place, “These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” (John 5:39b)

“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” (45)

“The mind” means rational mind. Briefly speaking, the Lord gave his disciples the rational mind so that they might understand the Scriptures.

Why was it necessary for them to have rational minds? Because it is impossible to understand the content of the Scriptures without rational mind.

“While the disciples were talking about Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’” (36-39)

“When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” (40-43)

Then, Jesus said to his disciples who restored rational minds, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (46-49)

While Jesus the Lord was on earth, he himself led his disciples as their helper. They were promised that the helper on behalf of Jesus the Lord was going to be sent to them.

The writer of the Gospel of Luke tells us about the last scene of his life on earth.

“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taking up into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (50-53)

Let’s pray. We are thankful that Jesus the Lord delivered us from sin, death, evil and any unhappiness; and received suffering, achieved redemption once for all on the cross, and was raised on the third day, and returned to the heaven. We will never forget that we have Christ in us and will witness Christ in us to the world. We pray that your name be hallowed on earth as it is in heaven. Please protect us from the Satan and evil spirit, 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 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)

They will know We are Christians by our Love (John 13:31-35)

May 18, 2025 | Fifth Sunday of Easter

ELCA J3 Missionarius Ms. Vola Ranaivoson

Missionary of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Creator, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Helper.

In today's Gospel reading, we return to the Last Supper, just before Jesus was arrested and crucified. It may feel strange, since Easter has already passed. But this passage helps us reflect on what Jesus wanted His disciples to carry in their hearts after the resurrection—and what that means for us today. After Easter, we ask: How do we live now that Christ is risen? What does it mean to follow a risen Savior?

A Shocking Act of Love

In the verses just before our reading, Jesus does something surprising: He washes His disciples’ feet. In Jesus’ time, people wore sandals and walked on dusty roads. Their feet were dirty. When someone entered a house, a servant would wash their feet—but always the lowest-ranking servant.

So it was shocking when Jesus, their Rabbi and Lord, knelt down to wash their feet—even Judas’s feet. This was more than kindness. It was a radical act of humble, self-giving love.

Jesus was saying:

"If you want to follow me, this is how you live. You serve. You humble yourself. You love even when it costs you something."

This act points forward to the cross. Just as foot washing was a lowly act, so too was crucifixion. Jesus was not grasping for power—He was pouring Himself out. He was preparing to give everything.

“Now the Son of Man is Glorified”

When Judas leaves to betray Him, Jesus says,

“Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him.”

The world sees crucifixion as defeat, but Jesus calls it glory. Why? Because glory, in the kingdom of God, doesn’t look like crowns and armies. It looks like love poured out. The cross is where God's heart is fully revealed.

“Where I Am Going, You Cannot Come”

Then Jesus says something puzzling: “Where I am going, you cannot come.” He is referring to the cross, and His death. Jesus knows that He must walk this road alone. The disciples aren’t ready—not spiritually, not emotionally. They still don’t fully understand the kind of Messiah He is.

Later, Jesus will tell Peter,

“You will follow later.”

And that’s true: One day, Peter will give his life for Jesus. But not yet. Jesus must first go to the cross alone to defeat sin and death on behalf of all humanity.

So when Jesus says, “You cannot come,” it’s not rejection—it’s preparation. He’s preparing them to follow in His footsteps, but only after the cross and resurrection have done their work in them.

A New Commandment

And then Jesus gives a simple but world-changing command:

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

This is not a new idea in terms of loving others—but what’s new is the standard:

“As I have loved you.”

That means foot-washing love. Cross-bearing love. Forgiving love. Love that kneels. Love that listens. Love that gives without demanding. That’s the kind of love that reveals the heart of God.

After Easter: What Now?

Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. We live on the other side of the resurrection. Jesus is alive—but now He calls us to live as His body in the world.

We are the ones through whom people will see Him. That is both a gift and a challenge. The world isn’t looking for perfect Christians; it is looking for foot-washing love.

They will know we are Jesus’ disciples not by our knowledge, buildings, or programs—but by how we treat each other.

“Do they love?” That’s the question the world will ask about us.

Living the Message

So what does it mean to be a resurrection people?

• It means living with hope even when life is hard.

• It means acting with love, especially when it costs us something.

• It means remembering that Jesus has gone ahead of us—but He has not left us alone.

He gives us His Spirit to teach us, guide us, and empower us to live lives shaped by the cross and filled with resurrection hope.

Let us love with foot-washing love.

Let us love with cross-shaped love.

Let us love with resurrection hope.

Amen.

I Give Them Eternal Life (John 10:22-30)

May 11, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

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

“At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.” (22-23)

“Festival of Dedication” is an annual festival of the Jews held throughout the country for eight days, celebrating the restoration of the temple following its desecration at the hands of the Syrians under Antiochus Epiphanes. The feast came on the 25th of December.

“So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’” (24)

They wanted to know whether Jesus was the military leader who would emancipate Jews from the rule of the Roman Empire or not.

“Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.’” (25-26)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus often declares “I AM” to his disciples. God of Israel revealed himself as “I AM” to Moses. (Cf. Exodus 3:13-14 Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”)

Jesus the Lord alone could declare this name ““I AM.” At the time the leaders of Israel forbade the people to call for the name of the Lord. So, the custom of calling the name of God disappeared in Israel at the time.

Jesus the Lord restored to declare “I AM.” Furthermore, he used it seven times in his message in the Gospel of John.

“I am the bread of life.” (6:35)

“I am the light of the world.” (8:12)

“I am the gate for the sheep.” (10:7)

“I am the good shepherd.” (10:11)

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (11:25)

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

“I am the true vine.” (15:1)

These declarations testify that God sent the Son of God to the world.

As the matter of fact, seven miracles are described as signs.

Jesus changed water into wine in a wedding in Cana of Galilee. (2:1-11)

Jesus healed the son of a royal official at the point of death. (4:46-54)

Jesus healed one man who had been ill for thirty-eight years near the pool called Beth-zatha. (51-18)

Jesus provided foods to five thousand men in all near the Sea of Galilee. (6:1-15)

Jesus was walking on the Sea of Galilee in a strong wind. (6:16-21)

Jesus opened the eyes of the man blind from birth in Jerusalem. (9:1-12)

Jesus raised the dead Lazarus who was buried at the tomb. (11:1-46)

These seven signs testified that Jesus the Son of God was sent by his Father.

When people asked Jesus, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (6:29)

“Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.’” (26-28)

Jesus calls the people who belong to God “my sheep.” They believe in Jesus the Lord, because Jesus Christ the Son of God is their “bread of life,” “the light of the world,” “the gate of sheep,” and “good shepherd.” And he is their “resurrection and life,” and “the true vine.”

“What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (29-30)

We understand that Jesus’ sheep is also in the hand of God the Father.

We understand that the Son of God and the Father is closely connected with unremovable agape (God’s love)

You know the trinity: There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Let’s pray. We are grateful that God the Father gave us His only Son through the crucifixion and the resurrection. We, children of God, will love one another, and serve to God with gratitude, and with reverence and awe. Please achieve the kingdom of God through our words, missionary activity and education.

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)

Come and Have Breakfast (John 21:1-19)

April 27, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.” (1-2)

The Lord after resurrection appeared before his disciples the second time.

“‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” (3)

It was unusual that they caught nothing, though they worked through the night. But Simon Peter had the same experience the second time.

When Jesus once talked to the crowd on the boat, Simon and other fishermen were washing their nets. After Jesus finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and had not caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets. When they had done so, they caught such a number of fish that their nets began to break.” (Luke 5:4-6) When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)

Well, “Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (4-6)

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.” (7-8)

“When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty- three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn.” (9-11)

There are several explanations concerning what “a hundred fifty- three” stands for. Jesus the Lord once said to Peter, “you will be catching people.” So, this number seems to tell that Peter’s missionary activity never fails to succeed.

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord.” (12)

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’” (15)

Jesus the Lord used “άγαπας” (God’s love). Peter used “ϕιשג” (brotherly love).

“Feed my lambs” means “Take care of Christians.”

“A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Dimon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (16-17)

Concerning third time, Jesus the Lord used “ϕιשג” (brotherly love), not “άγαπας” (God’s love). Peter felt hurt at the time. Peter loved Jesus the Lord only with brotherly love. Paul the apostle says, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5b) Exactly speaking, Peter had not yet had God’s love. Paul and the other disciples had not been given the Holy Spirit until Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection.

Peter once betrayed Jesus the Lord three times. Peter was not qualified to be called the apostle. So, Peter humbly used brotherly love to the Lord.

So, Jesus the Lord wanted him to become the apostle who led the people in the world. As the matter of fact, Jesus used, three times, “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” “Feed my sheep.” Jesus the Lord again told Peter so that he should become the apostle who leads the Christians.

“Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you washed. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (18) The writer of the Gospel of John testified that Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.

“After this Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.” (19b)

Peter and the other disciples received power when the Holy Spirit has come upon them. And they became witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. They did not cling to life even in the face of death. (Cf. Acts 1:8, Revelations 12:11)

Let’s pray.

Although we have not seen Jesus, we love him; and even though we do not see him now, we believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for we are receiving the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls. (Cf. 1 Peter 2:8)

We are going to tell this wonderful good news to our family, neighbors, and all the people in the world. Please achieve the kingdom of God--righteousness, peace, and joy given by the Holy Spirit.

We pray with this 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)

Peace Be with You (John 20:19-31)

April 27, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” (19)

“Peace be with you” is “Shalom” in Hebrew. On that day the disciples were overcome with fear of the Jews by whom they also might be killed. Most of the disciples had not yet believed the incident of resurrection of Jesus from the bottom of their heart. But Jesus the Lord loved the disciples and “showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” (20)

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’” (21) “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (22) “Receive the Holy Spirit” was the first order of the Lord to his disciples.

“Breathed on them” reminds us of the Genesis 2:7 “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.”

“If you forgive the sins of any, the are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (23) The authority to forgive sins of any was given to Jesus’ disciples.

“Thomas who was called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hands in his side, I will not believe.’” (24)

Thomas the apostle was a brave man. (Cf. John 11:16 “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”)

“A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hands and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (26-28)

Thomas confessed his faith in the Lord. This confession is not only Thomas’ one but also must be our Christians’. We cannot see Jesus after the resurrection. So, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” is the message to us, too.

You might have fear, anticipation, doubt or indecision in your life. But there is no problem. “He chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Ephesians 1:4) Jesus the Lord loved us and died on the cross to save us from sin, death and the Satan. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Let’s pray. Jesus after the resurrection breathed on the disciples and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” They became children of God on Pentecost receiving the Holy Spirit. We who live today are able to enter into the kingdom of heaven, whenever we may be called.

We are going to tell the world about Jesus the Lord of crucifixion and resurrection. Please guide us to tell the good news to our family, neighbors and the people in the world so that they may be led to repent of their sin and be saved.

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)

He Has Risen (Luke 24:1-12)

April 20, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.” (1)

“The women” were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the others. The body of Jesus was wrapped in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock.

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (2-3)

Luke, the writer of the Gospel described “the Lord Jesus,” not “Jesus.” He wanted to write that the Lord Jesus could never be ruled by the power of death. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Mark 12:29) Luke intended to write that Jesus was God of Israel through the sentence “they did not fine the body of the Lord Jesus.”

“While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” (4-7)

“Then they remembered his words.” (8) They firmly believed that the Lord Jesus was raised from death.

“When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like non-sense.” (9-11)

“Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” (12)

Why did Peter take the action? The reason why he did so is described in the Gospel of Luke 22:31-32. “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Jesus the Son of God prayed for Peter that he might not fail in his faith. So, it was impossible that he might lose his faith because of Jesus’ love and encouragement.

Peter remembered the words of Jesus the Lord, just like the women of Galilee who remembered the words of the Lord through the words of two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning. Peter firmly believed that Jesus had risen. And Peter, receiving the Holy Spirit, became the witness of Christ’ crucifixion and resurrection.

Let’s pray. Jesus the Lord got over the death and raised this day two thousand years ago. We are grateful that we are able to celebrate Easter today.

We Christians are able to get over the negative power of sin, death and the Satan, because Jesus the Lord is with us.

We are going to tell the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of God to family, neighbors and the people in the world. Please achieve the kingdom of God—righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit—through our mission and education.

We pray with thanks and petition in the name of Jesus Christ of crucifixion and resurrection. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

Father (Luke 22:1-23:56)

April 13, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus the Lord went to the Mount of Olives prayed the night before his crucifixion, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (22:42)

He also prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (23:34)

And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (23:46)

Jesus the Lord called God the Father as “my Father,” “Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” or “Father in heaven.”

In the Old Testament, there are just a few times in Deuteronomy and Psalm, when God the Lord is called “Father.”

So, it is known as special that Jesus the Lord called God “Father.” In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus called God “Father” seventeen times in the “Sermon on the Mountainside.”

Jesus the Lord died on the cross. One of the reasons why Jesus was crucified was that Jesus called God “Father.” Jesus said the Jews, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” (John 5:17-18)

Jesus called God “Father.” It is presupposed that Jesus is the Son of God. God the Father and the Son of God is interdependent. God the Father and the Son of God are closely related. The both are immovably tied with love before and after Jesus the Savior came to the world.

When Jesus was twelve years old, his parents Joseph and Mary went up to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover with him according to the custom. After the Feast was over, the parents were returning home. But Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents were unaware of him, and they looked for him. They went back to Jerusalem, and found him in the temple courts. At the time Jesus said to his parents, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” We know that Jesus the Son of God was always obedient to God the Father since Jesus’ childhood. His life had been closely connected with the love of God the Father before his public life.

Do you remember what happened, when he was baptized by John the Baptist and he was just going to begin his preaching activity?

“As he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (3:21-22)

Just after that the Satan repeatedly tried to break the relationship between God the Father and the Son. But Jesus had never succumbed to the temptation of the Satan. Jesus overcame the Satan with God’s words.

Jesus the Lord died on the cross to save us from sins, death and the Satan at the end of his public life. On the cross he repeatedly called God “Father.” His call “Father” to God expressed his wholly obedience to God.

Jesus said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (23:34) He prayed for intercession for the people. (Cf. Isaiah 53:12, “He bored the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.)

Jesus loved God the Father, and he died on the cross in substitute for our sins. He revealed the love of God on the cross. (Cf. Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”)

Jesus’ last cry on the cross was “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Jesus showed his perfect reliance and obedience to God the Father to the moment of breathing his last.

Let’s pray. We are grateful that Jesus the Son of God made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross, and set us free from negative darkness. We are children of God who are permitted to call God “Abba, Father.”

We seek first the kingdom of God. Please lead us to work for the kingdom of God through mission and education.

We pray with thanks and petition in the name of Jesus Christ of the cross and resurrection. Amen.

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

(Translated by Toshiyuki Masujima)

For the Day of My Burial (John 12:1-8)

April 6, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” (1)

Six days before Jesus achieved the work of salvation on the cross, Jesus returned to Bethany again. In Bethany, Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, and Martha and Mary lived. Bethany is three kilometers to the east from Jerusalem. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. This dinner might be held to express thanks of Lazarus’ revival. Martha was busy for the preparation of dinner.

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, and expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (3)

Nard is the rose-red, fragrant ointment made from the dried roots and wooly stems of the spikenard plant was a favorite perfume of the ancients. It was imported from the northern India. “While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.” (Song of Songs 1:12) Mary played the role of inviting Jesus to the seat of the king in the kingdom of God. The incident that the house of Bethany was filled with the scent of nard tells us the coming of the kingdom of God.

We Christians who live now used to be spiritually dead persons who give off the stench of dead persons. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” (2 Corinthians 2:14) We should not receive God’s grace in vain.

“But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” (4-5)

“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.” (6)

Mary made costly offering unsparingly. She lived a child of the light. But Judas stole the money, though he kept the common purse for the Lord and the disciples. He was in the darkness.

John the apostle says, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” (1 John 2:9) Judas loved the darkness more than the light, though the true light (Jesus) came to the world.

“‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.’” (7-8)

There are the poor in any time. The disciples are able to take care of the poor at any time. But the time while Jesus was on earth was limited. Jesus was going to achieve his redemption on the cross after six days and come to the God the Father in heaven. So, Mary’s pouring nard on Jesus’ feet was made at the best time.

Let’s pray. We knew that a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor six days before his crucifixion. Mary poured nard on his feet. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Our salvation was achieved by Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Please guide us to seek the kingdom of God and the 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)

We Celebrate and are Glad Because He is Alive Again (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)

March 30, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ Then Jesus told them this parable.” (1-3)

Jesus spoke about the parable in order to respond to the muttering of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.

“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.” (11-12)

According to the law at the time, the oldest son got two thirds, and the second son got one third, when there were two sons.

The request of the younger brother of the parable seemed to be rough, when his father was still alive. But his father accepted his request.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. (13) He lived in a gentile country, because the pigs were raised. In Israel the pigs were regarded religiously unclean, so the pigs were never raised there.

“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.” (14)

“So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.” (15)

“He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” (16)

He was driven to despair. He set out to a far country to enjoy his life, but he could no longer acquire anything. He was put in the most miserable situation, and he came to his senses. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!’” (17)

“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’” (18-19)

“He came to his senses” means that he thoroughly recognized his own selfishness and his miserable situation. We know God’s love more deeply, when we recognize our own selfishness more seriously. You who are at a service today also must have had experience that you came to senses, and recognized God’s love.

The viewpoint of the story of the prodigal son changes from the lost son to his father.

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (20) This verse tells us that how deeply old father was glad at his son’s coming home.

The parable of the prodigal son teaches us God’s compassion and grace. We really understand God’s love, not knowing its words and concept, through the story.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” (21)

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (22-24)

I would like to repeat that the coming home of the prodigal son shows God’s love to us sinners. God receives sinners as they are when they repent of sins and come back to the Lord.

Two thousand years ago, the Son of God incarnated as a man and came to sinners in the world. He suffered and died on the cross because of his love to us sinners.

We were dead in our transgressions and sins. (Cf. Ephesians 2:1 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.”) Though our hearts palpitate, according to God’s criterion, we human beings are spiritually dead because of our sins.

As the matter of fact, we Christians used to be prodigal sons and daughters. We were newly born because of the faith of Jesus Christ.

I think you understand well that “prodigal son” was tax collectors and sinners whom the Pharisees and the teachers of the law despised. Coming home of a sinner is as joyful as celebration party for him is held in heaven. “I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (15:10)

But there was the older son who was not glad at the prodigal son’s coming home.

The father said, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” (31)

“The older son” means “the Pharisees and the teachers of the law.” The attitude of the older son against his younger brother was the same as the attitude of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law against the tax collectors and sinners.

The father lastly said to the older son, “We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (32)

The response of the older son to his father was not described at all. The reason why it was not described was, I think, that Jesus waited with perseverance for their repentance and believing in Jesus Christ.

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.” (28) The older son and the younger son were loved by their father. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were loved by God the Father as well as the tax collectors and sinners were loved.

You who are hearing God’s words today are also loved by God.

Let’s pray. We are grateful that you taught us about God’s love, and the importance of our repentance and coming back to the Lord. Please fill us with the faith and the Holy Spirit, and lead us to preach the good news to family, neighbors and the people in the world so that they may be saved by the faith in Jesus Christ.

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)

This is My Son, Whom I Have Chosen; Listen to Him (Luke 9:28-36)

March 2, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus the Lord asked his disciples, “What do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” (20) Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (21-22)

“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” “Two or three” is necessary for the testimony. (Cf. Deuteronomy 19:15 “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.) Jesus prepared for the testimony of the incident in his disciples’ coming missionary activity in the world. They went up on a mountain. The text does not say clearly which mountain is. It may be Mount Hermon near Caesarea Philippi, according to the other text of Gospel of Mark 8:27.

“As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” (29) What does this transfiguration mean?

Jesus the Lord declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) And he said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46) Jesus the Lord alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. (1Timothy 6:16)

The transfiguration shows that Jesus the Lord is the saint of God, and the Son of God.

And it is the incident which testify the truth.

“Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem.” (30-31)

Moses represents the law, and Elijah stands for the prophets. What is “his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem?”

Jesus the Lord came to fulfil the Law and the Prophets, and to rescue us from the dominion of darkness and to bring us into the kingdom of the Son whom God loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Mathew 5:17, Colossians 1:13) The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. (1 John 3:8) Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)

“Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.” (32)

Peter and his companions could not understand the transfiguration rightly until Pentecost after Jesus Christ died and was raised.

“As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (He did not know what he was saying.)” (33)

There was the wrong idea in Peter’s word that he treated Elijah and Moses with godlike reverence. Surely, “no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” (Deuteronomy 34:10) And Elijah was also great leader. Deuteronomy 34:11 describes “As Elijah and Elisha were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and hoses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” Though the two were great leaders, they were not God.

“While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.” (34)

“A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’” (35)

Peter testified in his second letter, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” (2 Peter 1:16b-18)

“When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that rime what they had seen.” (36)

“Jesus was alone.” The substantial meaning of the transfiguration is “Jesus alone.”

The Bible says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:3a) “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2) “He entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12) Jesus the Lord says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believes in me, even though they die, will live.” (John 11:25)

Let’s pray. We learnt the transfiguration and the voice of God the Father “This is my Son whom I have chosen.” We believe “He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.” We will tell the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Lord of cross and resurrection to our family, neighbors. Please lead us to seek righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit. We pray with the 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)

I Tell You Who Hear Me (Luke 6:27-38)

February 23, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Today’s text is very famous. “I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (27-28) “Enemies” here mean those who are referred to the verses 22 and 26. The verse 22 is “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.” Namely those who hate, exclude, insult you are enemies. The verse 26 is “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.” Namely those who praise false prophets and such false prophets are enemies.

Jesus the Lord is the very man who loves sinners and is kind to them. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Colossians 1:21-22) The death of the Lord is the essence of God’s love. Paul tells, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

So, we who are saved by the faith in Jesus Christ ought to love enemies and be kind to them. When people in the world see your good deeds, they will praise your Father in heaven.

Jesus says, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (28) Briefly speaking, Jesus the Lord himself practiced the word. Jesus the Lord prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

So, we the disciples of Jesus ought to bless those who curse you and mistreat you.

Jesus the Lord tells us, “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him for taking your tunic.” (29)

This word does not recommend your nonresistance nor nondefense. When Jesus the Lord was arrested, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus said, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Ask those who heard me. Surely, they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. (John 18:20-22) At this time Jesus did not turn to him the other cheek. Jesus said, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” (John 18:23) Jesus did not let the matter without protest. So, it is clear that he did not recommend nonresistance nor nondefense. Then, what did he teach to his disciples? Jesus said, “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” (30) Why must his disciples give what they have to those who ask them?

We have to read the Bible in harmony with the context of the whole message of the Bible.

According to Isaiah, “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.” (Isaiah 50:6-7)

Briefly speaking, those who rely on the Lord are protected from men who despise them. As the matter of fact, Jesus the Lord was protected by the Holy Spirit until he achieved his atonement on the cross. Isaiah’s word of Isaiah 50:9 (“It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.”) is surely true. Those who rely on the Lord are protected. So, they have nothing to worry about.

Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (31)

What do you, as a Christian, want others to do for you? It is the salvation of people who hear the word of Christ through your effort and accept it. So, you ought to take courage to send the message of Christ’s word to the people in the world.

Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.” (32-34)

If those who are the disciples of Jesus do the same thing as sinners, they will be never respected.

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” (35)

But what will those, who continue to live like Jesus the Lord, become?

“We who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) Thus, “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

Therefore, Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (36) He taught “to live is Christ” to his disciples (Philippians 1:21)

Furthermore, Jesus the Lord talked about judging others. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (37) Jesus the Lord did not say, “Do not judge in whatever situations. Jesus says, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” (John 7:24) Jesus taught his disciples that they should make a right judgment.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (38) He teaches us that when we children of God give to others, we will be given richly.

Lastly, we are commanded not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1Timothy 6:17)

Let’s pray. We are thankful that the Lord always leads us by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please guide us so that we may follow you bravely. 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 Kingdom of God is Yours (Luke 6:17-26)

February 16, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“Jesus went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. (17-19)

The writer of the Gospel of Luke referred to four blessings and four woes.

“Looking at his disciples, he said, ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.’” (20)

Poor people are those who have no wealth, reputation, position nor honor. According to the usage in the Bible, poor people have nothing except God to rely on, and are humble. So, they are able to live now under the dominion of Jesus Christ.

“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” (21)

Jesus the Lord teaches us the promise in relation to the word “The kingdom of God is yours.” When his disciples seek first of all the kingdom of God and righteousness of God, not only their hunger and sorrow but also spiritual hunger and sorrow are healed.

These are second and third blessings.

“Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.” (22)

What will become of the disciples of Jesus Christ, when they work in earnest for the kingdom of God in this world? They will face various difficulties in the process of development of the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ himself who talked about this message was persecuted by the leaders of the people, and crucified on the cross, though his death was intended to achieve atonement for men’s sins. His disciples at the beginning of their activity faced many difficulties, as their influence on the society was very small.

As the matter of fact, it is said that the twelve and Paul except the apostle John were martyred. The apostle John himself was banished to the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus in his later years. (Revelation 1:9)

The same thing is true of Japan where very few Christians live now. Those Christians have hard experience in family, school, office, and community, when they live in earnest. But Jesus the Lord said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Paul says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) This is fourth blessing.

Jesus said, “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.” (23)

Jesus the Lord taught us about four woes as well as four blessings.

Jesus the Lord said, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” (24)

Jesus the Lord said, “Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.” (25-26)

Why are people who are rich, well fed, and laugh woeful? Let me say that comfort, satisfaction and pleasantness given by material prosperity or wealth is not sinful. It is not so much as woe as blessing. Then, why are they unhappy and woeful? Jesus continued to say, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.” (26) This is the fourth woe.

When people speak well of you in spite of blessing given by God, you are apt to misunderstand that your success is owing to your own merits. Surely your own effort is important, but you are liable to forget grace given by God. Such situation is miserable and woeful from the point of God.

Who causes disillusion in people’s heart? Jesus said, “their fathers treated false prophets.” False prophets are those people who are not entrusted with God’s words or do not make the truth clear. “False prophets are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.” (1 John 4:5) So, if people who keep themselves apart from the Lord live based on human judgment, they will become miserable. Therefore, Jesus advises us not to do so.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that the Lord commanded us to fear the Lord our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now the case. (Deuteronomy 6:24) Please let us remember that we are blessed when people in the world criticize us because of our faith. Please lead us to courageously work for the kingdom 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)

From Now on You Will Catch Men (Luke 5:1-11)

February 9, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. (1-2)

“He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (3)

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.’” (4)

What he spoke to the people on that day was not described at all. But “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

“Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’” (5)

It was a surprising event unheard of before that Peter and other fishermen did not catch anything. They must have been dead tired physically and spiritually. They were professional fishermen, but Jesus was a carpenter, though he was an admirable teacher. So, Peter would not have followed Jesus, but Peter obeyed his advice. Peter heard the word of God on that day nearer him than anyone else. Peter’s faith began within his heart through hearing the word of God. So, Peter said, “you say so, I will let down the nets.”

“When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled them, and they began to sink. (6-7)

Peter and the other fishermen were surprised at the miraculous event. Simon Peter who experienced the miracle confessed his faith and fell at Jesus’ knees, saying “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” (8)

Peter did not say “Master” any more. He said, “Lord,” and he confessed his faith. He said, “Go away from me.” He awed and feared Jesus. He recognized that Jesus was God of Israel.

He and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” (10)

James and John, the sons of Zebedee also began their faith within their hearts through the word of God. They were later among the twelve apostles of Christ.

“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (11)

Simon Peter and the other fishermen in Galilee began their new lives, hearing Jesus Christ’s word. I think that you also must have experienced the moment when your lives changed completely. Today’s text tells us that the best experience is to trust Jesus and live our lives with him.

Simon Peter who had met Jesus the Lord made often mistakes after he became Jesus’ disciple. But Jesus loved him to the end. After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, Peter received power when the Holy Spirit came on him, and he witnessed in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Cf. Acts 1:8)

According to the oral tradition in church, he preached Jesus the Lord in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire in spite of persecution and terror of death. Through his work many Gentiles also became Christians. He was faithful even to the point of death, and suffered martyrdom in Rome, and was given the crown of life.

Let’s pray. The Lord also ordered us, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets.”

We are thankful that we have many people for us to preach them in family, office, and school. Please let us tell the kingdom of God to them.

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)

Today This Scripture is Fulfilled in Your Hearing (Luke 4:14-21)

January 26, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

Jesus came to the world to die for the redemption of the sins of human beings. But the prophecy of Isaiah 1:3 was fulfilled. It says, “The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manager, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Israel the people of God except shepherds did not realize the Messiah who was lying in a manger.

After thirty years since the first Christmas, Herod the Great, who gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, died. Pontus Pilate was governor and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee. The word of God came to John, son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of Israel suffered from tyrannical rule of the Roman Empire and Herod. So, they eagerly waited for the Messiah. “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.” (15) But John testified the Son of God, saying, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (16)

John the Baptist was “he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.” (1:15-16)

Jesus the Lord said later, “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. (16:16) He also said, “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” (7:28a) John the Baptist was the greatest prophet in the age of the Old Testament.

John the Baptist said, “His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (17)

John testified that he was nothing before Jesus Christ. And he baptized with water but the Christ will baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and fire. “Fire” means judgment. John the Baptist’s message meant that those who are destined to be saved are baptized with the Holy Spirit, but those who are going to perish are given judgment.

There was an ambiguous situation before Christ where wheat and chaff were not sorted. But since Christ came to the world, the essence of the matter was made clear.

Jesus the Lord said to his disciples, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.” (21) Jesus the Lord is sinless at all. So, there is no need of being baptized. But he stood on the same place where sinful human beings were placed so that they might die through baptism with Christ and they might live a new life. Paul says, “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” So, Jesus the Lord wanted to be baptized.

What matters is “As he was praying, heaven was opened—the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’” (21b-22) “The Word (Christ) became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14) Jesus the Lord is the true God, and the true man. This does not mean that he is 50 % God and 50% man. Jesus Christ is 100 % is God and 100 % is man.

Jesus the Lord prayed for his own before he began his difficult challenge. (Cf. Colossians 1:13 “God the Father has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”)

The voice of the Father showed that the Son of God was recognized as the Messiah and he just entered into public activity of preaching. (Cf. Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.”)

Let’s pray. We are thankful that we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God and become members of the kingdom of God. Please fill us with the Holy Spirit and the faith so that we may seek first of all the kingdom of God and righteousness of God. Please guide us to lead our neighbors so that they may believe in the good news through our missionary activity and education.

We pray with thanks and petition in the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Amen.

Jesus Christ the Son of God was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He conquered all the temptation by his words. And “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.” (14-15)

“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.” (16) Jesus the Lord customarily attended the synagogue every Sabbath. We know Jesus the Lord continued to keep the worship on the Sabbath day before he began his public life.

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (17-19) The place was Isaiah 61:1-2, and 18-19.

“The Spirit of the Lord” is God the Father. And “me” is Jesus the Lord. “The poor” is the people who cannot depend on anything except God. As the matter of fact, we know “the poor” is “the brokenhearted” when we compare the citation with the original text. God the Father anointed the Son of God in order to proclaim the good news to the brokenhearted. One of the reasons why God the Father sent the Son of God was to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. We human beings by nature are seized by sins, death and the devil. The devil controls the human beings by nature. “Proclaim freedom for the prisoners” means, according to the context of the Bible, “proclaim release (absolve) the human beings seized by sins, death and the devil. “Recovery of sight for the blind” also means, according to the original text of Isaiah 60:1, release from sins, death and the devil. The Messiah not only opens the eye of the blindness and heals the illness, but also gives freedom to those who are seized by sins, death and the devil.

“Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (20-21)

The people in the synagogue must have sensed something remarkable and awe-inspiring from Jesus the Lord and paid attention to what Jesus said to them.

Jesus said in other place, “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25) He also said, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44)

Let’s pray. We are released from sins, death and the devil by Jesus Christ the Son of God who was crucified and resurrected. We are thankful for the grace given by Jesus Christ the Son of God. Please use us for the development of the kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Please let us work for our family and neighbors so that they may believe Jesus as the Messiah the Son of God and be saved. 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)

You are My Son, whom I Love; with You I am well Pleased (Luke 3:15-17,21-22)

January 12, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

John the Baptist said, “His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (17)

There was an ambiguous situation before Christ where wheat and chaff were not sorted. But since Christ came to the world, the essence of the matter was made clear.

Jesus the Lord said to his disciples, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

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)

He Gave Power to Become Children of God (John 1:10-18)

January 5, 2025

Rev Kohei Narabu

Pastor of Japan Evangelical Lutheran Hongo Church

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

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” (1)

According to Isaiah, “Truly you a God who hides himself, O God and Savior of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:15) But in the end of Israel God revealed himself as the Word through the Son of God Jesus Christ.

“He was in the world, and though the word was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” (10)

What does it mean that the Word was Christ? We have to rely on the Old Testament to understand the question. According to Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” “The word of our God stands forever” means that the word is eternal God. According to Psalm 119:89, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” This psalm means the word is eternal God.

The “Word” is repeatedly used as eternal God in the Old Testament. So, the writer of the gospel of John testifies that the word of God, namely Christ was from the first in the world, and though the world was made by Christ the world did not recognize Christ. (Cf. Colossians 1:15-16: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”

Though the light of life, the grace of God who saves all the people, was revealed, the world, who is ruled by the Saten, did not receive Jesus Christ the Son of God. The tragedy was so serious, and the abyss was so deep. The Jews in part were hardened and crucified Jesus Christ the Son of God. “He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.” (11)

“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.” (12-13)

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (14)

This verse means the incarnation of the Lord Messiah, the birth of Jesus from the virgin. But the writer of the gospel of John did not refer to Mary, nor to the fact of birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. He well observed the life of the Lord and the glory of the Son of God. His observation is surprising. We human beings by nature cannot see the glory of God. But as the matter of fact, he was given the experience of seeing Jesus the Lord who was full of divinity.

“The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (17)

The combination of grace and truth is used only twice in the verses of John 1:14 and 1:17 in the New Testament.

“No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, has made him known.” (18)

Jesus the Lord says at another place “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

The human beings have never seen God, but Jesus the Son of God revealed God the Father. So, they can see God through Jesus the Lord.

Let’s pray. We are thankful that the people, who have been saved by the faith in Jesus Christ the Lord of crucifixion and resurrection, are given the status of “children of God.”

Let us seek first of all the kingdom of God and righteousness of God. And fill us with the Holy Spirit and the faith so that we may proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to the world. Please guide the people to believe Jesus Christ as the Messiah through our work of words. 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)

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