Pastor Kent

Years ago there seemed to be shows that would clearly spell out who was on the right side and who was on the wrong side. The “good guys” wore white hats and the “bad guys” would wear black hats or at least that is what we saw on a black/white TV.

Now what was explained as black and white is defined as gray. Explanations seem to leave people with a puzzled look as to what is really being said. What could be explained as someone’s fault or bad decision is now explained away as not anyone’s fault.

In a devotion with the children at Wee Disciples Lutheran School the question was posed to them what would be a picture of a “Christian”. The answer came very quickly from one of the students “I am sorry for what I did – please forgive me”! How honest and candid that answer was in a world that seems to drown people with all kinds of explanations of why this happened or did not happen and leaving people rather puzzled.

Jesus in the Gospel of John washes the feet of the disciples. After doing this He tells the disciples

“Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” [John 13].

Jesus wasn’t giving any explanations of why He might not have the time to respond, He just told His disciples to follow His example and “do it”. Jesus wasn’t giving any lame excuses, He asked His disciples to be responsible and trusted servants of the Lord.

Jesus took the time to show what it means to love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Thanksgiving and Christmas time are times of giving thanks. Just think how blessed the world would be if people would see who is the Giver of every good and perfect gift – that being our Heavenly Father. Just think what the world would be if people would own up to the fact that everyone is a sinner and in need of a Savior – Jesus Christ.

How thankful are we? Are we thankful for the blessings of life? Could it not be that one would truly be thankful for people being honest, truthful and loving in their dealings one to another? How blessed the world would be!

Blessed are you if you do them – Jesus says. Blessed is the one who responds honestly and lovingly to each situation and does what the Lord asks – to be a servant of the Lord who can be trusted.

What a difference there would be in the world if rather than explanations that leave people puzzled, people would own up to the truth and state the truth and show the power of the Lord to do what is right in His sight.

God’s Blessings to You at this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season!

Pastor Kent Stenzel