Wrestling with Theology

''At last two came forward and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" (Matthew 26:60-61).'' As the Jewish Sanhedrin tried to come up with some probable cause for Jesus to be executed. They needed proof. And they needed two or three witnesses to agree (Deuteronomy 17:6). Finally two come together and remember Jesus saying His statement from...

''Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward (Matthew 26:59-60).'' The chief priests called the entire Sanhedrin together so that they might deal with this misguided, itinerate rabbi Jesus. They knew that there wasn't anything based in truth that they could ac...

"If I have all faith, so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2) "If anyone should cast away love, even though he has great faith, he does not keep his faith." (Ap V 98)

Liturgical Date: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8B) Calendar Date: June 27, 2021 Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL Order of Service: Matins Hymns: #461, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" #738, "Lord of All Hopefulness" WHM #323, "God Be with You 'Til We Meet Again" Sermon Theme: Abundance and Need Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15 Other Lectionary Readings:  Lamentations 3:22-33 Psa...

''Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered (Matthew 26:57).'' After the disciples fled, Jesus '''ALLOWS''' Himself to be led away to Caiaphas the high priest. Jesus '''ALLOWS''' Himself to face the great blasphemy that would unfold over the next few hours. The Cornerstone would be rejected. The sinless Son of God was called...

''Then all the disciples left him and fled (Matthew 26:56).'' After all the brave boasting and posturing among the disciples, everyone ran for the hills when the soldiers arrested Jesus. The soldiers didn't care about the disciples. They were after Jesus. No one else mattered. '''HE''' was public enemy number one. Of the twelve disciples in Gethsemane, we see that three went back into Jerusalem. T...

It is wonderful to know that the YHWH Sabaoth ("The LORD of Hosts") is also your Shepherd.

''[Jesus said:] "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me" (Matthew 26:55).'' Why did you have to sneak around at night to find Me? I've been right in front of you, but you wouldn't touch me. But this was done to fulfill the Scriptures. The chief priests and the elders of the Jews did not want t...

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''[Jesus says:] "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53).'' This morning's verse lends itself to one of the great mysteries of the Bible: How many angels did God create? This leads to the idle speculation like, "How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?" But this verse has nothing to do with the number of...

Liturgical Date: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7B) Calendar Date: June 20, 2021 Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL Order of Service: Divine Service 4 Hymns: WHM #295, "Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart" #717, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" #728, "How Firm a Foundation" #395, "O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright" #620, "Jesus Comes Today with Healing" #722, "Lord, Take My Hand and Lead...

''Then Jesus said to [Peter], "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:53).'' For my periodic Star Trek reference, the warrior race of the Klingons have a warrior's creed: "Today is a good day to die!" Warriors want to fall in battle. And Christians are no different. While we abide by Jesus' chastisement, we are warriors in spiritual bat...

"They do not find peace of conscience in these works. In true terrors, heaping up works upon works, they eventually despair because they find no work pure <important and precious> enough." -- Ap V 83

''And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear (Matthew 26:51).'' One of the disciples, whom John identifies as Simon Peter (18:10), takes his sword and wildly swings it. It finds Malchus' ear and severs it. Jesus' Messianic revolution was finally beginning. Peter smiled widely with bloodlust as...

''Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do" (Matthew 26:50).'' Even when Judas comes to betray Jesus, Jesus still calls him friend. This word "friend" has a twofold aspect of forgiveness. First, Jesus gives Judas the possibility of forgiveness of his sin of betrayal. Yes, Judas had turned his back against Jesus, but Jesus stood ready to forgive him. Judas' betrayal was necessary for Jesu...

''Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him (Matthew 26:48-49).'' Judas gave the sign of whom he kissed to be arrested. As he leads the crowd to hand Jesus over to the chief priests, he walks straight up to Jesus and kisses him. Making a mockery of Psalm 2: "Kiss the S...

American Tag Team Titles Tournament (Must be a winner in every match!) First Round: Chris Candido & Rick Rude vs Billy Gunn & Jimmy Golden Jesse James Armstrong & Eric Embry vs Christopher Daniels & Steve Corino Curt Hennig & Austin Idol vs Eddie Gilbert & Raven Sawyer Brothers vs PG-13 Savannah Jack vs Ready Semifinals Honky Tonk Man vs Terry Funk American Tag Team Titles...

''While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people (Matthew 26:47).'' Jesus was a political threat to the Jewish people and the Roman Empire. Such a threat that the soldiers needed to come out in full riot gear to apprehend Him. It was an all-out manhunt to apprehend one man. But Jesus...

Liturgical Date: Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6B) Calendar Date: June 13, 2021 Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL Order of Service: Service of Prayer & Preaching Hymns: #804, "O Worship the King" #500, "Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid" #577, "Almighty God, Your Word Is Cast" #790, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" Sermon Theme: A Tender Twig Sermon Text: Ezekiel 17:22-24 Other Lectionary...

''While [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas came, one of the Twelve (Matthew 26:47).'' How many times have you been betrayed by someone close to you? If you've been through junior high and high school, you've had it happen plenty. You sink under the darkness wondering, "Why didn't I see this coming? Why is she being so mean to me? Why would he hurt me like that?" But Jesus didn't ask these questions...

''Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:40-41)'' Three times Jesus prayed. Three times He came back to find the disciples sleeping. Their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak. The spirit is willi...

Psalm 22 brings us to the agony, darkness, despair and hope of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. This episode ends with the chanting of Psalm 22 from this year's Maundy Thursday service at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Milford, IL.

''He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39)'' Jesus' prayer is simple. "If there is another way for salvation, let me do that.. Not what I want to do, but what You have planned for Me to do." Jesus is extremely sorrowful. The distress of His upcoming P...

''Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." (Matthew 26:38)'' Have you ever been so depressed that you wanted to die? It's not a fun temptation of the devil to go through. Hollywood is enamored with it. How many movies and television shows have done a spin-off of Jimmy Stewart's "It's a Wonderful Life"? I've run out of fingers and toes. A...

June 9, 2021 Young Arena Waterloo, IA Roster Changes: NONE Honky Tonk Man vs Raven Austin Idol vs Rick Rude 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs 'Gentleman' Chris Adams Chris Candido vs Buzz Sawyer Television Title Match: 'Dirty' Dutch Mantell (c) vs Nightmare Danny Davis World Tag Team Titles vs Iceman's Deadly Dozen Spot Falls Count Anywhere Match: David von Erich & 'Dirty' Dutch Mantell (c) vs Icem...