Christ Lutheran Church, Pattison TX

 

Welcome to Christ Lutheran Church
Divine Service 10:30 am

We provide a traditional LCMS service using the Lutheran Service Book (LSB) every Sunday morning at 10:30am central time, preceded by Bible Study and Sunday School at 9:00am.  If you are uncomfortable or unable to attend in person due to Covid-19, or other reasons, please join us online via Facebook Live. (Facebook account required.)

Activities

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  • November 3 Service

    Brothers and sisters, loved by God and redeemed by the blood of Jesus, there are a few things happening this weekend that I want you to be aware of. Daylight Savings Time is ending. On Saturday night be sure to set you clocks back one hour. You could use that hour to get extra sleep, or you could come to church early and join the Bible study group meeting at 9.

    During the 10:30 worship service we will be observing All Saints Day. Saints are often thought of as those who have done miracles or have led heroically virtuous lives demonstrating an exceptional closeness to God. However, saints or holy ones as described in the Bible are those set apart by God to be citizens in His kingdom. In his first epistle, Chapter 2, the apostle Peter reminds Christians oppressed by persecution, ‘you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.’ Peter goes on to write, ‘ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God’. This description of saints is also evident in the Apostle Paul’s letters as he frequently uses the title ‘saints’ to refer to members of the congregations he is writing to. For example, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Paul is writing ‘to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Holiness or sainthood is a not achieved by our works, but is a result of God’s transforming work in us. God ‘sanctifies’ us or purifies us to be holy in His eyes because Jesus has paid for our sin, and our souls have been washed and united with Jesus in the waters of baptism. There are saints on earth, members of the so-called ‘militant church’; and there are saints in heaven, members of the so-called ‘triumphant church’. But wherever Christian souls may reside, they belong to the same one Church with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. During the service Sunday we will read the names of a list of Christians who have departed this world of tribulation this past year and have gone ahead of us to heaven. There their souls await the day of Jesus’ visible return to earth, and the raising of the dead, when bodies and souls will be reunited in glory and immortality. These loved ones in heaven are examples to us of God’s mercy in granting and sustaining saving faith in sinners.

    On Sunday, November 3 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #675 Oh What Their Joy; #677 For All the Saints; #621 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence; and #671 Sing With All the Saints in Glory

    Scripture passages we will be reading are Psalm 33:1, 16-22; Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; and Matthew 5:1-12.

    In Psalm 33 the psalmist urges everyone to sing a new song of salvation. We should exalt God with praise for He created us and all things; He continues to promote mercy, justice, and righteousness. In the verses we will be reading, the psalmist reminds us to not trust in the world’s military or political powers; They cannot rescue from God’s judgment and wrath against sin. Instead, we sinners should turn to God to fear Him, and rely on His promise to deliver us. He is our protector even against His own judgments. As we trust in Him, we can be glad. Lord, Let Your steadfast love be upon us as we hope in you.

    The first reading is not an Old Testament passage, but a portion of the Revelation that God gave to the Apostle John. John sees a host of people and other creatures gathered around the throne of Jesus in heaven. They are singing praises to Him because He has delivered them from tribulation, and conquered death for them. Christian believers from every nation and language are there. Washed by the blood of Jesus, they are purified and dressed in white robes. All the troubles of earthly life will be gone because sin and its consequences will be brought to their prophetic end. The revelation gives us an apocalyptic insight into the activities Christians will enjoy in heaven.

    In the epistle reading from 1 John 3, the apostle reminds us that there is a lot we don’t know about heaven, and resurrection, and life after death. But God has revealed enough trough the Scriptures that we would believe in His Son, Jesus. In some way we will be like our resurrected and ascended Savior. For now, we see dimly and partially, our views still obscured by sin and weakness. But when Jesus appears, everything will be clear. Our questions will be answered. Our doubts will be removed.  Be patient and faithful. Even now God calls you His child. In His love for you, Jesus was sent to rescue you from sin and eternal death. He is with you; His Holy Spirit guides you. Don’t ignore Him.

    The Gospel reading from Matthew 5 is often referred to as the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that describe Christians even in times of tribulation. Those blessing describe benefits you will receive fully as a Christian on the Last Day. But take note—those benefits are yours in Jesus even now. God will repair and reverse the troubles the world causes you for trusting in Jesus. As a saint sanctified by God, you are blessed.

    COLLECT: Almighty and Everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion—the mystical body of Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant us to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that together with them we may come to those unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

    Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s lessons, or questions about your place in heaven. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster

  • Sunday October 27

    Brothers and sisters, as members of the church, we need to continually evaluate its beliefs, teachings, and confession, to hold to the true gospel revealed in Scripture, and to reject heresy. If we don’t, we will end up with a false gospel and a false Jesus who cannot save, but leads us astray to eternal separation from God.

    Sunday October 27 we will celebrate the anniversary of the church reformation brought about by Martin Luther. I’m not talking about Martin Luther King, one of the civil rights leaders in the US in the 1960s. Martin Luther was a former Roman Catholic professor and monk who lived in Germany in the early 1500s.  He was concerned that many in the church were promoting teachings and practices that obscured the gospel of Jesus.

    On October 31, 1517, the day before All Saints Day, Luther went to the church in Wittenberg Germany and nailed a notice on the door, challenging the Pope’s representatives to a debate about the definition and value of repentance and good works. Luther proposed 95 Theses to be discussed, listing errors in the church’s teaching and practice. Luther’s goal was to more clearly convey the message that salvation is a gift from God, paid for by the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus, a gift that is received by faith alone, without any works or merit from us. That is a truth still true today. So, like every Sunday, the gospel of Jesus is really what we will be celebrating on Reformation Sunday.

    Identifying as ‘Lutheran’ is a shorthand way of saying we agree with Martin Luther’s reading of the scripture and his understanding of the gospel. Luther was a sinner like all of us. He didn’t want to get rid of the catholic church, or to separate from it; He wanted to correct it. We continue the effort of uniting people around Jesus, our only Savior from sin.

    On Sunday October 27 we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 of the Lutheran Service Book. Hymns chosen for the day are #566 By Grace I’m Saved; #567 Not What These Hands Have Done; #622 Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared; and #656 A Mighty Fortress.

    Scripture texts chosen for Reformation Sunday are Psalm 46:1-11; Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; and John 8:31-26.

    The introduction to Psalm 46 says it is a maskil to the choirmaster from the sons of Korah, according to Alamoth. It is uncertain what Maskil and Alamoth mean. There are references elsewhere that suggests this means it was intended as a vocal artistic piece. Sons of Korah were descendants of a musician who was a descendant of Levi. After the exodus from Egypt, the tribe of Levi was assigned the task of conducting worship and the sacrifices. The word Selah is mentioned at the end of verses 3, 7, and 11, indicating truths to pause, ponder and meditate upon. In Psalm 46 God is described as a fortress, a place of strength and refuge. In times of trouble, we can rely on God to help us. As the world rages and seems to be coming apart, God remains a faithful aid to us. When trouble threatens, remember God is greater than any trouble. Be comforted by the assurance that the Almighty and gracious Lord who rules and directs the angels is with you.

    The first lesson to be read is not an Old Testament reading, but rather a passage from Revelation 14. God gives the Apostle John a vision of an angel going about the earth proclaiming the gospel. Note that the word angel can also be translated as messenger. The angel is exemplified by Martin Luther and missionaries and pastors and others who speak the good news of Jesus. Jesus has ascended out of our sight. He will return one day to raise the dead and gather His people into eternal heaven. Judgment will take place. Unbelievers will be sent away to suffer for their sin apart from God. But those who trust in Jesus will gather around Him to sing His praises. You are encouraged to join us Sundays as we gather to participate in receiving from Him and to praise Him.

    In Romans Chapters 1 and 2 and most of 3, St. Paul lays out the evidence that we are all sinners deserving to be separated from God. In the verses of the epistle lesson to be read Sunday, Paul concludes that obedience to God’s Law cannot make us righteous; instead, the Law points out sinful condition. But there is good news for you—Jesus’ death was a redemptive and atoning sacrifice that paid for your sin and reconciled you to God. God demands death as a payment for sin. Jesus was sent into the world to die in your place. In Jesus, God fulfills His justice and is also our justifier. He is the one who took the necessary action. So, you and I have nothing to boast about, nothing to offer Him as our contribution. Jesus paid all of our sin-debt. He grants us the benefits of His death and resurrection as we trust in Him. This is all part of the gospel message that Luther “rediscovered”, and faithful churches still proclaim today.

    In the Gospel lesson Jesus declares that He sets us from the slavery of sin. If we abide in Jesus, remaining connected to Him, we will be His disciples, we will know His truth, and we will be set free from sin, eternal death, the devil, and our own sinful desires.

    COLLECT: Almighty and Gracious God, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth. Protect and deliver us in times of temptation. Defend us against all enemies, and grant Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

    Please contact me if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster

  • Sunday October 20 worship

    Brothers and sisters, I hope you have enjoyed the cooler weather. Most of you will agree it has been a refreshing change from the heat and humidity we have experienced the past couple of months. I’ll use this as an opportunity to encourage you to be in worship Sunday to receive the refreshing and life changing word God delivers through His Scriptures and the Lord’s Supper. You were united to Christ in baptism. Come and have your spirit fed.

    Sunday, October 20 we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. As part of our ongoing catechetical study, we will also recite Luther’s explanation of the second Article of the Apostles Creed.

    .Hymns chosen for the day are #915 Today Your Mercy Calls Us; #536 One Thing’s Needful; #619 Thy Body Given For Me O Savior; and #732 All Depends on Our Possessing.

    Scriptures assigned to the day are Psalm 119:9-16; Ecclesiastes 5:10-20; Hebrews 4:1-13; Mark 10:23-31.

    Psalm 119 is a long acrostic teaching psalm, with each section originally having verses beginning with a sequential letter from the Hebrew alphabet. Verses 9-16 originally began with the letter beth, generally equivalent to our letter ‘b’ (and also used as the word for ‘house’, or ‘family’, or ‘place’; for example, Bethlehem means the house of bread; Bethel means the house of God). Young students would have memorized the psalm, and through it been instructed on morality and right living. The verses remind us that God’s word is useful as a guide, keeping our way pure. So, trusting and honoring God, we remember His word, contemplate the meaning and application of His word, and tell His word to others. Let us join the psalmist in asking God to help us delight in God’s word, to fix our eyes on it, not forget it, or wander from it. God has given us the Words of eternal life. Study His word and He will teach you the way of salvation through His Son, Jesus.

    Ecclesiastes was written by a man who self-identifies as qoheleth, meaning teacher or preacher. He also says in 1:12 that he is the king of Israel. Conservative Bible scholars follow the ancient view that the book was written by King Solomon, son of David. Scripture describes him as the wisest man ever to live.  This book appears to have been written when he is an old man recalling what he has observed in life, intending to pass that experienced wisdom on to his sons (and to us) so that they would be benefited from it. In the verses we read Sunday, the Teacher reports that most of what we consider important in life—things like money and possessions– are instead vanity, that is, empty and hollow objects that don’t matter when measured by eternity. We have all experienced how issues over money and possessions cause us worry and conflict. How much time do we spend on things we cannot take with us when we die? Trust in God rather than possessions. He is an ever-present help in time of need. Jesus is the assurance that God will graciously do everything necessary to rescue you from life’s troubles. His promises and assurances comfort us so that we can enjoy a night of restful sleep without worry.

    When God created the world, He did so in six days. On the seventh day He rested. It is given the name Sabbath. God then gave instruction that this seventh day Sabbath would be a day of rest for man and all creatures. Sabbath rest was also evident when God brought His people into the Promised Land. The writer of Hebrews points out that Jesus is the true fulfillment of Sabbath rest, that is, His death, resurrection, and ascension have reconciled us to God and opened heaven and eternal life to us. This part of the gospel message declared to us in God’s Word, the Bible. In the verses read Sunday, the writer of Hebrews urges people not to ignore God’s Word, but to receive the rest and comfort it gives. God’s Word is life-changing. Spoken and read, it truly has power to change lives. The perfect demands of God’s Law crush and kill arrogant and resistant hearts. The good news of Jesus brings life to a heart dead in sin. In baptism, God’s word is attached to water to transform our hearts, and we are born again. Through words of absolution forgiveness is granted. With words of forgiveness attached to bread and wine, God sustains and nurtures saving faith in us.  Referring to Psalm 95, the writer urges each of us: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.’

    The Gospel from Mark 10 is a continuation of the narrative we read last Sunday. A rich man had asked about what he could do to inherit eternal life. He claimed he had kept all of God’s laws, but because of his questioning we can recognize that his attempts at obedience were not giving him much comfort. Jesus, seeing into the man’s heart, told the man to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. This wasn’t an issue of being more generous. The problem was that the man was trusting in his wealth. Possessions were his real priority and comfort. Possessions had displaced God in His life. In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus comments that it is difficult for rich people to enter heaven. This confused the disciples. They wanted an explanation. Possessions are gifts from God. It might be concluded that a rich man must be very blessed. The rich were thought to be the most likely to enter heaven because of all the good things they could do. But Jesus corrects such temporal worldly thinking. Entry into heaven is not achieved by doing; heaven is not a matter of having wealth or not having wealth. Heaven is granted us when we trust in Jesus. We put ourselves in eternal danger when we rely on anyone or anything else. God sent Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice that would redeem us from sin, and make it possible for you to enter eternal life. Everyone who trusts Jesus and holds Him as a priority in their life will receive heaven’s reward. In the verses that follow, Jesus once again informs the disciples that He would soon be going to Jerusalem to die and after three days overcome death. This saving action in our behalf is why Jesus should be a priority in each person’s life. There is no one and no thing that is more important to your eternal outcome.

    COLLECT: Lord Jesus Christ, Your grace always surrounds us, preceding and following us wherever we go. Help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and to find in You our heavenly treasure; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

    Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s lessons. The Lord be with you. Pastor Boster

  • October 13 service

    Brothers and sisters, greetings to you in the name of our Savior, Jesus, who has brought the light of the gospel to our world darkened by sin.  I encourage you to be in bible study and worship on Sunday to hear more about what God has done for you through Jesus the Christ. His word is the lamp that guides our steps along the path to eternal life.

    We have designated this coming Sunday October 13 as a day to especially recognize God’s work done through the ladies’ auxiliary Lutheran Women Missionary League (LWML).

    Sunday, October 13 we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. As part of our ongoing catechetical study, we will also recite commandments 7 through 10 with Luther’s explanation for each of them.

    .Hymns chosen for the day are #565 Thy Works, Not Mine, O Lord; #730 What is the World to Me; and #629 What is This Bread, and a hymn that highlights a response of service to Jesus, Serve the Lord with Gladness, sung to the tune of ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’.

    Scripture texts assigned to the day are Psalm 90:12-17; Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19; and Mark 10:17-22. Christianity can be described as trusting Jesus Christ for eternal life and forgiveness from sin. Scripture repeatedly makes the point that faith is not mere lip service, but includes sincerely following Jesus in the way we think, act, and speak. Said another way, a Christian is someone who, by the power and work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, believes in and confesses Jesus as Savior and Lord. To demonstrate faith in Jesus, Scriptures instruct us to serve our neighbor with humility and love. To clarify, good works don’t save us. Rather, good works are a proper response expressing trust, thanksgiving, and praise toward Jesus who has saved us. Several of the lessons read Sunday give examples of this proper response.

    The heading of Psalm 90 reports it is a prayer of Moses, the man of God who was used to lead Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Moses begins the psalm by describing God’s creative power, a power that He would be justified in using against each of us to punish us for our sin. It is foolish and deadly to ignore God’ss hatred of sin. So Moses sets an example for us, praying God to teach us to number our days, to consider our sinful condition and the eternal danger we are in. From this posture of humble confession, fearing God and recognizing our need for His pity, grace, ad forgiveness, we gain a heart of wisdom. With wise hearts, we ask God to demonstrate His gracious power among us, to not give us the punishment we deserve, but instead to pour out His favor on us and to satisfy us with His steadfast love. Our earthly lives are brief. We should live each day fulfilling our responsibilities and enjoying the blessings God has granted us, remembering that He is our judge and also our Savior. Pray that God would guide your ways.

    In Amos Chapter 5, God speaks through the prophet, criticizing His people for ignoring Him. They take short cuts in worshipping Him. they mistreat their neighbors.  They are deceitful and dishonest because they don’t think God is watching or listening (or they no longer care what God thinks of them). They resent God and complain against Him for seeming to stifle the fun in their lives. God threatens judgment against them, and urges them to instead seek good, avoid evil, and lift justly with a true heart. In other words, God is urging them to live in a way that expresses His will and character. Seek the Lord and live. God is merciful to those who trust in Him.

    The epistle lesson from Hebrews 3 recalls an event from Israel’s past recorded in the Old Testament book, Numbers Chapter 14. After God had released the tribes of Israel from slavery in Egypt, they had reached the land God had promised them. Spies were sent in to gather information on the people God would help them displace. When the spies returned with reports of giants in the land, the Israelites were frightened. Rather than trusting God, they complained and refused to enter the land. They said they would prefer to return to Egypt and live in slavery rather than receive the freedom God was offering them. So as punishment, God sent them back out into the wilderness for forty more years, time for most of that unbelieving generation to pass away. Through the writer of Hebrews, God warns his readers not to harden their hearts or fall into the same unbelief. Unbelief separates us from God. Unbelief leads to eternal death. So we should trust Jesus and His words. We share in Christ and His blessings if we remain confident in Him. O Holy Spirit, help us to believe in Jesus!

    In the gospel lesson from Mark 10, a man seeks to gain eternal life. Jesus sees that the man has a misplaced trust in earthly things and his own abilities. When Jesus recites several of the ten commandments, the man states that he has always kept the law. With loving concern, Jesus instructs the man to do one more thing—sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. Hearing this, the man went away disheartened and sad. The indication is that he loved his possessions and could not let go of them. Possessions might be considered a blessing from God. But we should all be aware that possessions can displace God in our lives, that is, we might end up serving our possessions, or trusting in our possessions, rather than serving and trusting Jesus. Jesus is urging His followers to consider their priorities and values. Worldly material things are temporary. Jesus’s blessings are eternal.  Money is the currency of this world. Even so, it is foolish to dedicate our lives to material things we cannot keep. Rather we should turn our attention to those heavenly eternal things we cannot lose.  

    COLLECT: Lord Jesus Christ, Your grace always surrounds us, preceding and following us wherever we go. Help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and to find in You our heavenly treasure; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

    Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster

  • October 6 service and other news

    Brothers and sisters, greetings to you in the name of our Savior, Jesus. By His death and resurrection you have been reconciled to God, and heaven has been opened to you. God truly loves you. He has made a commitment to you.  I encourage you to be in bible study and worship on Sunday to hear more about what God has done for you through Jesus the Christ. 

    If you don’t have plans for lunch Saturday October 12th, check out the spaghetti fundraiser put on by the Brookshire area Lions’ Club to be held at the Pattison Fire station from 12 noon-3 pm.

    We have designated October 13 as a day to especially recognize God’s work done through the ladies’ auxiliary Lutheran Women Missionary Group (LWML).

    Sunday, October 6 we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. As part of our ongoing catechetical study, we will also recite commandments 4 through 6 with Luther’s explanation for each of them

    Hymns chosen for the day are #553 O Christ, Our hope, Our Hearts Desire; #562 All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall; #598 Once in the Blest Baptismal Waters; and #860 Gracious Savior, Grant Your Blessing (stanzas 2 and 5).

    Scripture texts assigned to the day are Psalm 128:1-6; Genesis 2:18-25; Hebrews 2:1-13; and Mark 10:2-26.

    The introduction to Psalm 126 indicates it is a song of ascents, a song that pilgrims would sing climbing the hills toward Jerusalem, or the steps leading up to the temple to worship. The words of the psalm recount a time of restoration, perhaps remembering an earlier generation’s return from exile in Babylon. Memories of very sad and difficult times are replaced by celebration, joy, and laughter. The worshipping pilgrims recognize that it is God who caused the rescue. This same rescuing God promises to save the souls of all those who worship Him. Worship is a time for you to receive, to hear God’s promises again, to be reminded that God keeps each of His promises. He brings us through sadness to times of joy. In the midst of troubles all around us, we too cry out that God would restore us. Ultimately, God will bring you through death to the celebration of heaven. This is the sort of joy people dream about. But it is not fantasy. God has accomplished this very thing for you through His Son Jesus.  He has said it, and He will do it.

    The Old Testament lesson from Genesis 2 directs our thoughts to the days of creation. God took a rib from the Man, Adam, and fashioned for him a companion, helper, and friend, the first woman, Eve. God united them to become one flesh, establishing the institution of marriage and the basic building block of family and society. Before the Fall into sin this was a perfect union; they served with mutual respect and love.  As God has revealed, the Fall into sin ruined this relationship of unity. Husband and wife do not honor, love, or serve each other as they ought to. Marriage that is supposed to be between a man and a woman has been redefined and distorted. Men and women participate in sexual acts without keeping the vows and commitments of marriage. Everyday there are marriages that end up in divorce. These are the responses of sinful hearts. We have much to confess to God. In various ways we have abused God’s gifts of marriage and sexuality. Repent, turn to Jesus in faith, and take heart. He has died to forgive every sin, even sins against marriage. Jesus has kept His commitment to us, even though we so often fail in commitment to Him.

    We are not sure of the identity of the human writer of the epistle to the Hebrews. The writer of the epistle makes a series of comparisons between Jesus and objects connected to Old Testament ritual. In each case Jesus is far superior. It can bs shown that Jesus is the fulfillment of what the Old Testament object merely foreshadowed. Sunday’s lesson from Hebrews 2:1-13 compares Jesus to angels. Angels are created beings. Jesus is uncreated, and actually the angels’ Creator. Angels are powerful spirit beings. But they are subject to Jesus’s reign. Jesus is in control of all things. Even so, for a little while He lowered Himself, becoming a man and a servant to all men, women, and children, giving Himself up as a bloody, dying, sacrifice on the cross to atone for our sin. The almighty Son of God now calls you His brother (and sister) and will share His heavenly inheritance with you. Angels cannot save you. There is no need to worship them. But Jesus has saved you, and through baptism makes you a member of His family. There are many reasons to worship Him. Pay attention to Jesus so you don’t drift away on the path to eternal destruction.

    In the gospel lesson, Jesus is confronted by Pharisees who mean to test Him. Jesus is ministering in the region of Perea overseen by Tetrarch Herod Antipas. You may remember that it was this member of the Herod royal family who ordered John the Baptist to be put to death for criticizing the ruler’s adulterous marriage to his brother’s wife. The Pharisees’ test asks about marriage and divorce, perhaps to see if Jesus would also get in trouble for criticizing Herod.

    Jesus gives instruction about marriage and divorce. He doesn’t rely on secular advice or common practice. Instead, He goes to the beginning, referencing the institution of marriage in the creation and unity of Adam and Eve. Marriage becomes an object lesson for the sort of greater love and commitment Jesus has demonstrated to us, His Church. Underlying Jesus’ instruction is the warning against hardness of heart which challenges God’s will, and is continually looking for loopholes, exceptions, and ways to avoid love and commitment. In contrast to hardness of heart, Jesus welcomes young children—not because they have any sort of innocence, but because they represent weakness and need and dependence on others. Rather than demanding God do what we want, the way we want it done, we ought to be thankful for God’s gifts including marriage and our spouse and family.

    COLLECT: Merciful Father, Your patience and loving-kindness toward us have no end. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may always think and do those things that are pleasing in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

    Please contact me if you have prayer requests, questions about Sunday’s lessons, guilt over divorce, or troubles in your marriage. God bless you. Pastor Boster