In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus is teaching us to see His meaning and purpose of a temple.  A Temple can be defined as “the place where God and humanity meet”. 
   And Jesus tells us here in these words of the Gospel of John:  HE is the temple…where God and humanity meet.  As John writes in the first chapter of his Gospel, ”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.“ John 1:14
   Indeed, when the 2nd Person of the Holy Trinity became human (at the conception and birth
Of Jesus), God came very close to all humanity.  God in Jesus Christ came into the world so that all people can be close to God in His Kingdom, now and for all eternity. 
   As 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you”.  That became a reality when Jesus redeemed us and made us God’s people. 
   As the Apostle Paul continues, “you were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body”. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
   So now consider what this means to each of us. God is with us in all our thoughts, words and actions!  That certainly will lead us toward all that God wants for us.  But what exactly is that?
   Jesus answers what God wants for us in His death and resurrection.  He did this so that our sins will all be forgiven. In His life we have eternal life with Him.  He wants us to know God as  Love. And He wants us to be with Him, now and forever. 
   May this be Good News for each of us, to know and trust in the God of Love and Grace for all People!

​Pastor Steve

Why would anyone want to follow Jesus?!
Why do you follow Jesus?
 
Some common answers to those questions are "Because that's the way we were raised, in a "Christian home".  Or, "because we've always done it that way".
 
Or maybe you don't like using the words "following Jesus".  You'd rather call it something else.  Like we are doing with this Lenten season, with the theme, "Gathering Around Jesus".  
 
The question is still the same:  "Why Jesus"?"
 
I'll let you answer for yourself.  But here's how I'll start to answer that question.  And I look forward to discussing it further with you as we have the opportunity.
 
God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins.
 
He did this because He (the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit) loves each and every one of us.
 
Jesus gave the supreme sacrifice of His place at the right hand of God, to come into this sin-filled world.
 
Jesus sacrificed His life, suffering and dying the most horrible way of crucifixion.  And He knew it before it all happened, and still did it.
 
Jesus showed His love and compassion and care for each individual in His ministry of teaching, healing and friendship with several examples as we find in the Gospels.
 
Jesus promises forgiveness of all sins, and eternal life with Him.
 
As He tells us in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth and the life;  No one comes to the Father except through me."
 
You and I can follow all kinds of other people and things.  And we all know how modern society has a whole lot to offer.  But the bottom line is that Jesus is the One to trust in and follow for eternal salvation!  

Blessings!

Pastor Steve

​   What is today?  Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras!  They all point to the same day before the beginning of Lent (which starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday).
 
    On this day there is the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence.  Perhaps some of you have participated in special events on this day in past years.  And maybe you are doing the same this year.  Which is fine.
 
    I don't mean to wreck any customs or traditions you have.  But I'm wondering if all these holidays and special events really are just a way to remember and commemorate what we can do EVERY day.  For every day is a gift from God.  Every day is a day to confess sins, repent, and to know that God forgives and gives us renewal and strength for another day of living in God's grace and love!
 
   As Psalm 118:24 tells us, "This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it."