Faith

See Jesus shining like the sun

PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal

Let’s begin today’s devotion by asking an everyday question to those who have been behind the steering wheel. Where do you look when driving? Specifically, where do you look when you are driving at night, and the oncoming GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate has its brights on, shining bright as the sun? Where do you look when you are driving at dusk or dawn while the sun is shining brightly over the horizon, below the sun visor, and the sunglasses are out of reach?

You want relief, but relief does not come in the way that you expect. Hopefully, that truck has automatic high beam assist because the driver is probably talking on the phone, if not texting, and paying no attention to the others on the road. Hopefully, you’re turning soon, or able to reach those sunglasses, and the sun won’t be blinding you anymore. But what happens when it is Jesus shining like the sun? Do you dare look away?

Miracles are for others

PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal

What do you do when something you want runs out? I had the joy of putting together a Walmart+ pick-up order before Thanksgiving, and they were out of the Original Baked Lay’s my wife enjoys. They offered a replacement item, Lay’s Kettle Cooked Original. No thanks, I’ll pass. They are nothing alike, though I would have accepted the Cheddar and Sour Cream version, should they have offered it.

Sometimes a replacement can be made, but other times, the replacement isn’t going to be nearly as good as what you originally wanted. It’s like receiving a regular Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup when the Trees are what you wanted to grab, but the kids have eaten them all.

The righteousness of God

PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal

On Jan. 6, the Church of the West celebrates the Wise Men coming to view the newborn King of the Jews. We have the union of Jew and Gentile, as these sages from afar, following yonder star, were not Jews but Gentiles. They read the prophecy which Daniel left behind in Babylon, as the faithful people of God spread the proclamation of His redeeming work on their behalf as He comes to save Jew and Gentile.

They wanted to gaze upon the beautiful face of this One long prophesied, especially as Isaiah writes, “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” Jesus comes as a light for all people, shining brightly in this sin-darkened world in which we find ourselves, especially as He fulfills all righteousness.

Fleeing from the wrath of Herod

PASTOR’S CORNER, Rev. Jason Toombs, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Liberal

Merry Christmas to you and yours on the eleventh day of Christmas. We have almost reached the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and we hear something different in the world around us. While college bowl games have been played, and while the parade of roses was held in warmer climates, we still have the bleakness of winter settling in upon our land. Not all is solitude and loneliness, as we welcomed family and friends, as we celebrated with kith and kin the joyous celebrations of Christ coming for us.

This is what the Wise Men desired to do as they came to celebrate the Child Who was born King of the Jews. They went to the palace of the reigning king, as that is where a new king should be born, yet it was not of Herod’s line that Christ would deign to come down. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the offshoot from the Root of Jesse, David’s Son, yet David’s Lord, as He would be born of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was made man for us and for our salvation.

Bargain hunting – it’s free, but not cheap

PASTOR’S CORNER, Pat Mann, President of Good Samaritan Auxiliary

All during the Christmas season, people look for great gifts, and after Christmas there are surely some great bargains to be found. I want to tell you about an Old Testament character who was offered a great bargain. His name was Mephibosheth. He was the grandson of King Saul, the son of Jonathan, young David’s close friend. Both Saul and Jonathan deceased. David ascends the throne of God’s people, the Israelites. Most of King Saul’s descendants, heirs to his throne, were slain in battle. The new King, David, went looking for any remaining descendants of King Saul. It would be expected that any remaining threat to the throne of a new king would be slain. David commanded that Mephibosheth be brought to him.