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?
It is similar when you need answers to life’s many problems. Sometimes the questions pertain to the expectant waiting for the results of the biopsy, the blood draw, or the fasting tests that you had done. Sometimes the questions pertain to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Where do you turn?
Historically, many turned to their parents; after all, they brought them into this world, and some have said that they have no problem taking them out of this world. Also, they have instilled in them many interests, likes, and loves, from favorite sports, foods, and football teams to their love for and of Jesus. Others turned to a teacher, one who helped show them the ways of this world as they learned their ABCs and 123s. Still others turn to medical professionals, gurus, life coaches, and more these days. There will always be some who turn to their pastors, but with fewer and fewer people going to church these days, those some are always getting fewer.
We should turn to God, the True and Living God, as well as the only Beloved Son of the Father, especially as we hear the Father speak today from the cloud, “This is My Beloved Son, with Whom I AM well pleased; listen to Him.” We should also hear His Word proclaimed and written, but that’s not the point for today, as God directs you to look to Jesus and hear Him.
Yet much of fallen humanity desires not to look to Jesus nor to hear Him. We want to look to ourselves. We think that we can attain heaven on our own, apart from Jesus, not heeding His Word as He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Yet fallen humanity desires to try to attain their own salvation through their works, their mind, or through a spirituality apart from the true religion.
Man desires to climb toward heaven by their own might, by the power of their hands as they try to work out their own salvation, apart from God. They think if their good deeds outweigh their bad, they will get into heaven. Others will try to climb the ladder of the mind to reach up to God. They try to think rightly, through logic, philosophy, and order, and they can reach up to God. Still others try to climb to heaven through a generic spirituality. They search for a god of their own understanding, not usually the God Who sends His beloved Son to earth to win their salvation by dying on the cross and rising from the dead for them. They seek after gurus, teachers, and others who will teach them to channel the god within and get in tune with the universe and put out good vibes for others to experience.
All this is opposed to the God who comes to save. Namely, all this stands against your Jesus. God directs you to look to Jesus as you see only Him. Jesus is all you need for this life and the next. Jesus comes down, under the sun, to shine like the sun in this moment. He reveals His hidden glory, usually hidden underneath the flesh.
Jesus is all you need, but others need you to bring Jesus to them. More specifically, others need you to forgive them, just as God, in Christ, forgives you. You have the opportunity to share Jesus with those who need Him. They need Jesus, just as you need Jesus.
Others need to hear Jesus, and this is also what God directs you to hear. You should hear the Father speak, “This is My Beloved Son.” Yet God also speaks, “Listen to Him.” You should listen to Jesus. You should take to heart everything that He imparts. After all, He tells those who are with Him, “Rise, and have no fear.” There is nothing to fear with Jesus. While many fear death and the grave, with Jesus, there is nothing to fear. You can sleep with your Lord and Savior, resting comfortably in His nearer presence as you take your rest, resting in the peace that He gives, as you depart in His peace.
