Pious Lutheran

St. Peter Preaching in the Presence of St. Mark,  Fra Angelico, 1433 Boldness to Confess Jesus and His Word What does it mean to confess? What is at stake? Boldness to confess the truth in my daily life. “ Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Christ.” ” That is a confession of faith! Today we commemorate St. Peter’s bold confession of the truth that Jesus is the Christ. In remembering his confession, we are also encouraged to have that same boldness to confess Jesus and His Word before this adulterous and sinful generation. Regardless of whether or not the world asks for your confession of faith, Jesus does, and just as Jesus asked the disciples so does Jesus ask you today: Who do you say that I am? The question has been asked of you, the command to make the confession has been made, but what does that mean? What does it mean to confess your faith? I suspect the task of confession seems a bit daunting because you would assume it r...

The Flight into Egypt , Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1828 Rejoicing in Suffering Sent by God God sends suffering God guards us through the suffering God turns all our suffering into glory Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! “ This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet. ” God’s ways are beyond human reason. For instance, the prophet Micah declared that the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, “ for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel. ” Though Jesus was conceived in Nazareth, and Joseph and Mary were already living there, because Israel was under Roman occupation the holy family needed to travel to Bethlehem in order to pay taxes to a foreign nation, and there He was born. The prophecy was fulfilled through suffering. Then, the prophet Hosea declared that the Christ would have to come out of Egypt, saying, “ Out of Egypt I called my Son. ” Now the holy family had to move to Egypt because Herod in his jealous rage sought to murder the Christ. ...