Pious Lutheran

The Sacrifice of Isaac, Caravaggio, 1603 Whoever is of God shall not see death What does it mean to not see death? To see death is to go to hell and suffer damnation, and those who are of Christ will die on earth, but live forever with the Lord in the resurrection, like Abraham. Who are those who will not see death? Only those who are of God through faith, by hearing and keeping God’s Word, are children of God. Just because you claim Abraham or claim God or claim the traditions doesn’t actually rescue you from death. What has happened to prevent us from seeing death? Jesus Christ’s death is the substitutionary atonement for us, who through His blood sacrificed Himself in order to provide the lamb for the burnt offering. These last two weeks of Lent are ramping up to Good Friday. As such, these two weeks are called Passion Tide, and there are various traditions and such that the church has adopted for these weeks. But in spite of how somber these texts are, where today we see Jesus call...

St. Patrick Preaching to the Kings,  Franz Borgias Mayer, 19th Century God’s Judgment God is the judge Judgment carried out on Jesus, the Lamb of God We bind unto ourselves Jesus and His word, therefore, Jesus was our substitute “ Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and He is the judge. ” God is the judge. I hear it said occasionally: “Don’t judge me, only God judges me.” That’s entirely true, God will judge all of us. However, people usually say that meaning they don’t want anyone to be critical of their lifestyle or behaviors, and they think God’s judgment will be very lenient and easy. But, that’s not really the case. We read in Hebrews: “ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. ” Jesus told us that He is the judge, and the Lord will judge His people. “ Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. ” Indeed, the wages of sin is death. We are the heirs of Adam and Eve’s sin, and also the heirs of death.  Or as it again says in...

All Saints,  in the church of All Saints in Přeskače. Jesus’ word gives life The words of this world are devilish lies Even if these words are rational These words bring death Jesus’ word is truth from the Father The one who believes Jesus’ word is born of God Those who keep the Word shall never see death It’s a common assumption that Christianity is a nice religion which never says anything harsh, but that’s clearly not true, because Jesus isn’t very nice. “ Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but He sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires… Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. ” Jesus just called these Pharisees children of the devil, which isn’t particularly the nicest thing you could say, ...

Abraham Sacrificing Isaac, Laurent de La Hyre, 1650 Alright, listen up, better pay attention, there’s going to be a test. No, I’m not going to ask you questions and give you a grade, however the Lord does test us. God tests His people in order to strengthen their faith in Him. “ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ” Thus, as we heard in Genesis: “ God tested Abraham and said to him… “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you. ” God tested Abraham by making sure that he believed His Word and would keep it.  Can you imagine how Abraham would’ve felt! I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d gotten sic...

In the Old Testament sacrificial system at the temple, God’s people were kept distant from Him. Old Testament worship centered around the temple. But now in the New Testament era, God’s Word and God’s house have been opened to us through the sacrificial death of Jesus.  The Old Testament temple consisted of three distinct areas: the courtyard, the holy place, and the holy of holies. Anyone and everyone could enter into the courtyard, Jew and non-Jew alike. But the holy place was only accessible to the priests in the lineage of Aaron. “ The priests go regularly into this section, performing their ritual duties. ” Daily the priests would offer various sacrifices for the people. Into the holy of holies however, “ only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ” Inside of the holy of holies was the ark of the covenant which carried Aaron’s staff, the two tablets of the law, and m...