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When we think of birthday celebrations, we think of parties and friends and decorations and cake and presents. It has become an expectation in our culture. And it seems like children’s birthday parties have become a competition of sorts, with people spending absurd amounts of money to lay bragging rights as to whose party was the best.

Birthday celebrations have not always been a reality. Much has been written about the origins of celebrating birthdays coming from mythology and magic. Some will tell us that Jewish tradition did not allow for birthday celebrations, yet interestingly they always tell us how old someone was when they died.

It became a custom in the early church to speak of the day of a person’s death as his or her “birthday” to a new life. St Ambrose wrote, “the day of our burial is called our birthday, because, being set free from the prison of our crimes, we are born to the liberty of the Saviour”, and “wherefore this day is observed as a great celebration, for it is in truth a festival of the highest order to be dead to our vices and to live to righteousness alone.”

Jesus spoke with Nicodemus about the need to be “born again.” It is not something we do, but something God gives us. And our new life does not have to wait until the day of our death to begin. It is a reality in our lives here and now.

1 Peter 1:3–4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,

That is something worth celebrating.

A few years back, I got a call from Bob. Bob’s wife had been a member of the congregation I served, but she had died about a year earlier. Now his son-in-law had died and he asked if I would conduct a graveside service for him. I agreed to do so, and met him at the cemetery the next day. It was a small, private, out of the cemetery in the country. When I arrived, it was just me and Bob. I asked him if his son-in-law had been a believer. He let out a big sigh, waited about 15 seconds and said, “Well, deep down, I’d like to think he was.” So that gave me a clue as to what my message might be.

Soon people started trickling in to the cemetery, dressed like you would expect to see people dressed who were going to church – the men in shirts and ties, the women in dresses. And then I heard this rumbling in the distance. It was growing closer. And very soon the first Harley Davidson turned in to the cemetery, followed by a long procession of riders of those American made machines. As they parked and took their places, about half the people were dressed in their Sunday best and standing on one side, while the other half, including the widow, were decked out in leather biker gear and standing on the other side.

I stood there for a moment, my mind racing, with all those people looking at me and waiting for me to speak. There was a definite tension in the air, people on both sides of the line standing with arms crossed and furrowed brows.  By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit gave me the words to say, and they were something like this: “I don’t know any of you, and you don’t know me. I didn’t know the man we are burying today, either, so I can’t say anything about him. So what can I say? Well,  I do know Jesus, and I’d like to talk to all of you about him for a few minutes.” And I saw their arms become unfolded and their faces soften and they were ready to give me a chance. I don’t remember everything I said, but I talked about the life and death and resurrection of Jesus that were all done so that anyone and everyone could be brought near to Him and be assured of forgiveness and life everlasting.

Ephesians 2:11-18 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

The only hope for any of us is to trust in and cling to our Savior. And we need to share that hope with the world.

The infamous Supreme Court decision known as Roe v. Wade happened during my freshman year of high school. Yesterday it was overturned by the court. While I have prayed for this day, I was not sure I would see it in my lifetime.

While I think it was good to overturn this decision, this will not end abortion in the United States. The decision is being left to the individual states, and we are a nation that is divided.

Something good that came from Roe v. Wade is that the followers of Jesus rose up and took a stand. They spoke the truth of God’s Word in the face of this evil. They started Crisis Pregnancy Centers that offered counseling, support and adoption as an option. These efforts must continue. In fact, we need to redouble our efforts in this cause, because the battle is about to get more intense.

Satan will reinvigorate his minions to stir up trouble for believers in the wake of this decision. When the impending decision was “leaked,” attacks on churches and pro-life ministries escalated. It will get worse.

That is why believers need to be extra careful that our behavior, speech and actions in this matter are above reproach. We must continue to show the love of Jesus to those who disagree with us, especially those whose lives are burdened by an abortion in their past. We must redouble our efforts to be the church, providing solutions to problems and not just bemoaning them.

When man brought sin into the world, God provided the solution to that problem in Jesus. He stood up to evil, showed the world a better way, and in the process accomplished our forgiveness and salvation. He did that for everyone, including those who are on the other side of this issue. We need to make sure we share that message of God’s love in Christ with them.

As I said earlier, I think the battle is going to intensify. Prepare yourselves for that. Turn to the source of our strength.

1 John 4:4 … the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

We need the courage and conviction of young David going to face the giant.

1 Samuel 17: 47  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

The one who came to accomplish the salvation of all men is all about giving life, not death.

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

This has always been God’s goal, God’s desire. As followers of Jesus, we need to make this our desire as well, working to share this message lovingly with the world.

Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

God strengthen us all to face the days ahead as His witnesses.

Christians believe the Bible because it is God’s Word. He reveals Himself and His plan for our life and salvation through that Word. We also recognize that God’s Word speaks both Law and Gospel.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Law tells us how we should live. It also points out that we have not lived that way, so it shows us our sins. It tells us we are in need of help.

Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

The Gospel points us to Jesus, the Savior God the Father promised and then sent when the time was just right. He came to be our substitute in punishment and gave us His perfection.

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

It is important that we do not confuse Law and Gospel, but unfortunately it happens a lot. We start to believe that our good behavior is part of the reason for our forgiveness, which could not be any more wrong. The only way we have forgiveness is because of what Jesus did for us.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When I taught the catechism to youth and adults, this topic was always at the beginning of the class. It is important to establish this before digging deeper into God’s Word. One question I often used was “What does the Law tell us?”  The answer was: “What to do, what not to do, and how to be.”  As I was reviewing this with one class several weeks later, I asked a young lady that question, and she responded: “What to do and what to don’t.” I think she grasped the concept. The Law does not tell us how to be saved, but it does show us we need a Savior.

The Good News, which is the literal translation of the word “Gospel”, is all about that Savior. It is vital for us to understand. Without Jesus, we have no hope. But we have Him, we have placed our confidence in His death and resurrection, and that will not disappoint us.

Last week Cheryl and I were on the road. We got home Saturday and then drove 130 miles Sunday morning so I could lead worship in Weatherford, Texas. That afternoon we met two of my daughters at my mother’s house in Dallas for a Father’s Day and early birthday party for me. I was exhausted by the time we got home. It turns out it was more than just exhaustion. I was running a fever on Monday. The fever left quickly, but I have been sick all week. And not just a little. Dizziness, weakness, aches, lack of energy and the inability to focus on things. This thing knocked me on my backside. We had to cancel a camping trip with my youngest daughter and her family. And that is why there have not been devotions every day this week. But I am on the mend now. While still not 100%, I am on the road to recovery.

When I got out of bed this morning feeling so much better than I have in days, these words popped into my head.

Psalm 103:1–5 (ESV)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

God is kind and gracious and is the one who grants healing. I am aware of and extremely grateful for that. But what about those who get ill and do not recover? We’ve all seen that in our lives. How do we respond to that?  Look at the passage again.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.

Forget not ALL His benefits, which include forgiveness and redemption. While we don’t always think of it this way, those who have faith in Jesus and do not recover from illness have received the greater gift. They enter the presence of their Savior. Paul had that conviction and confidence.

Romans 14:8 (ESV) For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

I thank God for my physical healing. I thank Him even more for the spiritual healing and restoration He has given me for Jesus’ sake.

1 John 3:1-2 1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (NIV)

You and I are the children of God. Not by natural birth, though. By nature, we are children of wrath, descendants of Adam, enemies of God, orphaned and estranged from Him. We show this by the behavior that we so often lapse into.

Have you noticed that no one wants to be held accountable for his or her actions? So many have the attitude, “Yes, I did it, but it is not my fault.” That excuse just doesn’t wash. Before God, you are accountable for all you have done and what you have not done. But you and I have something that will wash. We admit our sins, without making excuses for them, because we remember that we became God’s children through a washing that He provides. We have received the washing we need in the rebirth that comes through water and the Word, the rebirth of Baptism. Jesus stepped in, took our place, and paid the price for our sins. He did that through a perfect life, a cross, and a resurrection. He offers the benefit of all He did, forgiveness, life and salvation, in Baptism, which makes you clean in His sight and marks you as His children. By His grace, you and I have become His children through this REBIRTH, a spiritual adoption as it were, which God initiated and completed. We are His children!

Why would God choose people like you and me for His kids? Did He look into the future and see that we would be obedient and faithful to Him, making us good candidates to become His children? Was there some kind of cosmic screening process in which God decided that He would save some and not others? No, John tells us the only motive God had was His LAVISH LOVE. It was not even our response to His love that led Him to choose us. It is just Him loving us and choosing us. We have been made His children purely because of His love, which this translation says He “has lavished on us”. The emphasis in this passage is that the love of God is something tremendous, He has an ample supply, and He offers it freely.

Years ago Amy Grant recorded the song “Her Father’s Eyes” in which she prayed that she would look at the world with the eyes of her Father in heaven and that the world around her would notice that she was a child of God. We should all want that kind of resemblance to our Father. One of the amazing things about our God is that He does the work to make us like Himself. He makes us PERFECT. We have no perfection in ourselves, nor can we achieve it through our own efforts. However, His command to “be perfect” was accomplished for us — it comes to us as a gift in Jesus Christ. God has worked it out so that we will stand before Him as perfect on the last day. Perfection in God’s sight is ours because of what Jesus did for us and our faith in Him. That is part of that love He has lavished on us.

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Not recognizing Jesus for who He was and is, the world will not recognize the relationship of perfection we have with Him. Those outside of God’s grace cannot know the change that has taken place in those who have experienced it. You and I need to make it known to them.

You’ve all heard someone say, “I don’t deserve this.” Or maybe, “What did I do to deserve this.” Most often those words are an indignant protest from someone who feels he or she is being treated unfairly. I am reminded of the story of “The Count of Monte Cristo.” That guy was framed and unjustly imprisoned and could rightfully ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” In the Genesis account of Joseph we see a man unfairly treated who had every right to say, “I don’t deserve this!” We’ve all heard those words and have probably said them ourselves.

Did you ever notice how seldom you hear those words from someone who has been blessed with great things and abundant wealth. Sure, there are some folks who say “I don’t deserve this” when they receive a great honor or blessing, but that is not the context in which we usually hear that phrase. Truth be told, most of us expect good things to happen in our lives. We expect to be rewarded for good behavior. We think that somehow the little bit of good we do should more than make up for any wrong we do.

That leads me to one more thought I’d like to share about the passage I have been reflecting on for the last several days:

Luke 7:1-10 1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.  2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.  3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.  4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.  7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, `Go,’ and he goes; and that one, `Come,’ and he comes.  I say to my servant, `Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Did you notice how the Jews spoke about the centurion in this passage: This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue. That attitude of the Jews was “He’s earned it!” And that is the way we often look at ourselves. I’ve tried hard. I’ve lived a good life. I deserve good things! But the centurion had a much different opinion of himself. He said to Jesus, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That was an honest opinion of his standing before God.

In Galatians, Paul was trying to correct some false teachings, one of which was the age-old heresy that people can justify themselves before God by keeping rules, such as the laws of Moses. Paul condemned this as being contrary to the Gospel message. We are all totally dependent on God’s mercy. It is terribly presumptuous to imagine that you deserve anything good from God.

And yet the Gospel message continues to be corrupted into something that tells people following rules makes them right with God. All around us people today are hearing that false teaching or “gospel that is no gospel.” People are accepting that message because they want to feel that they have earned or deserved God’s favor. But it is not true.

Think of it this way. What have you ever done that would make you deserving of someone dying in your place? Have you ever done anything to earn the sacrifice and passion of Jesus? There is no ritual, no rule, no doctrine, no practice, no piety, no wealth, no power, no authority, no words, no deeds that we could do or say or follow that would make you deserving of the sacrifice and suffering Jesus went through for you. He did it because He loves you. He did it to save you, because you can’t save yourself. He did it, and God gives His payment to you freely through faith. Even that faith is His gift to you.

We all mess up – regularly! It is good that we don’t get what we deserve. God gives us what we don’t deserve: forgiveness, life and salvation, all for Jesus’ sake.

I’m still on the topic of Faith on the basis of Luke 7:1-10. The Centurion in that account was in a difficult circumstance and turned to Jesus for help.

You and I often find ourselves in similar situations with our backs against the wall. Loss of a job. Family problems. Sickness. We try every solution we can think of, exhausting our resources. We have heard the promises of God, we claim to believe them, even encourage others to trust in them, but we sometimes fail to trust that God is good and faithful ourselves. We don’t lean on the promises that God has made.

There is the story of a traveler who came to the banks of the Mississippi in the early days of this country. There was no bridge. It was early winter, and the surface was covered with ice. Could he dare cross over? Finally, after much hesitation and with many fears, he began to creep cautiously across the ice on his hands and knees. About halfway across, he heard the sound of singing behind him. Out of the darkness came a man driving a horse drawn load of coal across the ice and singing merrily on his way. Here he was, on his hands and knees, trembling lest the ice not be strong enough. And there, on the very same ice, went the other man, with horses, a sleigh, and a load of coal, held up by the very same ice, so confident that he was singing. How often do you and I creep upon the promises of God?

Here are some examples of God’s promises you can trust:

• You can trust God’s promise of forgiveness. When you are overwhelmed by guilt, your conscience troubling you, you can trust that what Jesus did has taken care of it all. … the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John:7
• God will meet all your needs: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31b-32
• When you feel abandoned and alone with a problem, when even God seems distant and removed, you can trust that He will not forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Be a man or woman of faith. God’s promises are certain, and He will strengthen your faith through His Word and Sacraments. He understands your weakness, and invites you to come to Him. In fact, another account of a healing Jesus did was for the son of a father who admitted his own weakness of faith and said: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24. That is what God wants to hear all of you say. You have faith in Jesus. Grow in that faith.

The last devotion I shared with you was the first in a series of meditations on Luke 7:1-10.

Luke 7:1-10   1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.  He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

It is important to understand what faith is. It is even more important to understand what saving faith is. Saving faith trusts in what Jesus did for you in His death and resurrection. Believing that Jesus died to pay for your sin and rose again so that you could live forever is saving faith. All Christians have saving faith. That is what makes you a Christian. Without that faith, you are not a Christian, even though some people may claim to be or pretend to be. Only those who have put their confidence in Jesus Christ to save them from sin and death are true believers, those who have saving faith.

Once you have that faith, you are saved. But you are not to remain in that state, static and unchanging. Scripture speaks in terms of growing in your faith (2 Corinthians 10:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3). This has to do with your ability to rely on God’s promises more and more in your day-to-day living. This is the aspect of faith I want to examine with you today: after you have been brought to saving faith in Jesus, becoming more faithful in your day to day lives.

When I taught confirmation classes I told them that there are three parts to faith. The first part of faith is KNOWLEDGE. The Centurion was not a Jew, but he knew about Jesus. Jesus was popular with the people, and no doubt word about him was spreading. Perhaps some of those who had heard Jesus speak shared what they heard with the Centurion. However it happened, somehow this Roman soldier had knowledge of who Jesus was. You and I also have that knowledge. You may have received it from your parents or grandparents or friends. It has come to you through Sunday School, Bible Class, Worship, by reading the Bible for yourself, and other places. It is important that we pass that knowledge along to others. This knowledge is too good to keep to yourselves. We need to spread it beyond the walls of our church, beyond the walls of our homes, to those all around us who are living in spiritual darkness. It all starts by sharing the knowledge of Jesus with those who don’t know Him or who have a misunderstanding of who He is. Faith starts with KNOWLEDGE.

The second part of faith is ACCEPTANCE. This is also described as agreement. It is a mental acknowledgment of the facts. The Centurion accepted what he had heard about Jesus. We cannot say for certain that He understood that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but we know that the Word was having an effect on him. The Spirit was working through that Word to lead him to faith. You and I have had the Spirit work in our heart and lives. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I have professed our agreement with God’s Word. You say you ACCEPT the KNOWLEDGE as true.

After KNOWLEDGE and ACCEPTANCE comes the third aspect of faith: TRUST. To explain these three parts of faith, I often use the example of me walking up to a footbridge that has a sign that says “weight limit 225 pounds.” The first step, knowledge, is knowing that I weigh just under 225 pounds and that the sign says the bridge will hold that much weight. The second step, acceptance, takes place when I look at the bridge and decide that it looks sturdy enough to do what it says. The third part of faith, TRUST, is when I actually walk out on to that bridge.

The Centurion trusted what he had heard about Jesus. He accepted the knowledge and was willing to act upon it. In his desperate situation, he sent for Jesus, believing He could help. Recognizing his own unworthiness, he said, “Just say the word and my servant will be healed.” This is the faith that amazed Jesus.

Lord, give us such a faith as this;
And then, whate’er may come,
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home. (TLH396, v.6)

Luke 7:1-10   1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.  He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

I would guess that at some point just about every pastor has heard someone say to him, “You must have a great faith!” I’ve had people say that to me on several occasions. When I asked why, they replied, “Because you are a pastor!” While I am sure they meant that as a compliment, I can remember thinking that they sure weren’t looking at things through my eyes. I know my doubts, my weaknesses, my failings. I can recall all the examples of great faith I have seen when ministering to other people. I have seen those who have endured so much, yet they remain steadfast to their Savior. I have marveled at and been humbled by the faith of so many others I have met.

In the reading above we find our Lord Himself admiring the faith of a man. The thing that makes this especially notable is that this man was not one of God’s chosen people, not a descendant of Abraham, not part of the Jewish nation. And Jesus makes sure that everyone knew that He knew this man was not a Jew: “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” The important thing was not his heritage. The important thing was his faith.  When God looks at you, does He marvel at your faith, or is He astounded by your lack of faith?

Just this morning I watched a video of the father of three of the boys from Tomball, Texas who were killed, along with their cousin and grandfather, by that escaped convict. He was speaking at the memorial service for his sons, father and nephew. In the face of an incomprehensible tragedy, he spoke of his grief and his pain, but also his certainty that his boys were with their Lord because of their faith in Jesus as Savior. The father said the pain was real and would not go away, but insisted that their family would be fine because of their faith in the God who saves.

That is a man of faith. He and his family have heard the promises of God and taken them to heart. That does not mean their lives will be free of trouble. No life is. But it means they have a peace that passes the understanding of this world in the face of overwhelming, and heartbreak in this life. They have that because they know that Jesus lived, suffered, died and rose again so that they could have the certainty of forgiveness, life, salvation and His presence with them every step of the way.

I’m going to spend several days reflecting on this passage and the faith Jesus encountered here.