Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 16:1-7

Finally, our long Lenten journey has reached its unlikely conclusion. Unlikely, at least according to the world’s assumption. For forty days, Christians all over the world have been contemplating their sinfulness and need for God’s intervention in rescuing us from the consequences of our disobedience to His law. For forty days, many have taken up the discipline of reading Holy Scripture, abiding in God’s Word of love, mercy, and grace which brings hope to sin-sick souls. And now, in the most unlikely of scenarios, the once sealed tomb of Jesus of Nazareth is opened for all to see inside; to see that He is not there, for He is risen.

Early on the first day of the week, some of the women who followed Jesus went to the tomb to weep and complete the Jewish burial rite by anointing Jesus’s lifeless body with spices, oils, and perfumes. How would they roll the great stone away? How would they dare to gain access to His body with Roman sentries standing by guarding Christ’s grave so that no one may enter? These and so many other questions must have been running through their minds as they came upon the grave where Jesus was laid. But their questions were soon answered in a most dramatic fashion. An Angel announced to them that Jesus was indeed alive; he is risen! Does this good news conjure up questions in your mind as you stand two-thousand years opposite Mary and the women who first discovered the resurrection of Christ?

Following our forty day Lenten trek across the scriptures to the cross of Good Friday, it would be natural to ask questions upon discovering such a miracle. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean? How must I live my life knowing that Christ has died and arisen from the grave? How do I faithfully respond to the news of Jesus’s rising? All good questions for sure, and all demand answers.

First of all, “What does the resurrection of Jesus mean?” It means that those who have placed their faith and trust in Him, even though they die, shall live. The grave could not hold Jesus and because we are united with him in death through our Baptism, the grave cannot hold us either. Christians need no longer fear the grave; it’s lost its power. On the day of God’s choos[1]ing, we will receive the resurrection of the body and dwell in the kingdom of God forever.

Next, “How must I live my life knowing that Christ has arisen from the grave?” All believers in Christ Jesus are called to live according to His example of loving service toward our neighbors. This means doing what Jesus did in the ways He taught us. Forgiving the sins of those who sin against us. Sharing the goodness and abundance of God’s blessings with those who have little. Praying for those who are wandering around, lost in this world and have no one to encourage, care, or pray for them. This is what it means to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus.

And finally, “How do I faithfully respond to the news of Jesus’s rising?” Well, simply put – tell others. Share the Gospel of our Lord to those whom you meet. Share it with anyone and everyone, no matter whether they have heard it before, or have not heard it at all. All people need to hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you don’t know how to tell others, or if you are shy about having such conversations, pray. Pray for courage. Pray for guidance. Pray that God would send you a companion who will teach you, encourage you, and walk alongside you as you go in the name of Christ our Lord.

It’s the Easter season. No longer do we travel the road to the cross of shame. For now we travel a much different road. It is the way of truth, and the way of life. For Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Grace and peace,

Pastor David Nuottila

Thus, the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:1-3

The world is a busy, noisy place filled with people at work and play. Our culture is one in which we try to fill every moment with the sights and sounds of modern-day life. There is so much to choose from, so much to do, and so little time. The “other” gods of the world demand our precious time causing many to work longer and harder to make enough money to appease them.

The rhythm and pace of worldly living puts us on trial and drives us to unhealthy habits of eating fast food (The defendant will rise), neglecting our families, (Guilty as charged), and not getting the rest needed to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits. (Bailiff, take him away!)

The world is so busy and distracted that the voices of competition, success, selfishness, pride, and pleasure deafen our ears and fill our hearts and minds with earthly troubles. But as God’s people become quiet and still, we hear yet another voice. Listening in faith, we hear that whispering voice that calls out to us. As we listen even closer, we recognize it as the voice of God’s Holy Spirit.

If we can only break out of the rhythm of life as set by “other gods” we will soon find that it is the one true God who truly sets the rhythm of life. God blesses his people with all they need. He allows six days for work and gives the seventh for rest, worship, and prayer.

According to Luther’s Small Catechism, we are to fear, love, and trust in God, so that we may be rested and refreshed; not only by our taking time away from unnecessary work, but especially by gathering with the people of God to worship, pray, and hear God’s Word as it is preached and to receive the Sacrament of the Altar which is the Holy Communion of Christ’s precious body and blood.

Remembering the Sabbath begins with God’s people gathering as a community. We celebrate the love that God so freely gives to the world. Remembering the Sabbath day means we remember God is the source of our very lives and livelihood. Keeping it holy means we gather with the saints for worship and thanksgiving.

As we consider this commandment, remember to pray for those who are under stress from overwork, sleepless nights, and driven by the urgency of a fallen and broken world. Pray for those who work in this noisy, busy world. Pray for anyone who might feel abandoned, neglected, or lost. Pray for our church family, that we might overcome any differences we have, objections, or grudges and live together in the peace of Christ. And finally, pray that for one day in seven, all may find peace and quiet, so that they may also hear the whispering voice of God calling them to rest, to refresh themselves by drinking from the living water of Christ Jesus, dwelling in his gospel where all may find peace.

As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, we have the opportunity to renew our commitment to striving toward keeping God’s Ten Commandments, especially toward our commitment to keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Let this be our prayer throughout the season.

Holy God, you give your people one day in seven to rest from work, that we may gather in faith to worship you, to pray and to give you thanks. Strengthen us in faith that we may keep the Sabbath holy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I hope to see many of you as we continue toward the cross of Good Friday and the Empty tomb of Easter.

God bless you all with His peace and presence,

Pastor David Nuottila