➡️ The Parable of the Tenants
Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner who leased his property to tenants.
At harvest time, he sent servants to collect his portion of the fruit, but the tenants beat and killed them.
Finally, he sent his son, but they killed him too, believing they could take the inheritance.
Jesus asked, "What will the owner do? He will destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others."
Then he quoted Psalm 118: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
The religious leaders knew Jesus was speaking about them, and they were trying to arrest him.
But what's truly striking is what God was seeking to collect — not your good works or religious achievements, but your sins.
➡️ What About Taxes?
Then, Pharisees and Herodians (normally enemies) joined forces to trap Jesus with a
question about taxes: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?"
Jesus asked for a coin and said, "Whose image is on this? Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
This goes beyond just paying taxes.
Caesar claimed divinity, putting his image on coins to assert ownership. Roman citizens idolized him.
Jesus established proper boundaries: earthly rulers have legitimate but limited authority, while God's authority is ultimate.
We make the same mistake today, turning political leaders into idols, believing our safety depends on "our side" winning.
We forget all rulers are temporary, and God works His saving purpose even through imperfect governments — remember, Jesus "suffered under Pontius Pilate."
Whether you have a good government or bad, pray for it — but we never want to confuse which kingdom ultimately matters.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
Mark 11:12-25: Cursing the Fig Tree, Cleansing the Temple & Moving Mountains
➡️ Jesus curses a fig tree for bearing no fruit, even though it wasn’t fig season. At first glance, this seems unfair.
Some interpretations:
> Creation is Broken: Some suggest the act reflects Jesus’ grief over a broken creation.
In a perfect world (like Eden), fruit trees would always bear fruit.
The fig tree’s barrenness symbolizes how sin has disrupted creation..
> Symbol of Israel: The fig tree also represents Israel.
Its lack of fruit reflects the spiritual barrenness of God's people.
This ties to what follows.
➡️ Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus enters the temple & violently clears out the money changers.
The fig tree & the temple are likely connected.
> Fig Tree = Israel's False Peace: Like the tree, Israel gives the appearance of health but bears no spiritual fruit.
It represents a religious system that had become transactional, abusive, and no longer a source of the forgiveness of sins.
>Temple System Coming to an End: Jesus' actions show that the entire temple system has run its course.
Jesus fulfills the temple, and it is no longer necessary — He is the new temple.
➡️ Faith That Moves Mountains
What does this mean when Jesus says, “If you have faith, you can say to this mountain, ‘Be thrown into the sea,’ and it will be done?”
> The "mountain" may symbolize the Temple Mount
It doesn’t mean God is a "vending machine" where faith is a currency to get material things.
Nor is it about manipulating God to get what you want.
The call to “move mountains” is not about miracles or material gain, but faith in Jesus.
Prayer, then, is about aligning our hearts with God's will — seeking the kingdom and finding comfort in His promises, not worldly outcomes.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
Contributor Eli Lietzau is the pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus
Ever felt bored in church and wondered, "Is this even working? Does this mean I’m not really saved?"
You're not alone.
Here's the truth: Boredom doesn't determine your salvation.
The power of God's Word works regardless of how you feel about it.
American Christianity often measures faith by emotions, but that's not the true measure of faith.
What to remember when you're bored:
✅ Your salvation isn't dependent on perfect attention or emotional experiences.
✅ It's based on what Jesus has done for you.
✅ The Word does what God promises, whether you feel it or not.
Practical tips:
✅ Keep showing up, even when it's boring
✅ When your mind wanders, gently bring it back
✅ Take notes during the sermon
✅ Write down distracting thoughts so you can let them go
Church might seem boring sometimes, but that repetition serves you when life is anything but boring — in hospitals, during stressful times, or when it feels like everything is falling apart.
Recognize this struggle as one more area where you need Jesus. Even your inability to pay attention is covered by His grace.
Remember: God loves you and meets you exactly where you are — fidgety, distracted, bored and all.
Your feelings don't determine His faithfulness.
Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #church
In Matthew 10, Jesus sends his disciples "as sheep among wolves" and tells them to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
But what does this actually mean?
Being "wise as serpents" means:
✓ Having "street smarts" and understanding how the world really works
✓ Recognizing the cruelty and dangers of a broken world
✓ Knowing when to speak up and when to remain silent
✓ Being prepared for persecution when you stand for your faith
But Jesus balances this with "innocent as doves," which means:
☑️ Maintaining your integrity even in difficult situations
☑️ Acting with kindness, gentleness, and vulnerability
☑️ Remembering your identity in Christ first and foremost
☑️ Not becoming the very thing you're fighting against
This isn't permission to lie or manipulate others "for a good cause." Instead, it's wisdom to navigate a fallen world while holding onto who you truly are in Christ.
In practice, this might mean:
→ Speaking truth with kindness rather than harshness
→ Waiting for the right moment to address difficult situations
→ Putting the best construction on others' words and actions (8th Commandment)
→ Being self-aware of both your surroundings and your own sinful tendencies
Remember: The world can be harsh and unfair, but you don't have to play by its rules.
In Christ, we have the wisdom to see clearly and the grace to remain gentle in a world that often rewards neither.
Your baptismal identity is stronger than the world's games of power, money, and status.
You're forgiven. You're in Christ. You have the truth.
Contributor Matt Richard is Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #newtestament
Life issues in Genesis 15
When Genesis 15 opens, Abram faces a moment of deep uncertainty.
God promised him descendants, land, and a savior — yet none have materialized.
Sarah remains unable to conceive, and Abram's inheritance seems destined for his servant Eleazar.
His heart cries out: "God, what are you doing? You've given me no offspring!"
But notice something beautiful here — Abram's doubt doesn't reflect weak faith, but rather a faith strong enough to wrestle honestly with God.
Doubt isn't the absence of faith; it's being "double-minded" — believing God's promise while simultaneously seeing a reality that doesn't match.
We can feel like this, too — when illness lingers, when brokenness remains — we believe God's promises, yet our pain speaks a different story.
God meets Abram's doubt not with rebuke but with a profound act of grace and reassurance.
He takes him outside to look at the stars, promising descendants too numerous to count.
But God does more—He provides something tangible.
Through an ancient covenant ceremony, where normally both parties would walk between cut up animals, only God passes through as a smoking fire pot and flaming torch.
God essentially says: "These promises rest entirely on My shoulders. I will carry this or this is what will happen to me."
God still uses tangible means to bring his promises to us — through His Word joined to physical elements in the sacraments — at the communion rail and in the waters of baptism.
Like Abram, we can trust that God is working, your story can only end one way—the way He promised.
Contributor Michelle Bauman is the Director of Y4Life.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #genesis
In Genesis 14, we find a story about war ⚔️ and rescue 🛡️.
Several kings 👑 attack other kingdoms because they didn't pay their taxes.
During this conflict, Lot (Abram's nephew) and his family are captured ⛓️.
When Abram hears about this, he gathers 318 of his men and launches a rescue mission 🏹.
They surround the enemy camp at night and free all the captives 🎉.
Though war isn't life-affirming and causes death, sometimes it's necessary to protect life.
Being a soldier isn’t a sin, but if you struggle with the weight of it, remember: Jesus came to rescue you, too ✝️.
After the battle, Abram meets a mysterious king and priest named Melchizedek 🤴.
He brings out bread 🍞 and wine 🍷 and blesses Abram.
Melchizedek’s name means “king of righteousness,” and he rules in Salem, which means peace ☮️. (Salem later becomes Jerusalem 🏰.)
Jesus is the true King of Righteousness, the Prince of Peace, who gives us bread and wine in communion — His body and blood — for the forgiveness of sins.
Your hope, even in the mess of life, is knowing that Christ holds you because the greatest battle was already fought — and won — on the cross ✝️for you.
And just like Abram met Melchizedek after his battle, you meet Jesus, your true King, who gives you everything you need — forgiveness, peace, and eternal life 🌟.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
Contributor Michelle Bauman is the Director of Y4Life.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #genesis
In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly." ✨ But what does that actually mean? 🤔
If life is supposed to be abundant, why does it sometimes feel so hard? 😔
Jesus doesn’t ignore the fact that there’s evil in the world. 💔 In the same verse, He warns about thieves who come to steal, kill, and destroy. 🏴☠️
But He also promises that He is the Good Shepherd, 🐑💖 the one who lays down His life for His sheep — that’s you and me. 🙌
So what does abundant life look like? 🤷♂️ It’s not about having an easy, problem-free existence. 🚫 Jesus never promised that.
Instead, abundant life means that even when you face struggles, pain, and doubts, ⛰️ you are never alone. 🤝 You belong to Him. 💙
Your life is so secure in Jesus that nothing — not sin, not suffering, not even death — can take it away. ✝️🔒
The church isn’t perfect; it’s full of sinners, hypocrites, and yes, even thieves and robbers. 😬⛪ But that doesn’t mean Jesus has abandoned it.
In fact, the presence of opposition only confirms that we are in the right place. 🎯🔥
The Good Shepherd is still here, speaking to us, 📖 carrying us when we fall, 🤗 and feeding us with His grace. 🍞
Abundant life isn’t about worldly success. 💰🚗🏡 It’s about knowing that Jesus died and rose for you. ✝️🌅
It’s about hope that can’t be stolen and a love that never runs out. 💛✨
No matter how dark things seem, 🌑 the Good Shepherd hasn’t left. ❤️
He’s right here, offering you life that even death can’t take away. 🎉
That’s real abundance. 🙌💖
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus
Let's talk about self-hatred. 😔💭
It’s something we all deal with at some point.
When battling self-hatred, it’s easy to get caught in an endless cycle of thinking about ourselves. 🔄 (The same goes with too much self-love.)
We know our mistakes and secrets better than anyone, and we assume if others knew everything, they'd hate us, too. 💔
But here's the truth: some people know us better than you realize, and they still love us. ❤️
More importantly, God knows everything about us — even things we haven't done yet — and chooses to love us anyway. ✝️💖
Remember C.S. Lewis's wisdom: "True humility isn't thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less." 🧠✨
Both excessive self-love and self-hatred keep us focused on ourselves rather than on God and others. 🙏
When self-hatred flares up, here are some things that might help:
✔️ Recognize your identity comes from outside yourself.
God calls you His beloved child. 👑💙
✔️ You're not allowed to hate what God loves, and He says you're worthy of love because Jesus paid for that love with His precious blood. 💞🩸
✔️ Talk to someone.
Don't hide your feelings. Talk to friends, parents, or pastors who can remind you of God's grace. 🗣️🤝
✔️ Seek confession and absolution.
There's a comfort in hearing someone say, "Jesus died for that. You're still loved." ✝️🤍
✔️ Look for the good God works through you.
God not only loves you, calls you worthy of love, but then He does things worth loving through you. 🌱✨
Self-hatred is a daily battle because we sin daily, but remember this truth daily — God says you’re worthy of love and you are worth more than gold and silver. 💰💖 You are worth the precious blood He shed for you. 🩸🙏
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #selfhatred
How Do We Bring Unity to the Church? 🤔
We might think unity comes from what we do – our efforts, programs, or activities. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
True unity isn't something we create — it's something we receive as a gift from God. 🎁 It comes through His Word and through Jesus. ✝️
Think about Pentecost: The Holy Spirit brought thousands together not through team-building exercises, but through a simple message: 🕊️
"You're sinners. Jesus died for you. Get baptized for the forgiveness of your sins." 🌊
Fellowship also isn't about something we're doing. It points to something Jesus gives us through His Spirit, Word, and Sacraments. 🍞🍷
But if unity comes from God, why are there so many denominations? 🤷♀️
➡️While Jesus unites, false teachings divide. ⚔️
Unity isn't ignoring differences — it's standing together in truth. 🧩
It's like a fire drill at school. Everyone needs the same belief about what to do when the alarm rings (or it will be chaos). 🚨
Similarly, when someone faces sin and death, we need one clear message of hope through Jesus. ✝️
You might not always feel united with other Christians, just like you might not always feel close to family members. 👨👩👧👦
Real unity doesn't depend on feelings. It's based on what God has already done by connecting us to Jesus when we became his children. 👶
When we're tied to Jesus as your head, you're automatically tied together with other Christians to His body - AKA, other Christians. 👐
True unity flows from receiving God's gifts together: one Lord, one faith, one baptism. 1️⃣
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
Contributor Marsh Shamburger is Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, CA.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #churchunity
🤔 Ever wonder what forgiveness really means? It's not just something you create from your own heart — it comes from Jesus
🙏 When you pray "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," that "as" is key. It means "in the same way."
💫 Your forgiveness and the forgiveness you extend to others both come from the same source — Jesus on the cross ✝️
💭 Think about it: Jesus died for everyone's sins — yours and the person who hurt you. When God forgives, it's complete.
🧹 Your sins don't just get reduced — they're erased entirely, "separated as far as east is from west." 🌎↔️🌏
❤️🩹 This matters because if you think forgiveness has to come from your heart, you'll always struggle.
🤷 How can you truly erase someone's debt to you when you're still hurting? You can't — but Jesus can! ✨
👀 When you look at the cross, you see two things:
1️⃣ Your sins are forgiven ✅
2️⃣ Your enemy's sins are forgiven too ✅
⚖️ The justice you're looking for already happened on the cross. Jesus took the punishment for everyone.
When your heart 💔 struggles to forgive, don't beat yourself up. Instead, look to the cross again. Remember that all forgiveness — both what you receive and what you share — comes from Jesus. ✝️
👭👬 This transforms people from enemies into brothers and sisters. We're joined together by the same gift of forgiveness. 💝
💪 So when you're finding it hard to forgive someone, remember: you don't have to create forgiveness from nothing. ⚫
Go to the cross ✝️, receive more forgiveness for yourself, and let that same forgiveness flow through you to others. 🌊
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #forgiveness
❓Are kids allowed to date if they're Christian? 🤔✝️
For Christians, dating isn't just a recreational activity — it has purpose. 🎯 You're exploring whether this person could be a potential life partner in marriage. 💍
This means having real conversations about faith, values, and future goals. 🙏💭
Unlike what society often portrays, love isn't just a feeling — it's an action. ❤️🚶♂️
Real love means being willing to sacrifice for someone else. 🤲
In dating, you're discovering if this is someone you're willing to commit to, build a life with, and sacrifice yourself for. 🏗️🏠
Some practical wisdom:
▶️ Set clear boundaries. Physical affection easily crosses into territory that you might regret later. 🛑⚠️
▶️ Practice chastity — this means making choices now that lead to a healthy marriage in the future. 👑🔒
Remember that physical intimacy connects souls, not just bodies. Like fire, sex is wonderful in the right place (marriage) but destructive outside of it. 🔥
You will make mistakes. Everyone does. The good news is that Jesus offers forgiveness and grace for every sin, including against the sixth commandment. 🙌
When you mess up, don't run from God — run to Him through confession and absolution. 🏃♀️🙏
Confession and forgiveness are also key ingredients in a healthy marriage. 💯
One thing to look for when dating is if you will be able to forgive the person when he or she betrays you? It will happen. 🤝
Just as Christ forgives the church, so husbands and wives forgive each other. ✝️
It all builds on the forgiveness we receive in Jesus. 💖
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.
Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #christiandating
❓What is Redemption?
🛍️ Think of redemption like purchase – but in this case, it's the most important purchase ever made.
🎫 Just as you might redeem a coupon at a store, Jesus redeemed you, but not with money.
❤️ Instead, He purchased you with something far more precious: His own holy and precious blood and His innocent suffering and death.
✨ Here's what makes this so incredible: your value isn't determined by what you can do or who you are.
💎 In life, things are worth what someone is willing to pay for them. (If someone is willing to pay $10K for a diamond, that's what it's worth.)
💫 By this measure, you are priceless because Jesus paid the ultimate price for you.
🤗 He saw everything about you — even the parts you might be ashamed of — and still chose to pay that enormous price.
👶 Through this redemption, God pays the price for you to become His child.
🌱 While we want to be independent, we are "owned" by God, and He gives us our identity.
🏡 We are owned by someone who cares for us, and we don't have to earn our worth.
💝 You're a precious possession that's been bought at an enormous price.
🎁 Unlike those impulse purchases we sometimes make and forget about, God cherishes you and continues to care for you.
⚓ This identity as one of God's redeemed children can't be taken away from you, even in difficult times.
🌅 While you might have painful moments, they don't change your worth or who you are.
✝️ You're someone Christ has bought with a price, someone Jesus saves. That's your permanent identity, and it's a tremendous source of comfort.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #redemption
Here's what you need to know about Jesus ✝️ and the Old Testament 📖
When you look at what Jesus says about the Old Testament, it's actually quite simple — it's all about Him. 👑
Christ isn't just the center of scripture — He's actually the author of all of it, both Old and New Testaments. ✍️
You can see this connection clearly when comparing biblical events. 🔍
Take the story where Jesus calms the storm — the winds and waves recognize His voice because it's the same voice that spoke at creation in Genesis. 🌊
Or consider the cloud that appears at Jesus's transfiguration — it's the same divine presence that led the Israelites in Exodus. ☁️
If you've ever found the Old Testament puzzling (like those ancient battles or ceremonial laws), here's the key: they make sense when you see Jesus in them. 🗝️
Take David and Goliath — it's not a lesson in how to be brave. It's about God protecting the lineage that would lead to Jesus, with David's victory over Goliath echoing the promise that the Messiah would crush evil. ⚔️
Sometimes people think the Old Testament (with its wars and laws) contradicts the New Testament's message of love. But that's only if you remove Jesus from the picture. ❤️
When you keep Him at the center, you'll see remarkable consistency throughout the entire Bible. It's one unified story of salvation. 🌟
The Apostle Paul understood this. When he went to synagogues to teach about Jesus, he used the Old Testament to make his case. Why? Because all of scripture - starting with Genesis funnels into Christ. 📜
So when you read the Old Testament, Jesus invites you to look for Him in its pages. 👀
If you haven't found Jesus in an Old Testament story, you might want to take another look - because He's there, weaving together God's story of salvation for you. 🫶
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #oldtestament
What is the difference between justification and sanctification? 🤔
Let’s break it down. ✂️
Justification is God’s completed work of saving you through Jesus’s death and resurrection. ✝️
You don’t contribute anything to it — it’s purely God’s grace through faith. 🙏
When you’re justified, you’re declared innocent because Jesus took your punishment. ⚖️
It’s done, finished, complete. ✅
Sanctification is God’s ongoing work of making you holy through the Holy Spirit, using His Word and sacraments. 🔥📖💧
Think of it like this: every day, the old Adam is drowned, and a new man emerges. 🌊🆕
Must Christians do good works? Yes. Just like an apple tree naturally produces apples. 🍎🌳
While you’re alive, you live at the intersection of these two things. 🛤️
The key is to avoid measuring with “Is it working?” and instead ask “Is it true?” ❓✅
Both justification and sanctification are God’s work, not yours. 🎁
The apparent tension between them exists because we live in the “now and not yet” — the time between Christ’s resurrection and our own. ⏳✝️
When you want assurance about your justification, don’t look at yourself — look at Jesus’s death and resurrection. 👀✝️
The same goes for sanctification. 🙌
The best place to measure your sanctification isn’t by looking at yourself but at the communion rail and baptismal font, where God gives His gifts to forgive sinners. 🍞🍷💦
Think of sanctification in action as the church at work: sinners encouraging and forgiving each other, proclaiming the cross to one another, hearing absolution from their pastor. ⛪❤️✝️
It’s God’s daily work in you, making you holy through His Word and sacraments, shaping you into what He declared “good” at creation. 🌍✨
Both justification and sanctification are true, both are yours, and both are God’s gifts to you. 🎁🙌
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #justification
🤔 What is repentance, and why is it important?
🙏 Repentance isn't just about feeling sorry for your sins.
It's a two-part process that includes:
💔 Contrition (acknowledging your wrongs)
✨ Hope (faith in God's mercy)
🌟 In other words, when you repent, you're not just feeling guilty; you're trusting that God will forgive you.
💭 Think of it like this: If you break something valuable and know the punishment will be severe, you might try to blame others — the dog, gravity, or circumstances.
➡️ But real repentance means admitting your fault (not blaming anyone else) because you believe in God’s truth and mercy.
⚖️ When you're exposed to the law, it produces contrition — you recognize where you've fallen short.
🙏When you hear the gospel, it creates hope — you trust in His forgiveness.
🌱 Both these responses might be imperfect in this life, and that's okay.
⚓ You don't need to measure how sorry you feel or how strong your faith is. Instead, focus on Christ, who rose from the grave.
🎯 The importance of repentance lies in giving you somewhere to take your sins. You shouldn't have them, but since you do, Jesus gives you a place to take them.
⛪ Through baptism, communion, and the church, you have concrete places to receive this forgiveness.
🌅 Rather than trying to bury your sins or become numb to them (which doesn't solve the underlying problem), you can bring them to Jesus.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #repentance
🤔 Does being a Christian mean you have to be intolerant?
The answer isn't simple, but here's the key: Christianity teaches you to love others while being clear about right and wrong. ❤️💫
Think about it like this: When you love someone, you want what's best for them. 🌟
Sometimes it means speaking up when they're hurting themselves or others. 🗣️
It's like seeing a friend about to drink rat poison — true love means stopping them, even if they get angry at you in the moment. ⚠️
Your approach will vary based on your relationship with the person. 🤝
You'll talk differently to your best friend than to a stranger about their choices. 👥
If someone is struggling with a problem and feels guilty about it, they need your compassion and support. 🫂
If they're deliberately causing harm and don't care, they need to hear hard truths, (aka, the law). ⚖️
Remember that Christianity doesn't teach you to hate people, but it does teach to be discerning about behaviors and ideas that cause harm. 💭
You can disagree with someone's actions while still treating them with dignity and respect. 🙏
The goal isn't to win arguments or prove you're right; it's to help people understand God's love and forgiveness. ✝️
It's important to have real conversations with people, not just shout opinions from a distance, (aka, the internet). 💻
Sit down, listen, and talk one-on-one. Share your concerns from a place of genuine care, not judgment. 👂❤️
And remember that everyone is imperfect and needs grace. 🕊️
So yes, there are some places where Christianity will make you intolerant of certain things. There is never a place where Christianity should rob you of compassion. 💖✨
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #christianintolerance
🤔 What does Jesus say about facing death?
⏰ It's a reality we all must confront, even though we often get caught up in our daily routines and become numb to this truth.
✝️ But here's the beautiful thing – Jesus offers you profound comfort and peace about death.
🗣️ Remember when Jesus held intimate conversations with his disciples? He emphasized being alert and awake, not just about his second coming, but about the reality of our mortality.
⚰️ The early church had a saying: "memento mori" (remember your death). This doesn't mean YOLO! 🎉
⚖️ Instead, it's about confronting the fact that you will be judged. So, go to the place where you will be judged: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
⛪ Where is that? Church.
🎵 Every single week the church prepares you to die because it teaches you your funeral hymn.
👶 In Luke 2, when Simeon held the baby Jesus, he said he could now "depart in peace" because he had seen salvation.
🙌 (Here's the cool part: We sing these very words every week in our liturgy!)
🕊️ This is the peace Jesus offers you — the assurance that death isn't the end, but a transition to being with Him.
🍷 Through communion, you participate in what Jesus called "the marriage feast of the lamb."
🍞 Each time you receive His body and blood, you're reminded that you can depart in peace because your sins are forgiven, and where Jesus is, you will be also.
⚔️ Jesus's message about death is an invitation to rest in the assurance that He has conquered death for you.
⚡ You don't need to fear judgment because He has already paid the price and received the judgement we deserve in our place.
🌟 Whether you live another fifty years or face death tomorrow, you can have peace knowing that in Christ, death has lost its sting.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
Contributor Matt Richard is Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #christiandeath
🤔 What Does It Mean That Man Is Born Sinful, and Why Is It Important?
👶 Being "born sinful" means that humans are naturally inclined to sin from birth.
🌱 This isn't just about doing bad things — it's a condition. Sin isn't simply actions but a state of being, like a disease that affects every part of us.
📖 The Bible explains this in many places, such as Romans 5:12, which says, "As by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned."
💭 One way to know if this is true is to ask, "Can humans die?"
💔 Tragically, even babies can die, showing that sin affects everyone from the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5).
🔄 This condition, called original sin, means we are born separated from God and naturally self-centered.
Sin shows itself in two ways:
1️⃣ Original sin (our sinful nature)
2️⃣ Actual sins (the wrong things we do or fail to do, like breaking the Ten Commandments)
🎯 But fixing outward actions doesn't address the deeper problem. The real issue is the disease of sin itself.
✝️ This is why Christianity isn't about "trying harder" or earning salvation through good behavior. Instead, it's about receiving Jesus, who is the cure.
⚡ Jesus took on our sin — original and actual — on the cross, offering forgiveness and life.
📜 As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God."
🔍 Understanding original sin helps us see why Christ's work matters.
🎁 It shows that Christianity isn't a self-improvement plan; it's about receiving God's gift of forgiveness through Jesus.
⚖️ Without this understanding, Christianity could become just another set of rules.
🙏 Instead, it's about grace — being united with Christ through baptism, receiving communion, and living in the forgiveness He gives.
❤️ In short, original sin explains why the world is broken and why we need Jesus. Through Him, we find life and hope.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
📖 When you read the book of Proverbs as a Lutheran, it's important to keep Jesus at the center of the conversation.
⚖️ The law in Proverbs can make you uncomfortable as it shows how things are supposed to be, and we may feel like we don't measure up.
✝️ But remember, the law is never the only word, and it has no bearing on your salvation in Christ.
The law is a gift in two ways - 🎁
👑 It paints a picture of Jesus (Not you. The gospel describes you.)
💗 It shows you're a sinner in need of a savior.
⚡ The crucial thing to remember is that the law should NEVER burden your conscience about your salvation.
🌟 Your identity isn't defined by how well you follow these rules — it's defined by the gospel.
❤️ You are someone Christ died for, someone who is baptized.
🌙 When you feel that midnight self-hatred creeping in about how you've failed to measure up, remember: you're not supposed to be God. You're supposed to be the one God died for.
🦁 Think of the law like a lion. You wouldn't want to get close to a lion in the wild — it would kill you! But when the lion is safely in its cage at the zoo, you can appreciate its beauty and power.
🔒 Similarly, when the gospel "cages" the law through Christ's work on the cross, you can appreciate the wisdom in Proverbs without being threatened by it.
📚 So yes, read Proverbs! It's full of good gifts.
🙏 But whenever you see words like "wisdom" or read about fulfilling the law, make sure you're thinking about your God, not yourself.
✨ When you approach Proverbs this way — through the lens of Christ's perfect fulfillment and your salvation through Him — it becomes a gift instead of a burden.
🌈 You can appreciate God's beautiful design for life while resting secure in His grace.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
Contributor Amelia is a college student and HT’s assistant webmaster.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #proverbs
✝️ We know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so why do we default to the law?
❤️ You probably feel this inner drive to earn God's approval — that's normal. It's like we're all programmed with this instinct to follow rules and try to be "good enough."
😔 When you mess up (which everyone does), you might think you need to work harder to make up for it.
🌟 But here's the thing: You can't earn your way into heaven, and you don't need to. Jesus already did the heavy lifting.
⚡️ Think of it like this — you can't put Jesus back in the tomb. He died for you, rose again, and that's a done deal. You can't mess it up.
📜 The law isn't bad — it helps guide you and protect others.
✨ But following rules isn't what saves you. That's all Jesus.
🤔 You might be thinking, "So what am I supposed to do as a Christian?" It's not about checking boxes or proving yourself worthy.
💫 Sure, you'll still struggle with wanting to prove yourself — that's your human nature. But every time that happens, remember: You don't need to impress God.
🙏 Jesus already took care of everything. Your job isn't to be perfect; it's to trust that His perfect love is enough.
🎮 It's like having the cheat codes to life — but instead of feeling guilty about it, you get to live freely, knowing you're covered. Pretty cool, right?
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.
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