DEVOTIONS
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Adam and Eve. Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526.
Courtauld Gallery, London.
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A companion podcast to Growing in Christ
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Listen to the lively discussion between Sunday School Senior Editor Deaconess Pamela J. Nielsen and other editors from Concordia Publishing House and prepare to teach the Bible text for this week’s Growing in Christ lesson! Background information on the setting, context, and other details of the text are discussed with an emphasis on finding the Law and the Gospel in the story. The question, “Where is Jesus in this story?” is central to the discussion along with ideas about how teachers might discuss the story in age-appropriate ways to their students. Join the growing number of regular listeners to this podcast.
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Albrecht Dürer, Four Apostles, 1526 (Alte Pinakothek, Munich).
These are saints of a radical new religion-- Martin Luther's
Protestantism. Dürer, a friend of Luther's, strips these saints of
their halos and makes them fully human, with receding hairlines,
wrinkles, and suspicious eyes. With a Bible in one hand and a
sword in the other, Paul (far right) is a fitting symbol of the
dangers that came with the Reformation.
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Associated Scripture Readings:
John 4:1-26
Psalm 63
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| Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. . . . The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14 |
Driving through eastern Colorado, our family noticed the extensive irrigation of the wheat and corn crops. Crops are irrigated often; irrigation isn’t a one-time event. The same thing holds true for us humans. We become thirsty over and over again, and we need a drink of water again and again.
In the town of Sychar, Jesus held a discussion with a woman at the community well. The woman had come prepared to draw water from the well, and Jesus asked her for a drink. In return, He offered her the gift of living water, eternal life through faith in Him.
Jesus knows she is not perfect, but His gift is offered freely to her—and to us. We will never need anything more than the gift Jesus offers to us through faith in Him. He has accomplished everything for us and in our stead so that we can stand before a living God as ones cleansed from our sins. In Christ and by His mercy, we enjoy eternal fellowship with our Lord and Savior. |
Dear Jesus, thank You for the free gift of eternal life, which You have purchased and won for us. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen. |
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Elsheimer - The Flight into Egypt ("Flicht Nach Agypten")
Three refugees — Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus — flee for their
lives, adrift in a wide, dark, dangerous world. The true subject
isn't the people but the few glimmers of light that they navigate
by — the campfire of the shepherds at left (friends or enemies?),
Joseph's flickering torch, the Milky Way slanting above, and most
of all, the moon with its reflection trapped in water. In this
immense night whose dawn is far from inevitable, we sense the
fragility of human beings, tiny sparks in a dark world.
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Associated Scripture Readings:
Thessalonians 3:1-5
Psalm 5
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| Get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them. Exodus 9:19 |
A pair of young deer stood in a grove of trees not far from where we sat trapped in our new vehicle as a hailstorm raged outside. Neither the deer nor we moved. None of us had any other place to seek shelter. Hail can be destructive, and we wondered how the deer would fare. The Lord protected us in our car and the deer in the stand of trees, just as He pro-tected the Israelites and their livestock during the plague against Egypt. The Lord continues to protect us from earthly harm and danger.
The Lord has done more than protect us from physical danger. He con-tinues to guard us from the evil one. In His faithfulness, God will not let us be tempted beyond the strength He gives us.
Although the devil seeks to devour us, Jesus has won the victory over Satan and our sinful nature, and He gives us power to combat sinful de-sires. God directs our hearts and minds to His love and Christ’s steadfast-ness as we await His return and our entry into glory with Him. |
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the salvation You won for us by Your death and resurrec-tion and for the continued protection You grant us, both physical and spiritual. Amen. |
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Associated Scripture Readings:
Philippians 4:10-20
Psalm 18:1-3
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| I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 |
It wasn’t uncommon to see chipmunks scurrying around our campsite and into the woods at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. What surprised me, though, was to see one sitting at the top of a very tall tree. I learned chipmunks can climb trees. These little creatures of God had been given the strength to make the climb to the top of very large trees. So, too, with us: in our Christian life in Christ, we are given strength from the Lord to live out our daily walk in faith. The Lord is our strength.
In the text from Philippians, the apostle Paul told the people of Phi-lippi that he was content in whatever state he found himself: in need or with plenty, well fed or hungry. Paul also shared with them the source of his contentment: he received his strength and contentment from Christ.
Our Lord has blessed the Church through His gracious act of strength and contentment as He faced the cross, where He hung for our sins. By His cross, He gives us strength and contentment to live each day to His glory. He has called us, redeemed us, and forgiven us; we now serve Him. |
Dear Lord, as I ponder my needs, I realize You have accomplished all for me. You have accepted me by grace, forgiven me of my sins, and washed me clean. Praise be to You. Amen. |
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Michelangelo, Creation of Adam, c. 1510
(Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, Rome)
Michelangelo places God and man at the heart of this
Renaissance version of creation. Adam, newly formed in
the image of God, lounges dreamily in perfect naked
innocence. God, with his entourage, swoops
in with a swirl of activity. (With a little imagination, God's
realm looks like a cross-section of a human brain...quite
a strong humanist statement.) Their reaching hands '
are the center of this work. Adam's is limp and passive;
God's is strong and forceful, his finger twitching with energy.
Here is the very moment of creation, as a father God
passes the spark of life to man, the crowning work of his
creation. This is the spirit of the Renaissance -- God is
not a terrifying giant reaching down to puny and helpless
man from way on high. Here they are on equal plane. God
and Adam balance each other, like two pieces of a jigsaw
puzzle, or two long-separated continents, or like the yin
and yang symbols finally coming together and
complementing each other, creating wholeness. God and
man work together in the divine process of creation.
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Michelangelo - Entombment (unfinished)
Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor ever, proves it here in this "painted sculpture" of the crucified Jesus being carried to the tomb. The figures are almost like chiseled statues of Greek gods, especially the musclehead in red rippling beneath his clothes. Christ's naked body, shocking to the medieval church, was completely acceptable in the Renaissance world where classical nudes were admired as an expression of the divine. In true Renaissance style, balance and symmetry reign. Christ is the center of the composition, flanked by two equally-leaning people who support his body with strips of cloth. They in turn are flanked by two more. Michelangelo lets the bodies do the talking. The two supporters strain to hold up Christ's body and in their tension we, too, feel the great weight and tragedy of their dead god. Michelangelo expresses the divine through the human form.
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Rembrandt - Belshazzar's Feast (about 1635)
The wicked king has been feasting with God's sacred
dinnerware when the meal is interrupted. Belshazzar
turns to see the finger of God, burning an ominous
message into the wall that Belshazzar's number is up.
As he turns, he knocks over a goblet of wine. We see
the jewels and riches of his decadent life. Rembrandt
captures the scene at the most ironic moment.
Belshazzar is about to be ruined. We know it, his guests
know it, and judging by the look on his face, he's coming
to the same conclusion. Rembandt's flair for the dramatic
is accentuated by the strong contrast between light and
dark. Most of his canvases are a rich, dark brown, with a
few crucial details highlighted by a bright light.
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Associated Scripture Readings:
Matthew 14:22-33
Psalm 116
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| Immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27 |
Many people consult psychics and fortune-tellers because they are fearful of the future. Christians do not do this because they know they have a Savior who loves them, who took their punishment for sin, and who helps them face all their fears. Jesus instructed His disciples to go ahead of Him in a boat across the Sea of Galilee while He secluded Himself in prayer. He would join them later. A violent storm arose during their crossing, and they were afraid. Jesus came to them, calmly encouraging them: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus doesn’t wait to help us until our faith is stronger or until we pray extra hard. Our all-knowing Savior knows where we are, our troubles, our hurts, the storms in our lives. They come in many forms: doubting Christ’s mercy, recalling a forgotten sin, frustration, failure, or terminal illness and death. Without Christ, we sink into bitterness, hopelessness, and despair. Jesus removes our fear and anxiety no matter what we encounter. He comes to us in mercy even before we call to Him for help. Even in our darkest hours, He comforts us, guides us safely through, and brings us to the shore of eternal rest. |
Jesus, take hold of me and lead me to face all my fears. Amen. |
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Attributed to Jan Mostaert - The Tree of Jesse (c. 1520)
Here we see Jesus' family tree - literally. At the top is Mary
with the baby Jesus. His ancestors are below - David
(with the harp), Solomon (with the scepter), and others.
This is an instructional aid for illiterate masses. But notice
the care the artist has taken with the little details, especially
the beautiful faces, clothes, and scepters. The painting is
packed with pretty things to please the eye.
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The Crucifixion, Georges Rouault, 1939
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Cranach - Crucifixion ("Klage unter dem kreuz")
Christ's twisted form -distorted, gruesome and unnatural —
makes us feel the agony He went through. This is not a majestic
Son of God triumphing over Satan, but an all-too-human, mortal
and weak Jesus suffering for our sins... and reminding us none
too subtly that ultimately it was sinful Man who sent Him to the Cross.
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Associated Scripture Readings:
John 17:20-26
Psalm 116:12-19
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| After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 7:9 |
We went to SeaWorld early in the morning, but we planned to return for the evening show. As we left the park in the afternoon, we received a stamp on our hand. This mark was a sign to those at the gate that our entry fee had been paid and we could come back into the park.
All of us have suffered the loss of a loved one or dear friend. What price did they pay to enter into a perfect heaven from a sinful world? The sins of the world, our own sins, and our own sinful nature would deprive us of heaven. We could not enter if Jesus had not come into the world, taken our sins upon Himself, and granted us for-giveness. He is our only admission into heaven.
As ones redeemed by Christ in Baptism, we “receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your forehead and upon your heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified” (LSB, p. 268).
The mark of Christ is upon us, and by His grace, we enter into heavenly peace and joy. |
Lord, thank You for the lives of those who have gone before us. Lead us to follow until our days on earth reach their end and we enter into eternal peace and joy in Your presence. Amen. |
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Rembrandt - Paintings from the life of Christ
Not every Northern artist was content to paint pots, pans and trees. Rembrandt, the greatest Dutch painter, explored some of the same big themes as his contemporary, Rubens. He matched Rubens for emotion and drama, but always in an understated and human way. He was a Protestant painting for Protestants.
These are down-to-earth looks at supernatural events. The "Adoration" could just as easily have taken place in a 17th-century Dutch barn as in ancient Bethlehem. Rembrandt often used poor, plain-looking people as his models, even for Mary and Jesus. A true humanist, he saw the divine spark in common folk. Rembrandt's most typical dramatic trick is strong contrasts of dark and light. The "Adoration" canvas is a moody brown except for one bright patch of light. Where's the light coming from? Certainly not from the dim lantern at left. No, it can't be coming from anywhere else but the baby Jesus himself -literally the "light of the world" shining into the drab existence of everyday people.
Alte Pinakothek - Rembrandt - The Sacrifice of Isaac
Rembrandt, The Ascension, 1636, Oil on canvas, Alte Pinakothek, Munich.
Rembrandt - The Descent from the Cross.
Rembrandt - The Entombment.
Nativity Scene of Peace - Rembrandt: Die Anbetung der Hirten
Adoration of the Shepherds
1646
Oil on canvas, 97 x 71,5 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany
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Associated Scripture Readings:
2 Peter 3
Psalm 130
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| . . . waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heav-ens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:12-13 |
Sitting at my computer, I look out over an area directly behind my house that our community is redeveloping. The big earthmovers have shaken the ground for almost a year now, and things are finally coming to completion. In a few more months, my home will no longer vibrate all day long. I will greet that day with happiness.
St. Peter gives us a description of the end times. Fire will destroy the heavens and the earth, and there will be new heavens and a new earth. All those who believe in Christ will dwell there. The Lord is patient for the final Day, not wanting anyone to be punished forever. He waits, wanting all people to come to repentance, to be sorry for their sins and turn from them, to rely on Christ for mercy and be saved, and to dwell with Him for-ever. What joy awaits us there! |
Dear Lord, as we await Your return and the fulfillment of all promises, may we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity” (2 Peter 3:18). Amen |
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The Transfiguration, 1442 Fra Angelico
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Associated Scripture Readings:
John 4:5-14
Psalm 124
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| Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. John 4:14 |
We think we are so secretive, but Jesus knows our hearts, our deepest thoughts and desires. Instead of troubling us, this should comfort us. Jesus, weary from travel, sat down by Jacob’s well in Samaria to get a refreshing drink. As a woman came to draw water, Jesus asked for a drink from her cup. She was taken aback, thinking no respectable Jew would have anything to do with a Samaritan. No one but Jesus would. Jesus used this opportunity to speak about a deeper thirst and about the more precious water that He would give, the living water. Her life was one of shattered romances, and now she was living in adultery. She expected words of condemnation, but with tender kindness, Jesus told her who He was and offered her a drink from the living water of life that He alone is and gives. Christ also does this for us. We often drink from the wells of wealth, power, lust, and pleasure, vainly trying to quench the thirst of sinful desire. As He showed her sins to her, so also He shows us our sins and offers His forgiveness, the fountain of living water that slakes our deepest thirst. In tender mercy, He refreshes us with “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). |
Lord Jesus, lead me always to drink of You. Amen. |
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Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio - Supper at Emmaus
(Painted 1601)
After Jesus was crucified, he rose from the dead and
appeared without warning to some of his followers.
Jesus just wants a quiet meal, but the man in green,
suddenly realizing who he's eating with, is about to jump
out of his chair in shock. To the right, a man spreads his
hands in amazement, bridging the distance between
Christ and us by sticking his hand in our face.
Baroque took reality and exaggerated it. Most artists
amplified the prettiness, but Caravaggio exaggerated
the grittiness. He shocked the public by using real, ugly,
unhaloed people in Bible scenes. Caravaggio's paintings
look like a wet dog smells. Reality. From the torn shirts,
to the five o'clock shadows, to the uneven part in Jesus'
hair, we are witnessing a very human miracle.
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Joachim Bueckelaer - Christ in the House of Mary and Martha
(1566)
Here we see the Dutch painters favorite subject. While
Italians painted saints, angels, and Madonnas, the Dutch
painted...food.
For the middle class merchant, food was a religion,
and he worshipped thrice daily. Notice the delicious
realism - the skin of the martyred birds, the temptation
of the melons, the artichokes in ecstasy. The sacred
detail! You can practically count the hares' hairs.
But this too is a Bible scene. In the faint background
someone is preaching. The title is
Christ in the House of Mary and Martha.
Compare the sketchy, sloppy work on Christ with
the painstaking detail of the food. Dutch priorities.
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