The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
We do not understand Luther’s concept of faith correctly if we regard Christ merely as an object of faith. Rather, Christ, as the object of faith, is present himself; thus, he is, in fact, also the “subject” of faith. Luther says that Christ is the object of faith, but not merely the object; rather, “Christ is present in the faith itself.” Faith is knowledge that “sees nothing.”
This Sunday the second lesson will offer us this opening line: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Christ is present, that is to be sure. We simply do not put Christ into a place in which we can say “That is what we believe….we believe in Him.” Rather, or in addition, in Christ we see the form of our faith. We cannot see where it will take us. The path of that journey is still like a cloud…a darkness through which we will walk as Christ walked…confident in God’s abiding presence. Faith is that step in the way of Jesus who is with us to walk with us and lead us into his faithfulness.
Connection: It is so unfortunate that so many people want their “faith” to tell them the answers to everything. When that is the case, we never have to step forward as Jesus and with Jesus at our side. We may as well simply have a list of rules and forget about the graciousness of the Reign of God that comes in Christ, Jesus. Yes, today may look dark and out of control and short on answers…but step forward into it with Christ and into an adventure that will take your breath away and bring you a fresh burst of divine wind.
Lord of this day, be present with us as we move through the waters of our baptism trusting that our lives are shaped with your loving touch and refreshed by your faithful acts of mercy, justice and peace. Amen
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