Dear Blog Reader,

Whether you are a devoted regular or a first-timer, I believe we have a relationship of trust. Even pastors can confess and be a little irreverent at times. Confession first: I am quirky, eccentric, and a bit odd. I do mental gymnastics with mnemonic devices to help with my memory and avoid writing down unless the list gets too lengthy. Case in point: my daily to-do list. I take the first letter of each task and form a word or mnemonic device. Now comes the slightly “irreverent” part. Today’s mnemonic device or list came out to be “BLEW MAD HEMP.” If you are a product of the hippie generation, you get it. I am, as you might surmise, on the first task – Blog.

The cross of Jesus had a mnemonic on it – INRI. It translates to “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. It was written in Latin and in Greek, as the Gospel declares.

I – Iesus

N – Nazareth

R – Rex (Latin for King)

I – Iudaeorum (the Jews)

Jesus died for our salvation and rose on the third day. This is our foundation of faith. He is king of our hearts.  Whether we are Latin or Greek, Jew or Gentile, agnostic, skeptic or seeker, his triumph over death is the gift of grace. Like any gift, it must be accepted and opened. Knowing how costly this gift is, freely offered, prompts in us a glad and grateful response. This is the “therefore” portion that many Lutherans and others gloss over. Just because it is “already done” does not mean there isn’t more to do. Unless and until everyone knows this and accepts it, we remain incomplete as we wait for our Lord’s return. We have a Savior who loves us despite of our weirdness, insolence, indifference, and rebellion. He broke bread with his betrayer. He pardoned the murderer who hung next to him. He breaks our bonds of slavery to sin, even our inescapable sinful condition. Extreme, unexpected, creative. Like mnemonic devices. Faith communities where the strangers are welcomed and become instant family of the One who loves you with an unconditional love.

Pastor Art