Traveling

 Traveling

[Newsletter article for March 2026] 

Over and again I re-read the wilderness account of the temptations of Jesus. I think I understand “bread one.” For sure, bread is important for life, but we are not to place the gifts of God before the Giver. He is the great provider. His living Word – our Lord Jesus – is our primary source of satisfaction. Maybe I just scratching the surface of the meaning – I find it sufficient for now.

But what about the other two? What puzzles me is not the response of Jesus – the whole approach is off: jumping of a pinnacle of the Temple? (Matthew 4:5-7). I can easily see how Jesus steps out of the roof and very slowly descends to the ground without ANY angelic help – as He did it later in His ministry walking on waters. So, what was devil trying to accomplish there? Test the boundaries of trust the Son has toward the Father? See is it really the incarnate Creator who rules over the law of gravity He embedded into the nature?

NEWSLETTER: FINAL PUSH

FINAL PUSH

Dear brothers and sisters!

There are two factors that shape my newsletter article this month. On the one hand, we are at the beginning of April. At the same time, the celebration of the Resurrection of our LORD. Therefore, when we enter the time of April there are almost three more weeks ahead of us arriving at the time of Easter. So, our weeks can be compared to the final minute of any sport game regulated by time. First one that comes to my mind is Ice Hockey (I am sure you are shocked 😊). At the same time, it can be Super Bowl (or any football games), or a basketball tournament…  There is this moment when the win is very close, but there is need for the final push. Keep the defense line, keep pressing hard at the offense, not making fouls which might result in penalties in loosing people to the bench, or loosing points… So, final push.

First of all, we are in the process of ending Lent. This year we began our very special Evening services – services of Light. As the daylight time grows longer, we are blessed with a visual of keeping the sanctuary in a twilight while we sing “stay with us, LORD, for it is evening.” He, being the guiding light of our lives, leads us through the challenges which help Zion to mature.       

Then we will arrive at Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. Many of you know how beautiful Zion looks during this Sunday- everyone is invited back to the Garden where God walks among us and talks to us in His Word. This “date” with God will be followed by Maundy Thursday – the celebration of the Lord’s Supper institution, when Christ is not only talking to us but also feeds us with Himself.    

Maundy Thursday opens the way to the victory of the Cross and Resurrection. There is a reason for St. Paul to exclaim: “we preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23) – Good Friday remembrance of Calvary lays the foundation for the Resurrection. These days in a close connection, making the final push of Lent particularly meaningful. It is not to us, but to Him be the glory (Psalm 115:1) – for we are nothing but the receivers of the benefits of His victory over death, sin, and the devil. Final push – let us get ready!  

LENT: EXODUS 11

Lenten devotions: Exodus 11 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

This is the first out of three chapters when we get into the first Passover narrative. There is an announcement of one more plague in chapter 11 (see the previous devotion when we discussed the number of plagues). Then chapter 12 tells us of the execution of the Passover, and chapter 13 concludes the story by consecration of the Firstborn. So, let’s dive into the text.

By this time Moses had great respect in the eyes of everyone but pharaoh – his pride blinded him, his understanding became dull, and the heart got really hardened. Plague after plague the LORD showed His might and His mercy – for after awhile YHWH would also pull back and restrain Himself. There is a reason why we proclaim that “His mercy endures forever” (see Psalm 136). Even here we should notice that God first gives a final chance to the pharaoh, sending His servant Moses to announce His plans.

He is not a thief, who sets an ambush and attacks in the dark. He warned, He appealed and called back to repentance… All the words of Moses fell on deaf ears. This is very sad when people are pushing back, rejecting the will of the LORD, and then complaining about their circumstance.

LENT: EXODUS 10

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 10 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

This chapter tells us about two “last” plagues. We are so used to thinking in terms of 10 plagues, but it can be “structured a little bit differently: 9+1. Nine ones that go from the lowest point – the water, to the highest point – sun. Step by step, plague by plague YHWH destroys all the divinity images Egyptians created so far. The last one, as we’ll discuss in our next devotion, is more into the ultimate power of the Living God or God of live.

So, the last out of nine is the three-day darkness. Before we as New Testament Christians jump on “three-day” wagon, we need to talk about the darkness. And, before we compare the Exodus darkness over the darkness of Calvary, let’s spend some time with the darkness we see over Egypt (pun intended).

At first, we hear the command of the LORD telling Moses to stretch his hands toward heaven, then the darkness will fall (Exodus 10:21). The very next verse though adds an adjective to describe the scenery – pitch darkness. Sages have commented on this as the darkness so thick that it could be cut with a knife. So thick…

Sermon: 1st Sunday of LENT

 Date: March 9, 2025                                                                                                       Text: Luke 4:1-13

Scavenger Hunt

(video can be found here go to 42:08)

I. Intro

What is a scavenger hunt? It’s a game where participants go through a set of different challenges (usually in different places) to reach a final destination to obtain a prize.   

With some limitations, we can see that the Temptations of Jesus is a scavenger hunt. Think about it – right after His Baptism He is led by the Spirit to the wilderness for 40 days, he is tempted by the devil – honestly – throughout these 40 days. Then, by the very end, devil through at Him three more challenges Jesus needs to overcome. Spoiler alert, He won!   

 

II. Text – Luke 4:1-13

a. Stone into bread

b. Glory of the kingdoms vs. faithfulness to God

c. Premature victory vs. fighting to the end

 

III. Take away

It would not be a sermon if I would stop here – it would be a TED talk.

What makes it a sermon – let us read carefully the very end, v. 13. What is an opportune moment? Passion time:

a. He shares the bread even with Judas

b. He stays faithful even begging to find another way

c. He proclaims the completion of the mission

He came to the world to restore our relationship with God based on His righteousness – righteousness of forgiveness and righteousness of active vibrant Christian live. When we are guided by the Spirit throughout the days of our earth wilderness.  

LENT: EXODUS 9

Lenten devotions: Exodus 9 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

From frogs, gnats, and flies we come to livestock, boils, and hail. As you see, the level is rising – to some extent. But there are things that don’t change. Pharaoh fights to the last, then surrenders, then changes his mind. But my point for today is different.

Beginning with the fifth plague the damages don’t impact Israel. Exodus 9:6b says: And all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. This middle plague constitutes a turning point. The final hit – death of the first-born – will resemble the similar feature, to some extend (I know o repeat myself, I don’t like it either). Later, in chapters 11-12-13 we will read that the houses will be protected by the blood of the lamb. Not by ancestry connection to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Not by claiming the suffering relatives during the Nile boys’ mass-murdering. Not by anything – only by the blood of the lamb. We’ll talk about the symbolism of that rite in a few days, but the point is – from now on there will be a separation between those who trust and, therefore, obey the LORD and those who don’t.     

The time of Lent is the time of trust. Christ calls us to follow the path of trustful obedience. Obedience to the Word, being drawn to the Sacraments. Sometimes it is not easy, more than often it looks difficult. But there is a reason Jesus invites us to pray – lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil [one] (Matthew 6:13). He promises to guide us through the dark tunnel, the wilderness, the twilight… Standing next us, He promised to protect our path to the final destination – heaven, when we will see the Lamb who share His blood for our redemption. 

LENT: EXODUS 8

Lenten devotions: Exodus 8 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

Chapter 8 tells us 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th plagues. Frogs, gnats, flies. There is an interesting progression – from water (the first plague) to frogs (who come from water), then a bit higher – to gnats, then to flies (level up). Spoiler alert – the LORD will destroy the whole religious system of Egypt. Beginning with Nile – one of the basic gods of Egypt. Ending up with the Sun – the “top” deity of the land. Step by step, the LORD will show His superiority.

What I would like to point out is the fact that the release of pressure on the authorities and the land leads to hardening of the pharaoh’s heart. He is not thankful for a deliverance, his doesn’t consider the audacity of the futile resistance to God… Every time Moses and Aaron announce a withdrawal of a plague, he doubles down…

LENT: EXODUS 7

Lenten devotions: Exodus 7 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

The chapter begins with the visitation of pharaoh by Moses and Aaron. It is [almost] the last attempt to “make peace” with the royalty. Instead of a decent conversation, the pharaoh set his sorcerers, magi etc. on Moses and Aaron. Aaron single-handedly wins the battle.

Then time comes for the first plague. This plague is deeply symbolic in nature – the water [of Nile] turns into blood. Modern scholarship is full of theories, trying to come up with an environmental explanation of the event. They will all fail, because the event had super-natural background.

LENT: EXODUS 6

Lenten devotions: Exodus 6 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

Chapters 5-6-7 begin a long action dialog between Moses and the LORD. God asks/tells Moses to do something – pharaoh retaliates – people complain – Moses goes to God, and ... circle repeats. So, you shouldn’t be surprised when the chapter opens with God’s answer (if you want to know what the “question” was, please read chapter 5). There are two main parts of the chapter: revelation of the name and the genealogy of Moses and Aaron. For the sake of time and space I’ll take upon a task to talk about the name.

To set the stage God promises to Moses that He will do triggering pharaoh to send them (sons of Israel) out and even drive them out (Exodus 6:1). Again, the post size doesn’t allow me to explain it in full, but please note the similarity of Adam’s exodus from the Garden [of Eden]. LORD God sent Adam out and drove him out… (Genesis 3:23-24).

LENT: EXODUS 5

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 5 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion).

This chapter is one of the pivotal points in the story of Exodus. The book begins with a new pharaoh arising to power who knew no Joseph (Exodus 1:8). This phrase is a “euphemism” (if you will) for a lack of recognition of the heritage that Joseph left behind. His gift to Egypt was true religion, faith in the LORD, the Living one. The pharaoh who didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors decided to abandon the faith, be new, be progressive.

Then he died, and God sent the messengers to the new pharaoh – Moses and Aaron came to ask for permission of worship. People of Israel would go into the wilderness, for three days, and worship their God – YHWH, the Living One, the LORD. But the new pharaoh, who probably was a “classmate” of Moses at some point said something that practically sealed his doom: Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go?” (Exodus 5:2).

LENT: Exodus 4

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 4 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

In the previous chapter God revealed Himself as a the One who doesn’t need an “external” identity – I am who I am (Exodus 3:14). “I can not be identified by parental last name, marital status, job description, ownership of a share of a corporation etc.” He is the beginning of everything: time, space/matter, relationship. Therefore, as the beginning of everything He initiates the process of a call, call of Moses. By the end of the chapter, He tells Moses to return to Egypt, gather the elders of Israel, and tell them that they are better to ready for the Exodus (Exodus 3:16-22).

How did Moses respond? He came up with a solid excuse – what if they will not believe. A reasonable doubt – Moses already experience rejection by his brothers, and when he left there was not much faith among the Jews overall. To deal with this God gave him three special signs – staff turning into a serpent, a leprous hand placed next to heart being healed, and a reminder of the blood of babies being thrown into the Nile when water taken from the river will turn into blood on the ground (Exodus 4:1-9).

Then Moses raises less reasonable concern: I am not eloquent. Literally, he said I’m not a man of words. It was less reasonable – for the fact that Moses was taught in all the wisdom of Egypt (Acts. 7:22). But the LORD reminded Moses Who makes man’s mouth (Exodus 4:10-11).

Finally, Moses tries to play his last trump cart – or what he thought was a trump card – please send someone else? Now the anger of the LORD kindled…

We know the outcome of the story – Moses when back, endured the hardship of pharaoh’s resistance, and gloriously led people out of Egypt to Sinai to be in the covenant. When God leads you to be part of His mission you can have concerns – He will be happy to show His mighty ability to provide. When you have doubts about yourself – run to Him for proper self-identity that we find in His promises of Baptism. The only thing that can “set Him off” is our total rejection be walk the walk and to talk the talk. Pray that the LORD of life will help you to identify a place in His team.

LENT: EXODUS 3

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 3 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

We came to the pivotal point of Slavery story. At the end of the previous chapter people of Israel cried out and God have heard and remembered the covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:24-25). There should be a comment on “remembering.” This term doesn’t mean that God forgot something, what it means – He will begin to act upon this covenant. This is important: for a while Jew suffered but did not call or prayed to God. As soon as they did – He immediately decided to intervene.

Now to the chapter at hand. This is the famous story of the burning bush. There are many stories, paintings, movies, and other pieces of art based on the event, let alone theological commentaries. What is important to note here is the fact that Moses spent about 40 years in the wilderness (Acts 7:23 tells he was 40 years when he ran out of pharaoh). He had great experience of guarding sheep, fighting with wild animals, and dealing with snakes and serpents (it will be important for the next chapter). That’s why it is an important habit to read the Bible slow, careful.

LENT: EXODUS 2

Lenten devotions: Exodus 2 

(please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

This is an interesting chapter for our Lenten Journey. I’m not saying that the Bible has non-interesting chapters, but some of us try to avoid genealogies or description of sacrifices or ... (have freedom to feel the blank). This chapter is interesting with its content, but I can guess you have not heard this interpretation before – so, my devotional comments might be interesting too.

Exodus chapter 2 tells us a story of Moses’ birth, adoption into daughter of Pharaoh house. He was raised as a part of the royal court. When the first Christian martyr told his story, he summarized it in this way: “Moses was instructed in the all wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds” (Acts 7:22).

LENT: Exodus 1

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 1 (please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

Today we are entering the time of Lent. There are many things that can be said about this, so I decided to do something ir-regular. The time of Lent is 40 days, so I thought why won’t we go through a book of the Bible that has 40 chapters, taking one chapter a day as a source of devotional meditation. So, here we are, the first chapter.

The first chapter of Exodus begins with a great statement concerning Israel, and almost immediate escalation of tension between the Egyptian rulers and the sons of Jacob. God blessed people of Israel abundantly: Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:6-7). As a response pharaoh at first came up with a tough plan, attempting to suppress them, but it didn’t help – “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied” (Exodus 1:12). Then pharaoh came up with a wicked plan – murdering the newly born baby boys (Exodus 1:15-16). Sad times…

NEWSLETTER: March - THINKING of LENT

Faithfulness to the Lord, loyalty to the Church

Dear brothers and sisters,

The time of Lent is upon us. Thinking of Lent, there are a few layers to consider. On March 9, the first Sunday of Lent, we’ll read Luke 4:1-11. Allow me to explain these layers based on the Gospel reading: First, the time of Lent reminds us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness. Right after His baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness where natural dangers were testing His will, and when the absence of food, comfortable sleep, and the lack of joyful fellowship with other people reached its peak, the supernatural temptations came to surface.  The devil came, trying to penetrate the guard of the Son of Man. Everything began as a simple earthly question: what about this bread, the basic means to survive? The same questions we have here at Zion: what about the money, paying the bills, etc. All of them are reasonable and should concern a genuine believer, but the focus should stay on the LORD who generously provided in years past.