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Jilted in Jerusalem
by Mark J. Molldrem
Proper 19 | OT 24 | Pentecost 16
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New illustrations for 2010
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If the lost is lost, it is not found. If it is found, it is no longer lost. It is either in the state of being lost or found, one or the other. At least this is true for a sheep or a coin. But, what about a person whose life is a bit more complex than that of a sheep or a coin? Martin Luther understood the state of being for the Christian as being simul iustus et peccator ("at the same time saint and sinner" -- simultaneously lost and found). This is a dialectic that reflects the reality of human life coram Deo.
On a timeline, one may be able to "date" one's salvation, whether that be described in terms of one's baptism (even as an infant) or in terms of being born again as an adult convert to the faith. Yet, there is a sense in which we struggle daily with our relationship with God, such that we are in constant need of repentance and forgiveness, confessing our lostness and at the same time rejoicing in our foundness by the grace of God. Luther described this when he asked the question about the significance of baptism into Christ Jesus: "It signifies," he wrote in his Small Catechism, "that the old creature in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily contrition and repentance, and... that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness...."
Today, Jeremiah deals with a nation that is lost. Paul reflects upon his own experience of being found by the Lord. Jesus tells two stories that describe the activity of God on our behalf, overcoming our propensity to be lost. Yes, we are lost. Yes, we are found. Thank God his hand is on us in both states of being....
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September 12, 2010 (Proper 19 | OT 24) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesSeptember 19, 2010 (Proper 20 | OT 25) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesSeptember 26, 2010 (Proper 21 | OT 26) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesSeptember 5, 2010 (Proper 18 | OT 23) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesAugust 29, 2010 (Proper 17 | OT 22) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesAugust 22, 2010 (Proper 16 | OT 21) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesAugust 15, 2010 (Proper 15 | OT 20) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesAugust 8, 2010 (Proper 14 | OT 19) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesAugust 1, 2010 (Proper 13 | OT 18) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesJuly 25, 2010 (Proper 12 | OT 17) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesJuly 18, 2010 (Proper 11 | OT 16) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | ArchivesJuly 11, 2010 (Proper 10 | OT 15) Commentary | Archives Illustrations | Archives
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