INI Necessary Journey. Lent 2.
Luke 13:31-35 February 28, 2010.
Jesus has been on a journey. It is a necessary journey for our salvation. During the Sundays in Lent we ponder Jesus’ own journey to His bloody death in Jerusalem.
Jesus was determined to finish His journey to Jerusalem in spite of deceit and threats and rejection. The devil used Herod and the Pharisees to try to deter Jesus from completing the work His Father had sent Him to do. The Pharisees tried to deceive Jesus into turning and running away. Luke records, “At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you’” (Luke 13:31). The Pharisees seem so helpful in warning Jesus of the threat that Herod posed. Herod did hate Jesus because Herod saw Jesus as a threat to his political position. Were the Pharisees sincere in their warning or were they just pretending to be concerned and had an ulterior motive? More than likely the Pharisees were trying to deceive Jesus into abandoning His journey to Jerusalem. If Jesus would have turned and ran from Jerusalem, He would have lost credibility with those who followed Him. They could also have been trying to spoil Jesus’ plans to go to Jerusalem. They thought that Jesus wanted to establish Himself as a leader of the Jews. That would have to be done in Jerusalem. So if they could keep Jesus from getting to Jerusalem, they felt they could ruin His plans.
The Pharisees were not trying to be helpful. They had already rejected Jesus and His purpose. The Pharisees pushed Jesus away because they saw His teaching as a threat to their tradition, and His love as a threat to their status. Because of that, real threats of death did face Jesus in Jerusalem, but not from Herod. Opposition had been building for a long time. The Pharisees were an even greater threat to Jesus than Herod. The scribes and Pharisees had already been plotting against Jesus. Luke tells us, “But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus” (Luke 6:11).
Even rejection by Jerusalem did not keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem. The Lord had tried and tried and tried to love these rebels. Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” (Luke 13:34). How many times can God be hurt and not give up loving? We have also experienced it. We have reached out, put our feelings on our sleeves, loved and offered our love, only to be rejected. It hurts, and it hurts deeply. After a while, we pull back. Does God eventually do the same?
Where do we stand in all of this? In spite of God’s incredible love, we also reject and run away from His love. We are self-willed, not guided by God’s will. Greed and the desire for wealth consume us. We are lured by things that we consider to be more fun. The message of God’s Word, which is also the message of the Church, is thought to be boring. We think it is depressing to be reminded of our sin during Lent. Is it possible that our children or grandchildren will some day sit in their rocking chairs telling their grandchildren about the good old days when people actually went to Lutheran churches on Wednesday nights, especially during Lent?
In spite of deceit and threats and rejection, Jesus continued on His necessary journey to Jerusalem – to the cross – to die. Luke tells us, “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). He was determined to fulfill His Father’s plan of salvation – a plan that included His crucifixion as he bore the sins of all people and suffered the full fury of God’s wrath for that sin. On His journey to the cross, He sought the sin-sick, no matter who they were, no matter how often they had rejected Him before. He “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4).
Lightening struck the hen house and it burst into flames. The volunteer fire department could not save the hen house. As the farmer poked through the ashes he found a charred carcass of a hen. But underneath the blackened carcass were six chicks who had survived the fire. The mother hen had “gathered her chicks under her wings.” She had died so they might live (CPR, vol. 5, part 2, p. 17).
We were in danger of eternal destruction because of our sins. Christ gathered us under His wings and took the death penalty in our place. His death means life for us. He saved us and we are safe under His wings.
Christ’s shed blood rescues us from eternal death and destruction. A woman looked out her kitchen window one day and noticed a mother hen scurrying to gather her chicks. Then the woman saw a shadow move across the yard and knew in an instant that it must be a chicken hawk. One chick had been too slow at answering mother hen’s call and the hawk took advantage of the situation. The woman was not surprised at what was happening because she had lived most of her life on that farm. However, what happened next amazed her. The mother hen left her other chicks. She ran and flew across the yard as fast as a chicken could travel. The saver (the hen) and the predator (the hawk) arrived at the chick at the same time and there was a ferocious collision. The hen emerged from the explosion of feathers, with blood spattered all over her white coat and a little chick beneath her wing. The hawk flopped around on the ground for awhile before giving in to its wound. The hen’s beak and head had penetrated deeply into the unsuspecting hawk when the two collided. The hen had rescued her chick and protected it from certain death. The saver (Jesus) and the predator (the devil) arrived at the cross at the same time. There was a ferocious collision. The Savior’s blood flowed from His hand, His feet, His side, but the predator’s power was fatally wounded (Edit-O-Earl devotion for Second Sunday in Lent, Series C, March, 2001).
Jesus’ incredible love continues to call us to repentance and forgiveness. His incredible love draws us to Him. He was killed and crucified to exchange our sorrows for the joys of His salvation. His mercy cost Him His life, so that He could give us life eternal. He freely offers us His forgiveness at the cost of His lifeblood. Through Word and Sacrament, Jesus continues to gather us to Himself. He works to preserve us in the true faith through sickness, accidents, personal losses, and strained relationships which try our faith. He promises, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philip. 1:6).
Such a God! Such a Savior! Such love and grace cannot be ignored, but when He calls us to gather under His wings, will we come? Will we come to the cross? Will we come to His Holy Supper? Will we bring others? Amen. SDG
INI Spiritual Warfare. Lent 1.
Luke 4:1-13 February 21, 2010.
The Epiphany season in the church year is intended to clearly reveal Jesus as God’s Son, the Christ of God, and God’s chosen Redeemer. The first Sunday after Epiphany reminded us of the Baptism of Jesus when the Father testified of Jesus from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). Last Sunday, the last Sunday in Epiphany, the Gospel reading reminded us of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Once again the heavenly Father’s voice is heard coming from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35).
Today, the first Sunday in Lent, takes us into the wilderness with Jesus as He is tempted by Satan. Jesus’ temptation took place immediately after He was baptized. Matthew even records that “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). Jesus’ temptation was a deliberate part of God’s plan for Jesus. The Father is intentionally sending His own Son, Jesus, to war…spiritual warfare.
To put that into perspective, imagine that you are living during World War II. It was difficult enough for parents when their sons were drafted into service or when they learned that their sons had voluntarily enlisted in the service. Even today parents fear for the lives of their sons and daughters when they announce that they have decided to serve in the armed forces during our war on terrorism. Few, if any, parents would command their children to fight in the war. But the Father commanded Jesus to fight the war against sin, death and the devil for us.
Jesus willingly went to war for us. The Father sent Jesus to face the devil, the formidable foe. Jesus fought the battle alone. The decisive conflict came when Jesus came into the world. The devil knew what Jesus’ birth meant. He tried to take the Christ Child’s life as he stirred up jealousy in Herod and moved him to order the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem. The devil’s plan was unsuccessful. Then the devil tried to win Jesus over to his side through the temptations in the wilderness (Bo Giertz, To Live with Christ, p. 191-192). The devil attacked when Jesus was weak and weary. Jesus had not eaten for forty days. He was hungry. The devil attacked with very real temptations in the wilderness. The devil sought to get Jesus to doubt His true identity or to use His power to serve His own needs instead of trusting His Father to provide. “The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread’” (Luke 4:3). The devil is suggesting to Jesus, “IF you are the Son of God, then why do you have to go through all this suffering? Take command of your own life. Make stones into bread for yourself. IF you want to gain the kingdoms of the world and their glory, there is an easier way than the agony and suffering of the cross. IF you will fall down and worship me, I will give them to you. God does promise to protect His children, doesn’t He? You do believe that, don’t you? IF you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple and test to see IF God’s promise is true.”
The devil attacked with very real temptations also in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Luke goes on to explain, “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. [44] And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:43-44).
The devil attacked with very real temptations while Jesus was nailed to the cross. The people scoffed at him and said, “He saved others; let him save himself, IF he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (Luke 23:35 emphasis mine). The soldiers also mocked Him by saying, “IF you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luke 23:37 emphasis mine). How tempting it must have been on the cross to say “no, enough is enough” to the suffering, the anguish, and the pain He had to bear because of our sin.
Armed with the Word of God, Jesus won a very real victory. He stayed the course. He broke the devil’s hold on all mankind. “It is finished,” He shouted from the cross (John 19:30). Jesus defeated the devil for us. He freed us from sin and won eternal salvation for us. His victory means we are forgiven, free and at peace with God. Paul describes the victory for us as he writes, “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:18-19). God’s Word also says, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself [Jesus] likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:14-15).
God says we are His children through baptism and through faith in Jesus Christ. God’s children throughout history face the same spiritual warfare. The devil attacks with the same real temptations. Paul teaches us, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephes. 6:12).
The devil continues to cast doubt on God’s Word and promises and questions us, “IF you are a child of God, why are you suffering like you are? Why are you sick? Why are you in need? Why are you all alone? Shouldn’t all God’s children be healthy and prosperous? If not, what is the benefit of being a child of God? Are you sure God really cares about you? Aren’t you foolish to trust God to provide for you? You should just take care of yourself – even if that means going against God’s will. Doesn’t God’s Word say that He helps those who help themselves?”
The devil lines the path to heaven with the world’s treasures and its pleasures, and whispers to us, “All of these can be yours IF you will only forsake God and follow me. After all, wouldn’t a loving father want you to have them anyway?”
The devil twists God’s promises to coax us to take spiritual risks, and suggests, “You are a child of God. He won’t let you fall, so why bother with God’s Word and worship? Just stay away from the Lord’s Supper. You will be fine without it. Why keep yourself pure? Watch the world’s filth; read its smut. God won’t let you fall. IF you have been saved, you are always saved, aren’t you?”
In fighting against the devil’s attacks, we are like David against the giant Goliath. And just like with David, God grants His power and grace to resist the devil’s temptations. He graciously provides the victory through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Conqueror. Jesus understands what we go through. He sympathizes with our weaknesses because “in every respect [He] has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus gives us the power to resist the devil’s temptations as He equips us with the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephes. 6:17). Jesus is fighting with us and for us. Suffering and temptation may shake us up, but in Christ they cannot destroy us. He holds us firm and steadfast through His Word and the Holy Supper.
With boldness and confidence we sing Luther’s great battle hymn, “(1) A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from ev’ry need That hath us now o’ertaken. The old evil foe Now means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his equal. (3) Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us. This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him” (LSB 656, st. 1, 3). The one little word that effectively fells the devil is the name of Jesus. Amen. SDG
INI Face to Face Transfiguration Sunday.
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 February 14, 2010.
God had a very special relationship with Moses. God knew him face to face. God revealed Himself to Moses and spoke to him in the burning bush. He called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. He was patient with him and answered Moses’ every objection and excuse.
God called Moses up Mount Sinai on several occasions. God called Moses up Mount Sinai to give him the Ten Commandments. God called him up so Moses could relay the people’s complaints about their hunger and thirst. God used the opportunity on Mount Sinai to give Moses direction and to instruct him on how to handle trouble and rebellion among the people of Israel.
God spoke with Moses in the Tent of Meeting. God’s Word tells us, “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). On one occasion when God was speaking to Aaron and Miriam, He told them, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. [7] Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. [8] With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord” (Numbers 12:6-8).
In today’s text from Deuteronomy, God called Moses up Mount Nebo in Moab in order to give him a grand view of the land which God had promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses, however, was prevented from entering the Promised Land because he had disobeyed God’s command on one occasion. He would not have the privilege of leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land and seeing it firsthand. God handed the task of leading the people over to Joshua. Moses was then buried on the mountain by God.
God took Moses to another mount and gave him another grand view. God took him to the mount of transfiguration where God revealed His full glory in the person of Jesus Christ. Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus about Jesus’ exodus – His departure – that would take place in Jerusalem. They were, of course, speaking about Jesus’ crucifixion and death for all sinners. In a much greater way, Jesus would lead God’s people to a place of freedom, another Promised Land, where He would “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore” (Rev. 21:4).
Peter, James, and John experienced a unique face to face encounter with God in Christ on the mount of transfiguration. Jesus was revealed to them in all of His divine glory. The veil was pulled back and they saw who Jesus really was. They were frightened and did not know what to say. Later Peter recorded, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
The view from a mountaintop can be absolutely breath-taking – that is, when the skies are clear. Our walk with Jesus Christ can also be a mountaintop experience and absolutely exciting. However, there are times when things happen that cloud how well we can see what Christ is doing in our lives. It is like our lives have been covered with a dense fog like we have experienced numerous times this winter. The problems of life – health and medical issues, family troubles, marriage strife, financial worries, the death of a loved one, and so on – can all cloud our vision for what we think Christ is doing or what we think He isn’t doing for us. When the guilt of sin weighs heavy on our hearts or when we are sad or sick or things are not going right, it is hard for us to remember that God still loves us. During those times when there are cloudy conditions in life, we need to be reminded of God’s promises once again. Even when we can’t see things clearly, God’s promises still remain and the Son, the S – O – N, is still shining (CPR, vol. 20, part 1, p. 11).
In Jesus Christ, God has also established a special relationship with you. God “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). God now also knows you face to face. He knows each of us intimately. He knows the things that concern us and the things and the people we care about. He knows our secrets. He knows our fears, our tears and our griefs. He knows the things we really like. He knows what brings us joy. He knows everything about us – including our sin. He knew the murder Moses had committed. He knew about David’s adultery and murder. He knows about our disrespect of others, the harsh words, the misuse of His name, the revenge we seek. And He has not rejected us.
He has revealed His full glory to you in Christ. God’s greatest glory is seen in the cross and the empty tomb. A story is told about a pastor not dressed in clergy attire who was in an art museum one day. He was standing in front of a picture of the crucifixion. As the pastor was reflecting on the picture, a little boy, who appeared to have wandered away from his parents, walked up and was staring for a long time at the picture as well. The pastor leaned over to ask the boy, “Do you know who that is?” Not knowing he was talking with a pastor, the boy responded without hesitation, “Sure, that’s Jesus, and they’re putting Him to death. And those guys standing around the bottom are the soldiers. And that lady in the middle who’s crying is His mother.” Without a “Good-bye” or “See you later, mister,” the boy walked away to find his parents. The pastor stood there a little longer smiling over the fact that the boy knew Jesus. However, a few minutes later, the boy returned to the picture of the crucifixion and said to the pastor still standing there, “Hey, mister, I forgot to tell you the most important part.” Pointing to the picture, he said, “You see, this isn’t the way it ends. Jesus didn’t stay dead. He came back to life again, and He’s alive still today” (CPR, vol. 20, part 1, p. 39).
Because Jesus is still alive today, we know that His death and resurrection have delivered us from the bondage of sin, death, the grave, and hell. He has revealed His full glory to us in Baptism and has changed us. God’s Word says, “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Cor. 5:19). God counted our sins against Christ, heaped His full wrath for sin on Him, and clothed us with the righteousness of Christ as Paul tells us, “For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Now in Christ, God knows us, not as enemies as we once were, but as friends. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:13-14).
In Christ, God does know you face to face. He speaks with you as a friend. He speaks to you in His Word. He declares, “This is my son, my daughter, whom I love. With you I am well pleased.” He forgives your sin in the Lord’s Supper. He listens to your prayers and your cries for help and answers them in the way that is best for you. He is transforming you into the likeness of His Son. God’s Word teaches us, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18). He frees you to comfort one another, to forgive one another, to offer hope to those without hope and help to the helpless, to finish the exodus to the Promised Land by the power of His promise that makes us His sons and daughters.
The apostle John has written, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Now in Christ, God knows us face to face. We have seen the glory of God in the face of Christ. When Christ appears, we shall behold Him face to face. To God be all glory! Amen!! SDG!!!
INI Divine Service. Epiphany 5.
1 Cor. 14:12b-20 February 7, 2010.
Have you watched a toddler open gifts, whether it is for Christmas or for a birthday? Once the little one understands that the gifts are for him, the little fingers excitedly dive into the packages. Ribbons get stretched. Bows are yanked. Tape is torn. The shiny wrapping paper rips to shreds. With squeals of delight, finally the package must give up the secret hidden inside.
And then what? Of course, he reaches for the next gift to open. Tug, twist, tear. Give that gift a glance too. And then, on to the next pretty package. And the next. And at last, when all the gifts are opened, with what will the toddler play?
The gifts – so carefully chosen, so costly, so beautifully wrapped – for now are forgotten. The little one eyes the lovely pile of debris. Dive in! Great fun!
God also loves to give His children gifts. God graciously and generously gives all that we do not deserve. He delights in the joy His gifts bring to us. Above all, God loves to give us Jesus (adapted from CPR, vol. 20, part 1, p. 11).
That’s what worship is all about. Jesus comes to us in worship, although invisibly. Jesus comes to give Himself to us. Jesus has promised, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Often we have lost the thrill, the excitement, the marvel, and the wonder of Christ’s presence among us in worship. When we worship, we worship half-heartedly. Worship has become boring and a chore rather than a delight at being in Christ’s presence. Have we forgotten the meaning and the significance of Christ’s presence among us in worship? Have we forgotten that we were once barred from His presence because of sin? Have we begun to take His presence and His forgiveness for granted?
When Isaiah found himself in the very presence of Almighty God, he said, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5). When Peter saw more fish in a net than were ever possible to catch…more than he and his friends could get into two boats, he knew that he was in the very same presence as Isaiah. He said to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). Dropping a sinful person into the presence of the sinless and holy Creator is like dropping an ice cube into a forest fire or a lighted match into the ocean. The sinner doesn’t have a prayer.
However, the Father dropped His Son into this evil, sinful world filled with sinful people. Christ bore the crown of thorns in His suffering. For a moment, it appeared that the evil, sinful world consumed Him, tore Him down, and destroyed Him by nailing Him to the cross. As Christ’s head was bowed down in death, He atoned for the sins of us all. In that very moment, He defeated evil. He rose victorious from the grave. He exchanged His crown of thorns for a crown of glory and victory at His ascension.
Now Jesus comes to serve us in worship with His Word and Sacrament, His Means of Grace. You will notice that each of the main services for worship in Lutheran Service Book is called “Divine Service.” That is the translation of the German word “Gottesdienst,” which literally means “God’s service.” Jesus, our God, in worship serves us.
Jesus serves us, speaking to our guilty hearts His loving Word of forgiveness, earned for us when He willingly offered His own body as the perfect sacrifice on the altar of the cross. Jesus serves us by giving us a new birth in Baptism. Jesus serves us by feeding our faith with His own Body and Blood. Jesus serves us by loving us. Jesus serves us by setting us free to love Him by serving the ones He has given to us to serve.
In the most recent February issue of The Lutheran Witness, Dr. Jane L. Fryar also emphasizes Jesus’ presence and service to us in worship when she writes, “Scripture makes it clear that when the communion of saints gathers, Jesus comes in all His fullness among us (Matt. 18:20). He is really present – and not only simply as a disinterested observer. In colloquial terms, ‘God shows up – and does stuff!’ And the ‘stuff’ He does is nothing short of miraculous. In Baptism, He adopts sinners into His family. In the Absolution, He removes our sins and keeps us in that family. In the Holy Supper, He nourishes us with Christ’s very body and blood at His family table. (If my heart weren’t so hard, all this would bring tears to my eyes – every time!) The sermon is no exception. God shows up when His Word is proclaimed. And He speaks to His people today no less clearly and truly than He did through the prophets of old” (The Lutheran Witness, Feb., 2010, p. 15). Later in the same article she lists activities that help her to listen and hear during worship. I would invite you to take a look at the article.
In Christian worship, the true God has gathered us so that He can serve us! Jesus comes to give Himself to us. Jesus brings us, forgiven by His death on the cross, into the very presence of the Father. As Jesus comes to give us His gifts in Word and Sacrament, He also gives us His Spirit so that we can respond with lives of worship. Paul wrote, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).
As we respond to His love in our lives of worship, Jesus gives us brothers and sisters in the faith to edify, to nurture, to console, to comfort, to encourage and to build up. He sends us to serve with the power of His Holy Spirit. Take a look at the people who are sitting around you today. Jesus has given each of you to one another. Jesus says to you, “These are your brothers and sisters. These are your family. You have one Father. My Spirit has given you gifts to edify and to build one another up. Use those gifts to share my love on earth.”
God’s Word says, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7). The Spirit distributes gifts of proclaiming God’s Word, faith, service, teaching, exhortation, contributing, leadership, and acts of mercy (Romans 12:6-8), to name only a few. “All these [our spiritual gifts, our talents and abilities] are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1 Cor. 12:11). May the Spirit of Christ, who has gifted us by God’s grace, lead us to use His gifts to “strive to excel in building up the church” (1 Cor. 14:12). In the name of Jesus. Amen. SDG
