Today’s Scripture

Psalm 46         Genesis 47:5-12          Mark 4:35-41

 

            Welcome again to Immanuel Lutheran as we celebrate the school and its ministry this week.  Of all the things that happen in a school, the “thing” that happens at Immanuel’s school is that we are as a congregation Together In The Word, together in God’s word.  That is our theme during this Lenten season.  Throughout the congregation and in the school we have been reading daily from creation on in Genesis and Jesus’ life and ministry in the Gospel of St. Mark.  The two readings today are from these.

 

            Both of these readings are about security.  In Genesis it had been a terrible famine.  Jacob’s family was no different than anyone else, they were in need of food for themselves and for the livestock that was their business.  Through Joseph and the position God had brought him to be in Egypt, God provided a security for his people beyond what anyone could imagine.  This nomadic family was given the best province in Egypt to live.  The land was rich for the herds.  Pharaoh offered the job of overseeing his herds to Jacob’s family also.

 

            In Mark we see Jesus and the disciples in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.  At the time the boat was being overcome by the wind and the waves, Jesus calmed the storm, showing a security the disciples had in him.  Psalm 46 tells us of God who is our refuge, a secure place in all things and at all times.

 

            That is God’s word to us.  When we are overcome by the famines of this world, that it cannot provide for nor defend us from the attacks of Satan and his foes, we have God who holds us secure at all times.  He has already given us everything in this world for our earthly cares.  He goes beyond that as Jesus calms the storms of our sinfulness, our guilt and shame, as he pays the price on the cross for all sins, and in the resurrection gives us the security of power over the devil’s harshest weapon, death and the grave.

 

            That is what Immanuel Lutheran is all about.  The security God has given in Jesus Christ, our risen and ascended Lord and Savior.  That is why we are gathered together at this moment, to be reassured in that promise, and to thank and praise almighty God for this most secure gift, the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting in Jesus.            Amen.