Last month, I had written about a lesson I have been learning throughout my life which centers on the command of God which comes from Psalm 46:10 which reads, “Be still and know that I am God!” (NRSV)  I also made the request for you to contribute to my learning by sharing your insights as what this verse means to you and how this verse has brought meaning to your faith journey.  The responses I have received have been outstanding and I will be compiling the responses, along with some photography, and produce a pamphlet for meditation and consideration.  By the responses, “being still” and “knowing God” are very involved faith activities which are so important to discipleship in Christ.

At our synod assembly, as in years past, the term discipleship continues to be in the forefront of presentation and discussion.  It is reassuring to be a part of a synod that sees our congregations as instruments of discipleship and not necessarily as places to make members.  A fair question, and one that I have mulled over many times is, “What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?”  I constantly consider how I may position myself in order that I may continue to learn, to be student, to be a follower of Jesus the Christ of God who has risen from the dead.  I am a student of scripture, but I am not a disciple of scripture.  I am a student of church history, church systems and church polity, but I am not a disciple of the church.  I am a student of Luther’s writings and the theology of which Luther expresses in those writings, but I am not a disciple of Luther.  I am a disciple of the living, risen, present, powerful and power filled, alpha and omega Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah and Christ of the Almighty Lord.  This One is very real, with a real presence and a real power and authority.  How do I learn from this One?  What is this One teaching me?  Why hasn’t this One given up on me and my stubborn thick headed childish mind and told me to go learn from someone else?

In the teachings about right living with God as we receive them in our discipleship, we come to know that there are many lessons we would just as soon not learn.  Some lessons are very, very tough to take.  Some lessons reveal that all we can do is be still and trust God.  In the gospel according to St. John, Jesus offers some very tough lessons which reveal to the crowd and all the disciples around Him, that He is the Bread of Life and that He is the very essence of God’s activity and presence among us.  In the sixth chapter, we hear many of His disciples say, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?”  And because of His answer, John records “that many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.”  Jesus asks those remaining, “Do you also wish to go?”  And it is Simon Peter who responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

With the acceptance of this teaching in our lives, to know that Jesus, the Risen Christ is the Holy One of God, where else can we go?  We have come to know His voice, His love, His healing, His guidance, His leadership, His care all of which are not of this world, but of the Holy.  To be a disciple, is to be still, not to waiver or seek outside of God’s truth, and to know God is now and forever in love with you.  We can’t go any where else but to Him.

                                      In Christ’s love and service,      Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com