In addition to doing mission work among Persian migrants (as of October), alongside my LCMS colleagues Rev. Dr. John Bombaro and Rev. Dr. Charles Cortright I also serve on the faculty of Luther Academy, an online Lutheran seminary located in Riga, Latvia. Last week I was invited to visit the seminary in that beautiful northern European city. One morning, my delightful hosts Jēkabsz and wife Laura suggested that the three of us should attend the Divine Service at Riga Cathedral, built in 1211. I wore my clerical collar, as befits the occasion. We got there in time and sat way in the back (Hey, we’re Lutherans! 🙂 ).
Pastor Ivars Cišs—a very tall man with an engaging smile—conducted the entire service in Latvian. However, at the end, he looked in my direction, switched to English, and said with a big grin, “I invite my brother in the ministry visiting us today to give a short homily at the end of the service. He will encourage us in our Lord Jesus Christ!” I peeked behind me, assuming he was speaking to someone else. No one there. He meant me. Yikes…
I grabbed my well-worn Bible, fired off a prayer, and walked up to the chancel. Although not always according to our timing and the way we think He should answer them, God always hears and answers our prayers. But this time His reply came instantly. The Gospel lesson I had read that morning in the Treasury of Daily Prayer came to mind: the crucifixion and resurrection passage in John 19 and 20. The Lord led me to two particular words. His last word on the cross, tetelestai (“It is finished”). Three years of earthly ministry: finished. His agony on the cross: finished. For the disciples and for you and me, the separation that once existed between God the Father and us because of our sin: finished. At the same time, His first word to the disciples after His resurrection is “eirenei” (“peace”). Even though they have all deserted Him, He blesses them—and you—with His new resurrection life. When we are faithless, He remains faithful (2 Tim 2:13). That gives *you* peace. Could anything be more encouraging?
tiewsfamily.org 