1 Peter 1:1 speaks of the “dispersion” of Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered around “Asia”—east of the Aegean Sea. We LCMS missionaries serving here in Eurasia recently met for several days west of the Aegean Sea. And Lula and I got to meet real-life Lutherans in today’s “dispersion.” One afternoon over lunch I got to sit next to Iro Damianaki-Tsakmali (see picture). She told me how happy she was to participate in our retreat, to hear proper Law and Gospel preaching, and to receive the Lord’s true body and blood with a large group of fellow Lutherans. “How did you hear about Lutheran Christianity?” I asked. “Mainly from the wonderful teaching of Reverend Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller on the Internet.” I replied, “But you are the only Lutherans in Greece. Do you ever receive Holy Communion?” “Yes, she replied: “About once a month, either Rev. Sorin Trifa or Rev. Andrew Fedder drives down from Romania and we have a church service in our home—with my husband Jordan and our two children.” I told her I was so happy that, even though her family is, in fact, in the dispersion, they can remain connected to the larger Lutheran family. “What attracted you to Lutheran Christianity in the first place?” I wondered. Iro leaned back and thought a moment. “I think it was the clear proclamation Lutheran Christianity has regarding Law and Gospel. Although this teaching is prevalent throughout Scripture, we seem to be uniquely focused on using it as the correct lens to read Scripture. The Law shows our sin, but the Gospel shows our Savior. Even though I was a Christian before, I always felt condemned because I thought I had to be a perfect Christian to be saved. Lutheran Christianity has taught me that my salvation does not depend on how well I lead my Christian life—even though I try hard—but that it is solely dependent on Jesus Christ who took all my sins upon Himself.” And so, the Lord comes to us with Word and Sacrament—even in the dispersion.
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