Author Archives: pastortapken

Christ says in this portion of his Sermon on the Mount that even the Gentiles seek food, drink, clothing, and shelter from their creator. Therefore, he tells his disciples that those who would acknowledge him to be the only Son of God do not seek from the Lord what the Gentiles do. He teaches thatContinue reading “Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity Matthew 6:24-34”

The Lord Christ has mercy upon those who call upon him, even those who will no longer believe, as his blood cleanses all from the leprosy of sin. While Christ knows that only one, the sick man from Samaria, will truly acknowledge him as the one high priest and Son of God, he has mercyContinue reading “Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 17:11-19”

On this holy cross day, consider how foolish the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ is.   Crucifixion was not the sentence given to an honorable man. Crucifixion was reserved for hardened criminals, repeat offenders, and dangerous threats to society. For not even Paul the apostle could have been crucified, as he was a RomanContinue reading “Holy Cross Day John 12:20-33”

How great it would be to have friends such as these? Friends who have heard of the marvelous deeds of our Lord Christ, and they bring their friend so that he, too, may hear the word of the Lord and profess his holy name with his mouth. The dear Jesus comes across the Sea ofContinue reading “Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Mark 7:31-37”

It is certainly easy to read the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and to say that we are the latter. Since we are Christians, we are the humble tax collectors who beat our chests and ask for God’s mercy to pardon our sins. And that the Pharisee in the parable represents theContinue reading “Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Luke 18:9-14”

Our Lord’s chief desire is to show mercy and pity through his mighty power. Today, Jesus weeps over the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, a word that means the city of peace. The City of God, Holy Zion, the center of the world in the eyes of the people of Israel. Jerusalem, the city that killedContinue reading “Tenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 19:41-48”

Christ our Lord speaks in parables to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God, as they are often contrary to how we see the world. The parable of the unjust Steward is no different, as he acts foolishly in the eyes of the world, but is commended and praised by his heavenly father forContinue reading “Ninth Sunday after Trinity Luke 16:1-13”

In our gospel reading, as Jesus is nearing the end of the Sermon on the Mount, he warns against false prophets. Christ has spent the three previous chapters of Matthew’s Gospel teaching the correct interpretation of the law of God. The law of God, the Ten Commandments, makes sin a matter of the heart. ItContinue reading “Eighth Sunday after Trinity Matt. 7:15-23”

  Our Lord says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Three whole days have passed, and four thousand men have not left Jesus’ side to find food or to take shelter. The people seek nothing from him but to hear his word. ThoughContinue reading “Seventh Sunday after Trinity Mark 8:1-9”

Self-righteousness has no place in the kingdom of God. As Jesus says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” In the eyes of the people, the religious scholars and leaders seemed to be the most righteous among all Israel. AndContinue reading “Sixth Sunday after Trinity Matt. 5:17-26”