ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
In This Month's
St. John Witness
APRIL WITNESS
Pastor's Message
“ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life
and that they may enter the city by the gates. Revelation 21:13-14
Jesus Christ is the first and the last. Alpha is the first letter of the alphabet, and Omega is the last letter of the alphabet, as it is given in Greek. First and last, they share what is most significant and portray what is most important.
Let’s take a look at the first and last words of Jesus from when He was born until He died. The first recorded words were from His trip to Passover in Jerusalem when He was twelve. His mother Mary had just spoken to Him and Jesus told her in Luke 2:49: “Do you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” The words seemed cryptic to her, as He went home to Nazareth and was obedient to His parents.
It was three decades later (give or take a couple years) when Jesus was sentenced to die, and was crucified on a cross outside Jerusalem. He spoke with finality. “It is finished.”
The first and the last – Jesus was about His Father’s heavenly business on the cross. He kept the whole will and Law of God. He completed His earthly task of salvation as He died as the ransom for sin. He was able to proclaim that His suffering for sin was over, and His work was ended. Salvation was completed as He spoke. “It is finished.”
Jesus is the first and last. He is first to forgive us our sins, and last to forget our needs. He is faithful to His heavenly Father, but also to us, as those loved by His Father. As our redeemer. Jesus brings us grace from heaven and spares us from the lasting destruction of hell. First in grace and last with mercy. He is the Alpha and Omega!
Rejoicing as holy chuldren of God!
Pastor Grimm
