Occasionally you might see titles of books or articles concerned about the “anti-intellectualism” of America, or even of the Christian church in our country. Is that a fair criticism? Are we even worried about being “intellectual”?

The Apostle Paul was a very bright and educated person. He could speak Greek (Acts 21:37) and Hebrew/Aramaic (Acts 21:40). Possibly also Latin as a Roman citizen. His studies in the Jewish Scriptures were under Gamaliel, one of the greatest Jewish teachers of history. He was familiar with Greek and Roman knowledge and writing style. His learning helped give him the ability to . . . . hold a conversation with anyone, including the famous Greek Areopagus (something like the Supreme Court) in Athens, the Roman governor Festus and King Agrippa.

He also wrote, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20), and “… the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom…” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

So no, a PhD doesn’t make us better in God’s kingdom. However, we are free to study and acquire knowledge about God’s world as much as we’d like as well. God uses everyone’s gifts in different ways.

We’re not so concerned about whether we’re being “intellectual” or not. It’s good to use the minds God gave us to look critically at different opinions we run into. It’s good to do everything as well as we can to God’s glory. But, of course, intelligence only in the things of this world will not bring us to faith or allow us to receive forgiveness and eternal life. There are many big questions that humans will never figure out on their own, and can only solved in the knowledge of God’s kingdom through the work of the Spirit. Paul mentions the teaching of Jesus crucified for our salvation as one of the main things we can know and believe only through God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

A better question for us would be “Are we wise?” Do we know the Scriptures? Are we humbly confident that only in Jesus’ death and resurrection do we have true life and hope?

We can be as smart as we’d like to be and the Lord gives us opportunity, as long as we remember God is infinitely wiser than we can ever get. Trust in his Word above all things!

23 …  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)

A Hope That Will Never Leave Us Ashamed
We run on hope. We hope the store will be open by the time we get there. We hope the car won’t run out of gas even though it’s close to empty. We hope the Avalanche or Nuggets or ___________________ (insert your favorite team) win. We hope interest rates come down.
We may not always want to be too enthusiastic about our hopes and dreams, because they may not come true. They may let us down.
In some circles, following Christ means you really . . . . shouldn’t talk about the negative experiences of life. I’ve read about churches in which you don’t mention sicknesses, because it might mean revealing a weakness in your faith, or even bringing the sicknesses into existence because of the words you spoke. As if anything bad puts into question or diminishes our hope in the Lord and his blessing.
That’s not the Bible’s teaching. We don’t have to be “Debbie Downers,” but we understand the reality that we are not in paradise yet. This world does involve suffering. We don’t have to pretend it doesn’t.
The Apostle Paul in the fifth chapter of Romans takes it further. We not only recognize suffering, but also find a way to glory in it. … we also glory in our sufferings (Romans 5:3). The trials we have don’t diminish God or his care for us. They just happen. And when they do, God brings out in us perseverance, character and hope through them. We all could benefit from more perseverance, character and hope!
Don’t ever consider your sufferings – no matter how big or small – as something to be ashamed of. God is at work there. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:5). Other hopes may let us down. Hope in the love of Christ who died for sinners is not one of them!

The use of the word “religion” has become a more negative thing recently. The secular world at times blames religion in general for conflict without really digging into the causes. There is a push for all religions being considered the same, although in reality that is not possible. Some Christians also strongly avoid the term “religion” in reference to their own beliefs because they . . . . associate it with routine and ritual, rather than a heart-felt practice.

True religion as believing and following Jesus is on clear display in Lent. Religion as disciples of Jesus Christ isn’t in any way about violence, the drudgery of following rules, or many confusing and contradictory paths to God. Lent takes us to the cross. Our religion is God’s grace and forgiveness, followed by our joyful response of holy living because as a new creation we want to live God’s way!

If anyone wants to know about our religion, bring them to the messages of Lent in Jesus’ passion for us.

32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:32-35)

Sometimes people get to reflecting on how they might like to depart from this world. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a morbid thought. It can be a normal thing to wonder about every once in a while.

Anyone would love to go as the prophet Elijah went! As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11)

Elijah sure knew how to make an exit. Although, of course, it was God’s plan . . . . and God’s power to take him up to eternal glory in that special way.

It’s amazing to think that Elijah, a human prophet, was able to escape death by God’s grace, even though Jesus, the Son of God, was not. That tells us Jesus’ death as God and man was intentional. And it was glorious, too. More glorious than Elijah’s journey to heaven in a whirlwind with chariots and horses of fire, more glorious than the moment of Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain, was Jesus’ sacrificial death. The greatest victory of all time over the power of sin, death and the devil.

Since almost all people born on earth will also pass through death, Jesus died. So that we are forgiven, and will go to eternity with him. Elijah’s type of “exit” is not likely to be part of our bio. However it happens, or whenever it occurs, in our case it will also be glorious! The spirit immediately returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7), and then on the Last Day our bodies will come out of the tombs and we will soar up in the air to meet our Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). That’s God’s promise, not for a select few, but for all those who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin and death.

Elijah is a testament to the glorious resurrection when hundreds of years after he was taken to heaven he was still alive (and still is today) and brought by God to the Mount of Transfiguration before the disciples. We will meet him someday too by God’s grace in Christ.

There’s something in most of us that makes us envy birds in flight. We’d love to be able to fly effortlessly above it all and see things from their perspective. I’m sure there were times when I was a child that I jumped off a tree branch flapping some homemade “wings” and hoping I could fly for even just a half second.

A little bit ago driving by the foothills we saw a hang glider in flight. An impressive sight! Despite some obvious risks, people keep pursuing the feeling of soaring through the air.

It’s also a wonderful thing to “soar” spiritually buoyed by the strength of the Lord. At times, though, . . . . life can feel like a drag, as if we’re anchored to the ground and can’t move or see much beyond the couple of feet in front of us.

“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God” (Isaiah 40:27)

One of the devil’s great tricks is to make us think God is not interested. That’s a “drag” on life. That can get us down. To not only face a challenge, but get the impression God is not actively involved, helping, or even paying attention.

If a sickness or tough relationship or disappointment or seemingly unsolvable problem has “clipped your wings,” return to the Lord’s strength. Holy Communion is Christ present to assure us of forgiveness and his care for our soul. Our baptism is always there to remind us that God has given us new life and salvation. The Word is a never-ending fountain of life in God’s promises to his people.

Maybe sometimes we look for God’s strength and attention in the wrong places and so we don’t see it. But it’s always there, especially in the Word and Sacraments. He never tires of giving us grace and fortifying our souls.

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak….
those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:29,31)

I’ve heard some accounts here and there of groups in churches that claim to have cast out evil spirits. It usually seemed to involve a number of people praying and commanding and even yelling at the one who appeared to be possessed. Hearing the stories, it always seemed questionable if the person actually had an evil spirit or if it was just a bad habit or addiction. Then if we consider how exorcisms . . . . are presented in movies and on TV – as long rituals and battles against evil – we can’t help but see the difference between all these versions and Jesus’ power.

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. (Mark 1:25-26). It’s so much simpler. A direct command. Just once. And the impure spirit has to obey. Since Jesus has the authority of God, he doesn’t need to add any drama to it.

Jesus is the one we trust. He speaks, and things happen. He has authority to cast out demons, which have a power greater than ours. He has the authority of his Word to turn a human heart around from unbelief to faith. He is the only one who is able to wash away sin and give us a peaceful conscience. He can make death release us to life in heaven.

Be amazed at what Jesus can do, and trust in his words and life for us!

“Gone fishing” is a classic (mostly American, I think) phrase. There’s a “Gone Fishin’” movie. You can buy “Gone Fishing” plaques at Walmart. There’s a Colorado charter fishing outfit with the same name.

Who wouldn’t love to head out of work early and put up a sign “Gone fishing” for the rest of the day?

The fishing fanatics among us would be all for it, I’m sure. Even those who are not so excited about the prospect of fishing, or are somewhat indifferent, could get on board. Apparently “gone fishing” is such a common term that, according to the dictionary, it doesn’t always have to literally mean you’re out trying to catch fish. Just doing something fun and relaxing or on vacation instead of being at your job.

Fishing also has a symbolic meaning when Jesus calls his first disciples. In the Gospel of Mark he sees Simon and Andrew and says to them, . . . . “Come, follow me,” … “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Mark 1:17)

The fishing isn’t in the ocean or in a lake, but in our communities and families and neighborhoods. Trying to “capture” others with the Word and the Holy Spirit so that they believe in and follow Jesus as their Savior.

We busy ourselves with all kinds of activities, and many of them are noble and give glory to God. Some less so. Either way, the Lord sends us out also to fish for people. It’s a great idea to hang up the “Gone fishing” sign on a regular basis, knowing that it means we’ve put other commitments on hold so we can share the gospel.

We do that by preaching to those around us, “The time has come.” “The kingdom of God has come near.” “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)