Author: knoxchurchreddeer

Psalm 145:8-14, Zechariah 9:9-12, and Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

 

The vacation season has officially begun. Having weathered the past winter and spring, summer is a time for us to find special rest and recharge. Actually, in Korea, where I grew up, summer is the hottest and most humid season, and it is a difficult time because rainfall and typhoons occur frequently. Conversely, in Canada, I often feel cool just by going into the shade. Although there are many mosquitoes these days, I find a sense of peace when sitting in a rocking chair and quietly gazing at the sky.

Jesus invites us to peace and rest. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.” Looking at the original biblical words for “weary” and “burdened,” they refer to a state of physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion. That is why Jesus went to find those who had lost courage and were in despair. Why were people at that time so exhausted? The reason was that they were burdened with heavy loads by others. One of them is the stress caused by the oppression of the Roman Empire. Another was the practices of the law enforced by the Pharisees and scribes.

Compared to today, the income of modern people has increased compared to 30 years ago. However, housing prices and living costs have risen much more than that. Therefore, we have entered an era where it is no longer very difficult to support a family or buy a house with the income of just one person. In North America, it is easy to find news that the percentage of people who consider themselves middle class has significantly decreased today. Of course, I think Canada is relatively better than the US. The important thing is the fact that many people are losing their jobs due to industrial automation and mechanization. Therefore, modern people are each experiencing various threats, both economically and existentially. One cannot imagine how much stress and tension this resulting psychological and physical burden places on so many people.

Jesus speaks to us again. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. I feel very grateful through these words of Jesus. When we meet someone, there are times when we feel a sense of stability just by being together. I left my hometown to live in a boarding school starting from high school. So, strangely enough, whenever I went back to my hometown, I would get very sleepy whenever I met my parents. Looking back now, I think it’s because I felt a sense of stability and peace by my parents’ side. However, Jesus promises us a peace that is deeper and wider than this.

However, the following statement is very paradoxical. “²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” How many people in the world would like a yoke? However, Jesus explains. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus was the King of Kings. However, He laid down all that authority and came to this earth. Although He was the Son of God, He lived as a thoroughly suffering servant. He lived our lives exactly as they were for the salvation of us humans. He shared in the various worries and difficulties we face in life. Jesus also faced the various problems encountered in the life of faith. Because He fully understands our human problems and their causes, He provides appropriate solutions. That is precisely the invitation to bear the yoke of Jesus.

What is the easy and light yoke that Jesus spoke of? It is lighter than the 613 laws imposed on the people by Jewish religious leaders. It is easier than the heavy religious rituals and practices they made people observe. Therefore, the words of Jesus are a yoke based on God’s overflowing grace and love. Therefore, the burden that Jesus placed on humanity can be learned through Jesus. Jesus tells us about salvation and rest that go beyond our human abilities and deeds that we consider righteous. It means that humans do not open the door to salvation through their own works, but that God, in His sovereign power, calls us through Jesus. And it means that when we walk that path with faith, we enjoy the state of salvation through God’s grace. Therefore, let us silently follow the path of Jesus Christ, our King.

Finally, the Messiah prophesied by Zechariah was proven 500 years later by the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus gave peace to Israel, a colonized people suffering from oppression, in a way different from their expectations. He bestowed grace and blessings different from their hopes. There are times when we feel that God’s timing is much further away and slower to be answered than we think, just like the prophets’ prophecies. So, even when my situation is so desperate, there are times when God’s presence feels distant. However, grace that surpasses our hopes and the peace of Jesus, who deeply understands our sorrows, will surely come. I hope this rest will be with you in your daily life forever. Amen.

Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, and Matthew 10:40-42

I had a very busy week. Actually, rather than having many schedules, there were a lot of things to think about. The lectionary also invited me to cover very important and in-depth topics.

The first is death. Recently, gun-related accidents have been occurring all over the country. There have been incidents where a considerable number of police officers lost their lives for the sake of public safety. What particularly impressed me was that broadcasters live-streamed the funerals of these police officers. I recently watched parts of the Funeral for Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto on CTV. I feel that the culture of the entire society mourning together, including the funeral of Vancouver Police Officer Shaelyn Yang last year, is precious.

There are various ways to interpret and mourn death from a humanities perspective. Differences in religion can arise depending on the interpretation of continuity and discontinuity regarding life and death. There are psychological and philosophical approaches surrounding loss and healing. As seen in the collective memorial service for police officers mentioned earlier, there is a culture of sharing communal solidarity and memories. Here, the Bible and theology share diverse perspectives on death. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can confirm a connection to a world beyond the time on Earth where the body resides. Furthermore, today, as in the words of Genesis, we discover God, who uses even death as a tool to test our faith.

How can we understand God’s command to offer Abraham’s only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to God? This is a completely different matter from asking someone to pluck the stars from the sky when dating. Honestly, if God were to ask me to sacrifice my son Sean’s life for God, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I simply expect and pray that the God I believe in will not demand such things from me, at least. Of course, God simply wanted to confirm Abraham’s obedience based on his faith. Abraham proved his faith through very fundamental and thorough obedience. God praised him as He saw that he did not withhold anything in the world from God. Abraham’s determination to return everything he has because it was given by God is very sincere. Even if God required my death, it would be difficult to obey, so the command to offer my children is very tough. However, God tests him so that many people may take Abraham as a model through him. Abraham’s attitude of placing no great value on anything before God challenges today’s Christians who fear God. The important thing is whether I, like Abraham, am choosing God first and above all other values.

Today, we will have Holy Communion shortly. What can we remember today through the death of Jesus? The fact is that even if it differs from my will, if God wills it, I must do God’s work. We can reflect on whether we have the faith to obey, even if we cannot understand all of God’s plans through our own reason, knowledge, and experience. Jesus also struggled. However, just like Jesus, who finally obeyed God’s will, and like Abraham, I want to walk this path of faith that transcends death with you today. This journey of faith is never easy. So, prayer is needed, and companions in faith are needed.

As one example, there were drug-addicted homeless people on the church lawn last Thursday. Glenn Allen was mowing the lawn and watering, but the homeless’ condition was not good. The Safe Harbour social division team arrived and attempted to handle the situation, but they were unable to do so. Unlike the typical case of fentanyl addiction, where physical signs are low, he ran around wildly here and there. He crossed the road across the middle school playground, and eventually, peace officers and even the RCMP were dispatched. As a result, the Safe Harbour team found him. It made me think a lot. It was a very pitiful situation, and at the same time, it was one in which the children at the daycare center and the middle school students could feel threatened. In addition, the young man under the influence of drugs was also at risk of being involved in a traffic accident. In addition, as part of our mission, we sometimes receive complaints, both large and small. For some, this can easily turn into criticism, with people asking, “How could the church do such a thing?” I actually receive a stipend for my ministry, but it deeply hurts my heart when church members who volunteer are criticized by others.

However, I thought about it the other way around. I think that such things can happen because of the high expectations for Christians and the high demands from society on the Knox congregation. The question, “Shouldn’t a church be like this?” is asked only when the church still has a reason to exist. People do not demand such expectations or high standards from churches that have stopped growing and are just waiting to close their doors. People are making requests of us because we are seen as a church with the capacity for a mission. I invite you to continue this precious ministry. Amen.

Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalm 69:7-15 and Romans 6:1-11

 

On Father’s Day, I reflect on my father’s love and grace. The strong father I saw when I was young has disappeared, and he seems to be becoming increasingly frail, so I often feel sad. The memories of upsetting my father sometimes make me feel ashamed. They create regret for me. My father is as old as the age difference between my daughter and me. I can no longer see my father’s arms and shoulders, which were so strong. However, that love is now passed on to his grandchildren and me. I extend my deepest gratitude to all the fathers of this land.

Looking at Romans verse 4, we can see that Jesus Christ rose again in the glory of the Father. And through the resurrection that raises the dead, we also receive the gift of a new life—people who believe in this gain a new way of living and new values. Through the glorious life given by God, we know that the world of life has an overtime period after the regular period.

Since the 2010s, “Early Retirement Extreme” by Jacob Lund Fisker and Peter Adeney’s concept of early retirement through saving have caused a sensation. It was called the FIRE movement, taking the first letters of Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). It is a new value system among the younger generation that emphasizes saving and investing toward early retirement. Of course, through this, I hope our young generation will make meaningful use of the wealth and time given to them. Humans need a longer-term perspective and values regarding such wealth and time. This is because, as we all know, we must prepare together to live in the world after death. You must prepare for life after retirement and the new world after death. It is the life in heaven that we have received as a gift through God’s love. Furthermore, it is a new dimension of space-time that includes resurrection.

In the past, we had no choice but to live immersed in this land’s values, like ordinary people. God saved us. The Creator sent Jesus to humans, who are prone to stumble because of sin. In a world rampant with sin, it is very challenging for us to live as righteous people on our own. This is because my surroundings are full of sin and temptation. These days, I maintain the lawn in my front yard and pull dandelions. However, there is a 170,000-sq-ft park across the road. There are countless dandelions there, and the city manages them. However, I cannot handle the countless tree, grass, and weed pollens that have been flying in over the past few weeks. Even if I keep pulling the weeds in my yard, I cannot keep up with the countless dandelion seeds. Likewise, even if we place several air purifiers inside our house, we are helpless if the air outside is bad.

Similarly, we are surrounded by sin. So, although it is impossible with our own efforts, God sent Jesus to us. Christ was crucified and died for sin, and we also died symbolically with Him. But He promised that we would rise again with Him. Through baptism, we have been united with Jesus. We are called to be new beings. All of this is thanks to the amazing love and grace of God the Father.

Next, through the Father’s love and glory, we can preach the gospel. The prophet Jeremiah warned against Judah’s unbelief. As a result, he suffered from numerous jealousies and criticisms. He prophesied the destruction of Judah and the suffering of his people. This is not an easy task. If the country falls, it breaks the prophet’s heart. Conversely, if they do not repent and the prophecy is not fulfilled, the prophet must endure the nation’s resentment and criticism. The prophet’s proclamation, in hopes of the repentance and salvation of the people of Israel, is like very bitter medicine. It is effective, but they do not prefer it. Every time he warned of judgment and disaster, he was driven even further into a corner. So he vows not to convey God’s warning on his behalf. However, he cannot suppress the passion for the Gospel that burns like fire in his heart.

Likewise, the Psalmist is slandered and suffers hardship because of the things he did with passion for God’s work. Nevertheless, he trusts in God’s great love and sure salvation.

Beloved, we are all united in Christ. Also, in any situation, we can preach the gospel. Why is that? It is because the power of the blood of the cross is within us. And it is because the amazing love and glory of God the Father flow in our blood. It is thanks to God’s great love that even an unworthy person like me can preach the gospel. If I can do it, you can do it too. There are now six months left in 2026. I hope that miracles will unfold in which we share this great gospel of love and grace with our friends and invite them to live such a life. Amen.