Tag: Rev. Jaebok Gu

Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, and John 1:29-42

 

It’s the third Sunday of the new year. I make new resolutions every year, but often I forget them. So, some seniors advise me to make the resolutions again whenever I forget them. I also have a wish and resolution, and I will tell you about it when it comes true by the end of this year.

The Psalm we read today is often read at the New Year. Especially in verse 3, the new song is a symbolic expression of renewing our hearts and renewing our lives. The poet experienced escaping from hardships that he could not overcome on his own. It was possible not because of his own wisdom, but because of God’s complete help. So, he has no choice but to praise God. The original meaning of the phrase “put a new song in my mouth” expressed here is “He allowed me to sing. He forced me to sing. He gave me the message to sing.” So, the poet confesses that he can praise God by making it possible for him to sing of his own will.

In my case, I experienced betrayal by someone I trusted deeply while I was in ministry about 10 years ago. However, I couldn’t tell anyone else about this fact. I trusted him enough to share a lot of my time and energy with him. But when a crisis struck him, he forced me to make a difficult choice. As you all know, there is a dawn prayer meeting in Korea. So, every morning, after all the members had gone home, I stayed in the church, crying and praying alone. When the pastor prayed with great sorrow, the members became worried, so I prayed earnestly when I was alone. I couldn’t sleep properly, and it was very difficult to praise God joyfully. After a little over a month, God pulled me out of the mire. Only then did I begin to understand the poet’s confession a little.

What is the new song in today’s Scripture? Scholars interpret it roughly in three ways. First, he gave new meaning to the hymns he had sung by connecting them to his own religious experience. Second, it could be that the original hymn was sung with modifications. Third, it could be that an entirely new song was created and sung. Of these, I find the first view more persuasive. Because when I went through a time of hardship, I found that the hymns I sang, even though they had the same lyrics, gave me a special grace and emotion different from before. Furthermore, I see myself renewed as I sing the new song.

Through hardship and the wounds of human relationships, I have come to see that I have changed. In the past, I viewed people as objects of trust. But now I realize I need to treat people as objects of love, not just as objects of trust. Of course, there are many very good people around me right now. A few days ago, while responding to a survey on the status of pastors conducted by the denomination, I reflected on how happy and grateful I am to serve as pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church. However, I do not agree that my grateful and joyful ministry is a blessing given equally to all pastors and all believers. Because right now, some people are going through very challenging times. So today I humbly ask for the grace God gave to David. May God’s grace, which renewed David, be given to you. May the mercy of God, who placed David’s feet on the rock and firmly supported his life, be abundant in your home.

Next, like David, Jesus’ two disciples stood at the starting line of new life. Andrew was originally a disciple of John the Baptist. He accepted Jesus as the Messiah through John. At that time, a group of John the Baptist’s disciples regularly fasted, prayed, and practiced piety. John introduced Jesus to his disciples and tried to get them to focus on him. However, as recorded in Acts 18:24-25, Apollos and some of John’s disciples were devoutly pious, but many did not accept Jesus Christ. So even after John the Baptist was imprisoned and lost his life, these people still knew the Bible and had a zeal for knowledge, but they did not receive the Messiah. Therefore, following Jesus like Andrew, Simon Peter is not an easy task. These two disciples did not accept Jesus from the beginning. In verses 36-39, we see that they recognized the Messiah through the introduction of John the Baptist. They also experienced Jesus’ specialness through the words and actions he preached and performed as he moved from one synagogue to another. And based on what they experienced while following Jesus, they finally became certain in verse 41 that Jesus was the Messiah. Those who met Christ in this way did not remain silent. Andrew immediately introduced Jesus to his brother Peter. They are excited and happy to share this with their family. They introduce Jesus Christ to their friends and acquaintances. Because recognizing Jesus and confessing him as the Messiah is a miracle that transcends reason. Because the seeds of miracles were planted in the hearts of those who experienced this miracle. Then, the seed of the gospel has been planted in that person’s life and is now taking root.

Like John, who introduced the Lamb of God, we must continue to introduce Jesus and share information about Him with our acquaintances whenever we have the opportunity. We must preach about Jesus, who became a sacrifice for humanity as the Lamb of God. He is the way of our lives and protects us. He helps us to cast off our sins and transgressions.

Like Andrew and Peter, who decided to leave their old teacher and follow Messiah, we too must follow this Jesus well. Just as they faithfully followed their teacher’s will rather than relying on old feelings or trust, we too must follow the teachings of our teacher, Jesus, today. I hope that we will become people who go beyond human knowledge and various personal networks and focus more on God’s will, plan, and calling. So, I want you to live this year putting God’s kingdom and righteousness first. Let us live a year of intimacy with Jesus, just as the disciples did, who met him, called him Rabbi, and developed a close relationship with him to fulfill God’s plan. May the wisdom and grace they have received be abundantly bestowed upon you all. Amen.

Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, and Matthew 3:13-17

 

Everyone gets lost at some point while walking down the road. At this point, some people may use Google Maps on their phones to find the right way back. Other people may ask other people on the street for directions. But what should you do if you get lost in the mountains? It’s not an easy problem. In the army, there is a platoon leader who must lead 30 men to their destination on time. I also wonder why this thought suddenly popped into my head while I was preparing my Sunday sermon. 18 years ago, I had to climb a mountain and hike 10km carrying a 20kg bag and a rifle for training. However, the mountain was so steep that phones and GPS devices did not work. There was a training controller next to me, and he suggested the easy route, saying he would show me the easy way. But since I had a set mission, I looked at the moon, the map, and the compass and continued toward my destination. Of course, it wasn’t easy. But I was grateful for those days.

As I read the Bible today, I thought about what we should do when we feel lost. Do we have a compass, a map, and a moon? At this point, Jesus Christ came to mind. In the dark of night, it is difficult to see even 10 meters ahead. In my life, there have been times when I made decisions I thought were wise, but ended up with foolish results. When nothing promised hope for my future, I meditated on Christ. The passage from the Gospel of Matthew we read today brings me great comfort. These are words that clearly express why Jesus came.

Jesus visits John to be baptized. He came from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River. John refuses Jesus’ baptism, saying that Jesus should baptize him. What is baptism? It is a pledge to repent of the sins committed throughout life and live a new life in God. Jesus, being sinless, did not need baptism. But as verse 15 says, “to fulfill all righteousness,” John baptizes Jesus. Jesus proclaims that he came to this earth to fulfill God’s justice. God’s righteousness is God’s plan and will. Baptism is a gift from God to His people who are suffering under the law. It is a promise of liberation for the people persecuted by the Roman Empire. And this baptism is the starting point for completing God’s plan to redeem humankind’s sins on the cross. So, in Jesus’ baptism, there is God’s compassion for humanity. There is God’s love for His children who suffer. There is a plan for righteous judgment against the ruling class, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. And there is a reason why Jesus came to this land to give them an opportunity.

But the words that follow draw our attention even more. “¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” The heavens are opened, and the Spirit of God is with us. Scholars interpret this as a highly symbolic scene of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together. So, through baptism, the Holy Spirit descends and perfects all things. In this way, through baptism, Jesus was united with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. He came to this earth to fulfill the righteousness of God the Father through this union. God proclaims to the world: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” There is an expression that says, “Love is willingly giving my time.” God spends time with the Holy Spirit at this place where Jesus was baptized. Jesus spent the last 30 years of his life in human form for us. Then, for the next three years, he diligently completes God’s work. The Holy Spirit is always with Jesus. They willingly give each other all this time. What is the reason? It is because God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit love us that they gave us their time and entered into the midst of human history. Because of that love.

So, how should we live, having received this great, deep, and wide love? I boldly invite you to live with the prophet Isaiah’s attitude. Verses 3 and 4. “³ A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; ⁴ he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Reeds, which grow in wetlands and along the water’s edge, were a familiar plant to people at the time because they also grew abundantly in the Jordan River. And it appears frequently as a symbolic expression in ancient Near Eastern literature and in the Bible. Reeds are fragile and easily swayed by the wind, so they represent the fragile human figure. But the prophet mentions a bruised reed among the reeds. It’s literally a reed that’s half broken. It is a metaphor for human life, depicting a situation that causes great physical and mental difficulties. But the servant of Jehovah says he will not break such people.

In fact, there is no problem throwing away the damaged reeds, as they are of no use. The kings of the world judge the broken reeds of humanity mercilessly in desperate situations. But God’s servant heals them and gives them new life. In fact, when the incarnate Messiah was on earth, he sought out sinners who were like bruised reeds. The Messiah expressed a greater and deeper love for them. He fulfilled this prophecy by performing a history of healing, restoration, and life for them.

Therefore, beloved, I pray that you will meditate on the reason Jesus came to this earth and live a life of love, just as Jesus did. So, I bless that the history of healing and restoration will happen around us through you. Amen.

Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20, and John 1:9-18

 

I saw the New Year’s countdown cross Canada from the east. I always knew that time zones were different, but I realized that Canada’s east and west coasts are very far apart. The reason this is interesting is that my home country uses one time zone. I feel the light of God’s grace approaching from the east. What I am thankful for is that we all begin the new year with the Lord’s word and grace. Through the Word, we now know that the Epiphany is about to start. It is a holiday that commemorates the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth as light. Western churches, including the Reformed Church, Anglican Church, and Catholic Church, celebrate the Epiphany, commemorating the Three Wise Men. Conversely, the Eastern Orthodox Church, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Church, attaches significance to Jesus Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. So, in this cold winter, many Orthodox believers perform a ceremony in which they throw a cross into the river and then go inside to find it. The important thing is that Christ is with us.

As in John 1:14, the word “Father” appears over 130 times in the Gospel of John. Because the existence of the Holy Son Jesus is defined in God the Father, his identity is God, and he existed before creation. Jesus taught his disciples that knowing the Father and the Son is the same thing and that they are very closely related. So, Jesus lived and worked in perfect accordance with God’s will and plan.

What we should note is that the account in this Gospel differs from that in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Unlike the other three gospels, the Gospel of John tells the story of the beginning of the world rather than describing a genealogy or a birth. It says that before Jesus came to this land, he existed as the Word. It explains that there is life in it and light in it. The reason for this explanation was that John wanted to tell his readers about the existence of Jesus Christ. The purpose is to prove that Jesus is truly the Son of God and the Christ. The Apostle John wanted people to believe that Jesus is the Christ and be saved. I sympathize with the Apostle John in this regard. There are many spiritual people around us, all of whom confess Jesus Christ as Lord and desire to live in His light. Salvation is God’s work. However, the faith of the Reformed Church is based on the simple truth that salvation is by faith. So, I hope that 2026 will be the year when my loved ones believe in Jesus and are saved.

This is verse 12. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Jesus Christ came to this earth as a baby. Two thousand years ago, only a few people discovered God in this image: the Magi, Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. Afterwards, John the Baptist, Peter, and others confessed Jesus as Christ. But most people didn’t receive Jesus. So, those who believe in Jesus are very precious and accept the authority to become children of God. What does this right to become children of God mean? In biblical language, it is expressed as “edoken exuxian.” This means granting God the rights, power, and authority. To be a child of God is a glorious and empowering thing. In a monarchy, being a king’s child is a privilege in itself. In the kingdom of God, just being a child gives you privileges. These privileges are not earned through our own efforts, but by the grace of God. Thus, I want us to pray for the people of this land like this. Lord, save your people, the remnant of the world. I pray that the glory of Christ will be upon our home and that grace and truth will abound for all people. Furthermore, I pray that our Knox church will be filled with such people of the Lord.

Finally, I pray that the grace of salvation will be abundant for you through the Book of Jeremiah. This is verse 7. “This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.” We do not know who ‘you’ refers to here. It could be the people of Israel or all nations. What is important here is that God is urging you to pray for the remnant of Israel, as the Creator refers to you. Furthermore, God is saying that the Creator will save the remnant of Israel.

What is mysterious about these words is that they were called the foremost of the nations at a time when Israel’s situation was most difficult. Israel is one of the smallest nations. On the surface, they are a truly powerless people. Compared to Babylon or Egypt, it was a small nation. Currently, it was under the control of Babylon and was barely able to maintain its national identity, and was on the verge of destruction. Many of those people had already been taken captive to Babylon and were living there. Yet God values Israel foremost. Why is that? Because God chose it.

Our lives today are no different. I, too, am sometimes weak, like Israel. But God chose you both and me. There is nothing shabby about God’s choices. God saved us through that choice and wants to save the world. Therefore, beloved, let us live the new year boldly. God walks with us as Emmanuel. Let us wisely invite our friends into the faith. Let us encourage them to live with the light of God. And let us pray. Lord, save your people, the remnant of the world! Amen.

Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2:10-18

 

Looking back on the year, there were many things I was grateful for. I was thankful that my permanent residency was progressing and my children were doing well in school. The number of churchgoers has also increased. Watching Giving Tuesday, I was reminded of the love of our board members and congregation who work hard to maintain our church. There were many things to be thankful for, such as the Sunday School and Youth Group meetings, the pie group, the Hand Bell, and special lectures by church members. There were some very sad things at times, but before we knew it, the year had come to an end. Looking back, I confess that I have come this far by the grace of the Lord.

As we read today from the prophet Isaiah, I hope that this gratitude and praise will overflow in your lives. Verse 7 begins the recollection of Jehovah’s grace. That is, I will speak about all the mercy and grace that God has shown to the chosen people. Verses 8 and 9 recall the selection of the people of Israel and their salvation. The salvation work of God described here refers to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. ‘The angel of presence’ refers to Jesus. This also refers to the intervention of the Holy Son Jesus during Israel’s salvation history in the Exodus. We affirm that Christ, who will one day save humanity from the oppression of sin, was deeply involved in the work of saving God’s chosen people even before His incarnation.

Through these words, we can witness God’s unchanging love for His chosen people. We can see God’s infinite mercy in punishing Israel when they sin, but then forgiving them and showing them grace again when they repent. Thus, because of our weakness, we can sin and be disciplined by God. But even then, we gain the strength to appeal to God, and despite our weaknesses, through the Creator’s love and mercy, we can rise again from where we have fallen and failed. We can have the assurance that we will ultimately attain eternal salvation.

Before the Israelites left Egypt, they were in a desperate situation with no hope of salvation. That is, as slaves in Egypt, they had no hope. God chose Moses as a leader for the Israelites and saved them from Egypt through him. But Israel easily forgot God’s grace and betrayed their Creator whenever they had the chance. So God, their leader and protector, was concerned about the Israelites. Ultimately, they were judged in the wilderness, and only their descendants were allowed to enter the Promised Land.

When Israel repented and sought God’s help, the Creator showed them grace and granted them the rest of Canaan. Thus, God’s love for His people is unchanging and limitless. Isaiah proclaims this very love and grace of God. Although Israel is currently in Babylonian captivity after being destroyed, Isaiah declares that God will show favour to Israel when they serve Him well again. “This situation of betraying God and being punished will soon change.”

Sometimes we face hardships. But even in times of trouble, we must remember God’s love. This is the grace that God gave to Israel in the past. We must look to God’s grace, which unconditionally saves us who are unworthy, and to God, who bestows constant love, such delicate and merciful love, in our lives. Furthermore, we must pray that God will bestow His grace again. God never turns away from the praise and prayers of those who seek His grace. This is the hope given to humans who are capable of making mistakes. So we can have hope of living a blessed life again.

Next is grace through Christ, as stated in Hebrews 10. “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” Baby Jesus came to this earth. Jesus, who is omnipotent and possesses the status of God, comes in the form of a most defenceless baby. A state in which one cannot live without someone’s help, protection, and support. Perhaps the 30 years before Jesus began his public ministry were more difficult for him than the circumstances leading up to his death on the cross. Why is that? Because he is in a situation where he cannot use the powers he previously had as a god. How frustrating would that be? And what did he think about when he helped his father Joseph with his carpentry work? It is hard work, dealing with wood and stone. A noble god must assist in a physically demanding and dangerous task.

The fact that Jesus, who can do anything with a single word, does these things is simply a suffering. So, when I read verse 18, I find comfort. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Many people are tempted and tested. But Jesus also went through all of this, and so he knows and understands us humans very well. He knew well the many difficulties we humans face so that He could take our place. We know so well the grace-filled life of Jesus that we cannot help but praise Him.

The greatest gift of grace I have received this Christmas season is Jesus Christ. I experienced salvation and grace through him. I learned to be grateful because of it. Because of that, I have found someone to rely on even when I suffer at times. Because of that, I am not lonely even though I left my hometown. Because of this, we can have the hope of heaven. That is why I am so happy and thankful for the birth of Jesus. Let us remember and praise together the faithful life of love of Jesus. That Jesus will hold our hands and lead us through the end of 2025 and into the new year. Hallelujah!

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Matthew 1:18-25, and 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

 

It’s the Fourth Sunday in Advent. It’s time to think more about love. We also plan to celebrate today’s service with a Blue Christmas service. When I think of those who have gone to heaven before me, I am filled with longing. Sadness and sometimes loneliness come to me. Some people say that through these separations, they are burying the departed in their hearts. Now, the next few days are a time when even non-believers will be excitedly celebrating the holidays. The world will spend this period with as much excitement as when Jesus entered Jerusalem two thousand years ago. At times like these, some people may feel even more profound sadness. I pray that God’s comfort be with you, and that His grace, which restores us, may fill our lives.

Matthew tells Joseph about Jesus’ birth, that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was to be named Immanuel. When Joseph was unaware of this, he felt deeply wronged and upset. Joseph thought to himself. “The woman I love is pregnant with another man’s child.” But he did not want to expose her to public disgrace. He attempted to divorce her quietly. These decisions are tough. A bride who brought another man’s child to her groom, who was waiting for her to get married! Sometimes, after waiting like this, we face disaster. But to persevere in these circumstances requires great ability and tolerance. In today’s Scripture, Joseph showed us that. In fact, recently, while I was going to a member’s room with my wife, a car driven by a student from the countryside hit my bumper. But thankfully, there were no scratches at all. Of course, I didn’t tell my wife, but something similar happened to me four years ago shortly after I bought the car. At that time, the driver behind me was a newcomer who was driving while drowsy. However, I did not make a claim then or this time. It wasn’t because I was generous, and there weren’t any particular problems. All I did was tell all those drivers to drive safely. But even in these moments of choice, I struggle. Should I report it? A friend told me to report the student because he might cause other problems. Actually, I don’t know which one is correct. But the important thing is that we are constantly faced with moments of conflict and having to make choices. Joseph would have done the same. So, we must ask God what is wise in that situation. Just as Joseph maintained his emotions and mind even in situations of great injustice and hurt, we too need to control our minds when faced with great sorrow and emotional difficulties.

This year, we have gone through many moments of choice. And at the end of the year, we await the birth of baby Jesus. He comes to us as the Prince of Hope, the Prince of Peace, and brings us joy. Finally, we will meet the Lord, who is love itself.

Dear friends, this is the season when we think of our precious families. We each carry longing in our hearts. We may think of our parents who have gone to heaven first. Sometimes you may think of your children and friends. But the place left by that deep sadness is difficult to comfort with any words. And no matter how much time passes, it is not easy to manage that pain. But the gospel says: “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. it is raised imperishable. it is raised in glory. it is raised in power.”

These words from 1 Corinthians are the contents of a letter sent by the Apostle Paul to the church in the Greek port city of Corinth. At that time, the Corinth region was a logistics and industrial center, much like an international airport or highway passing through it today. Socially, the Romans immigrated in large numbers and settled there, to such an extent that there was an outdoor stadium that could accommodate 20,000 people. There were also over a dozen Greek temples, a place where Greek culture and philosophy combined. So, we need to understand the concepts of death and the body from the perspective of Greek philosophy. At that time, some Corinthians and Greeks rejected resurrection and the afterlife. They witnessed the death and perishing of the body. Observing this, they concluded that the body was mortal and that only the soul was noble. They believed that death was the escape of the soul from the prison of the body. So they couldn’t figure out how to raise it back to the spiritual body.

The Apostle Paul testifies that even though the decay of the body in the tomb clearly shows the destruction of the body, human destiny does not end here. “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.” This means that this body, which is destined to die and decay, will be transformed into a new and glorious body on the day of Christ’s second coming. Because the Greeks devalued the body, they condoned various sexual depravities and crimes. In the center of the city was the Temple of Aphrodite. The big problem was that there were over a thousand priests who were engaging in religious prostitution inside the temple. And these actions were not problematic in the philosophy and values of the time.

But we know that, beyond all these values, ideologies, and philosophies, God is alive and with us. The Creator loved us so much that he sent his son, Jesus, to this earth in his place. He sent his Son, whom he loves more than himself. And through him God testifies that he is Immanuel. Beloved, as we wait together for the birth of baby Jesus, let us manage all our longing, pain, and sorrow. The God of life will bring us all together in God’s time. Amen.