Connected in The Word 8-14-25
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Luke 12:50
In two weeks I will begin course work through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. I admit, the thought of another 2 ½ years of school is a little distressing. Afterall, since graduating high school, I’ve spent 14 of the last 34 years in school. The “distress” of balancing homework, ministry, and family just can’t be relieved until the work is accomplished!
In the verse above Jesus is not “distressed” about going back to school or balancing homework, ministry, and his crew of disciples. Jesus is referring to His death and resurrection. I’m sure Jesus was a little distressed thinking about the suffering that comes with death by crucifixion. This type of distress can’t be relieved until it is “all over”. However, I think the distress Jesus was experiencing was more about how important this work was because of what it would accomplish – The Redemption of All Creation! This weekend’s reading from Hebrews reminds us that Jesus endured the cross because of the “joy that was set before Him”!
I’ve got some homework to do, and I will be distressed until it is accomplished because I don’t like doing homework. Jesus had some work to do, and He would be distressed until it was accomplished because once it was – The Promise & Joy of Redemption & Reconciliation would be fulfilled!
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FOR THOSE WONDERING, "WHY MORE SCHOOL?"
I graduated as an elementary school teacher and Director of Christian Education (DCE) 26 years ago. Through the gracious support of St. John Lutheran in Wheaton, I was then able to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. After a few years of youth work, many years of classroom teaching (3rd grade is the best!), and with the gracious support of Immanuel Lutheran in Belvidere, I completed the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. I’ve been serving as the assistant pastor at Immanuel for the last 10 years.
A pastor trained through the SMP program in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod takes less course work than a pastor trained through the traditional residential program at the seminary. This means that there are some things I am not currently trained to do, and certain denominational restrictions on what I can do. I am currently working towards my General Pastor Certification (GPC) which will provide more training and remove all restrictions. This is again only possible because of the continued support of Immanuel. I’m grateful, humbled, and excited to learn, grow, and serve!