As the store shelves are strewn with jack-o-lanterns, candy and costumes, it is indeed a sign that Halloween is near. I remember as a child we would find our best pillowcase and go in search of the best candy in town. Door after door the pillowcase would fill and at the end of the night we would examine the sweet decadence of the bounty received. My parents would quickly say, “don’t eat too much candy or else you will get a cavity”. Indeed, cavities are the worst enemy to man. For they indicate a greater issue as it addresses the root [no pun intended] of the problem.

On October 31st , 1517, Martin Luther had done the same. Addressing the root of the problem, he nailed the 95 theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany which would spark the beginning of the Reformation. Luther knew that as he read the scriptures, it was all about Jesus. For the great decay of sin and death could not be purchased and won by the selling of indulgences and/or man’s attempt to merit their way to God. And thus, Luther stood for the truth because the truth of Christ set us free (Jn8:32). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result or works, so that no one may boast” (Eph2:8-9)

Therefore it is in this month of October that we remember why Luther stood and why we stand today. For we stand because of Jesus “who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil ; not with gold or silver, but with His Holy, precious blood..” [Small Catechism AC Art.II explanation]. Yes, it is all about Jesus because without Him and His sacrificial work, how are we to boast within the great decay? For there is nothing we can do, yet by grace we are saved through faith all by the gift of God.

Thus we rest upon the bounty received through the blood of Christ. By His death and resurrection, you are lavished by the riches of his grace. In your Baptism, you are robed in His righteousness.. In the Supper, you receive the gift of Christ’s True Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. Yes, it is still all about Jesus for you: yesterday today and forever!

Have a blessed October!

✝️ Pastor Jeong

The full newsletter can be found here:
https://www.faithmoorpark.com/files/pdf/2022/2022-10-Newsletter.pdf