Photo by Elena Koycheva on Unsplash

Dear First Family and Friends,

Patience … it’s a virtue.  Says so right there in Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones … patience, bearing with one another …” Yet patience is hard to come by. In our “instant world” of on-line access we can see any movie, hear any song, gather any information instantly.  And if I have to wait even 5 seconds for the “hour glass” to spin … GRRRR! The world seems to have taught us patience is useless. This Lent, a Lent to Remember, God helps us remember through His Word … and we remember – in His grace, mercy and love – God hasn’t forgotten patience.

Jesus helps us to remember just how patient God is with His people … you and me included. As He often does, He uses a visual image to help us remember – a fig tree. Why would a farmer plant a fig tree? To bear figs. However, like any fruit tree, it must first mature. The farmer seems to have forgotten this concept saying, “I’ve had this tree for three years … and nothing! No fruit! Cut it down!” (Luke 13:7 (paraphrase)) This guy might not be a very good farmer as he’s forgotten most fig trees can take up to six years to produce fruit.[1] In addition, it’s possible that even a mature tree won’t produce fruit if it’s not properly nourished. Fortunately for this poor tree, the vinedresser knows his fig trees and urges the farmer to hold off until he’s had time to nourish and tend the unfruitful fig tree (Luke 13:8-9).

God is patient with His people. You and I are works in progress. He’s called us His own children in baptism … giving us faith. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. He’s done this so we produce fruit in His kingdom. Yet, we often don’t remember this as we head off on our journeys. However, through His Son, Jesus Christ, God patiently remembers us … and His promises to us. He patiently works at us through His Word and Sacraments … He nourishes and strengthens our faith. He patiently cultivates the ground of our souls so that … slowly but surely, we begin to bear the fruits of faith in our lives.

By right, our Creator could certainly ignore us and cut us down for our failure to bear fruit in His creation. But our Creator loves and cares for all of us. He sent His own Son to patiently teach us … to suffer and slowly die on a cross as payment for our sins … to eventually, three days later, rise from the dead to defeat the effects of sin and death. And one day, He will return to judge the living and the dead and bring all who believe into His eternal kingdom … while condemning all who don’t believe to the fires of eternal death. He could return any day … but He’s also patient. He says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live …” (Ezekiel 33:11) Let us remember … God’s patience … and give thanks to Him for His infinite mercy and grace toward us and all mankind.

                                                                                        In His Love,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim