Our Ministry
Everything Put in Your Name
EASTER SUNDAY • APRIL 4
John 1:12
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God.”
Last fall I was invited to preach at the 90th anniversary of Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Plummer, Minnesota, a village church which was the second
congregation in a parish I served for 13 years. My wife, Joan, and I took a side
trip to a Thief River Falls cemetery where her parents were buried. Evergreen
shrubs once bordered their grave site, but had since been removed. It took a little
searching, but Joan found the grave site.
A woman buried her husband in a cemetery in Yonkers, NewYork. Years
later she came back to visit his grave, but she could not find it. Many things had
changed – new roads, new additions. So she went to the office and inquired
where her husband was buried. The caretaker of the cemetery checked, but reported,“We have no one by that name buried here.” The widow insisted, “I was here
when we buried him. There must be some mistake!” The caretaker again checked
the records and reported, “We have a Sarah by that name buried here, but no one
with your husband’s first name.” Sarah said. “That’s his grave! How like him to
put everything in my name!”
My life motto is this: “For through the law I died to the law so that I might
live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ
lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:19-20)
On the face of it, that passage sounds as if it were a big deal on my part or
yours. Far from it! You and I got to the cross of Calvary in repentance and faith,
and Jesus the Christ gives us the greatest treasure; Himself. Indeed, He loved us
and gave Himself for us.
Jesus the Savior took my sinful, damaged life and instead gave me healing
and wholeness. He took my self-centered ways, forgave me fully and put His
healing and restoring Spirit within me. He loves us sinners, coming as our Savior.
Fully God, He gave it all up and came as fully human Child born from under the
heart of the Virgin Mary. After a life of suffering, our Savior had the joy of knowing
He did not suffer in vain. He took the place of sinners, bore the punishment
of all on the cross and for His sake God the Father forgives. (Isaiah 53:11-12)
Now our Savior puts everything in the name of those who believe in Him. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right
to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
Our Heavenly Father, thank you for putting everything in our name. In Jesus’
name. Amen.
Rev. Paul Biegner
Member, Board of Directors
Brainerd, Minnesota