Rev. Thomas V. Aadland: His Word are Life

From LifeDate - Summer 2007.

His Words Are Life

by Rev. Thomas V. Aadland

People were leaving Jesus. He had spoken to them about the bread of God which gives life to the world. He spoke about feeding them and giving them life. They especially liked the part about being given a bread that would make them live forever. But then He said more: "I am that bread." He said that this life was to be found in Him alone, the Bread that came down from heaven.

People are full of all manner of religious propensities—except for what is so focused and exclusive. This Man. Only Jesus. He left no room for them to bring in their own ideas and standards for what is possible to live by. And so they took offense and walked out on Him. Yet He insists: "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63).

There are words that kill. Human words. Words like, "It’s over." "We’re through." Words like, "Your choice. Either me or the baby. Either you take care of it, get the abortion, or we’re finished."

There are other words that kill. Divine words. Words like, "You shall not murder." "You shall not commit adultery." "You shall have no other gods before Me."

These are words that are inescapable. They are the words of God’s holy law delivered through Moses. And they hit all of us and find us out. Which of us has not harmed another or failed to help when we could? Who has not fallen into lust, or doubted that God will never fail us? These words kill, too. They pin us down with guilt and condemnation.

Thanks be to God, there is another word! Jesus speaks that word and makes good on it. He commends His love in a way we can grasp. "I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die" (John 11:25).

There is no sin too shameful, so much, that Jesus hasn’t paid for it. Nothing unfinished with Jesus. No half-way forgiveness with Him either.

Jesus questioned those few who remained: "Will you also go away?" Simon Peter answered for himself and for the Church of all the ages to come, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:68-69). Will we not also say this and stay with Him? His words teach us. They are the teaching or doctrine which is sound (I Timothy 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:3, Titus 2:1), literally, bestowing health.

We are connected to Jesus through His words which are life, life with God now, and in heaven forever. In the mystery of the Lord’s Supper, His Words of Institution consecrate bread and wine so that they convey to us His very flesh and blood. In communion with Jesus, the life-giving Bread from heaven, our sins are forgiven and life and salvation bestowed on us.

On his deathbed, J. S. Bach dictated his last work (Before Thy Throne I Now Appear) to his son-in-law. When the notes on the three staves of the final cadence are counted and mapped onto the Roman alphabet, the initials "JSB" are found.

As Bach counted on his physical death, he reckoned also on his appearance before God’s throne. In confidence born of Jesus and His words of life, even more did he count on standing there, completely forgiven and accepted as God’s child. We too, who have been baptized into Christ and made alive in Him, may put our own initials on that!

This devotion was written by Rev. Thomas V. Aadland, Presiding Pastor of the American Association of Lutheran Churches and Secretary, Board of Directors, Lutherans For Life.