Thrivent Owns and Operates WELS - ELCA - LCMS - ELS - CLC.

When I could still get foundation information for free, a few years back, Jeske was getting $120,000 per year - plus benefits - for part-time work on the Thrivent board.

Lutherans may be the only large denomination financed by one (merged) insurance business. AAL was more for LCMS-WELS, but Lutheran Brotherhood was for the LCA. However, both worked to be promoted by the other side of Lutherdom, knowing full well they could unite them by default through funding, conferences, seminars, and selling annuities to Grannie (Irrevocable Gift Trusts - a cool way to grab the entire estate, or big chunks of it, by giving Grannie high interest returns for a few years. The Planned Giving Counselor gets a commission on the sale, so he will say about anything to close the deal. "Yes, Matilda, this will benefit your Church!" - wink - meaning  your synod.)

By dangling so much money in front of the synods, Thrivent was able to save on promotional money by working with the whole group of sects, gathering the WELS-ELCA-LCMS-ELS leaders for leadership conferences (in Church Growth) and anything else Thrivent wants. 

Thrivent lives by the Golden Rule - Whoever has the Gold makes the Rules.

Thrivent salesmen get the church membership lists from friendly members and pastors - and have a golden opportunity to say, "Thrivent gives so much year to your parish if you buy from us."

Since ELCA has the highest income and most educated members, plus the largest total membership, they are given special attention. Thrivent has not opened their books to me, but I have seen how they scatter their benevolent funds all over  Creation. They give the impression of helping the congregation but they want the big ticket insurance packages, annuities, and investments. Why not give a metro orchestra $5,000 to have a "sponsorship page" appear in their orchestra program? All the swells attend the orchestra, and they live longer as a group than ordinary workers. Minneapolis' orchestra got one such grant.

Where there is a will, there is a Planned Giving Counselor ready to shape it
"for the good of the Church, Matilda." Thrivent bonus bucks go for Church Growth, women's ordination, and ELCA activism of the worst sort.

Jeske obviously promotes women's ordination, but so does Professor Brug. Here is an ELCA pastor promoted through Jeske's Seibert Foundation fun money. His favorites also favor abortion on demand and other ELCA hobbies.

 "Brett, it is only going to get better. What Jeske accomplished in opening up WELS-LCMS to ELCA is the greatest possible blessing. There are no differences now. We only need to bring the laity up to date."

ELCA Bishops and Presiding Bishop Liz Eaton.

You Look for Jeske's Monument? Look Around You!

 "Where would we be without Jeske?"

ELCA Women Bishops in 2019

1. Elizabeth Eaton (2007)
2. Wilma Kucharek (2002)
3. Shelley Wickstrom (2012)
4. Ann Svennungsen (2012)
5. Tracie Bartholomew (2013)
6. Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt (2013)
7. Patricia Lull (2014)
8. Barbara Collins (2016)
9. Kristin Kuempel (2017)
10. Katherine Finnegan (2017)
11. Deborah Hutterer (2018)
12. Patricia Davenport (2018)
13. Idalia Negrón (2018)
14. Laurie Skow-Anderson (2018)
15. Sue Briner (2018)
16. Lorna Halaas (2019)
17. Laurie Larson Caesar (2019)
18. Shelley Bryan Wee (2019)
19. Regina Hassanally (2019)
20. Constanze Hagmaier (2019)
21. Laurie Jungling (2019)
22. Susan Candea (2019)
23. Leila Ortiz (2019)
24. Ginny Aebischer (2020 SC)
25. Amy Current (2020 SE IA)
26. Tessa Moon Leiseth (2020 E ND)
27. Amy Odgren (2020 NE MN)
28. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe (2020 SC WI)
29. Laura Barbins (2020 NE Ohio)
30. Anne Edison-Albright (2020 E Cenral WI)
31. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, the second female bishop in the ELCA, is serving a one-year interim in the Northeastern Iowa Synod this year, bringing the Conference of Bishops to 31/66 (47%) women this year.

 Pastor Mike - 2019 Photo of ELCA Women Pastors Who Happen To Be Bishops
I thought they campaigned and people voted and they won the election, but I guess it just happens.

LCMS - St. Louis Seminary Thinks Everyone Else Has the Answers. Teach Us, O Shrinking Fuller Seminary.Teach Us Episcopalians!

Rick Strickert (Carlvehse) Senior Member Username: Carlvehse Post Number: 9837 Registered: 10-2003

Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2021 - 1:43 pm:       Excerpted from an April 8th Reporter article, "CSL to hold virtual multiethnic symposium": quote: Set for May 4–5, this year’s event will be held virtually under the title “The Rest and the West: What the West Can Learn From Global South Christianity.” “Like the rest of Christianity, the fastest growing Lutheran churches are now in the Global South,” said the Rev. Dr. Leopoldo A. Sánchez, interim Multiethnic Symposium chairman and the Werner R.H. Krause and Elizabeth Ringger Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries at CSL. “Through migration and birth rates, the people of the Global South and their children also are in our communities and churches in the United States. What can we in the West learn from the rest? We are so excited to explore this question in our Multiethnic Symposium.” The event’s keynote and plenary speakers include: Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History at Baylor University, Waco, Texas [Romanist turned Episcopal]; Vince Bantu, assistant professor of Church History and Black Church Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, Houston; Marcell Silva Steuernagel, assistant professor of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program at Southern Methodist University, Dallas; and Samuel Deressa, assistant professor of Theology and Global South at Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn.

The Power of Creation

Roses are an investment. Time spent on their created strengths will yield the best flowers. This is a new rose, Enchanted Peace.

We have had a blend of cold wet weather with stretches of dry sunny weather. That sounds good, and weeds flourish from it. My main concern was the fickle roses new to the garden this year. Heeding the blast I got from a rose specialist years ago, when new roses were not popping in Arizona, I paid attention to each new bush and poured rainwater on the canes and around the base.

The canes can be green and promising, with tiny leaves on the edge of popping. At that point, a little to much sun, drying wind, and hot weather can stop them. Bo thought I was stopping by to pet him over the fence, so his black and white tail wagged back and forth Vivacissimo. "Good Bo. Gentle Bo. Loving Bo."

Every day I poured rainwater over suspect canes, devoid of leaves, and more water around the bases. 

The power of Creation? Yes - the rainwater is full of usable nitrogen, devoid of bleach (chlorinated tap water) and often murky with life. My highpoint in college science was the microscopic study of slough water at Augustana. We had double lensed microscopes to watch the flora and fauna in 3D. I enjoyed seeing everything as if it were a tiny aquarium, and studying their relationships. I got an A for that project and nothing compared to it. Botany with plants preserved in vinegar almost destroyed my appreciation for any food or salad using vinegar. Salads especially reminded me of rotting plant material. 

Sunlight on rainwater starts the process that begins so much of pond life. We had a fabulous man-made pond at our New Ulm house, and that water was so green the neighbors moved the drainage hose far away from their border. Their response reminded me so much of the Augustana slough, grossly stinky but without the addition of septic drainage, a pale green. The next owners wisely filled the pond, hyper-aware of the pond perched much higher than the basement windows.

I do not enjoy hauling rainwater to the roses, but I enjoy the results. Last night we had a bonus rainstorm, which made me thankful for the tons of nitrogen fertilizer  dumped on our lawn and garden. The kiddie swimming pools get just enough water for the birds to splash in. The barrels and buckets collect roof water for pre-soaking plants, helping them get started, and healing the distressed ones.

I over-soaked some bee balm one year, overnight was too much. The plant survived and slowly grew and prospered. On a quiet, sunny afternoon, the Military Gardening Group (often supplemented by Mrs. Ichabod) watches the bees and hummingbirds.

Heirloom has the olfactory power Mr. Lincoln - and then some.

They Fell Off a Truck - No, Really - Cascione Books by the Case. Calvinist News Special

The cub editor of Calvinist News has a rabid aversion to Luther's doctrine and exegesis, preferring the dreams and illusions of Pietists, Enthusiasts, and Calvinists (in declining order).

The Path to Understanding Justification by Faith.

 Link to the free PDF of The Path to Understanding Justification.

Hale cannot deal with Justification by Faith ("just a phrase"), Holy Communion ("idolatry"), or Greek exegesis of Romans ("the wrong path!") to show what Paul, Luther, and Maier taught.

A competent editor would feature my books (sent to him at no cost) and refute them as dangerous to Church Growth, Calvinism, and pastoral pension funds. Hale follows the self-destructive editorial policies of Herman Otten, who promoted Objective Justification, the vilification of Dr. Walter A. Maier (PhD, Harvard), Church Growth books, and a lying, hate-filled, anti-Luther book written by a priest.

Sons of Satan, count them - three!
Champions of apostasy!

Understanding Luther's Galatians - Order one.Free PDF -> Understanding Luther's Galatians

Easter Tuesday - Part Two about the Emmaus Disciples

Easter Monday Reading - Emmaus Disciples

Luke 24:33 And they [the Emmaus disciples] rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

***

GJ - We have so many explaining the Scriptures in so many different ways, so it is good to hear them from the Savior Himself. Everything must be fulfilled, from 

1. The Five Books of Moses, 
2. The Prophets, and 
3. The Writings.

These are the named divisions of the Old Testament in Judaism. My first Hebrew book had the words inscribed on the cover in Hebrew. I received that book as the Old Testament prize at seminary - for being the best (and only) Hebrew student that year. The dean was puzzled that I would take such a course - he advocated counseling courses.

Lenski makes the point in his Luke commentary that we should take the details of the resurrection appearances as they are, and not adopt the critical approach. After all, many wish they had even more details.

The transition is as striking as the resurrection itself. With the risen Lord before their eyes, the followers could hear that the (Old Testament) Scriptures had predicted everything from the beginning. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, proves the purpose of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings - they all teach this glorious fulfillment, this unified truth of the Gospel. Looking for something else is like standing in a garden filled with bees, birds, rabbits, flowers, and fruits and wondering, "How will the Cubs win another pennant?"

Jesus preached to them that all this must happen, suffering and rising up from death, so that repentance and faith could be preached to the nations. 46 και ειπεν αυτοις οτι ουτως γεγραπται και ουτως εδει παθειν τον χριστον και αναστηναι εκ νεκρων τη τριτη ημερα [Jackson Literal - And He said to them, "Thus it is written and thus it is necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day."]

47 και κηρυχθηναι επι τω ονοματι αυτου μετανοιαν και αφεσιν αμαρτιων εις παντα τα εθνη αρξαμενον απο ιερουσαλημ [Jackson literal - "And be preached upon His Name repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations beginning at Jerusalem."]

The wizards of Mordor, Mankato, St. Louis, and Ft. Wayne must be aghast about the lost verses of Luke, which they must assume because nothing is said here about:

• Soft drinks and snacks for the service,
• Friendly ushers with big, car salesman smiles on their faces,
• "Just talking about Jesus" not preaching, and offering practical advice, pacing the altar area with a Notebook in hand.

Besides, that Jerusalem would be a tough and discouraging start, according to their best seminary teachers (Fuller trained, Willow Creek blessed, Trinity Divinity polished).

I am not showing contempt for the LCMS-WELS-ELS - I am doing my best to hide it.

Video Ministry Expansion - Activated

I have formed a committee to advance our video productions. 

• Travis Cartee is in charge because he already has experience in it. 
• Alec Satin wanted more done in this area. Now he has that chance. He suggested sermons on YouTube and teaching sessions too (like NT Greek).
• One person - not a member - kept prodding me. He is on the list to make suggestions when he has something to offer.
• I am happy to participate with those who know far more about this topic.
• Brett Meyer is on the list to keep him up to date. I know he is very busy with Constitutional research. His video camera got the Internet services started, so we are happy for his advice, too.

As Tolkien observed, the first step is the most important. 

Next, literature discussion. I will work on that this week, God willing.

Don't let the Emmaus Pietists erase the Means of Grace.

Easter Monday Reading

 Emmaus

Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:  20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

*** 

 The Three Blind Mice at Emmaus

 Matthew 15:14 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

GJ - The three Objective Justification sects meet yearly at Emmaus to increase the damage they have caused to the Gospel. In a few more years, they will be ready to join ELCA, bawling on her shoulders, hoping the terms for reconciliation will be merciful.

This reading from Luke should never be neglected, because the risen Lord - the Exegete, according to the Apostle John - explained the Scriptures concerning Himself, starting with the Books of Moses.

Genesis 1:1 begins with the Father commanding and the Logos executing the will of the Father, as witnessed by the Holy Spirit. This is explained and expanded in John 1, which also starts "In the beginning..."

This is a unique perspective on time, which belongs only to God. The timeline for the Son of God was established down to the smallest details in the Old Testament. The Old and New Testaments are woven together completely. They are one unified Truth - The Book of the Holy Spirit. 

The battle is over in the Lutheran Synods, from ELCA down to the twitching fragments of Waltherdom. They have outgrown Luther and the Bible. Now they are openly marketing Calvinism, Rationalism, and their need for funds for more of the same.

 She won!

  She won!

  They won!

Review of Understanding Luther's Galatians by Eric Rachut, MD

The print version of Understanding Luther's Galatians can be purchased here.

Free PDF -> Understanding Luther's Galatians

ERIC RACHUT M.D.

5.0 out of 5 stars Luther's Commentary of the Heart and Soul of Christianity

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

Martin Luther's favorite book, it is said, was Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, because it laid out so clearly the essential doctrine of Christianity, Justification by Faith - Alone! His commentary was transcribed from lectures - in 1531 and in Latin - to his students, quickly translated into the vernacular (German) and, by Theodore Graebner, into mid-twentieth century American English, with KJV scripture. The original Latin text, a compressed language, was translated to a full-length vernacular edition; this is the shorter version (260 pages). 

I was amazed again and again that there is no redundancy here, in a lengthy review of six short chapters of the Greek epistle. Luther examines the letter as if he were holding a jewel up to the light and using every viewpoint. He tells us that the false teachers, who opposed Paul's doctrine with the Galatians, were undoubtedly well-spoken, well-educated men, something approaching an angel of light, but false teachers they were and for that, accursed. Particularly in his expatiation on this topic in the third chapter, Luther achieves deep spirituality and a pastoral comforting of tortured consciences, and opens this up for the reader - you share his, and Paul's, vehemence. The remainder of the epistle sees Paul's re-establishment of Christian cordiality with the Galatians, still using every means possible to encourage their loyalty to this essential doctrine. 

Interspersed among the commentary by Luther are short observations by Dr Jackson on the modern heresies and misjudgments which are new challenges - particularly "objective justification" and Church Growth. No mincing of words in either author of the commentaries! You may have read the Small Catechism and the Augsburg Confession. This should be next on your reading list.

 Free PDF -> Understanding Luther's Galatians

Easter Sunday, 2021.

The video for Easter Sunday is at this link.

Easter Sunday, 2021

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10AM Central Daylight Time

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

The Hymn #195   Luther            Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bonds                                 

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #192 Gerhardt                Awake My Soul with Gladness       

The Empty Tomb

The Communion Hymn #199          Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657            Beautiful Savior

Prayers and Announcements

• The Easter lilies are in memory of our members, friends, and family who have passed into everlasting life, donated by Alicia Meyer in memory of Gary Meyer.
• Treatment and recovery - Christina Jackson, Pastor Jim Shrader. Alec's brother.
• Lorrie Howell is improving with physical therapy and Mary Howell is much stronger. 
• Pray for our country as the major trials continue. And help all those suffering from economic difficulties.
• The old Lutheran Hymnal website is alive and kicking again. That is an alternative source and includes other Lutheran hymnals.

KJV 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

KJV Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

The Empty Tomb

KJV Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

The Bible is full of surprises and miracles. Jesus predicted His resurrection to the disciples three times, so the empty tomb should not have been a surprise. When we plant bulbs in the fall, and the catalogues tell us what will happen, we are not surprised to see the flowers rise up and bloom. But this was a time of great emotional trauma for the disciples and all who followed Jesus Christ. They were numb, timid, unsettled, and eager to lock the Roman soldiers out of their lives. Times like this purge our memories.

The women acted upon what they had seen or heard, preparing spices to honor the body of the Savior. 

Lenski, Mark, p. 736:

In each of the four Gospels this last section regarding the resurrection constitutes the glory part. Yet this tale is told in the same sober way as is the account of the crucifixion and the death. The great facts that occurred are reported to us in the briefest and the most dispassionate way. Our faith is to rest ’ on these facts, that is all. One of the decisive tests of the Christian faith is belief in these facts which declare that Jesus rose from the dead. All who alter these facts and in some way or other deny his resurrection can no longer claim the Christian name, for Christianity stands and falls with the resurrection of the Savior. 

2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

The women had good reason to be at the tomb early. The burial clothing had used up dry spices when He was buried. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus provided the linen strips and powered spices for the burial, so they must have worked together to share the labor (Lenski, 15:46). The women brought liquid spices to anoint Him, something anticipated by Mary of Bethany. 

John 12: 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

His public ministry was very brief, and now they were catching up to Mary's anointing by anointing His body with sweet spice oil. They were in a rush because of decomposition in the hot climate, so much that they never considered how they would gain access to the tomb. They set out in the dark and approach the tomb just as the sun was rising.

3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

The stone was not a boulder, which would have been difficult for a group of men to men. It was a lid, shaped to roll in the groove, but only with a lot of strength applied. The group realized at they reached the tomb that they did not have the manpower to open the entrance. So downhearted were they that no one considered the predictions of Jesus, that He would be arrested, tortured, and killed but rise from the dead. The quotations in Mark 8, 9, and 10 show that the disciples were not listening but trying to figure out their roles in the future. 

When disaster strikes, our first question is, "How will this be solved?" One of my students wrote this week to say, "A lightning storm shut down our electricity and the Internet. I'm sorry, the assignment will be late." 

I wrote back, "You have power over lightning? That is scary!"

She responded, "I laughed out loud when I read that."

These women were discussing their problem as if they could find some men to roll that stone lid in its groove, to open the grave. "Who will do that?"

4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

As Lenski noted, the stone was very large for the entrance of a rich man's burial. The stone was no longer in its groove, rolled to the side, but flat on the ground, opened with enormous force, the burial clothes inside. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was advertised for a long period of time because closing the tomb would have taken some engineering know-how to put it back in place. Lenski estimated that three men, with help from the women, would not have moved the stone lid aside. The tomb discovered near the possible site of Golgotha fits the description of the Gospel narratives. (Lenski 15:46).

It should be noted and remembered that the details of the resurrection in the Four Gospels are in harmony with each other. Any single book written, past or present, has errors and contradictions in it, even when worked over by a team of editors. Simon Greenleaf, an expert in evidence, tried to prove the errors of the four Gospels' Easter account. He only found agreement and became a Christian. The Word alone has the power to convict us of the truth.

5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

These verses are poetic, and strike me as catechism or confession of faith statements. Like the angelic birth announcement in Luke, they have the meter of poetry or hymns or a confession of faith - short, with pauses, condensed thought rather than prose wordiness.

And entering into the sepulchre, και εισελθουσαι εις το μνημειον 

they saw a young man sitting on the right side, ειδον νεανισκον καθημενον εν τοις δεξιοις,

clothed in a long white garment; περιβεβλημενον στολην λευκην

and they were affrighted. και εξεθαμβηθησαν

6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 

I can picture the pastor or the parent asking, "What did the angel say to the women?"

In one verse - so much information! 

1. Do not be afraid!
2. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth.
3. He is risen, He is not here.
4. Look at the place where they laid Him.

Fear is the opposite of faith, and it can take many disguises - depression, anxiety, procrastination, avoidance, inability to see the truth. We are easily controlled by fear, as government and think-tank studies have shown. The remedy is stated clearly by the Gospel. First - do not be afraid, followed by the reasons we should not feel anxious, depressed, stymied, or burdened with worries. 

7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Why is Peter singled out in this angelic message? Roman Catholics would say, "Peter is the first Pope, and the keys were given to him, as all our books and banners say. Every church is only a church insofar as it is in agreement with us." But that is not so. Peter denied Jesus three times, and the angel is not excluding him but including him for future absolution, the three-fold address by the lake in the last chapter of John's Gospel. "Do you love Me?" "Yes, I do." "Then feed My sheep."

The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus solidified His teaching among the disciples and witnesses. That time also trained them in how they would serve as apostles training pastors in His Name.

8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

Is this the end? The vast majority of manuscripts show the familiar ending of Mark's Gospel. Lenski argues for that longer ending, which is in agreement with Matthew, Luke, and John.

This ending of Mark will be discussed in The Bible Book: The KJV Reborn for Those Who Love the Word of God.

Gerhardt's Christmas Hymn expresses his constant Gospel message

4. Thou Christian heart,
Whoe'er thou art,
Be of good cheer and let no sorrow move thee!
For God's own Child,
In mercy mild,
Joins thee to Him; - how greatly God must love thee!

5. Remember thou
What glory now
The Lord prepared thee for all earthly sadness.
The angel host
Can never boast
Of greater glory, greater bliss or gladness.