St. Peter Lutheran Church
2929 F.M 972 (at F.M. 1105)
Walburg, Texas 78626
Office: (512) 863-
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Last Updated:
January 27, 2023
St. Peter Lutheran Church at Walburg, Texas
2023 -
Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ Texas District
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
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It is interesting reading the things people say they believe. I recently picked up a book of old Norse Myths. The author, at the outset, spoke of how he was drawn to the wild and fantastical stories of these gods with their desires and power struggles. He mentioned how the Christian faith that replaced it seems tame by comparison and how the Norse myths seem to reflect the ups and downs of human nature more than the straightforward morality of Christianity.
Later that day, I remember hearing friends speak of the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor who made a name for himself by attempting to be a stoic philosopher. Stoicism is a philosophy that states that through restraint and self-
The point is that the world has no shortage of "great moral teachers." Some tell us to live lives authentically and with abandon while others tell us that a carefully curated morality will ensure blessings in this life. And if you don't want to follow Marcus or Odin, there are a host of philosophies at your fingertips. We live in an age where gods are on parade or on order just waiting for us select one (or more than one) that "fits our lifestyle."
We are not alone in this, the first century Roman world had this exact same mindset with Jupiter and Isis and Mithras and a host of other deities lost to memory. For those who were not inclined towards the supernatural, the Roman world was also filled with teachers who would help people live their best lives.
This was the world in which God made His entrance in the person of Jesus Christ. Many around Jesus wanted Him to simply be another moral teacher so that they could pick Him up and put Him aside when it was convenient. But Jesus did something strange. Yes, He would teach the best lessons. Yes, He would convict people's hearts. Yes, He would even be "The Great Physician" to those around Him. However, He would not trust us to deal with our hurt alone, our brokenness alone, our sins alone. Instead, He would take that sin with Him to the grave and bury it, along with death, in a tomb outside of Jerusalem.
No Norse God or Roman moralist really understood what it meant to be truly human. They would not descend the small distance from their throne into the lives of the people who hung on their every words; but Christ descended from the heights of Heaven to die for you and your sins. Christ is more than a moral teacher; He is the one who will restore all who put their faith in Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Phil
Saved by Faith, Not Morality