Rev. Aaron Fenker

by Aaron Fenker

Recently we truly saw how our world is passing away – there was an earthquake in southern California. It wasn’t a big earthquake (I’m not sure how that’s possible), but there was still some damage done, nerves shaken, and a reality check given.

Earthquakes are scary – I’ve never lived through one, but I can certainly imagine. They take from us the one thing that we take for granted, solid footing. We like to feel that our little world can’t be disturbed, it’s perfect, and that nothing can take it away. We tell ourselves this every day, many times a day, and we almost believe it. Then the world groans. It’s shaken, and our world-view suffers too.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27.)

There is, however, only one way to view the world, and that’s through the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus knows the world: he made it, he came to it, lived in it, and, ultimately, he died for it. Our world may be made of rock and it may, at times, seem stable, but it has nothing on Jesus – the Rock of our Salvation. He is always stable, always there for us, and always there to forgive our failures.

Our failures are many. We lust, lie, trust in ourselves, and trust in the world. It seems natural. Look at what we’ve accomplished, the technology we have, and the buildings we’ve built. But our accomplishments fall short, technology fails, and buildings fall down. Yet there is an immovable rock that shall never crumble, fail, or fall short – your baptism.

Baptism is the gift that lifts us out of this failing world, and clothes us in Christ. At the font the Lord took us into his hands, and will never let us go. He continually builds us up through words of comfort – the Absolution, his Word preached and spoken. And he gives us true food – Christ’s body and blood – to strengthen our bodies and souls to everlasting life.

This world may fall apart, shake, rattle, and roll you about, and the big one might “finally come.” But we know it has. The ground shook when Christ died and rose. The bars of hell are broken, and the gates of heaven have burst open to receive you, who have received Christ in all his wonderful gifts.

Aaron Fenker is a seminarian living in Cincinnati, OH. He will begin second year coursework at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN in August.

by Aaron Fenker

Today is Jubilate Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Easter. Jubilate comes from the Latin Introit for today – “Make a joyful noise.” Earlier in the Church Year we had other joy-filled Sundays: Advent 3 – Gaudete, and Lent 4 – Laetare. The joy on those Sundays was for something yet to come (Christmas and Good Friday/Easter), but now, in the heart of the Easter Season, our joy is made complete.

Our joy is complete in Christ. We “make our joyful noise” this day because Christ has been raised from the dead! Formerly the Introits called us to rejoice, but now we are called to “make a joyful noise.” Formerly, our joyful noise was kept in check by preparation of things to come, but since we are always redeemed we can still rejoice. But now in Easter no somberness chains out lips, and out Alleluias – our “joyful noise” – leap forth to Him who is risen never to die again.

Formerly there was sadness, but now gladness. Formerly death, now life. Formerly sin, now redemption. Formerly “yet to come,” but now “has been.” Formerly silence, now Alleluia!

Today our mouths that open to make a joyful noise also open to receive the very true and present body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and the preservation of our bodies and souls. Our hearts that are filled with joy were first filled with Christ at our Baptisms. Our ears that ring with Easter’s empty tomb truth of Good Friday’s “It is finished” now, with joy, receive into the the Absolution of sins and the preached Word.

Four weeks ago Christ died and rose from the dead, and now we make our joyful noise for the many and various ways he gives the fruits of those events – forgiveness, life, and salvation – in the Font, Keys, and Supper. Jubilate – Make a joyful noise! Christ is risen; He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Aaron Fenker resides in Cincinnati, OH. He is studying for the Office of the Holy Ministry and will begin his second semester of seminary studies in the Fall at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne.