Some 500 years ago, Martin Luther pointedly identified how the world viewed Holy Scripture, “just as it is with Christ in the world, as He is viewed and dealt with, so it is also with the written Word of God.  It is a worm and no book, compared to other books” (Luther on Ps. 22, WA 48, 31).

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the world has not changed its view of Holy Scripture!  And how many other “books” have surfaced and become popularized since then!  The Koran, Book of Mormon, Evolutionary Science Textbooks, Legislation legalizing the murder of unborn babies in the womb, Legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, Transgender & Homosexuality issues . . . need I go on?

And how easy it is for the Christian to ignore and turn a blind eye to what is around us!  The devil is crafty and sneaky, always attempting to slowly chip away at the foundation of our very faith and being.  And when we allow ourselves to be swayed and convinced by the world, the devil and our own sinful nature, the Bible becomes to us “a worm and no book.”  May it not be so among us.

Christ Himself was mocked and ridiculed (Matt. 27:28ff; John 6:42).  Bearing the punishment for the world’s ignorance and disrespect of God’s Word, our Lord willingly offered Himself up, shedding His blood to cover your sin and mine.  In His resurrection, we have the assurance that His sacrifice has been accepted . . . for us! Christ is Risen!  Alleluia!  Amen!

Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, we seek to be “genuine” while recognizing that the world “yet regards us as impostors” (2 Cor. 6:8).  We pay heed to our Lord who said, “whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).

The teaching and preaching of Holy Scripture will continue to be the central labor of Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Together we hear and learn the precious truth: in Sunday School and Bible Classes, in our Preschool, in the Divine Services.  Together we receive forgiveness for our timidity and sins against His Holy and precious Word.  So let us teach such truths to our children and our children’s children!  Let us labor diligently in the fields set before us here in Zionsville and beyond.  Let us gather together around the Lamb, singing His praise and strengthening ourselves for the battle that yet rages around us.  It is a joy to serve here among fellow saints who confess such truth and also wrestle with “what does this mean?”  May the Lord bless us and keep us firm in the one true faith.

A worm and no book? 
I think not, for “blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Matt. 11:6).

Pr. Mackay