Sometimes people get to reflecting on how they might like to depart from this world. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a morbid thought. It can be a normal thing to wonder about every once in a while.

Anyone would love to go as the prophet Elijah went! As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11)

Elijah sure knew how to make an exit. Although, of course, it was God’s plan . . . . and God’s power to take him up to eternal glory in that special way.

It’s amazing to think that Elijah, a human prophet, was able to escape death by God’s grace, even though Jesus, the Son of God, was not. That tells us Jesus’ death as God and man was intentional. And it was glorious, too. More glorious than Elijah’s journey to heaven in a whirlwind with chariots and horses of fire, more glorious than the moment of Jesus’ Transfiguration on the mountain, was Jesus’ sacrificial death. The greatest victory of all time over the power of sin, death and the devil.

Since almost all people born on earth will also pass through death, Jesus died. So that we are forgiven, and will go to eternity with him. Elijah’s type of “exit” is not likely to be part of our bio. However it happens, or whenever it occurs, in our case it will also be glorious! The spirit immediately returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7), and then on the Last Day our bodies will come out of the tombs and we will soar up in the air to meet our Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). That’s God’s promise, not for a select few, but for all those who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin and death.

Elijah is a testament to the glorious resurrection when hundreds of years after he was taken to heaven he was still alive (and still is today) and brought by God to the Mount of Transfiguration before the disciples. We will meet him someday too by God’s grace in Christ.

There’s something in most of us that makes us envy birds in flight. We’d love to be able to fly effortlessly above it all and see things from their perspective. I’m sure there were times when I was a child that I jumped off a tree branch flapping some homemade “wings” and hoping I could fly for even just a half second.

A little bit ago driving by the foothills we saw a hang glider in flight. An impressive sight! Despite some obvious risks, people keep pursuing the feeling of soaring through the air.

It’s also a wonderful thing to “soar” spiritually buoyed by the strength of the Lord. At times, though, . . . . life can feel like a drag, as if we’re anchored to the ground and can’t move or see much beyond the couple of feet in front of us.

“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God” (Isaiah 40:27)

One of the devil’s great tricks is to make us think God is not interested. That’s a “drag” on life. That can get us down. To not only face a challenge, but get the impression God is not actively involved, helping, or even paying attention.

If a sickness or tough relationship or disappointment or seemingly unsolvable problem has “clipped your wings,” return to the Lord’s strength. Holy Communion is Christ present to assure us of forgiveness and his care for our soul. Our baptism is always there to remind us that God has given us new life and salvation. The Word is a never-ending fountain of life in God’s promises to his people.

Maybe sometimes we look for God’s strength and attention in the wrong places and so we don’t see it. But it’s always there, especially in the Word and Sacraments. He never tires of giving us grace and fortifying our souls.

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak….
those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:29,31)

I’ve heard some accounts here and there of groups in churches that claim to have cast out evil spirits. It usually seemed to involve a number of people praying and commanding and even yelling at the one who appeared to be possessed. Hearing the stories, it always seemed questionable if the person actually had an evil spirit or if it was just a bad habit or addiction. Then if we consider how exorcisms . . . . are presented in movies and on TV – as long rituals and battles against evil – we can’t help but see the difference between all these versions and Jesus’ power.

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. (Mark 1:25-26). It’s so much simpler. A direct command. Just once. And the impure spirit has to obey. Since Jesus has the authority of God, he doesn’t need to add any drama to it.

Jesus is the one we trust. He speaks, and things happen. He has authority to cast out demons, which have a power greater than ours. He has the authority of his Word to turn a human heart around from unbelief to faith. He is the only one who is able to wash away sin and give us a peaceful conscience. He can make death release us to life in heaven.

Be amazed at what Jesus can do, and trust in his words and life for us!

“Gone fishing” is a classic (mostly American, I think) phrase. There’s a “Gone Fishin’” movie. You can buy “Gone Fishing” plaques at Walmart. There’s a Colorado charter fishing outfit with the same name.

Who wouldn’t love to head out of work early and put up a sign “Gone fishing” for the rest of the day?

The fishing fanatics among us would be all for it, I’m sure. Even those who are not so excited about the prospect of fishing, or are somewhat indifferent, could get on board. Apparently “gone fishing” is such a common term that, according to the dictionary, it doesn’t always have to literally mean you’re out trying to catch fish. Just doing something fun and relaxing or on vacation instead of being at your job.

Fishing also has a symbolic meaning when Jesus calls his first disciples. In the Gospel of Mark he sees Simon and Andrew and says to them, . . . . “Come, follow me,” … “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Mark 1:17)

The fishing isn’t in the ocean or in a lake, but in our communities and families and neighborhoods. Trying to “capture” others with the Word and the Holy Spirit so that they believe in and follow Jesus as their Savior.

We busy ourselves with all kinds of activities, and many of them are noble and give glory to God. Some less so. Either way, the Lord sends us out also to fish for people. It’s a great idea to hang up the “Gone fishing” sign on a regular basis, knowing that it means we’ve put other commitments on hold so we can share the gospel.

We do that by preaching to those around us, “The time has come.” “The kingdom of God has come near.” “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

Who’s your doctor? We don’t take lightly where we would take our family with any health concerns. We need some recommendation from a good friend. Some positive feedback. Some “sign” that this is the right person to go to.

Where would you get your car fixed? Again, same thing. We want some level of confidence in the person repairing our vehicle and billing us fairly for those services.

Who would you follow to guide you in your faith and ultimately to the celestial kingdom of glory with the Lord? People spend a good amount of time . . . . looking for a place to worship, a church that is faithful to the Word and can lead them to God’s grace.

But I mean that question in even bigger terms. Who would you follow and entrust your soul to? More than the church and its leaders, the one who is able to give you the victory over sin, death and the devil.

People were asking that question for many centuries after God promised Adam and Eve that someone would be born to destroy the havoc the devil wreaked on the world by leading the first people into sin. They were waiting to see who would be the Messiah, the “Anointed One.”

Jesus probably didn’t appear to be the one who would shoulder this huge task. He went around in a humble way that hid his true identity and power. Until his baptism. We might ask why Jesus who is God would need to be baptized. It was to show he was the One, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Savior. Without any doubt.

At his baptism people witnessed the Spirit descending on him like a dove (Mark 4:10). And the voice of the Father from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 4:11)

It turns out Jesus is the only one who could be the Messiah. No one else was born as God and man in one person. No one else was perfect. The sacrifice for the sins of the world had to be made by a perfect substitute.

There are many opinions about Jesus out there. God the Spirit, God the Father, confirmed that day that Jesus was the Savior. No one else had that happen in the exact same way on their baptism. God wants to assure you: “My Son Jesus is the one who will save your soul and give your eternal life!”

I read recently about a little girl in Britain who surprised her parents when already before her first birthday she could recognize words and finish her bedtime stories, and then at 15 months could read some books on her own. An amazing talent! I’m sure her parents knew from an early age that she had a very special ability that would probably have quite a bit do with her future.

Even though much of the world knows the name “Jesus” by now, and maybe . . . . at least a few things about his life, for many years there wasn’t a whole lot to say he would be a well-known person. He lived in a small town with his family, and had many of the same experiences as other children.

But there were some signs early on. One of them was the visit of the wise men from the east. Not every child has some very educated officials from another country stop by to give some gifts after following a star to their family home! On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

And that’s the season of Epiphany. Jesus making himself known as he really is. Jesus is our Savior and our God. We want to know him! We want to know who Jesus is through the words inspired by God in the Scriptures, especially in the gospels.

Go on this journey with us on Sundays from the River (Jesus’ baptism) to the Mountain (Jesus’ Transfiguration) to be sure of who Jesus really is!

A “partridge in a pear tree,” “two turtle doves,” and all the rest are phrases we generally only hear around Christmas time. They’re part of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” one of the more well-known holiday songs. The song is on the radio and in stores usually in the weeks leading up to the 25th, but really it’s about gifts given after Christmas through the beginning of January. It’s a reminder of different times when the Christmas celebration didn’t end on December 25.

In certain places and periods of the church, . . . . the Twelve Days of Christmas (often December 25-January 5) were very important to people. There was gift-giving, wreath-making, food-preparing, and special Scripture readings and remembrances, among other traditions. In some parts of the world, the Twelve Days of Christmas are still a big thing.

We have freedom to celebrate Christmas as we choose, guided by the principles of God’s Word. But there’s something to be said for finding ways to keep God’s birth in the world in front of us as December 25 fades further in the rearview mirror, and we “move on” to other events.

The “Christmas spirit” of giving goes on – for us, motivated by Jesus’ love for us. Our Savior is our Savior year-round. We live with the peace and joy of Jesus at all times.

The words of the angels are for each and every day:

 I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

… a Savior has been born to you (Luke 2:11)

… on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14)

May the peace of Jesus fill you up throughout the coming year!