“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Ephesians 3:6
St. Paul’s emphasis on togetherness in Ephesians includes the idea of Gentiles being “fellow heirs” or literally “heirs together” with Christ-confessing Jews. Sadly, inheritances have divided many families as the squabble over who gets what. Relationships have been broken, communication cut off and families have ended up in court over inheritances. The Good News of the Gospel is that we all share in the inheritance through faith in Christ. However, the inheritance is not divided into equal portions for us all. Each and every one of us receives the entire inheritance – the kingdom of God that comes without our prayer or effort but is given to us by God’s grace.
In Missouri District, there are congregations where charter members were part of the Saxon immigration in 1839 that would be instrumental in the formation of the Synod. However, there are also congregations that are made up of people groups that come from across the globe. In 2023, the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Church was chartered in Platte Woods, made up of immigrants from Ethiopia. Our congregations include people from Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. While we may not share the same language or culture, we share in the same confession, and we share in the same inheritance.
Since we share the same inheritance, we are blessed to be able to labor together for the sake of the kingdom of God. We pray that God would bless our congregations as we boldly confess the Gospel, care for God’s people and seek those who are lost. And whether one’s family has been a member of a congregation for generations or if one is a first-generation Christian, we are fellow heirs, partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus!
Prayer - Almighty God, You have knit Your chosen people together into one communion in the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Give to Your whole Church in heaven and on earth Your light and peace. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan