Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke, Senior Pastor
Pastor’s Corner for November 8-14, 2026
Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters
(Amos 5:18–27)
There are two ways to think about water in its natural environment. One is to see water as all-in-one-place. Static. Not moving. This is the situation with the proverbial mud puddle. The same is true of rainwater collected into a cistern or barrel. All-in-one-place water usually has nowhere to go and over time it will simply evaporate. There is, however, another way water in nature exists. There is water that flows: Water in rivers. Water in streams. Water bubbling up into natural springs. The first kind of water won’t stay fresh and doesn’t last. The second kind, which has a source, is constantly replenishing and is ultimately life-giving.
It is no surprise that in choosing an image to convey the gift of forgiveness and life that only God can give, the Scriptures repeatedly choose the picture of flowing, streaming water! Our appointed Old Testament reading for this weekend follows a chapter in the book of Amos where God is calling Israel back to Himself because they had lost their focus on that Life source. Despite the hardships God had allowed to fall upon Israel to teach them their own need for Him…they did not repent. “You have not returned to me,” He repeats over and over again, in Amos 4. It was as if the people were trying to find life in places where there was no water to drink…like they were wearing themselves out digging for well-water that wasn’t there! They had not repented of their sins. Their worship had become an empty, vain thing. Their offerings and music had become self-serving. What God had ordained for them so as to bless them with forgiveness and life had become something they could either take or leave. Was it any wonder God said He “hated” this brand of religion (5:21)? It wasn’t the notion of worship that was the problem. It was that the people did not find true justice and righteousness in God—the source of life—and live it out. The result? A “Day of the Lord,” a day of darkness and judgement, was coming!
It would be a dreary message indeed—for Israel and for us—were it not for one thing. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Israel “reduced to One,” would be the One upon whom that judgement would fall! For you and me, the “Day of the Lord” Amos foresaw was the first Good Friday. It was, indeed, a day of darkness. It would be a day that the Holy One, the Son of God, would thirst on Calvary’s cross (John 19:28)! But now, by the gift of the resurrected Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, you and I know not only our sins and our inadequate worship…we receive the gift of sins forgiven and the thirst of our hearts forever quenched! Jesus gives the gift of living water for you and me and for all the world (John 4:13-14). Why dig for water in the wilderness when we have an ever-rolling stream that gives us life?
So, this weekend, once again, we ”let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-rolling stream!” It is all by grace…from the Source of Life…through thirsty people like us…for others. God’s Word and Sacraments are where it all begins.
Peace and joy in Him,
Pastor Jonathan
Please note, there will be no 9:30 am Worship Service or Sunday School for Adults and Children this weekend.
Pastor Jonathan Blanke grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He received his Bachelor's degree from College of William and Mary in Virginia and attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biblical Studies, Book of John. He served as a Vicar at Messiah Lutheran Church in Richardson, Texas.
The Blanke family lived in Japan while he served as pastor and missionary to Okinawa Lutheran Church and taught Biblical Studies at Japan Lutheran College in Tokyo.
Pastor Jonathan lived in southern Maryland from January 2014 to November 2019 and was thankful to have served as the Sole Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park, Maryland.
He and his wife, Juli, have two grown children. In his free time, Jonathan likes to travel, "play around" on the piano, and enjoy the outdoors.
Click HERE to view a brief video from Pastor Jonathan.