Rev. Dr. Jonathan Blanke, Senior Pastor
Pastor’s Corner for August 31-September 6, 2025
The Lord Is My Helper
(Hebrews 13:1-8)
Change in the world is all around us. No small wonder that there are a variety of popular maxims that speak about change:
- “The only constant in life is change.” (Heraclitus)
- “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” (Maya Angelou)
- “Change is inevitable, growth is optional.” (John Maxwell)
The Word of God for us this weekend doesn’t deny that change happens. And it doesn’t imply that change is bad or that we should seek to avoid it. It does tell us that despite the ever-shifting cultural landscape we are called to manage and live in day after day, there are some constants: the need to welcome “the stranger” (13:2), the need to visit and identify with those who are imprisoned (13:3), the need for marriage to be held in high regard (13:4), and the need for us to be free from the love of money (13:5). Know what that means? Our need for the boundless grace and mercy of God will likewise never change!
More importantly, in the midst of it all, the author of Hebrews delivers to us the same promises God first made to the patriarchs: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Gen 28:15). He reminds us we have Jesus! “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (13:8). Praise God! Today you may find yourself facing an unexpected health diagnosis or an uncertain future brought about by being riffed from a job. This week you might have just experienced the finality of watching a loved one die. A few days ago you may have heard something on the news that caused you to question your own safety or the safety of those you love. Any or all of those things may mean it feels right now as if the ground is shifting under your feet. But no matter what change or changes tomorrow will bring, Jesus continues to hold onto you. He is there in the change and will see you all the way through that change!
And so, by the grace of God, we too, can confidently say, “The Lord is [our] helper! [We] will not fear” (13:6).
Jesus is sufficient for our greatest needs. That does not… that will not ever change!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Jonathan
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.