Sinner and Saint

The Giver of Life

The Day of Pentecost, 2012

“The Giver of Life”

John 7:37-39b

 

 Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

             This life is a life of death. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Everywhere we turn we see the result of sin in the world. If we take a look at our prayer list we see names of families that are mourning the deaths of loved ones, friends, neighbors, and loved ones that are battling cancer, sickness, suffering, depression, and loneliness. We pray for children, adults, and the elderly. Far worse we watch the news and see reports of murder, war, genocide, disasters, rape, robbery, and the like. As much as we try to hide ourselves from sin and death…it is all around us…even as we try to convince ourselves to the contrary…and lie to ourselves…just like when we call insurance for when we die… “life” insurance.

            I don’t mean to get you down…but one day we will all die because of our sinfulness. There is no way around it! That realization is saddening and depressing. Where can we go for help in our time of need? “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (John 7:37-39a)

            We are thirsty…we are sinners thirsting for life. We have become parched by our own sinfulness…we are scared at our future…death and damnation. Where do we get life? Where do we get this living water? Our Lord tells us in our Gospel that this living water flows from within those that have faith in Him. Jesus is speaking about the Holy Spirit that lives within the Christian. This was a promise concerning Pentecost…a promise that has been fulfilled and given to the Apostles and to us.

             The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given…and it has given what we desperately need and want: LIFE! This truth we have confessed by our faith in the words of the Nicene creed. “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.” (Nicene Creed Article III) Today is Pentecost and we celebrate the gift that our Lord promised…the gift of the Holy Spirit.

            But who is the Holy Spirit…how can the Holy Spirit give life? The Holy Spirit has been present and involved in the most important events of Holy Scripture. “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26) “The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.” (Matthew 3:16) “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

            The Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is the 3^rd person of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit was present and part of creating the world. Present and part of the Birth of Christ. Present and part of Jesus Baptism. Present and encompassing Pentecost. Present and creating faith in your Baptism. Present and sustaining your faith as He led you to your confirmation. Yes, your Baptism  is one of the most important events in all of Scripture. It is the day you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit who created faith in you…the same faith that you confessed to at your Confirmation. The Holy Spirit is present in the Church and all true believers. The Holy Spirit is present in you.

            This life is a life of death. But there is also life! The Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of life! Sometimes that’s hard for us to see because we are surrounded by sin and death. Yet God promises us life through the work of the Holy Spirit. Truly there is life in Baptism. There is life in God’s Word. There is life in the body and blood of Christ.

            While the world is filled with sin and death…we have been given the gift of the Church. As Noah and his family fled the Great Flood in the ark…we flee sin and death in the ark of God’s Church. It is in this place that we receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism and where the Holy Spirit sustains our life through God’s Word and Jesus’ body and blood. It is in the ark of the church that we are brought to be baptized, where we are Confirmed in our baptismal faith, where we come to be joined together by God in marriage, where we have learned the faith, where we receive our Lord’s body and blood, and where we are buried from.

            Yes, even for the Christian, this life is a life of death…but for the Christian death is the doorway; the beginning of life eternal. Christians do mourn…but not the way the world does…for we have been given the Holy Spirit the Lord and giver of life…life eternal.

            My brothers and sisters in Christ…don’t let this life get you down; don’t let sin and death get you down. Christ is victorious over sin and death…and He has won for us life eternal by His death on the cross… life that is given to you through the work of the Holy Spirit. While this life is filled with struggles and hardships…it is for a short while…for your Life and your home are in heaven and they are yours for all eternity. Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Love Each Other

Easter 6, 2012

“Love Each Other”

John 15:9-17

 

 Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

              What do you think of when you hear the word love? Do you think of a couple walking hand-in-hand on the beach as the sun is setting? Do you think of Valentine’s Day and a warm fuzzy feeling in your stomach? Do you think of your wedding day? Today we want to understand that such a concept of love is just a very, very small part of love. Today we want to explore the motivation of Christian love, a love modeled after the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. A love that we often see from our mothers.

             What was love to our Savior Jesus Christ? How would he define love? Jesus would not define love with words, but with actions: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Having loved his own who were in the world, [Jesus] loved them to the end. . . . Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:1, 5). “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). There you have it—that is love. For Jesus, love meant nothing apart from deeds. Jesus didn’t just speak love, he did love. Love for Jesus was sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed his time, energy, personal comfort, and his very life.

             Jesus gave all of this love to us very unlovable, sinful human beings. Jesus didn’t choose us to love because we loved him first. No, the disciples weren’t too good at that. Oh, they talked a good game. The night of our text—early that night, that is—Peter and all the disciples were sure they’d make any sacrifice for Jesus, even die with him. Well, you know how that turned out. The disciples were good with love that was words, but when it came time for sacrifice, to put their lives on the line, even their words bailed out: “I don’t know the man. I don’t know the man! I don’t know the man!” No, Jesus didn’t choose to love the disciples because they chose to love him. He’s quite emphatic: “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (v 16).

             But Jesus did choose you—you who were no more lovable and reliable than Peter. You who bail when it’s time to tell your friends, right out loud, right there when he’s being mocked, “I love Jesus.” How often have we failed Jesus…We fail when we fight with our parents, siblings, and friends. We fail when we allow others to harm themselves by sin. We fail when we decide not to stand up for the truth found in Scripture. We fail over and over again…when we sin…regardless if it’s a tiny sin or a huge sin. Every time we sin…we fail to love Jesus. We weren’t lovable, but Jesus says, “I love you—your sins are forgiven.” Jesus says, “I love you—here is some fish and bread.” Jesus says, “I love you—get up and walk.” Jesus says, “I love you—I lay down my life for you, my friend.” Jesus says, “I love you—take eat, take drink for the remission of all your sins.”

             What is love to you? How would you define love? We wouldn’t define love with words, but with what? Why do we love? First of all, we love because God commands us to love. It’s not an option. Twice in today’s Gospel, Jesus does not suggest that we love—he commands us to love. Second, people know the disciples of Jesus by how they love. We want to be recognized as Jesus’ disciples, so we love. How do we love? We love as Jesus loved. Now that’s a pretty tough order. To love as Jesus loved means that we serve as Jesus served.

             We love by sacrifice. We love not by words but by deeds. We love by laying down our lives for others. Not necessarily literally, but as we give of our time, our comforts, and our treasures, we are laying down our lives in love for others. We love others when we visit them in the hospital…or call them…or send them a card. We love others when we help them by cutting their grass, picking up leaves, or doing other things around their house when they are unable. We love others by helping even when we haven’t been asked to help. We love others by sharing the good news about Jesus. We love others by calling them to repentance. We love others by forgiving them and asking for forgiveness when we fail. We love others by putting them first. We want to practice a love that doesn’t desire but gives. We love not to get something but to do something. Maybe we shouldn’t say, “I love you.” Maybe we should say, “What can I do for you?” Love without sacrifice is nothing.

             There was a daughter of a princess who was deathly ill with diphtheria. The mother was forbidden to kiss the child because of the almost certain danger of contracting the disease. In one of the many moments of pain for the child, the mother was so distressed that she took her daughter in her arms and soothed her into quietness. The daughter looked into the eyes of her mother and said, “Mama, kiss me.” This was too much for the mother’s heart. She took her child, pressed her against her body and kissed her. It was a kiss of death. Love is sacrifice without counting the cost.

             Whom do we love? Anyone for whom we sacrifice is someone we love, starting with our spouses, children, and friends. We can love people whom we don’t even know. We can and should love anyone and everyone! How many people give money for the relief of those caught in natural disasters? That is sacrificial love. We love the unloving. We love those who do not love us. We love as we do deeds in the name of Jesus Christ. We do because Jesus loved us first.

             The sacrificial love of Jesus is hard for us to do. It takes effort, practice, and concentration. It takes open eyes to see the needs of others. How can you better love those at home, at church, at work, in your neighborhood? Love with the love of Jesus. Love because he loved you first.

             As we give thanks for the great love our Lord has for us this and every day…let us also, especially this day, give thanks for the love God shares to each of us through the love of our Mothers. To all our moms: Thank You for sharing the love of Christ through word and deed. We love you. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The True Vine

Easter 5, 2012

John 15:1-8

“The True Vine”

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

            For many it seems that life would just be a whole lot easier if there was no Christ; no Jesus; no God. For many a Christian this is a temptation. For many a former Christian and non-believers this is how they live their life. Life without Christ. Why would someone want to live without Christ and what would it look like?

            People imagine that a world without God would be a wonderful utopia. It would be a world without sin because nothing would be a sin. You would be able to eat what you wanted, drink what you wanted, smoke what you wanted, have sex as often as you want with whomever you want. You would be friends with everyone because you don’t look down on their lifestyle, race, or beliefs. You wouldn’t feel guilty because there is no God to please or worry about punishing you. When bad things happen they just happen and you fix what the problem was that caused it. People imagine that it is a world where people can finally think for themselves and be able to do what is in their own best interest. I even heard an atheist that said that marriages are better without worrying about God in the middle of it, that good works are really good works because they aren’t done to please a god, and god isn’t used as an excuse.

            In many ways this pretend world without a god seems really nice; maybe even wonderful. This utopia sounds great…you can do whatever you want whenever you want and nobody gets mad at you, judges you, and you don’t have to worry about sinning or going to hell. Free thinking and free will shall reign supreme. Where do you sign up?

            “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:1-8)

            Unfortunately there is a problem with the atheist utopia. We live in a world of sin. No matter what you believe or how you try to explain it…there is no explaining away of sin in this world. Sin leads us away from God. Sin leads us to want a world without Christ. Sin leads us to live as if there was no Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. But sin doesn’t make life better or easier…sin destroys.

            Life without Christ is a life where there is no mercy, there is no one to help shoulder the burden, no forgiveness, no hope, and no love. I am reminded about a story that one of my Seminary professors told my class. Back in the late sixties and seventies during the sexual revolution there were some seminary students at an ELCA seminary in Ohio that wanted to test the theory that spouse swapping helped strengthen the marriage. The students would swap their wives and write a paper with the results. What happened was that the infidelity within the marriage became worse, there was no trust in either marriage, the seminary students dropped out, and became divorced. It seems there is something to keeping Christ center in the marriage and not giving into adultery.

            A world without Christ is no world at all…it is hell. Without Christ and God we would not love because we wouldn’t know love for “God is love!” (1 John 4:8) Without Christ the Father would not have mercy on us for we would still be held accountable for our sins. Without God we would not know mercy. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5) Without Christ there would be no hope in this life or the life to come. “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:11-13) Without Christ there is no forgiveness for Christ won forgiveness for us on the cross.

            We are in danger of living as if there was no Christ. We have committed adultery even if it is “only” in our hearts. We have lied to friends and loved ones. We have been dishonest, lied, cheated, and stolen from others. We covet what others have and gossip about those we are jealous of, angry at, or don’t know the truth about. Each one of us breaks God’s commands. Each time we live as if there is no Christ. Each time we are in danger of abandoning our faith. How often we are tempted by sex, drugs, alcohol, pornography, and other pleasures of the world…and attempt to fill our hearts that are lacking with something other than Christ.

            My brothers and sisters in Christ stop living as if there is no Christ; repent and believe. Remain in Christ and He will remain in you. Take comfort because there is a Christ in this world! Through the death of Christ God has mercy upon you, forgives your sins, and remembers them no more. In Christ we have someone that helps carry our burdens and will never give more than we can handle. In Christ we have hope because He lives and we shall live also. In Christ we have been loved and we love others. That great love of sacrifice, of forgiveness, of hope should be clear to us this day for Jesus has risen from the dead.

            "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) It’s been said that the family that prays together stays together. Truly…the family that prays together, eats together, goes to Church together…stays together. How wonderful it is that Christ Jesus our Vine feeds us, strengthens us, and forgives us through His body and blood. What stronger bond is there than the family that comes to the Lord’s House together, worships together, and receives forgiveness together! Through Jesus’ body and blood…Christ remains in you and you in him! Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Only one road to Heaven

Easter 3, 2012

Acts 4:8-12

“Only one road to Heaven.”

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

  

            I’ve heard it said that all roads, meaning all religions, lead to heaven or that everyone believes in the same god…just by different names. As I mention some names this morning…I’d like to ask you what you think of when you hear their names. You may not know all of them. Joseph Smith (Mormonism), the Prophet Muhammed (Islam), Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism), Charles T. Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses), Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science), L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology), and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (Hasidi Jew). What do you think of when I say their names? What do they all have in common? They are all leaders of false religions and they are all dead. Whether they like it or not…their names will always be associated with the false religions they started.

            Names are important…especially in Scripture. In Scripture names are descriptive…they tell us about the person who bears the name; their characteristics or faith. Adam (means earth or mud), Eve (mother of life), Jacob (heel grabber), Esau (hairy), Joel (Yahweh is Lord), and the most important name in all of Scripture: Jesus, the name of the only Savior of the world. In the Old Testament, God promised to make his name dwell in Jerusalem (Deut 12:5, 11, etc.), where the temple was built for his name (1 Ki 8:16–20, etc.). But now God’s name is forever bound to the person of Jesus Christ, in whom the Godhead dwells (Col 2:9), and whose body is the new temple (John 2:21).

            Joseph Smith, Muhammed, Siddhartha Gautama, Charles T. Russell, Mary Baker Eddy, L. Ron Hubbard, Rabbi Schneerson…were all looking for salvation…but rejected Jesus. Some use the name Jesus…but do not believe in the same Jesus as found in Holy Scripture; they reject that Jesus is God and the 2^nd person of the Holy Trinity. Others believe him to be a wise man or prophet. Regardless…they reject Jesus.

            We live in a world that also rejects Jesus. Many call out to Allah for help. Others seek release from this world through meditation. Many turn to alcohol or drugs to forget their problems…a quick “solution” that solves nothing. There is no salvation in Allah. There is no salvation through Budweiser or Miller. There is no salvation through ourselves or our own reason or work. All false religions teach salvation through self; works righteousness. While the world would like you to believe that there are many roads to salvation or many names that God is called to lead to salvation…there is only one. There is only one “road” to salvation. There is only one name that leads to salvation. It is Jesus.

            Listen to our text from Acts, especially the claim Peter makes about the name Jesus: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:8-12)

             The name of Jesus is the only source of salvation. The angel commanded Joseph to call Mary’s son Jesus because “he will save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21). The name Jesus (from the Old Testament Joshua) means “the Lord saves.” Though others have borne the name Jesus or Joshua, Jesus Christ is the only one to live up to the name, since he alone is the Lord, and he alone has saved his people from their sins. Paul says that he was determined to know only Jesus Christ crucified (1 Cor 2:2); you do not know the name of Jesus unless you know that he was crucified for you and for all. Because of his Easter victory over death and the grave, he is proclaimed as Lord. His is the name that is above every other name, and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow (Phil 2:9–10).

             The name of Jesus brings healing and life by the power of God. In Acts 3, the crippled man is healed of his bodily affliction by the name of Jesus, and this leads to the discussion in Acts 4 of how all people are set free from spiritual afflictions and given eternal life through the same name: Jesus.

             We are people in dire need of salvation and healing. We suffer from sickness and disease that ravage the body. We suffer from anxiety, depression, and sicknesses that ravage our minds. There is not one of us that does not suffer…for all of us are sinners…all of us suffer from the disease of sin…a disease that brings all other sufferings upon us. Jesus, our Savior, is the only cure from sin.

             So where and how do you get the cure for sin….where do you get Jesus? Here in this place. Whether you were brought as an infant or young child or as a teen or adult…the name of Jesus was placed on you. The Pastor said, “Receive the sign of the holy cross both upon your forehead and upon your heart to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.” At the font the Pastor poured water on your head and said “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” My dear brothers and sisters in Christ…you have been baptized into Christ Jesus and therefore baptized into His death and resurrection. Through Jesus you have been healed.

             This does not mean you will go on to live a life free from death and earthly disease…but it means salvation in heaven itself for all eternity where there will be no sin…no suffering…no sickness or disease.

             In our society, many people drop names…sometimes to get out of a ticket, sometimes to get a job, and often to impress others. While it might not help often…we do it…because sometimes dropping names works. A connection to the right name does at times make a difference in how well you do in life. “It’s not who you are…but who you know.” This is most true of the name of Jesus. We pray in Jesus name, we are baptized into Jesus, we share the love of Jesus with others. We treasure the name Jesus above all others, for it is the only name under heaven by which we are saved. Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

God Will Provide

Lent 1, 2012

Genesis 22:1-18

“God Will Provide”

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

            “Why me?” We have probably all uttered those words at one point or another when we’ve been hit with a seemingly unbearable trial in our lives. It just doesn’t make sense to us. How could this be happening to me? Why is this happening to me? How am I going to get through this? Do these questions sound familiar? Maybe for some of you it might even be a question of why do bad things happen to good people or why do bad things keep happening to that poor family…neighbor…or friend. When we read our Old Testament Lesson for today we hear of someone that seemingly would be justified in asking of God, “Why me?” That person is Abraham…Patriarch, true believer in the One True God, in the lineage of Christ Jesus.

            “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1-2) God spoke these words to Abraham when he was 75 years old. At that time Sarah was 65 years old. It would be another 25 years before God would bless Abraham and Sarah with a son; Isaac….a child born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. Even though things did not look good for Abraham to be the father of a great nation…Abraham believed and trusted in God.

            “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” (Genesis 22:1-2)

            God’s request was an amazing test of faith! Surely if anyone had a reason to ask…Abraham had every reason to ask “Why me?” Isaac was Abraham’s only son! It was already miraculous that Abraham and Sarah had Isaac as old as they were…how could they hope for another child if Isaac was sacrificed. Isaac was Abraham’s heir….and the heir to the promised land. Abraham loved his son…for these reasons…and many more. And now God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son. If we were in that position we might certainly question God saying, “Why me?”

            In the face of our trials and tribulations we often question God. This is what Satan wants us to do! Satan uses the trials, tribulations, and tests in our lives as temptation to blame God, question God, and doubt in God’s love for us. We fail often and fall into temptation. We question God asking “Why me?” when we hurt from losing friends and loved ones to death. We ask “why me?” when we find out that we have cancer, diabetes, or some other disease or infection that threatens the way we live…or threatens or life. We say “why me?” when we lose our job, our home, our car, or other possession.

             Why me? Why now? What did I do to deserve this? While we may use questions like this when it comes to God…Abraham did not. “Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.” (Genesis 22:3) Abraham did, without question, what God asked. That is great faith! Abraham trusted God in spite of the past challenges in receiving a son. He trusted God in spite of the promise of a great nation and land his offspring would call their own. That is great faith! Abraham would obey God in spite of having a three-day journey to change his mind. He obeyed in spite of the emotions he must have felt as he heard his son’s question: “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7b) That is great faith…even in the midst of greatest heartache! Abraham had great faith that “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8)

            While Abraham could have asked God “Why me?” God answered Abraham. “When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:9-14)

             God provided for Abraham…Isaac…and for you. While God would not allow Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son…God would. God provides for Abraham in and through “the Angel of the LORD.”  The Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament is the Pre-incarnate Christ. Here, the Pre-incarnate Christ would save Abraham’s only son…even as He, God’s only Son, would become the sacrifice. Even more interesting is that this event takes place on Mount Moriah, where Jerusalem would later be built and where the Lamb of God would be provided and offered once and for all by God for the sins of the world. God provides!

             Yes, we all have our own trials and tribulations. Yes, we have suffered the loss of loved ones, friends, family, and neighbors. Yes, we struggle with the pain of sickness and disease. We especially suffer from the disease of sin. Yes, we have often questioned God asking “Why me?” While God does not always answer when and where we want him to…He does answer. And while God does not always give us the answer we want…He does give us what we need. Even as we question God…God answers with love; the gift of His only Son dying for us.

              While God does not promise us a life in this world free from sickness or disease, heartache or mourning, pain or suffering…He does promise us these things in heaven. God provides…He provides for all eternity. He provides the waters of baptism to make you His child. He promises forgiveness in the bread and wine; the very body and blood of Jesus. He provides because He loves you to death…the death of His Son. Through His sacrifice…you are forgiven…and made His child. That’s God’s love for you. Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The Transfiguration

Transfiguration Sunday – 2012

Mark 9:2-9

 

Grace, Mercy, and Peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

            At the beginning of the Epiphany season we heard God the Father’s voice from heaven as the Holy Spirit descended upon His only-begotten Son standing in the Jordan River. Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness and in doing so, sanctifies the waters of the world for Holy Baptism. God the Father says, “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

            In preparation for Lent we hear the same voice from heaven – this time from a cloud on the mountain where Jesus is transfigured; that is his appearance was changed to something exalted and glorious; something heavenly. His face and clothing were “glowing.” On this transfiguration Sunday, three days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, the eternal Son of God manifests the glory that is his from eternity. God the Father says, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7)

            Our Father speaks and tells Jesus’ us to “Listen to Him.” When the word of God is heard in this world, it is important for all people especially all Christians to Listen to Him. But one of the first reactions that we as children may ask is “Why?” Why should we listen to Jesus?

            The truth is that we would learn the reason why if we would listen to God and His Word. We learn by listening that is hearing, seeing, speaking, and reading the Word of God. Sound plays a very important part in many of our daily activities. The phone rings, cars have horns, Sirens send out an alarm and message of help being on the way. God’s word alerts us to be alarmed at this world’s messages and to hear His message of hope.

            Hear God’s Word: “After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’.” (Mark 9:2-7)

            We can only imagine what was running through the minds of Peter, James, and John. The amazement that they must have had seeing Jesus transfigure. To see Jesus with all his glory standing with Moses and Elijah. In all of this wonder and shock the Father says to these dumbfounded men to listen to His Son. When God speaks we should listen.

            Here we are given a command from the Father. A voice came out from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My chosen, listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7) The disciples of the Lord are to listen to Jesus because they will hear God. Instead of questioning God by asking “why?” we should respond like the boy Samuel. “Speak, for your servant listens” (1 Samuel 3:10). This is what the Lord expects – He commands the hearing of the Word, not some idle prattle about doing deeds like building three booths as the disciples suggested. He doesn’t want mere lip service from his people. It is one thing to hear God and another to listen.

            To neglect listening to the Word of God is a sin, for God the Father has spoken and He expects to be heard and obeyed. To shut your ears to what the Son says is to shut your ears to what the Father says, for the Son and the Father are One along with the Holy Spirit. To ignore Scripture, the inspired inerrant word of God, or to ignore it as something that took place in the past that has little meaning to our time and life, is to reject the Word that became Flesh. It is to reject Jesus Christ himself.

            The Father bore witness to whom Jesus was saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen; listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7) What the Son of God has to say is important. You might wonder what is the content of Jesus words that we are to hear? The answer is His Exodus. “And behold, two men talked with Him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His exodus, which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:31)

            The Exodus of Jesus would take place after the Passover when He would depart from the Holy City and be led outside the gates to the cursed place where crosses were planted in the ground. Here the Exodus of the Incarnate Son of God would take place as the Lamb of God atoned for the sins of the world and passed through the darkness of the Day and the red sea of His shed blood. At Jesus’ death, His spirit departed from His Body that was broken for you and me.

             But Christ’s Exodus didn’t end there, for He descended into hell, rose from the dead and departed from the tomb. Risen in flesh and bone, with body and spirit re-united, the glorious and victorious Jesus ascended into heaven and resumed His place at the right hand of the Father. Christ returned to the promised land of Paradise.

            The Father speaks, “This is My Son, My Chosen; listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7) Peter, James, and John were witnesses to the glorious transfiguration of Jesus. They would be called, also, to journey with Jesus for the first part of His exodus. In doing so they would be witnesses to the humiliation of Christ as “He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8) The disciples would hear the Son of God speak the Word and then watch the events unfold that God was permitting. What they saw disturbed them – the Son of God assuming the posture and calling of a slave with a towel and basin to wash their feet as He cleansed their souls – Jesus praying alone in the Garden of Gethsemane—the guards taking their Master into custody in the darkness of night. At such times, a faith that is based upon what one sees is a lost cause. Therefore, Peter, James and John are told, “This is My Son, My Chosen; listen to Him!” and thus they “walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

            The disciples would hear the Lord Jesus speak the Word of God and then get it all backwards in their lives. So do we. They will hear Jesus say to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priest and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and He will be raised on the third day” (Matthew 20:18-19) and the disciples would fall asleep when Jesus needed them most, they would draw the sword to save Jesus, then deny Him and fall away as He continued His Exodus. We are no better! We fail our Lord too, we boast about what we accomplish; we try to earn our own forgiveness; we end up denying God until we need him.

At such times, a faith that is based upon self – be it our emotions, our reactions, our deeds or misdeeds – is without hope. Therefore, Peter, James and John hear the voice from the cloud, “This is My Son, My Chosen; listen to Him!” and therefore “in this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice of our sins” (1 John 4:10).

            As Peter, James and John were in the Presence of the Lord, Moses and Elijah at the Mount of Transfiguration, so also you are in the Presence of the Lord on this day when angels and archangels and all the company of heaven laud and magnify the Crucified, Risen and Ascended Christ. And just as it was good for the three disciples to have been there, so it is good for you to be here today. But as they had to return to the valley below, you do as well. As Christ went with them, he goes with you. As the voice of the Father spoke to them, so also we hear “This is My Son, My Chosen; listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7)

            You too must return to lives lived where “nations will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7). It will be important to hear Jesus say, “I AM with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). You are returning to stations and vocations where you will often fail and fall short of the glory of God. Every Sunday you will do well to come to this place and hear Jesus’ forgiveness won for you and to know that you, because of Your Baptism into Christ—are a part of His exodus and have been crucified with Christ and share in His Resurrection.

            Dear Baptized, when visited with suffering, disease, pain, grief, injury or declining health, it is important to abide by that Voice which says, “This is My Son, My Chosen; listen to Him!” and hear the glorious Son of God say, “When I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may also be.” (John 14:3). Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Wash and be cleansed

Epiphany 6, 2012

2 Kings 5:1-14

“Wash and be cleansed”

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

            “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” “Looks can be deceiving.” In the sculptor's words...the façade that we present to the world does not always reflect our inner selves and the old adage that “what you see is what you get” does not necessarily hold true for people. The reason that these sayings exist and why we know them is that people do judge by what they see. Looks do play a significant role in how we judge what we are looking at. If you look at a house and see water stains in all the ceilings…you might reconsider buying that house. If you see a car for sale with a large puddle of oil underneath it may raise some questions about that car. In other words…when it comes to us humans…“seeing is believing and believing is seeing.”

            “Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram.He was a valiant soldier.” (2 Kings 5:1)

            Naaman was the General of the Syrian army…one of the most powerful armies the world knew at that time. Naaman was famous for his military victories and the conquests he had completed. The world was at Naaman’s feet…he had everything: success, power, respect, and wealth. Naaman was at the height of his career and seemingly had everything he wanted. The world craves for the success that Naaman had.

            As we said before…“don’t judge a book by its cover”…because…“looks can be deceiving.” Naaman had everything, that is true, everything including leprosy. There was no cure in Naaman’s time. Naaman was terminally ill with no hope of recovery. Even though Naaman was a great man…his leprosy would have also required him to be quarantined…alone…away from his family, friends, and people. Naaman would be all alone. All of his success; his victories, conquests, and wealth would do nothing for him now…and he would trade all of it to be healed. The riches of this world are meaningless when you realize that they do not last, do not bring happiness, and cannot save you.

            God had a plan for Naaman just as He has plans for you. “Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy." Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. "By all means, go," the king of Aramreplied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents [approx. 750 pounds… by today’s standard $402,480.00] of silver, six thousand shekels [approx. 150 pounds…by today’s standard $4,132,800.00] of gold and ten sets of clothing. The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:2-6)

            Naaman saw his only chance for healing and took it. Naaman would go to the King of Israel for help. This is significant. Although there was a peace treaty between Israel and Syria…they still had border skirmishes for control of different areas. The Israelites and the Syrians did not get along…and the girl that served Naaman’s wife was a captive. But that girl had faith in the true God and selflessly shared her faith with those that kept her captive. Here we see once again…God working in mysterious ways.

            “As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!" When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel ." So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (2 Kings 5:7-10)

            To say the least the King of Israel was not pleased to see Naaman or read the letter from the King of Aram. The King of Israel, Joram, was not faithful to God. Joram’s thoughts were that the King of Aram knowingly sent his General to Israel because he wouldn’t be able to heal his servant. King Joram thought that once Naaman found out he wouldn’t be healed that this would be an insult to the General and the people of Aram and would lead to war. Unlike the servant girl that told Naaman of God, Joram did not have faith that God would heal Naaman or the wisdom to send Naamn to Elisha.

            Elisha heard what was going on and sent for Naaman. Naaman immediately went to Elisha’s house without haste. Naaman was simply looking for a cure and would do anything to get it. Elisha sent a messenger to Naaman…and told Naaman to “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (2 Kings 5:10)

            As desperate as Naaman was…he was also a proud man. “But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.” (2 Kings 5:11-12)

            Naaman had traveled hundreds of miles just to be healed. He brought many valuable gifts with him to give for his being cured. Naaman was an important man. Surely the prophet would at least meet him and speak with him face to face…surely the prophet would do something impressive to cure him…surely the prophet could have sent him somewhere important to bathe in a river…but none of these are what the prophet did. All of this offended Naaman.

            “Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.” (2 Kings 5:13-14)

            Like Naaman we get offended by God. Surely God can help us with our daily lives and problems by meeting us face to face or by giving us an important “sign” from heaven. Surely God can use His angels and pastors to do something impressive for us. Surely God could come up with something better than plain water, wine, and stale wafers. But God doesn’t. God uses the plain waters to baptize, plain ordinary wine and stale wafers to give us faith, forgiveness, and strength. But only their look is ordinary…for with God’s very Word these ordinary things become extraordinary. Just as God would use the muddy Jordan river to cleanse Naaman, He uses plain elements to cleanse us from our sin.

            “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” “Looks can be deceiving.” As you have been given faith, forgiven, and strengthened by ordinary things…that God made extraordinary the same applies for you. Though you may be ordinary or simple to the world…God makes you extraordinary. You are His beloved child. You have been made perfect in Christ. You are marvelous, wonderful, and beloved in His sight. Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

It's a hard knock life

Epiphany 5, 2012

Job 7:1-7

“It’s a hard knock life”

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

            How many of you can recall the story of Little Orphan Annie. As the name suggests it’s about a red-headed orphan named Annie, and her fellow orphans. Annie and the other orphans describe their “hard knock life” with these words: “From all the cryin' you would think this place's a sink! Ohhhh!!!!!!! Empty belly life! Rotten smelly life! Full of sorrow life! No tomorrow life! No one cares for you a smidge When you're in an orphanage!” As many of you know Annie’s life would go from rags to riches.

            Our Old Testament lesson is about a man who went from riches…to rags…to riches…the man named Job. Job is a man who is wise, rich, and good. Then suddenly terrible things happen to him. His ten children are killed. He loses all his wealth. And he becomes ill with a painful skin disease. On top of all this his friends tell him that he is to blame for his own problems and abandon him. His wife even suggests that he curse God and die. Though Job was a righteous man with a firm faith…his faith was on the brink… the pounding away by the Devil, his wife, and his friends were taking their toll.

            “Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man? Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’ The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My body is clothed with worms and scabs; my skin is broken and festering. “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.” (Job 7:1-7)

            That certainly sounds like a hard knock life. Here in our text Job turns his complaining from his friends to God. Job complains that all of his hard work is for nothing. He shows signs of depression as he suffers from sleeplessness. He is ridden with a skin disease that constantly breaks out in some places as it heals in others. Other places in the book of Job speak of Job having fever, anxiety, weeping, nightmares, putrid breath, failing vision, rotting teeth, and looked beaten and exhausted. Job suffered from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish. Job certainly had a hard life.

            It’s a hard knock life for us too because as we have learned life is hard.  This sinful world is full of hard lives. A mother holds back the tears as her 10 year old son was found dead in Chicago this past week. Life is tough. Children grow up in neighborhoods where their friends and family are shot in drive-bys by gang members. Life is hard. Losing a loved one in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Life is hard. Worrying every time your parents go to the hospital that they may die. Life is hard. Losing a child at birth. Life is hard. Having a husband or wife come back from war after losing their limbs. Life is hard. Watching a loved one battle through cancer, suffering great pains, and hoping the Lord would take them from such misery. Life is hard.

            Our lives are filled with all kinds of hardships. There isn’t one of us that haven’t felt the burden of living in this sinful world. We have members that have suffered from cancer, continue to suffer from cancer, and have lost the fight with cancer. We have members that struggle emotionally with the loss of loved ones to death. We have family and friends that have lost their jobs and homes. We suffer through physical, emotional, and spiritual pains ourselves: broken limbs, surgery, pinched nerves, migraine headaches, cancer, diabetes, worry, depression, anxiety, doubt, hoplessness and so many other ailments. Life is hard.

            Where do we go for help in this hard; sinful world? Some look to drugs and alcohol. Others look to work or hobbies. We look for some kind of distraction…to take our mind off of things. We look to others and ourselves...but they can only offer so much.

             “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” While these beautiful words were written to describe Lady Liberty…they would do well to describe the Church.

            As Christ Jesus speaks to all of us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Job would learn that in the promised Savior there is rest. There is rest for all in Christ Jesus…as he welcomes all who are weary and burdened. Christ Jesus welcomes all who are sick and diseased, all who have sinned great and small, the young and the old, the rich and the poor; everyone. He welcomes them here.

            Jesus gives rest to us here in this place through His Word, His body, and His blood. Jesus gives rest here in this place by giving us brothers and sisters in Christ to weep with us, hold us up, help us, and rejoice with us. Jesus gives rest to us here in this place as He makes us children of God in the waters of baptism and heirs of life in heaven.

            Here in this place God does call out saying “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.”

            This world is filled with “hard knock lives” because of sin…and all of us are affected. While each of us lives with different burdens and pains…it does not mean that God doesn’t love you. Sin is the reason we suffer. Yet we ought to learn this from Job: God redeems amid and even through suffering. Let me repeat that. God redeems amid your suffering and often God redeems through your suffering. God acts in ways we will never understand for one purpose…to bring you closer to God; to build faith in you; to save you.

            In the midst of suffering…of any kind…cling to Christ your Redeemer. While the problems and suffering you may have in this world may last a lifetime…our Lord promises that in heaven: “He will wipe every tear from [your] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

            This life is a “hard knock life.” But it’s going to get better. It’s going to get better on the last day when our Lord gives us rest for all eternity in heaven. Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Happy New Year

Name and Circumcision of Jesus, 2012

Luke 2:21-35

“Happy New Year”

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

  

            “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32)

            Do these words sound familiar to you?...well they should! We sing the Song of Simeon each Sunday that we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We know the Song of Simeon as the Nunc Dimittis, its Latin title, which means “now, let depart.” These words were first spoken by Simeon immediately after God’s promise of seeing the Christ came true. So why do we sing these words? Jesus promised to be with us always to the very end of the age and certainly we see the Christ in our own lives just as Simeon did. Have you seen Him? Have you seen Jesus? Have you seen the Christ?

            What a wonderful promise that we have…that Jesus will be with us always and that we may see Him. That’s great because we need him often. This world is full of problems caused by sin. Even during the holidays the world does not take a break from violence. The week before Christmas saw an Illinois mother take the life of her family including two young children buried from our sister congregation in Dwight, IL. Christmas Day saw a family member in Texas take the lives of his family, there are ongoing tensions with Iran in the Middle East and the problems don’t stop there.  Even our own lives are not spared from problems during Christmas. Many families have arguments over the holidays and even some families don’t speak to each other. Christmas is a wonderful time…but in this sinful world it also becomes a time of mourning, despair, and depression. Certainly with all the problems that the world has and all the problems that we have…we need Jesus, we need Him now, and we need Him here with us. The problem is…where is He? Have you seen Him? Unless you read the tabloids…there aren’t any reports of Jesus walking around knocking on doors and helping people in need.

            There are so many times that our faith, as Christians, is lacking. We often doubt in our Lord’s promises. We often wonder if God really does care about us. Many times we just go through the motions as Christians…saying what we are supposed to say and doing what is expected…but we don’t really trust in God, believe in His Word, or share the wonderful news of our Savior. God just doesn’t seem to make sense at times. He promises to be with us…but we can’t see Him. He promises that we will see Him…but he doesn’t seem to be here with us. It seems that if something doesn’t make sense that it is wrong. We force our own logic upon God. Yet when we are in need…we always know where God is and find our way back to Him so that we can ask for His help.

            What we don’t admit is that we ALWAYS are in need of His help. There isn’t a time in our lives that we can do anything on our own. We like to take credit for the good things in our life…but it is God that is in control. That hurts our egos. But on the other hand when things aren’t going well in our lives…God is in control and that is comforting. God is in control, He always keeps His promises, and always does what is best for us. Yet even as Christians we need to be assured of this. As Christians we need to be reminded of what God does for us and where He does it. We need to be forgiven and strengthened…no matter how good we think we are or how strong we think we’ve become.

            The reason we gather together as a congregation each week is because Jesus comes. Ever since the Ascension of the risen Lord Jesus into heaven, the church has celebrated the Lord’s Supper, in which the Lord Jesus comes to us with his life-giving body and blood. In a sense, it can be said that Simeon was the first person who went to the temple because “Jesus comes.” Jesus, the eternal Son of God, now comes to his people as the incarnate Son of Mary. The Spirit led Simeon to the temple. The same Holy Spirit gathers us to this place. We come to the liturgy because Jesus comes.

            The Nunc Dimittis is a reminder to us all of what Jesus has and continues to do for us. Why do we sing Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis today? We do so because it is not only Simeon’s song. It is also our song. It is the church’s song—the entire church’s song. What makes this short and seemingly simple song so profound and powerful is the time and place in which it was first sung and the time and place it is sung today. “We go to the liturgy because Christ comes.”

             Why do we sing the Nunc Dimittis? Because it is the Holy Spirit’s song. The Holy Spirit inspired Simeon to speak these words. One cannot find better words to sing than those inspired by the Holy Spirit. Since the sixteenth century the Nunc Dimittis has been sung in many Lutheran churches immediately following the reception of the body and the blood of our Lord in the Liturgy of Holy Communion. What makes this seemingly simple song so profound is the time and place in which it is sung. Like Simeon, we have held the body of the incarnate Son of God in our hands. The Holy Spirit enabled Simeon to recognize that the baby hidden in humble flesh and carried in Mary’s arms was the Lord, the Creator and Redeemer of the world. The Holy Spirit has also enlightened the eyes of the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit has enlightened your eyes to recognize the Savior of the world hidden in humble bread and wine. The Lord let Simeon go in peace. At each Divine Service the Lord lets us go in peace. The pastor says, “Go in peace,” but it is the Lord himself who frees us to do so.

             Have you seen Him…have you seen Jesus? Many of our children have. I can remember quite a few of them calling me Jesus …something a bit profound and funny to see. But these children, with the faith of a child, see something we often find hard to see. Jesus standing here forgiving your sins, proclaiming His love, and feeding us Himself. Though you see me, a sinful Pastor, your faith sees Christ. Jesus uses His people to share himself with others…that by faith…you may see His face. He is with you always till the very end of the age. Before I forget…Have a happy and blessed New Year. Happy and blessed…because they are given us by God…happy and blessed because we have a Savior whom we see by faith. Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Good News and Great Joy for ALL People!

Christmas Day, 2011

“Good News and Great Joy for ALL People!”

Luke 2:1-20 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

            People seem to be skeptical these days when they hear good news. Maybe it’s that people are just cynical. We often hear and live by the saying “if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is.” Isn’t that right? How often do you think that same thing when you open your mailbox to find this nice sized letter that announces that you may have already won ten million dollars? How often do you pass by a stand at the mall where you can enter to win a new car? While I have never won anything that valuable…I did, on numerous occasions, win tickets to both the Cubs and Sox games from my local grocery store when I was younger…at least…I won them using my parents name as I entered them. While we don’t expect to win valuable prizes or millions of dollars…that doesn’t stop us from trying. But once again…“if it sounds too good to be true…”

            If only Adam and Eve would have known that saying. Who can tell me the name of the first angel to appear to humans? It was Satan. He appeared to Adam and Eve as a serpent. Do you remember how Adam and Eve were tempted? Remember the fruit? “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5) You will be like God. That message was not sent by God…but by the father of lies. Maybe that was when the phrase began that we have mentioned this morning…“if it’s too good to be true…”

            “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

            The Shepherds were out watching their flocks when an angel appeared with the most wonderful message “a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Can you imagine what the Shepherds must have thought? Obviously they were terrified by the angel’s appearance. What a message. The Messiah…the Savior of the world…has been born! Do you think they doubted that this message was true?

            Times were tough. The majority of people earned just enough to support their families and give offerings to the church after paying high taxes to a government that didn’t represent the people. Not only were taxes high but those in charge of them were corrupt to the core. There were three classes of people…the wealthy, the poor and homeless, and a middle class that really was just surviving. Only the very wealthy could afford any luxuries. Diseases were rampant and without cures. People seemed to lack hope. Sounds familiar doesn’t it. You might think I’m talking about our own time…and in a way I am…but I’m actually describing life in Israel at the time of Jesus birth.

            Things today are much like they were back then. Many are just making it in this economy. We have a government that often looks after its own interest. There are leaders who are corrupt. We have people today that are poor and homeless. Diseases are still rampant and many still don’t have a cure. People still lack hope. And many today doubt that a Savior has been born to them. The reason…is the worst disease man has ever known…it is the disease of sin. Sin has corrupted each of us and everything in this world. Sin causes us to have doubt and lose hope. Sin causes us to reject and ignore God’s Word. Sin causes us to fight with others and those we love. Sin causes murder, rape, adultery, fornication, war, disease, heartache, trouble, and death.

            God didn’t create or want sin in this world…but when it did happen…He had a plan to save the world from this terrible disease. That plan came to fruition the very day the angels appeared to the shepherds.

            “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14)

            The shepherds went to see the baby Jesus and found everything to be just as the angels said. They worshiped their Lord and Savior, departing they went and proclaimed all they saw and heard, and they praised God.

            Today we have heard the same wonderful news that a Savior has been born to us…and He is Christ the Lord. The same Scripture that foretold of the Savior being born of a virgin has come true and tells us that our Savior born of the virgin died on the cross and was raised by our Heavenly Father.

            The reason that Christmas is so joyful is because Easter is joyful. They go hand in hand. While it might sound too good to be true…it is true: The Savior has been born, He is Christ the Lord. He was born to die for you. He was raised from the dead for you. Because Christmas is all about Christ and what He has done…it is also all about YOU. Christ was born for YOU. He was born that you would be saved from the disease of sin. How wonderful is that?

            In the gift of this baby…is the healing of the world. This is the love of your Heavenly Father. This is the Christmas message. A Savior has been born. He is Christ the Lord. He brings healing from sin in the gift of faith. He comes to take your sins upon Himself to the cross. Eternal life in heaven are yours. While times are tough and it often seems that your just surviving…look with joy at the cradle, receive faith at the font, receive strength and forgiveness at the altar…and with hope look forward to heaven where there will be no disease, no heartache, no fear, and no problems.

            “Today…a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Amen.

 

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.