Sinner and Saint

He still abides with us

Easter 3, 2017

Luke 24:13-35

“He still abides with us”

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

            I’ve always wondered where companies get their data for commercials. It just doesn’t make sense to me, for instance, how every car company claims to be the best. We have the best in class mileage, we have the best in class head room, we have the best in class towing…and on and on and on. But how do they all have the same “best in class” anything? Maybe it’s really a matter of having the best in class mileage…when your windows are open and your driving 37.5 miles per hour. For us…commercials lob all kinds of facts at us to convince us that they are truthfully the best…but we really don’t know what to make of the random facts we are given. In a sense the disciples on the road to Emmaus were like this. They had many facts and batted them around like a Ping-Pong ball, but they didn’t know how to interpret the data of all that had taken place in Jerusalem over the past days.

            There were two followers of Jesus, disciples (not of the 12) that were on their way to the town of Emmaus. They were discussing all that had taken place with Jesus. Suddenly this traveler comes upon them and asks what they are discussing. What these disciples didn’t realize was that this traveler was Jesus, their Risen Lord. They question him and treat him as being ignorant…don’t you know what just happened? What rock did this guy crawl out from? Well...He didn't crawl out of a rock...but He sure moved a big one!

            “What things?" [Jesus] asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” (Luke 24:19-24)

            “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel…and then our leaders killed Him…but then we heard that just maybe He was alive…But him we did not see.” Can you hear the disappointment in these words…the lack of faith. They had all these facts…but they just didn’t get it. They were followers that were in deep despair and turmoil; they were on the verge of giving up their faith…you can see that the testimony of the women didn’t convince them. They had put all their hope in this Jesus and now they thought it was all in vain.

            They seem to have the same kind of hope and trust you see in children. Parents…help me out here. I’m not going to make you admit to anything in particular but you would have to agree on this. Children remember every little promise that is made to them…and if for any reason…ANY reason that promise is broken they are going to be very disappointed. I would have to admit as my parents child there were many occasions I would remind my parents of promises they didn’t keep; at least promises they didn’t keep in my mind. These followers had a true and wonderful faith…but they were convinced that Jesus didn’t keep His promise of being the Messiah.

            “He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)

            How many times did Jesus tell His followers that He HAD TO DIE! And that on the third day would rise again. They were told the facts, they were given the knowledge…but they just didn’t get it.

            But then again…we don’t always get it either. We like these followers want Jesus to show himself, to prove His godliness by meeting our own expectations. Let me meet you on the mountain, Lord, Just once. You wouldn't have to burn a whole bush. Just a few smoking branches And I would surely be ...your Moses. Let me meet you on the water, Lord, Just once. It wouldn't have to be on Lake Michigan. Just on a puddle after one of our big rains And I would surely be...your Peter. Let me meet you on the road, Lord, Just once. You wouldn't have to blind me on Route 1. Just a few bright lights on the way to church And I would surely be...your Paul. Let me meet you, Lord, Just once. Anywhere. Anytime. It's just that meeting you in the Word is so hard sometimes. Must I always be...your Thomas? Just one time Lord…and I will believe with all my heart.

            How foolish are we and how slow of heart we often are. Jesus died for each one of us and was raised from the dead. We are forgiven. We are saved. We are heirs of eternal life.

            “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:30-32)

            I pray that we may recognize and be strengthened in our faith when we see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we receive Him in His body and blood this very day.

            It is when we truly see Jesus by faith that we are able to live with true hope. It is when we look to Jesus as our Savior who died for us and won forgiveness and salvation for us that we may look forward by faith and hope for our future in heaven. It is then that we may take all the sadness, pain, and heartache of this world, cast it upon our Lord, and joyfully await to be called to heaven. By faith we know that we have a Savior that is always with us, always looking out for us, protecting us, guiding us, and carrying us home to be with Him.

            In the early 1600's Nikolaus Selnecker wrote these words...words that we sang this day...words that apply very much to our own time. "In these last days of sore distress. Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness. That pure we keep, till life is spent, Thy holy Word and Sacrament." We pray these very same words now for in God's holy Word and Sacrament our Lord abides with His Church. Jesus abides with us! He is here in this place for you!  Through Christ you are conquerors and victors. Continue to live as hope-filled people, for Christ died for you and has risen as He said. And He continues to abide with you always till the very end of the age. 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.

I believe, help my unbelief

Easter 2, 2017

John 20:19-31

"I believe, help my unbelief"

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

            This morning we are going to learn a very important Greek word from Scripture that is used in our Gospel lesson. The word is pistoV. pistoV. No, I'm not saying you should be mad or angry at someone... The word pistoV means believe. So this word isn't just important in the Gospel lesson it is important for each one of us...for we too must believe God and His Word.

          "On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:19-25)

          Unless Thomas can see and touch Jesus and His wounds he will never pisteusw (believe). This is a firm denial by Thomas. We shouldn't refer to Thomas as "Doubting Thomas" but as "Unbelieving Thomas." Thomas isn't saying... you know guys... I want to believe you... I want to believe that your really did see Jesus...but I'm having a hard time believing... No! This is Thomas firmly saying he will NEVER believe unless he sees and touches Jesus himself. Seeing is believing after all...isn't it?

          "And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.  And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:20-24)

          Here is the story of a man that is seeking help...any kind of help...for his child. He would do anything for him! He begged Jesus to help...if he could. Jesus response is "If I can?" "All things are possible for one who believes." (Mark 9:23) For one who pisteuonti. And the Father, seemingly begging, replies: "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) I pistenw; help my apistia!

          In a reversal from Thomas who said He would never believe we have here a Father that begs Christ to help his son... begs as a believer that needs help overcoming his unbelief. Jesus words to Thomas were "Do not disbelieve, but believe." (John 20:27) They are the exact opposite of the father. And to this Father our Lord's reply was "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." (Mark 9:25) Our Lord's response to the Father was to rid his child of the demon once and for all. The father's prayers were answered. That man had faith.

          Dear brothers and sisters in Christ do you believe that Jesus is the Christ; the Savior of the world that was born, crucified and rose for you? Do you pistoV like the father or have unbelief apistoV like Thomas? Let me remind you that both the father and Thomas the Disciple/Apostle have faith in Christ Jesus.

          If I were to answer which person or believer I am...I would have to honestly say both. Yes there are times when this poor miserable sinner standing before you has had the unbelief of Thomas...thinking I know better than others. Prove it to me... show it to me! Sometimes its pride that gets in my way...sometimes arrogance... but always its sin and unbelief that cause me to fall. And sometimes my belief is like that of the Father. Maybe I relate because I am a father. This is the faith that comes begging to God as a sinner for help. A beggar that realizes that while I believe and have faith in Christ...it is not a perfect faith...it is a faith that constantly needs help and strength to overcome.

          The wonderful news is that Christ died and rose for sinners like Thomas and me. Christ died and rose for sinners like you. Jesus loves us. He loves His children...He loves those that believe in Him...no matter how strong or weak that belief and faith in Him is.

          Of this you can be certain God always answers the prayers of His children. He answered the prayers of both the father and Thomas. To the father he granted healing by casting the demon out of the man's child. To Thomas he showed everything that was demanded of our Lord for Thomas to believe. "Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29)

          Dear Christians, believe! When you remember the promises God makes in His Word: believe. When you remember the promise God made in your baptism: believe. When you remember the promises God makes to you in the Lord's Supper: believe! "Blessed are [you] who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) Blessed are you! For God blesses you whether you are a believer like Thomas or the father. Blessed are you... for God forgives you of your sins. Blessed are you for Jesus restores you, shows His love for you in His precious wounds, answers your prayers, strengthens you, and gives you faith.

          This very day we get to see Jesus...by faith. For Jesus is here and active in His Word. Jesus is here and active in Baptism with the Holy Spirit. And Jesus is here for all to see by faith in His very body and blood. Believe that! For that is what Scripture says. That is what our Lord promises.

          Maybe Luther had the begging father in mind just before he fell asleep in Jesus. Maybe that is why Luther's last words before death were: "Wir sind alle bettler." We are all beggars. May we all be beggars like Thomas and that father...who were granted their peace in Christ as their prayers were answered, their faith was given and strengthened, and at their appointed hour were called home to be with Christ.

          That is God's promise. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He may not answer your prayers the way you want them...but He always answers. He always answers with what is best for you. And what is best for you is Jesus. Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose for you. And He is here right now; always for you. And in His body and blood gives you forgiveness, faith, and strength. He gives you Himself...the very best...that you may inherit life eternal with 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.

The Son of David

Palm Sunday, 2017

John 12:12-19

“The Son of David”

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

             “Everyone loves a parade.” Indeed, parades are wonderful events! They are occasions for celebration. Most of you have probably attended a parade. Maybe you've even seen one of St. Paul's floats in the Beecher Independence Day Parade. Parades are held for all kinds of events some are even held to celebrate people, such as one honoring a hometown soldier and hero that returns from military service.

             In our text today from John 12, we have depicted for us a parade. The crowds don’t throw ticker tape, but they wave palms and lay some of them down before Jesus. A brass band doesn’t play John Philip Sousa, but choruses chant psalms. The honoree is not riding in a Cadillac convertible, stretch limo, a float or even a Crocker's Coach, but on the back of a donkey. This is a parade unlike any that you’ve ever seen. It’s a parade for a king—in fact, for the King! But he is a King who isn’t what the crowds expect. The crowds appear to glorify this King in the procession. But the fact is that this is just the start of a weeklong procession that will ultimately lead to the King’s coronation…a coronation with a crown not of gold but of thorns; a coronation without the chants of long live the king…but of crucify him…this is a coronation; a coronation of death.

             Processions in the ancient world served to glorify rulers and generals. In the motion picture Alexander (2004), which depicts the conquests of Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC, the conquering hero enters into the city of Babylon and is welcomed by adoring multitudes. Alexander parades through the centr of this ancient and glorious city mounted on his stately white horse and flanked by generals. Behind him follow rank after rank of soldiers who have devoted their lives to their leader’s military campaigns. The citizens of Babylon greet Alexander with cheers and songs of praise. They throw flowers and leafy branches before his path. They reach out their hands in hopes of touching this man they consider to be half-god. Alexander’s entry into the city of Babylon was one in which he was glorified.

            “The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the King of Israel!’” (John 12:12-13) Here we see a huge crowd praising Jesus triumphantly as He comes to Jerusalem. The crowd appears to offer similar glorification to Jesus as Alexander received in the movie. The crowd waved Palms which were a symbol of their pride in the nation of Israel which they hoped would be freed from Rome; an Independence day celebration. The people shout with great acclimation that King David's son had finally returned.

            As far as the people understood; Jesus seems to be claiming glory by assuming the posture of a Davidic king. “Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, ‘Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.’” (John 12:14-15) A donkey might not sound very impressive but the fact is that kings in the lineage of David processed by riding donkeys. In 1 Kings 1:28ff we are told of King David making his son Solomon King. David even had the priest, Zadok, and Nathan the prophet place Solomon on his own donkey and led him to the city of Gihon to be anointed King of Israel. Zechariah also foretold that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

            Huge crowds had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover. It is said that up to 1 million pilgrims could have been in Jerusalem at the time Jesus entered on Palm Sunday. Those gathered welcomed Jesus into the capital city of Israel as King. The people were ecstatic over what they had heard: “Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!’” (John 12:17-19) Even Jesus enemies were now threatened by the following and popularity of Jesus.

            But the crowds misunderstood Christ’s mission; they expected him to be a military leader; an earthly king like David. They weren't the only ones…the disciples also misunderstood Christ’s mission expecting him to be an earthly ruler. In January of 2000, I was able to go to Israel as part of a class while attending Concordia University Wisconsin. I was able to see the Temple Mount, the great walls of the old city, the area where most scholars believe the Temple to have stood. The grand entrance to the area would have been from the East passing in front of the Roman fortress and garrison. If Jesus were to come in as a King to conquer this is where he would have come in…but instead Jesus came in from the South, through a small entrance. Jesus did not want to incite the Romans for his “kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)

            But we, Christians of the 21st century, misunderstand Jesus’ mission too. There are many who believe, teach, and profess that Jesus will come back again to rule over this world for either a certain number of years before the end of the world or after judgment day. There is no basis in Scripture for either of these beliefs. As Lutherans we do not believe this for Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) But we too misunderstand Christ’s mission for we want Jesus to serve our self-determined needs and wants. We want Jesus to take away all of our problems. We want Jesus to help us win the lottery. We want Jesus to save our marriage. We want Jesus to give us our dream job. We want and want and want…and forget that Jesus gives all that we truly need…which is better and greater than our wildest dreams.

            Jesus procession into Jerusalem truly leads to his ultimate glorification—his death on the cross. “At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him that they had done these things to him.” (John 12:16) Jesus true glorification did not take place on that first Palm Sunday but on Good Friday.  Jesus identifies his own glorification with his death with the words “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:23-24) Glory through dying…glory through dying for sinners that hated him…it is hard for the world to understand the concept of glory through death. How can you believe in a God that dies…that dies on a cross…that dies being mocked…that dies with common criminals?      

             Jesus’ death is his most glorious moment because it is the accomplishment of his mission to redeem sinners. Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfill God’s plan of salvation, revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures. God’s plan of salvation is that his Son bears the curse of sin so that sinners are forgiven. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17) Because of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection, you are reconciled to God…you are forgiven. (2 Corinthians 5:19) 

             Today we come together to glorify our King…we glorify Jesus! For we know where Jesus went and what Jesus did on the cross for us. We know that the Victory has been won. So as we travel to Gethsemane again this week and hear again of our Lord's sacrifice for us...we go sober minded...and yet we go knowing that Our Redeemer lives! 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.