Misconceptions.

 

Sermon for 3^rd midweek Lent, February 27, 2024

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Luke 23:1-12  The whole group of them got up and brought him before Pilate.  ²They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this fellow misleading our nation, forbidding the payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”  ³Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  “It is as you say,” Jesus replied.  ⁴Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”  ⁵But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people, teaching all through Judea, beginning from Galilee all the way here.”  ⁶When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.  ⁷When he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.  ⁸When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad.  For a long time, he had wanted to see him, because he had heard many things about him.  He hoped to see some miracle performed by him.  ⁹He questioned him with many words, but Jesus gave him no answer.  ¹⁰The chief priests and the experts in the law stood there, vehemently accusing him.  ¹¹Herod, along with his soldiers, treated him with contempt and ridiculed him.  Dressing him in bright clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.  ¹²Herod and Pilate became friends with each other on that day.  Before this they had been enemies of each other. (EHV)

Misconceptions.

Dear loved ones of the Lord,

            The theme for our consideration this evening is Misconceptions.  The morning trials recorded by St. Luke reveal a number of people who had misconceptions about Jesus.  One man had two misconceptions: first, that he would provide a fair trial, and secondly that Jesus was just an ordinary itinerant teacher with perhaps a delusion about being a king.  Another man had the foolish misconception that Jesus was some kind of magician who could be commanded to perform for his entertainment.  Furthermore, a large contingent of Jewish leaders used misconceptions against Jesus in the misconception that He was someone they needed to eliminate in order to maintain their lifestyles and power.

Let’s begin with Pilate.  It was his job to rule on behalf of the emperor and to maintain peace in a land of often recalcitrant people.  Now, Pilate likely didn’t have any personal interest in Jesus nor in whether Jesus lived or died.  However, it was his sworn duty to maintain Rome’s commitment to just verdicts and the rule of law.  Therefore, he at least wanted to make this trial look fair, and that the two sides were fairly heard. 

It didn’t take long, however, until Pilate realized that he was in over his head.  With just a few questions, Pilate determined that Jesus was in no way guilty of the crimes against the state that the Jewish leaders were claiming against Jesus.  Pilate saw through their intentional misconceptions, yet he was hesitant to pronounce Jesus innocent, because he was under the misconception that the Jews would riot and cause an uproar that would lead to his own demotion. 

Because of this inner struggle, Pilate seized the opportunity to remove the problem from his courtroom when he heard that Jesus was from Galilee.  What an opportunity!  Herod, the tetrarch of Galilee, was in town and Pilate could hand over Jesus and the conundrum of judging this innocent Man, off to a man Pilate was not too fond of anyway.  Perhaps, he could escape the need to make a decision and let Herod suffer the consequences.

Of course, Herod had his own misconceptions that led him to abuse his power and privilege. Naturally, since nothing Jesus had done was done in secret but was widely known and talked about, Herod was well aware of Jesus and had heard of the numerous miracles and healings Jesus had performed.  Still, he hadn’t seen Jesus do any of those things in person, so he was glad for this chance.  However, instead of honestly questioning Jesus to determine innocence or guilt, Herod tried to get Jesus to perform some special magic to entertain Herod and his company. 

You can imagine the kind of questions Herod asked of Jesus.  How do you do these things?  Where do you get your power?  What can you show me right now?  Do this!  Do that!  Do it now!  To all of which, Jesus gave no reply.  Finally, frustrated and bored with Jesus’ refusal to put on a magic show at his command, Herod and his soldiers mocked Jesus, dressed him in a splendid robe to show their contempt, and sent Jesus back to Pilate to deal with himself.

It is interesting that those two men, who missed such an opportunity to hear Jesus and gain salvation, became friends through this mockery of a trial, the abuse of their God-given authority, and their misconceptions about Jesus.

Still, Pilate was back on the hot seat and forced to decide Jesus’ case.  We will discuss his decision further as we journey through our Lenten services, but tonight we examine misconceptions that are so common still today.  There are some who like Herod think of Jesus as nothing more than a sideshow or spectacle of no consequence.  Others may see Jesus as a wise man, perhaps wrongly accused, likely even seeing Jesus as a good teacher, but remaining always under the misconception that Jesus was just an ordinary philosopher who had a number of devoted students, but someone who they aren’t too concerned about, and certainly have no desire to learn more or to follow Him.

The Jewish leadership, on the other hand, fully rejecting Jesus while pretending to embrace the religion of their forefathers, may well be seen as also representing many in our times.  Twisting His words, they rejected Jesus out of fear of Him interfering with their own plans, designs, and desires.  How dare this Galilean, this supposedly lower-class outsider, challenge their authority?  How dare He call them to account for their false doctrines and misapplication of law?  How dare He challenge them on their hypocrisy?  How dare He draw the people to His side with promises of forgiveness, peace, and truth they didn’t know?

Because of their hatred for Jesus and their rejection of His claims to be the Messiah and the Son of God, those leaders readily used whatever accusations they thought the governor would accept to pronounce their preferred sentence of death by crucifixion.  The Jews recognized that Pilate wouldn’t give a hoot about their false charges of blasphemy.  So they readily, willingly dreamt up lies and found liars to support their accusations.  They then stirred up mobs of people to rouse Pilate into thinking a real revolt was imminent if he didn’t condemn Jesus along with them.

As we look around our world today, they are of course any number of people and groups who clearly do not understand Jesus, and many who use their misconceptions about Him against His Word and against His people.

Still, as is always the case, we need to examine ourselves and see what misconceptions we might have that could endanger our faith.  There is no one in this reading that we should imitate in faith.  Every character was opposed to Jesus.  However, are there times when we act a bit like Herod and expect that we can just demand a performance and have Jesus deliver some miracle whether it is in our best interest or not?  Do we sometimes readily accept teachings we can easily agree with, but reject those things that tweak our consciences?  Do we readily accept forgiveness for our own sins, but occasionally withhold forgiveness from a spouse or neighbor who hurts us?  Do we feel a bit of selfish pleasure in holding on to a grudge?

The most damning misconception in this text is the assumption of self-righteousness in the Jewish leaders.  Our natural flesh likewise assumes itself innocent no matter how much guilt we may carry.  That is especially true, as in the Jews’ case, when we are focused on doing law without actually being able to fully obey law.  We find it easy to obey manmade rules we prefer, but boy, it sure is hard to avoid lust and jealousy and coveting and rebelliousness.  It is incredibly hard to love God and our neighbor all the time, especially when we feel oppressed and abused.

Now is the time to throw off any misconceptions we might have.  Now is the time to see ourselves as the sinners we are and Jesus as the Savior He truly is.  Jesus didn’t come to put on a show.  Jesus didn’t come into our lives to teach us more laws or how to obey laws better.  He came into this world to live in perfect holiness on our behalf, so that His Father in heaven could count each of us as holy by faith in Jesus.  Furthermore, Jesus came into this world to be the One final sacrifice that takes away the sins of the world, friend and foe alike.  Jesus willingly endured numerous trials that day and tons of abuse and slander so that you and I can find rest for our souls in Him.  Not that we find rest for our souls by our own efforts.  Indeed, it is through the power of His Gospel in Word and Sacrament, that our Lord comes to us giving new life to stony hearts and lifting us out of the gloom and doom of this world, so that we are not condemned with the devil and his hoard.

Now, as we live in a world in which almost everyone has some idea about Jesus, but many remain lost in misconceptions about who He truly is, our role is to live in this true faith so that others may learn of Jesus and live.  Let us be bold at every opportunity to share the forgiveness Jesus has granted to us.  Let us be confident in the love He has shown for us, so that no matter whether we have good times or troubles, we continue to walk boldly forward knowing that our God and Savior has everything fully under control for our everlasting good.  May the Scriptures be our constant companion and the source of our hope and joy.  Let us keep praying that the Holy Spirit continually enlighten us through the power of the Gospel as we gather together to hear the Word and partake of Jesus’ body and blood in His holy supper.  Let us continue to give thanks to our Redeemer and Savior for all He has done to reconcile us with God and to praise Him for opening our eyes to see Him as He truly is, the Son of God and Man who gave His life so that we might be free of sin and condemnation that with Jesus, we may live and never die.  Amen.

Now to the King eternal, to the immortal, invisible, only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.

In riches or sorrows, God’s name be blessed.

 

Sermon for Lent 2, February 25, 2024

The God of love and peace will be with you.  Amen.

Job 1:13-22  ¹³One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their oldest brother, ¹⁴a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys were grazing nearby, ¹⁵when the Sabeans swooped down and took them away.  They put the servants to death with the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  ¹⁶While he was still speaking, another servant came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the flocks and the servants and consumed them, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  ¹⁷While he was still speaking, another servant came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and plundered the camels and took them away.  They put the servants to death with the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  ¹⁸While he was still speaking, another servant came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and were drinking wine in the house of their oldest brother. ¹⁹Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it collapsed on the young people, and they died, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”  ²⁰Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head.  He fell to the ground and worshipped.  ²¹Then he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.  May the name of the Lord be blessed.”  ²²In all this, Job did not sin or blame God. (EHV)

In riches or sorrows, God’s name be blessed.

Dear fellow redeemed,

            Job’s story is almost beyond belief in its sorrow, and therefore, many doubt that it really happened.  However, we know the Holy Spirit does not lie, so we have no reason to doubt that this is a true account.  Therefore, imagine the horror that had to go through poor Job’s mind that long ago day.  The man was wealthy beyond anything any of us will ever know, with vast flocks and herds, a huge farming operation, and most likely a trading business involving numerous caravans of camels with all the servants needed to operate such vast enterprises.  These were not slaves as we might imagine but valued and trusted members of his business activities.  Lest we forget, Job was also blessed with seven sons and three daughters. 

Job was widely known as the greatest man of his time.  However, everything changed in just one day.  Bad news came in from the far reaches of his operation.  Job’s domain was invaded by enemy raiders from the south who killed his workers and stole away all the animals that powered his farming operation. 

Before Job could even digest the horror of that loss, another messenger brought news of the random destruction of Job’s flocks in what many would call an unmitigated natural calamity, and again, Job’s servants died with the animals.  That alone would knock the wind out of the strongest individual, yet without a moment’s break, a third messenger arrived to inform Job that his vast trading operation was wiped out for the servants were slaughtered and everything else stolen away by raiders from the north. 

Finally, the biggest blow came.  While the third man was informing Job that the last of his wealth had been lost, the final messenger arrived to tell Job that all his sons and daughters were killed when a sudden, random windstorm devastated his oldest son’s home.

Modern day psychologists might question whether any person could receive such catastrophic news without becoming catatonic with despair.  Most of us would likely become little more than quivering masses of weeping confusion.  How could all this bad stuff happen to one family?  How could any person survive the grief of losing so much?

The book of Job is given to us to help us understand a few realities for surviving our world.  Some claim that it is given to help us understand why bad things happen to good people.  Some say it shows the power of faith.  Both cases can be made.  Still, I hope to show that there are also other reasons for us so that among us, In riches or sorrows, God’s name be blessed.

It will help us understand what happened to Job and to many others around our world, to read what St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)  As much as we might like everything to make sense in our world, many of the world’s troubles come because of the devil’s constant other-worldly war against God’s plan and our welfare.  That demon, who was created good, turned against God very early in history and even though being defeated by Christ in that rebellion, the devil still remains a constant instigator of evil.  He will go as far as God allows him to cause chaos in the world and trouble for God’s people. 

Now, the devil has nothing to gain in his rebellion, yet his outright hatred of God causes him to try to prevent any of God’s people from receiving the joy that is theirs through faith.  Of course, the devil really doesn’t have to do anything to get the unbelieving world on his side.  He already owns their hearts.  Therefore, he can use them quite easily to cause trouble for those who love God.  Furthermore, because Satan has no care for the lives of anyone, he feels no remorse for their deaths.  Thus, wars, plagues, pandemics, mental turmoil, and any kind of love of evil Satan can inspire among his slaves will be used as he tries to instill doubt or fear in God’s people.

In Job’s case, it was his great faith in the Lord of all that provoked Satan to seek permission from God to test Job.  This, though, leads us to understand another truth: “The Lord knows those who are his.” (2 Timothy 2:19)  In addition, the Lord doesn’t just know who we are, He knows us individually and intimately.  He knows are strengths and weaknesses.  He knows what our faith can endure, whether riches or poverty, health or sickness, gain or loss, and still remain His trusting children.  Indeed, St. Paul writes, “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:4-5)  Therefore, having been chosen by God from before time began, the Lord makes certain that we might hear His Gospel message and believe it.

What annoys Satan to no end and makes him meaner than any junkyard dog is that God doesn’t leave us defenseless, but rather, He promises great intervention on our behalf so that the devil cannot steal us away from God’s care.  The psalmist wrote, “He will give a command to his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.^” (Psalm 91:11)  Jesus also promises, “Surely I am with you always until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)  Thus, even when the devil was doing everything possible to destroy Job, God placed a limit on the devil and put a circle of protection around His chosen believer, so that the trust in God almighty that the Holy Spirit had worked in Job through the promise of a coming Savior, kept him trusting in God even in the face of this great trauma.

Because of his strong faith in God’s promise of a Redeemer, Job could receive this tidal wave of horrible news, and still deal with his great losses, not without sorrow, but yet with hope.  Then he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.  May the name of the Lord be blessed.”  By the faith God had worked in Job, he understood that this life is not our end.  As the hymnwriter reminds us, “Heaven is our home.”  By faith, Job could suffer the loss of servants and children knowing that he had led them to believe in God’s promises and he would see them again in heaven.  Trusting in his Savior’s care, Job believed that even in this great loss, the Lord would again bless and preserve him.  Though Job didn’t yet have the details of how God would accomplish all this, he could trust the message Jesus later gave His disciples, “In this world you are going to have trouble.  But be courageous!  I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  Thus for Job, In riches or sorrows, God’s name is blessed.

Finally, this account is preserved for us so that we may see what true faith in God looks like.  However, it is not just so we have a picture to imitate as some might guess, though we should.  It is instead a foreshadowing of the faith of the Man who became our Redeemer.  To be our Savior, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, had to lose everything except His trust in God His Father, so that we would be blessed with every good thing.

In coming to earth and taking on human flesh, the Son of God had to set aside the glory and power that are rightfully His.  Though Jesus is true God and the owner and Ruler of all things, as true Man, He humbled Himself to suffer the betrayal of His closest followers.  And knowing that the devil would do whatever he could imagine to tempt God’s Son, challenge His resilience, provoke His anger, and steal His most precious possessions which are all the people God has given Him by faith, Jesus humbly and with great faithful patience endured all things so that you and I may have everlasting life. ‘

Job had to suffer boils all over his body as the devil tormented him, trying to cause him to sin.  On the other hand, Jesus suffered the wrath of God, His own eternal Father forsaking Him, and the cruel torment and death of being nailed to the cross bearing all the sins and guilt of the world.

After the devil completed his tormenting of Job, God restored Job’s health and blessed him with even greater wealth, the same number of children, and a long life.  Likewise, after Jesus suffered all things for you and me, the Father raised Him from the dead on the third day and welcomed Him to His side in heaven, putting all things in heaven and earth under Jesus’ authority.  Furthermore, by the sacrifice of His Son, God had restored the wealth that Jesus truly treasures, the children of God made holy and precious through faith and by the blood Jesus shed.

Dear friends, let us always strive to have a faith like Job, but especially, may the Holy Spirit help us remember the faith Jesus lived for us so that we could be holy in God’s sight.  Then, no matter what comes our way in this troubled world, In riches or sorrows, God’s name will be blessed.  Amen.

After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who called you into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you.  To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.  Amen.

 

Our Substitute enters the war.

 

Sermon for Lent 1, February 18, 2024

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Mark 1:12-15  ¹²The Spirit immediately sent Jesus out into the wilderness.  ¹³He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan.  He was with the wild animals, and angels were serving him.  ¹⁴After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.  ¹⁵“The time is fulfilled,” he said.  “The kingdom of God has come near!  Repent, and believe in the gospel. (EHV)

Our Substitute enters the war.

Dear embattled believers,

            Early in the twentieth century, the world fought what became known as “the war to end all wars.”  Just in case you haven’t been paying attention, World War I didn’t end conflict in this world.  Rather, there have been wars in one place or another almost without interruption ever since, and it appears that peace will remain elusive for the foreseeable future in this world afflicted with sin.

In all honesty, however, the first world-wide war actually began when Satan whispered in Eve’s ear, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1)  That was the opening salvo in the devil’s war against both God and man.  You and I are among the losers in that first skirmish, for ever since, the devil has been fighting against us with his lies, half-truths, accusations, and temptations.  Here, Mark reports on the first major engagement in Christ Jesus’ war to end all wars when, for us, Our Substitute enters the war.

The fight to save the human race from Satan’s evil plans truly is an all-out war.  Satan would never let up in his goal of leading every person on earth away from God’s love to certain eternal death.  In this fight, it often seems like the devil has all the advantages, for each of us were his slaves because of our inherited sinfulness.  None of us retained any ability or desire to resist the devil’s wicked plans.  In fact, our human nature, after the fall, likes what Satan is selling, even though it is poison for our souls.

However, because God loves us, Jesus came into this world to rescue us from the devil, our deceiving, life-stealing master.  Having heard our cries of agony, the Father sent His Son to deliver us.  Jesus entered this world to fight for us this war we couldn’t win.  Jesus came, in human flesh, because the war had to be fought by a Man; it was initiated when the devil tempted a man to separate from God, so a Man had to restore peace between us and God.  Because we were helpless, Jesus took up our cause. 

Immediately before the battle Mark reports on here, Jesus was baptized to signify that He had taken up the battle on our behalf.  In this baptism that He didn’t need for any sin, Jesus was accepting our fight; He became our Substitute.  And, “The Spirit immediately sent Jesus out into the wilderness.  He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan.”

Mark says the Spirit drove Jesus out into the wilderness for this fight, but He did not have to be forced to take on our mutual enemy.  The Spirit’s driving was in full agreement with the Father and the Son.  Because of His love for His Father and for all of us, Jesus was a willing combatant against Satan. 

As I’m sure you know, Jesus, as true Man, went to war with Satan already at His conception, but in this forty-day temptation, God was permitting the devil to take off the kid gloves and give Jesus his best shot.  Now, you perhaps thought of this tempting as being just the three temptations we are familiar with from the other Gospel accounts, but this was forty days and nights of continuous trial.  Immediately after Jesus made Himself our substitute, Satan concentrated all his wily powers against God’s Son.  Though the devil can never do more than God allows him in his quest to mislead and destroy, Satan was permitted to do his absolute most to tempt Jesus.  Any slip, any false step, even any minor doubt, worry, or question of His Father’s will would mean Jesus had lost the whole shooting match.

“He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan.  He was with the wild animals.”  Jesus had, of course, been resisting the devil’s temptations from before His birth.  However, Jesus was sent out into the wilderness, at this time, not because the devil could torment Him more there, but simply so that everyone in heaven and earth would know that the Man, Jesus, fought this battle alone.  No parents came to His aid.  No disciples could take credit for any part of the fight.  The devil was allowed to make this a one-on-one grudge match against the Lord. 

We read in the other Gospel accounts of how the devil tried to get Jesus to doubt God’s Word, how Satan offered up the bounties of this world to tempt Jesus to turn away from God as Adam and Eve had done, how he even tried to use Jesus’ human, physical needs to get Him to stumble.  Even the wild animals were brought into play as Satan tried to make Jesus worry about His safety when He was all alone in that barren place.  Even more terrifying, in the book of the Revelation, the word translated here as wild animals represents the demons of the deep, so it was Jesus alone against all the forces of evil.

Through it all, Jesus answered each temptation the same way, with the powerful Word of God.  And finally, with the outcome of this warfare becoming ever more obvious, Jesus told the tormentor, “Go away, Satan!  For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” (Matthew 4:10)  For Adam and Eve, for you and me, and for every soul ever on this planet, Jesus spoke those words of victory.  As true Man, Jesus had repelled every attack Satan could bring.  Only then did the Father send His angels to serve His Son.

After reporting on Jesus’ resounding victory over the devil’s temptations, Mark immediately tells us another way, Our Substitute enters the war.  He wrote, “After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.  ‘The time is fulfilled,’ he said.  ‘The kingdom of God has come near!’”  In the war against Satan, Jesus was, is, and will always be our champion.  He had repelled Satan’s worst.  Then, immediately, He takes up the fight against the world.  Satan had been beaten back, but the sinful flesh of humanity was still putting up a fight.  To turn lost sinners away from the only master they had ever known, the Gospel had to be preached to all the people God loves.

John the Baptizer had been sent to prepare the way, but Jesus still needed to announce to the world that He was here to win the victory.  So, Jesus took His saving message on the road, reaching out to the hurting and the humble.  Holding out His salvation to all, Jesus preached Law to those who didn’t know Him, but followed always with the Good News that everything the prophets of old had foretold was now coming true in Him.  The promised Seed of the Woman was with them, fighting that grudge match that would end with Satan’s head crushed. 

Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near.”  He was telling the world that the power and authority of Almighty God was walking among them.  Jesus displayed this truth with His miracles.  As true God and true Man, Jesus took up the fight on our behalf; He showed the world that there is no need to look anywhere else.  Everything the fallen human race needed for salvation was being accomplished by Jesus.  He would now complete His divine love for the human race by conquering completely the rebellious liar that had caused us to be subject to death. 

As Jesus fought to destroy the enemy, the gates of heaven were being thrown wide open, because Jesus accomplished total victory in the true war to end all wars when He declared from the cross, “It is finished!” and bowed His head in death.  The devil could touch Him no more.  Every temptation common to men had been resisted.  Every blow Satan could bring had been taken, and the devil’s power lay crushed in the dust before the cross.  The one Man who had no sin had suffered the punishment of death for the sins of every sinner ever.  Satan was conquered, absolutely.  The law was fully accomplished, and every sin was paid for by the blood of God’s perfectly holy and innocent Son.  Christ’s victory was complete, for Satan’s power is destroyed, and our salvation is assured.

Our Substitute enters the war.  Jesus told the people of His day, “Repent, and believe in the gospel."  Jesus didn’t just fight for us out in that lonely wilderness.  He kept fighting His battle against Satan by reaching out with His Good News to the people of Galilee, Samaria, and all Judea.  He told everyone to turn away from trusting in anything else but Him.  That means to turn away from sin and the devil’s temptations, turn completely away from the desires of the flesh, turn away from worshipping any god but the Triune God, and turn away from any self-worship that would pretend we can satisfy God’s righteous demands on our own.

Because you and I could never accomplish this repentance by ourselves; we still need Jesus as our Champion.  We still need Him leading this war against Satan.  Christ has indeed won the victory, but each soul born into this world still needs to hear about Jesus’ victory because the devil certainly won’t admit that the fight is over.  Therefore, Jesus continues the fight for the souls of sinners wherever and whenever His Good News is proclaimed.  Our Substitute enters the war, still today, by bringing His victory to slaves to sin in Baptism, pouring His cleansing, life-giving water and Word on the heads of formerly lost souls.  Jesus also fights against Satan whenever and wherever His body and blood are rightly distributed to repentant sinners to assure them of His mercy and forgiveness. 

Dear friends, the question for you and me, today then, is which side will we be on as Our Substitute enters the war?  Will we go back to following Satan’s lead?  Or will we “Repent, and believe in the gospel"?  Repentance means we continually turn away from the devil’s lies and trust in Jesus’ victory.  Repentance means that when Satan whispers his lies or temptations in our ears, we will stand boldly with Jesus saying, “Go away, Satan!”  When the devil or the world tells us it doesn’t matter how we worship, or how we live, or when they tell us to seek our own glory, or to worry more about the things of this world than about what God tells us, the repentant sinner will stand with Jesus saying, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” (Matthew 4:10) 

Today, whenever the devil tries to accuse us of sin, we will admit our guilt, but we then turn joyfully to Jesus, our Substitute, who fought the real war to end all wars and, on our behalf, won the absolute victory over sin, death, and the devil.  Victorious, Jesus gives us the victory crown through Baptism and the hearing of the Gospel, so that Satan can do no more than howl his frustration from his chains in the depths of hell, for Jesus rose victorious from the grave on the third day.  Jesus truly died for our sins, yet He lives again.  The Father has accepted Christ’s sacrifice for the sins of us all.  Nothing more is needed.  Nothing can separate us from His love.  Your Substitute gave you His victory when He made you His brothers and sisters by faith.  All glory be to Jesus, The Substitute Who went to war for you.  Amen.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.  Amen.

Restraint

 

Sermon for 1^st midweek Lent, February 14, 2024

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.  Amen.

Luke 22:47-53  ⁴⁷While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them.  He came near to Jesus to kiss him.  ⁴⁸But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”  ⁴⁹When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, should we strike with a sword?”  ⁵⁰Then one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  ⁵¹But Jesus responded, “Stop!  No more of this!”  Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.  ⁵²Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as you would against a robber, with swords and clubs?  ⁵³Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay hands on me.  But this is your hour—when darkness rules.” (EHV)

Restraint

Dear children of the Living God,

            When you first saw the theme of this evening’s worship, you may have imagined that the sermon would be about Jesus being bound by the arresting mob.  Certainly, those who entered the Garden that night seeking to arrest Jesus were intent on restraining Him, subduing Him, and taking Him away from the people, and away from His mission.

On the other hand, how do you suppose we might react if put in similar circumstances?  Better yet, how do we react whenever things don’t go the way we think they should?  When people are cruel, do we find it easy to hold our temper?  When we are wronged, do we automatically forgive?

For the disciples’ part, consider how differently the evening went compared to what they expected.  They went with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane, and as so many other times, Jesus immersed Himself in prayer to His Father in heaven.  Then, the disciples did exactly what they most likely often did late in the evening—they fell asleep while Jesus prayed.  This night, Jesus had asked them to watch with Him, but three times Jesus returned from His prayers to find them sleeping.  How frustrated we might be if three times in a row our friends let us down.  A military leader would definitely reprimand any of his charges who so quickly failed in their duty.  And for sure, Jesus was doing battle for the salvation of all our souls.

Still, Jesus didn’t display any anger or even frustration; he woke His friends and prepared them for the immediate situation, and “While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them.  He came near to Jesus to kiss him.  But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’”  One wonders, how might we react if someone we had dearly loved suddenly turned against us, and indeed, set us up to be arrested, tried, and executed for crimes we never committed, or even considered committing?

Shouldn’t Jesus have been angry with Judas?  How many times had Jesus tried to turn that traitor away from his villainous, self-ruining, greedy plan?  Only to be confronted by His conniving disciple betraying Him to the authorities while pretending to be his dear friend.  Who among us could calmly react with another earnest plea for Judas to recognize his guilt and repent?  Who among us would so willingly die to save even that disgrace of a man?

I think that to a person among us, we have to admit to numerous times we have failed to restrain ourselves when anger, frustration, jealousy, or even greed caused us to rebel against God.  Restraint is often far from the mind when we feel the urge to discipline a wayward child—especially a rebellious teenager.  Restraint is hard, perhaps even impossible for us, when we feel betrayed, falsely accused, mistreated, or hurt in any other way.  We are tempted to cry out in anger, scream invectives against those hurting us, and sometimes even yell at our God for not stopping the pain.

So much hurt in our lives.  So much pain.  Call it what it really is—so much sin—our sin—the sins of others—the curse of sin—sin is the real reason we have trouble in the world, and sin is the reason Jesus was showing such great restraint that night in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus faced all that sin that was so obviously used against Him that night, but without any anger, no retribution, no disillusionment, and no rebellion against His Father in heaven.  Why?  Because in His active obedience to His Father’s will, Jesus showed restraint for all the times we do not. 

To fulfil prophecy, Jesus had made sure the disciples were armed with a sword.  Now, confronted with this arresting mob, those eleven men still standing at Jesus’ side felt the urge to defend Jesus.  When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, should we strike with a sword?”  Then one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  I guess that’s about what one might expect from that little band of fishermen and a tax collector completely untrained for battle.  Against that mob of thugs and soldiers, Jesus’ disciples could have been slaughtered in seconds.  Thus again, Jesus shows true restraint.

Jesus responded, “Stop!  No more of this!”  Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.  Most likely, if push came to shove, we too would respond to such a great threat with as much violence as we could muster.  Either that, or we would try to flee in terror, which we will see was the disciples’ next move.  However, neither of those options was seen in Jesus.  He immediately restrained His friends excited response, and in kindness few of us could imagine, Jesus reached out His hand and restored that servant’s ear. 

Can you imagine what must have gone through that servant’s mind?  First the pain of being assaulted with a sword.  The side of his head bloodied, and his ear sliced away.  How shocking that would feel, but not near as shocking as seeing the Man I came to arrest instantly healing my wound.  Yet, did that servant show any thanks?  None that we know of.  How could Jesus not be offended by people seeing this great miracle and still being determined to kill Him?

There are times when we wish God didn’t show such great restraint.  When we observe the horrors inflicted upon our friends and neighbors by people consumed in wickedness, it is easy to wish God would intervene by destroying those who cause the hurt.  Many find themselves asking, why does God allow this to go on? 

The answer is that God does not operate in the same revenge-oriented way our sinful nature desires.  St. Peter, the man who was so quick to swing the sword that cut off that servant’s ear explains God’s restraint from quick judgement as he says, “The Lord is not slow to do what he promised, as some consider slowness.  Instead, he is patient for your sakes, not wanting anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)  Our God shows extreme restraint in dealing with our world, because His love desires repentance of all people so that they might come to faith in Jesus and be saved.

Now, the world may look at Jesus’ actions when He came under attack that night as weakness.  However, Jesus truly demonstrated His power of restraint.  Instead of seeking revenge, Jesus pleaded with His Father for their forgiveness.  Instead of trying to overwhelm His enemies with might, as was certainly within Jesus’ capability, when Jesus told Peter to put away His sword, He reminded His disciples of His true authority saying, “Do you not realize that I could call on my Father, and at once he would provide me with more than twelve legions of angels?  But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” (Matthew 26:53-54)  In other words, Jesus showed restraint so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled, so that His Father’s desire to be reconciled with us would be accomplished by the life and death of His own dear Son.

Dear friends, there are many times when circumstances might lead us to respond viciously, hurtfully, or arrogantly against our neighbor.  We live in a world totally corrupted by sin.  Yet, for Jesus’ sake, we have forgiveness full and free.  We have been washed and cleansed of all sin by His blood and dressed in Christ’s perfect righteousness so that as believers in Christ Jesus, we have been set apart to live for Him and in His love. 

The restraint Jesus lived as He was arrested, falsely accused, tortured, and nailed to a cross, as the substitute for all of us, set us free from eternal bondage in the devil’s prison.  Therefore, let us remember the restraint Jesus has showed in dealing with us so that we have been brought to faith in Him and reconciled with God for an eternity of life in the glory of heaven.  As we remember Jesus’ restraint on our behalf, let that same restraint rule in our hearts so that we “Bear with one another and forgive each other … just as Christ forgave you. ^… Let the peace of Christ control your hearts, to which you were also called, in one body.” (Colossians 3:13-15)  Amen.

The Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.

We preach the Gospel that you may see Christ.

 

Sermon for Transfiguration, February 11, 2024

Grace, mercy, and peace to all of you who are in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6  ³But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing.  ⁴In the case of those people, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from clearly seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is God’s image.  ⁵Indeed, we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.  ⁶For the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” is the same one who made light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ. (EHV)

We preach the Gospel that you may see Christ.

Dear fellow redeemed,

            Our first verse refers back to Paul’s previous reference to Moses coming down from the mountain after meeting with God to receive the Law.  The Israelites were terrified at seeing God’s glory reflected off Moses’ face, so he covered himself with a veil until that shining countenance had faded away.  However, the Israelite people’s faith became dulled through time as though still shrouded with a veil, for they failed to see Christ in the Old Testament prophecies and worship.  Therefore, Paul helps us to understand why he preached the message God had sent him to proclaim.  In summary, Paul would say, We preach the Gospel that you may see Christ.

Before Paul wrote this letter, some of his opponents, apparently, accused Paul of preaching a message shrouded in confusion.  In response, Paul shows that the confusion was caused solely by the blindness of those walking in the darkness of pagan unbelief.  Naturally, the source of the confusion is the devil who at all times wants nothing more than to keep people from believing in Jesus.

There truly is nothing confusing or incoherent about the Gospel of our Lord.  Jesus came into this world to save sinners.  He came into this world for the purpose of reconciling all mankind with God.  Yet, even though Jesus accomplished His mission with His holy life and sacrifice on the cross, many people still do not believe.  To those of us who walk confidently in Christian faith, this can seem almost incomprehensible, so Paul explains, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing.”

Indeed, some might ask, so who is perishing?  The honest answer is that we all began in that condition.  No one is conceived believing.  We are born on a pathway to death.  However, we have the Holy Spirit’s assurance that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)  Our natural condition was unbelief deserving condemnation, but our God sends His messengers out into the world so that many might hear, believe, and be saved.

Of course, we recognize that even though the Gospel has been preached for nearly two thousand years, many still do not know Christ as their Savior.  Why?  Because, frankly, the devil, the world, and our own flesh fight against faith in Jesus.  None of those things want us to believe.  Again, Paul explains, “In the case of those people, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from clearly seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is God’s image.” 

The devil will do anything he can to interfere with people hearing the Gospel.  We can honestly say he works right here in congregations like ours.  All he has to do is trick people into thinking they don’t need to come hear God’s Word.  Or, he can whisper that someone in the Church has hurt us so why should we let them do that again.  Or, the devil will gladly tempt us with the things of this world.  Why waste time in church when there is money to be made?  Or needed sleep?  Or regular weekend vacations?  Or kids’ sports where we chase dreams of someday gaining college scholarships?

Of course, where the devil is truly at work is in the world around us.  Maybe it is in the politics of our land.  Perhaps, he can get us to doubt God’s authority if he manipulates us into thinking God’s law is too oppressive, too harsh, too demanding.  Satan tempts us to think, why shouldn’t we be able to do what we want, any time we want, to anyone we want?  It starts out so simple and minor, but as soon as consciences are dulled, people willingly accept any lie the devil wants to use to keep them from knowing Christ.

So many things can keep our spiritual eyesight blinded to the reality of Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and Satan.  For the person who was born outside of the Christian faith, the devil barely needs to raise a finger.  He already has them right there in his evil claws where he wants them.  We see this so much in our world where even the reality of God is denied, or mocked, and the whole universe is imagined to have created itself.  But, God doesn’t want anyone to be lost.  Therefore, through the preaching of men like St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. John, the Lord’s Gospel shines out on the world as a beacon of hope.  Their testimony about what Jesus did for you and me opens our eyes both to the truth of our sin, but especially, to see the glory of God in Christ Jesus.

You see, it is to God’s glory that Jesus came into this world to save sinners.  It is to God’s glory that Jesus, God’s own dear Son, became the sacrificial Lamb whose blood paid the eternal price to set all sinners free from the devil’s deceptions and chains.  It is to God’s glory that by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel melts away the dark film that covers a sinner’s eyes as the Word of God restores vision to the spiritually blind.  Therefore, We preach the Gospel that you may see Christ.

Because the only way anyone can believe and be saved is through hearing the message of Christ Jesus, Paul says, “Indeed, we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”  How many preachers have done their preaching just for the money, or the fame, or perhaps for the hope of an easy life?  I don’t know the answer, but certainly Paul wasn’t one of those type.  Paul and his fellow apostles suffered tremendously in their service of the Gospel.  Indeed, they served their Lord out of gladness for the salvation granted them through faith in Christ Jesus, yet there was something more to their service.

Those apostles and evangelists didn’t go out into the world risking life and limb to serve themselves.  Rather, they gladly served their Lord with the hope of serving the sinners they met throughout the world.  Paul said they preached “ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”  This is the hope and commitment of every faithful pastor, that we do our work, not for ourselves, but so that others may know and enjoy the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting that is promised to us who believe in Jesus.  This is also why faithful parents diligently lead their children to Jesus, why they make sure the Gospel is heard in their homes, as well as their church, and demonstrated also in their personal lives.  It is out of love for their children that parents do this, why pastors and teachers do so as well.  Again, We all preach the Gospel that you may see Christ.

Now, why does it take the Gospel to transform a sinner into a saint?  Because the Gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)  Here, Paul wrote, “For the God who said, ‘Light will shine out of darkness,’ is the same one who made light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ.”  Just as God brought light into existence at the creation by the power of His Word, so He brings faith to sinners by the power of His Gospel.  The Gospel lifts the veil that held sinners in the darkness of unbelief.  It rescues us out of the darkness of damnation that is the devil’s fate and brings us into the eternal light and life of Christ Jesus who is the Son of God and Ruler of heaven and earth.

Dear friends, you and I were rescued from the darkness of sin and death through the hearing of the Gospel sometime in our lives.  For most of us, it began when we were little babies as the Gospel was poured over us along with the water of Baptism.  Then, walking in the light of Christ, our parents led us to know Jesus and see His glory.  What do we want to continue to do as faithful Christians?  St, John wrote in his first letter to the Church, “If we walk in the light, just as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)  In other words, let us strive to avoid the darkness of the devil’s deceptions and keep the Good News of all Jesus has done for us shining in our lives and on our hearts, hearing again and again that we are forgiven for Jesus’s sake.

Looking around our world, today, it is easy to see how the devil’s darkness causes much trouble, both for us, but especially, for the world of those who do not yet know Jesus.  Frankly, on the last day, many will be found still wandering in darkness because they desire nothing better.  Still, as long as we are able, let us commit ourselves to working and walking with those like St. Paul, who willingly set aside worldly things so that the Gospel could be proclaimed both at home and across the far reaches of the planet.  Let us love others as Christ loved us and willingly do what we are given to do, so that we too can boldly say, We preach the Gospel that you may see Christ.  Amen.

For the LORD, our God, is good.  His mercy endures forever.  His faithfulness continues through all generations.  Amen.