St. John Lutheran Church Sermons

First Sunday after Christmas

2018-12-30T17:24:00.000-08:00

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (He 12:2). Amen.

I have seen the commercial on TV a few times now. You may have as well. I won’t mention the car company because you may not be a Chevy fan. (There is a free plug for them.) But real people and not paid actors announce that we are eligible to receive the employee discount on a new vehicle. If you are in the market for a 2019 model (or 2020 by now), that might be a nice incentive (as long as you don’t have to punch in and put it together). Near the end, a number of them shout, “Welcome to the family.”
There is a bigger, even better family, that we belong to. All because of Jesus whose birth we continue to celebrate during this Christmas season. Jesus is your Brother who comes for his family and who cares for his family. We read from …

Hebrews 2:10-18

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who is here with us and there for us,
We speak of “brothers” in different ways:
 As a fact—by birth and by blood. That doesn’t require much explanation. Think of the picture that a proud mom and dad take of their boys sitting by some festive Christmas decoration and post to social media for everyone to comment on their cuteness.
 As a figure—by experience or expertise. Those in the military refer to each other as “a band of brothers” or “brothers in arms.” Pastors sometimes talk about “brothers in the ministry.” Perhaps it the same in other professions because they share something in common.
Whether or not you feel a closeness like that to another makes no difference. We get the concept of a brother. Even more so when we look at Jesus.

Jesus Is Your Brother
1. Who comes for his family (10-13)
2. Who cares for his family (14-18)

1. Who comes for his family (10-13)
I read that the second most popular hobby in the United States is genealogy—shaking your family tree. (In case you are curious, the first is gardening. You know my feelings on number one.) As we trust in Jesus, it is not for amusement about our ancestors, but for encouragement. Jesus is your Brother who comes for his family.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews contends what we confess: that God created the heavens and the earth (Ge 1,2). Or in his words: “for whom and through whom everything exists” (He 2:10). All that is seen and unseen is for his glory and by his authority (Ro 11:36). And when all was said and done, his evaluation, as well as his conclusion, was that it was “very good” (Ge 1:31)—perfect.
But it may not have lasted long because the devil would not leave it alone. He dangled the lie that God was not good in front of Adam and Eve and they decided that it was true—in spite of how loving the Lord had been to them. When they ate the forbidden fruit, they were no longer connected to him, but separated from him. Or outside of the family, not inside. And that is not the right place to be.
That is not what God wanted. He was not powerless, but purposeful. He did not pretend that sin did not exist, but planned to get rid of it. And it was all his doing. It was right what he did. “It was fitting that God … should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering” (He 2:10). That is Jesus—the source of our rescue. He did not explain to us the way to heaven. He became for us the Way to heaven (Jn 14:6). Jesus, our Brother, is the only path to the Father.
But that didn’t come without pain. It was through agony that Jesus accomplished God’s objective “in bringing many sons to glory” (He 2:10)—to his side in our eternal home. God made Jesus perfect. Really, he brought Jesus to the goal of saving us. We might compare it to the person who resolves to race in a 5K in the new year. That one has to set up a training program to reach that end—how much to lift and how far to run.
 As our brother, Jesus lived for us. We have not, cannot, keep the law continually, but he did constantly. For example, he observed the 4th commandment for us completely. Luke reported that the twelve-year-old Jesus “went down to Nazareth with them [that is, Mary and Joseph] and was obedient to them” (Lk 2:51). That kept on in his teens and twenties—all through his life. Like Samuel grew “in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men” so did Jesus (1 Sa 2:26; Lk 2:52). He did all for us. He gives that perfection to us.
 As our brother, Jesus died for us. The Infant in the manger becomes our Substitute on the cross. And when he cried out on Good Friday, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30), he made us holy—set free and far from sin.
That is why Jesus became one of us. “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family” (He 2:11). And he is not embarrassed to mention that. “So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers” (He 2:10). He claims us as his own. The writer to the Hebrew Christians backs that up with some quotes from the Old Testament.
 “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises” (He 2:12; Ps 22:22). That is why Jesus, the suffering Savior (Is 53), came—to make his Father’s love known (Jn 1:18). He shares good news with God’s children and joins them in honoring him.
 “I will put my trust in him” (He 2:13; Is 8:17). Jesus’ life was one of confidence—all the way to the cross. When he paid for our sin, he proclaimed: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Lk 23:46).
 “Here am I, and the children God has given me” (He 2:13; Is 8:18). He draws our attention to the detail that he has included us in the family of God.
Jesus is your Brother who comes for his family—for you and for me.
2. Who cares for his family (14-18)
That same source indicated that the second most visited category of websites (sadly behind pornography) is tracing your family line. As we turn to Jesus, it is not just a matter of information about our roots, but of salvation. Jesus is your Brother who cares for his family.
At Christmas we consider the importance and contemplate the significance of what happened in the little town of Bethlehem (Lk 2:6,7)—true God became true man, making his dwelling with us (Jn 1:14). He wasn’t a hologram, but a whole man. Or as the author puts it: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity” (He 2:14). I wonder if Mary looked as his fingernails the first night in the stable. That is what I always check when I am around a newborn. (It is odd, but also interesting how tiny they are.) Jesus was just like us—in the same manner.
And it wasn’t out of boredom or curiosity, but for benefit and reality. The reason: “so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (He 2:14,15). “To destroy” is in the sense of “to render inoperable.” You may not have noticed. (I am not trying to insult you.) During Advent, the lights on the trees up front were blue. Now they are white. We can flip a switch so that the one color doesn’t work. That is what Jesus did to the devil (1 Jn 3:8). He is ineffective.
Notice how it goes. The devil tempts us to sin and when we fall, he taunts us with death. That is the wage that sin pays and he is more than happy to see that we collect what is due (Ro 6:23). But remarkably, Jesus used the very thing that Satan held over us to nullify his reign of terror—death. Jesus died to release us from the devil’s grip. Because Jesus gave up his life and then came back to life, we have life—right now and forever. Death may still touch us, but it does not terrify us. Jesus won the victory and gives it to us (1 Co 15:57). Death doesn’t mark the end of life, but rather the entrance to life.
We are the objects of his concern and care. “For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants” (He 2:16). Jesus came for us, not angels. The angels announced his birth, but we are the beneficiaries of him becoming a human—we who have the same faith as Abraham (Ro 4:16). That is exactly what they expressed: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you” (Lk 2:11).
There is more to this necessity of Jesus identifying with us. “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people” (He 2:17). Jesus is merciful—he understands our needs and meets them. He is faithful—he is dependable and reliable in fulfilling his Father’s will.
But this “high priest” figure. The readers in those days would be much more familiar with the reference than we are in these days. But we can still profit from the illustration. Every year on the great Day of Atonement, the high priest would take the blood of a goat and step behind the curtain in the temple into the most holy place. There he would sprinkle it on the top of the ark of the covenant (Lv 16:15ff.). It was a reminder that blood was necessary to take away sin (He 9:22). Jesus shed his own precious blood on Golgotha and satisfied God’s anger over our sin. That blood cleanses us too, removing the deepest stain and darkest spot (1 Jn 1:7). We are “at one” with God. “The LORD is gracious and compassionate” (Ps 111:4) as the psalmist had us sing.
One more bit of assistance. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (He 2:18). My older brother could tell me what 6th grade was like because he had sat in the classroom the year before me. Jesus knows up close and personal what it feels like to have the devil come after him—again and again. Satan was relentless because he wanted Jesus to sin and slip so that the world would have no Savior. But Jesus never did sin (He 4:15). And now our Brother can stand by his family members when the devil comes with his deceits and deceptions. Jesus can comfort: “I know what it is like to have Satan whisper that it is better to go against God than to go with him. I have been there.” Along the way, Jesus either makes us firm when we stand against Satan or gives us forgiveness when we stumble into sin. Jesus is your brother who cares for his family—for you and for me.
The Chevy family doesn’t mean that much if you are not in the market for the latest truck or greatest automobile. That is what the advertising would have us conclude. For the last 7+ years, we have been a “family,” a church family. Thank you for your all of thoughtfulness and kindness, all of your generosity and sincerity. There is not an ending of a relationship, but a changing of one. Far or near, we call God our Father and Jesus our Brother. That is who he is because he came for his family and cares for his family. Through faith in him, we will see each other again—if not on earth then for eternity. Then Jesus, our Brother, bless us going forward with you—in the future as in the past. And it still is true: Merry Christmas. Amen.

Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.

December 30, 2018

Christmas Day (Matthew 1:21)

2018-12-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Lk 2:10). It is true. Amen.

It is a pretty common question in the month of December. You asked it because you were giving. Or you answered it because you were getting. “What do you want for Christmas?”

It seems as if little ones have an easier time with that inquiry than older ones. They don’t have to think long and hard. There is usually a long list of suggestions, all prepared to hand out to anyone who wants to know. In the olden days, it was compiled by paging through a catalog. Now you can browse on the internet. In general, the reply to “what do you want for Christmas?” comes down to stuff.

An interesting side note, when I posed that thought to our home bounds, there was usually a long pause. And then the responses varied from more time with family or another trip to church. Thank you to them for that noteworthy perspective.

Let me tweak that question just a bit. “What do you need for Christmas?” (I think that I have mentioned before that my parents used to answer that with socks. Did they really have to spend the time wrapping them? Why not eliminate the middle man and put them in my drawer and not under the tree.)

I am going to submit that we all need the same thing. We need a Jesus, a Savior. And that is what we receive.

We go back a little bit before the first Christmas. Mary and Joseph were pledged to be married (Mt 1:21). They had spoken their vows in public and were legally husband and wife. They didn’t live together right away in that culture according to custom.

And there was a situation. Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant. But he was not the father. He could only conclude one thing. She had been unfaithful. And there was a solution. He was going to divorce her (Mt 1:19).

But God put a stop to that plan. He sent an angel to inform him …
 Of what had happened. The child that Mary was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:20). That is not so much a technical explanation as it is a practical realization. Jesus did not have a human father and did not have the taint of any sin—true God and true man at the same time.
 Of what would happen.
- “She will give birth to a son” (Mt 1:21). There would be no requirement to schedule an ultrasound. The baby is a boy.
- “You are to give him the name Jesus” (Mt 1:21). No pouring over a baby book or thinking through relatives to come up with a suitable name. Jesus.

There was a reason for it—not just because it sounded good. There was rational behind it—because he would serve well. It is almost a job description: “Because he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). “Jesus” means “the Lord saves.” That is who he is—the Lord. That is what he does—saves. He himself would rescue us from the impossible situation of being separated from God.

That is why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus “made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). Jesus wore our flesh and blood and bore our sin and shame. Not only would he live under the law and die, but he would keep it perfectly and his death would count for us all. He saved us from our sins. We are “children of God” (Jn 1:12).

So every time that we call out, “Jesus,” we are making an admission. “I need a Savior.”

And every time we cry out, “Jesus,” we are making an acknowledgement. “I have a Savior.” Peter summed it up well when he once confessed: “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 4:12).

That is exactly what the angels announced to the shepherds out in the field that first Christmas night. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11). What the prophet Isaiah said: “The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God” (Is 52:10) and what the psalmist had us sing: “his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Ps 98:1) has been accomplished. Jesus—Savior—is born.

What do you want for Christmas? That might be one thing. Fill in the blank. And see what happens today. What do you need for Christmas? That is another thing. Look in the manger. See what has happened today. It is not just a one size fits all, but he is one Savior for all. You need a Jesus, a Savior. And that what you have. Jesus. Savior. Merry Christmas.

We read from Matthew 1:21:
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:14). Amen.

December 25, 2018

Christmas Eve (Isaiah 9:2,6)

2018-12-25T06:02:00.000-08:00

Dear friends, … This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might have life through him (1 Jn 4:7,9). Amen.

The first thought behind the word “polar” is probably something that is extremely cold. You perhaps cringe when you hear about a “polar vortex” (even though you might not be able to give a scientific definition of what it is).

But it can also carry the connotation of equal opposites. It is somewhat in the names, but take for example that polar can refer to the North Pole and the South Pole. They are at entirely different ends of the globe. (By the way, from my understanding, they are both cold.) So we often use the expression “polar opposites.”

Light and darkness are case in point of polar opposites.
 Literally—Where there is light, even the smallest amount, there is no darkness. Think of a star in the night sky. The distinction is clear. And also when one spreads, the other retreats. You can envision a sunrise or a sunset—either getting brighter or dimmer.
 Figuratively—Light signifies good like wisdom and faith, a connection with God, and dark symbolizes evil like ignorance and unbelief, a separation from him. One is all about abundant joy; the other is about absolute misery. When one increases, the other decreases.

The prophet Isaiah illustrates the sharp contrast by beginning: “The people walking in darkness” (Is 9:2). Judah was a dark place. Not because the sun didn’t shine like at certain times in the northern or southern regions of the earth. But because there was sin. It was evidenced in their activities—idolatry and immorality. That is nothing new as it had been going on in people’s attitudes and actions since Adam and Eve believed the lie of the devil and fell into sin, ruining their perfect relationship with a perfect God.

The world we live in is dark. That is not a shocking statement or a hard sell, is it? Even around Christmas time, there are things like violence and hatred—both close to us and around us. That goes on the other 11 months of the year as we make our way from day to day (cf. Ps 1:1). Darkness when it comes to our feelings on the inside and darkness when it comes to our dealings on the outside. We include ourselves rather than just indict others—as if we don’t ever do anything wrong as we point out the darkness in others without pointing to it in ourselves.

Add to that: “on those living in the land of the shadow of death” (Is 9:2). Death comes as an ugly and unfortunate result of sin (Ro 5:12). That deep darkness hangs over our heads. No wonder people are afraid of the dark or to be in the dark.

The only thing that dispels darkness is the very opposite—a polar opposite. And that is light. That was the case on Day 1 of creation. God commanded as he created it: “Let there be light” (Ge 1:3). And that shattered the obscurity. When we flip a light switch, it is a pale comparison what the Lord brought about.

But ultimately we can’t produce light. It is a gift of God—from him and to us. And so it is with his gift of the Light—Jesus. Through Isaiah, the Lord promised to send a great Light to pierce the darkness of sin and death.
 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Is 9:2). There is a complete reversal.
 “On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Is 9:2). The light is gleaming.

It is interesting to note that the Lord speaks in the past tense, even though the fulfillment of that would not be for 700+ years. But God is different from us. When he makes a guarantee, it is as good as done. It is almost as if Isaiah heads to the future and describes the event as though it has already happened. And it comes in a strange way—in the form of an infant. It is not a program, but a person. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given” (Is 9:6).

We look back tonight to celebrate that birth. There is the Light of life in the darkness of sin. It wasn’t that a glow came from the feedbox and it lit up the cattle shed like a lamp in the living room. Or even a dazzling halo over the baby’s head. But God accomplished what he had assured for so many years. Luke states it so simply in his Gospel: “And she [that is, Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger” (Lk 2:7). What happened in private became public. The angels announced it assuredly to the shepherds: “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” (Lk 2:10,11).

Jesus is the One who has rescued us from the guilt of sin and removed the curse of death. There is light in the darkness—holiness instead of unholiness. As Jesus once commented: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). Note the close connection—where there is light there is life, eternal life. We no longer stagger in darkness because we strut in the light. As John put it before: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another [we share in this together—that makes us want to be together], and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7). The little One whom Mary held would one day be hung on a cross. In the horrible darkness of Good Friday, he would cleanse us from our sin. And then three days later, he would come back to life in the early light of Easter Sunday. His life gives us life.

It doesn’t matter if you are on the North Pole or South, light and darkness are polar opposites—not just various shades of grey. We can appreciate the difference too—as a fact and as a metaphor. There is light in the darkness. Jesus is born. And he scatters the darkness of sin and supplies the light of salvation. And that light is ours. Merry Christmas Eve.

We read from Isaiah 9:2,6:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.

Peace to you (3 Jn 14). Amen.

December 24, 2018

Fourth Sunday in Advent (Luke 1:39-45)

2018-12-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.

What is the best way to punctuate the phrase: “Happy Advent?” (I get it that theoretically it doesn’t need any since it doesn’t have a subject and verb. But play along with me.)
 With a simple period—as if it is a good statement. In a sense, it becomes like “Happy Birthday.” It rolls off of our tongues without much thought. It is just what you say when someone turns a year older because you don’t want to state just “birthday.” The person already knows that.
 With an exclamation mark—as if there is great excitement. In that manner, you express a desire. Like “Happy Birthday!” You are conveying what you want—that the big day be a big deal.

The next two days we will celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And it will be merry. But before we do, we have one more Sunday in Advent. As we get ready for Jesus’ coming as a Baby, I am going to suggest the second—an exclamation mark. Happy Advent! Make an Advent exclamation!

Elizabeth helps us. And it has to do with more than punctuation in a sentence, but more about preparation for a Savior.

There were going to be two miracle births:
 One was improbable. Elizabeth was barren. And both she and her husband were “well along in years” (Lk 1:7). Their desire to hold a baby had dried up.
 One was impossible. Mary was a virgin (Lk 1:27). Cradling a baby hadn’t crossed her mind since she never had relations with a man (Lk 1:34).

But no one told God that (Lk 1:37). He can intervene marvelously in the normal course of events. Nothing is outside of his ability or capability.

He dispatched the angel Gabriel to the priest Zechariah while he was on duty in the temple in Jerusalem. The messenger affirmed: “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John” (Lk 1:13). He would be the forerunner of the Christ. And then six months later, the same one was off to Galilee to announce to Mary: “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” (Lk 1:31). This was the long-awaited and long-anticipated Messiah—Son of God and Son of David who would rule forever (Lk 1:32,33).

But there was a dilemma. To whom could Mary turn or talk? It is not quite the same when a couple has a big reveal with family and friends. What would Mary do? Cut into a blue cake with the neighbors at a party? Send off a blue balloon to post on the internet for all to press “like” and post a comment? Perhaps she got the idea when Gabriel informed her that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant (Lk 1:36).

Mary wasted no time: “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea where she entered Zechariah’s home” (Lk 1:39,40). The two expecting ladies had plenty to chat about because of their similar circumstances.

It all began when Mary “greeted Elizabeth” (Lk 1:40). That set off a course of events and exclamations. First Luke reports it: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb” (Lk 1:41). Later Elizabeth relates it: “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Lk 1:44). This was more than the normal jumping and jostling in a mother’s womb. The little one joined in the extreme happiness of looking ahead to God’s saving work in Jesus—almost as if he is saluting him with his squirming in her belly. We add our figurative joyful gymnastics to John’s as we get ready to go to the manger the next two days (Lk 6:23).

But also this: “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Lk 1:41). By special revelation, he allowed her to see clearly and shout plainly. “In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women’” (Lk 1:42).

She does point out Mary. She is blessed. God had done great things to her. Mary was the only woman given that role—to be the mother of God. She alone had that responsibility in history. Why Mary? God’s grace. That is why she was highly favored (Lk 1:28)—a recipient of God’s undeserved kindness. God chose her. His was his doing, not hers. In her song magnifying the Lord, she calls her son “my Savior” (Lk 1:47). She needed him too.

But Elizabeth also pointed to Jesus. It was all about him. “And blessed is the child you will bear!” (Lk 1:42). That was the focus of her Advent exclamation. Jesus.

We don’t overlook Mary. But we honor her child with Elizabeth. We are filled with the Holy Spirit who allows us to call Jesus “Lord” (1 Co 12:3). As we will confess soon: “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord” (Apostles’ Creed). He is our Savior from sin. We heard him in that heavenly conversation between the Father and Son from the pen of the epistle to the Hebrews: “‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.’” (He 10:7). That is why Jesus came—to do what God desired. Jesus would live perfectly in our place—obeying the law. Jesus would die gladly as our Substitute, carting our sins to the cross (Is 53:5). The unknown writer mentions the result: “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (He 10:10). He sanctified us—setting us free from sin and far from it when he shed his blood. It need not be repeated. The prophet Micah stated it in a few words: “And he will be their peace” (Mi 5:5). All is right between us and God. In the words of the psalmist, we are “saints”—recipients of God’s mercy (Ps 85:8). And as he also had us sing: “You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins” (Ps 85:2). Make an Advent exclamation with Elizabeth to Mary: “Blessed is the child you will bear!” (Lk 1:42).

Elizabeth also wondered why this happened to her. “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43). It was a distinct and definite privilege. Once more, this was her Lord that Mary was carrying. She makes another exclamation: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” (Lk 1:45). Mary had placed herself at God’s disposal: “I am the Lord’s servant” (Lk 1:38). And she trusted that God would bring about what he had spoken about.

We look back to marvel at how God executed his plan to rescue us from sin and Satan. Even down to the detail of where Jesus would be born—“Bethlehem” (Mi 5:2). From there the eternal One entered our world to be born in that little town to take away our guilt. Make an Advent exclamation with Elizabeth. We believe it too like Mary because what God promises, he keeps. And after a look back, we look ahead. Jesus came once. He will come again. Just like he said.

Today is the last Sunday in Advent. With eagerness, make an Advent exclamation with Elizabeth to Mary and about her: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! … Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” (Lk 1:42,45). He is born to be our Lord and Savior (Lk 2:11). And so tomorrow, it will no longer be Christ is coming for us, but he has come for us. We believe it. Happy Advent turns into Merry Christmas. Both with exclamation marks.

We read from Luke 1:39-45:
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,
40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

May the God of peace …equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (He 13:20,21).

December 22, 2018

Third Sunday in Advent (Philippians 4:4-7)

2018-12-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Php 1:2). Amen.

What is your favorite Advent decoration? Perhaps that is a strange question. We don’t often talk that way this time of the year. We use the adjective “Christmas” in front of that word. Christmas decoration—whether it is a tree or an ornament or a stocking.
But it is still Advent. And we do have at least one decoration for this stretch of four Sundays. The Advent wreath. One candle for each week, indicating Jesus who is the light of the world (Jn 8:12). A green circle, symbolizing life, eternal life. That shape is also significant, signaling victory like the crown placed on the heads of the winners of a contest or conquest.
We light another candle every week. It is the third Sunday in Advent. So we get a bit ahead of ourselves. But under the apostle Paul’s direction, we will ignite them all. Light four Advent candles—joy, gentleness, prayer, and peace. We read from …

Philippians 4:4-7

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, whose coming we continue to consider,
There are various suggestions as to the meaning of the four candles.
 Option #1: the prophecy candle, Bethlehem candle, shepherds’ candle, and angles’ candle.
 Option #2: They stand for hope, peace, joy, and love.
Since there is no standard explanation, we are free to create our own. (I don’t mean to insult any artist, but it is kind of like abstract art. If it is not a landscape or stick man, you can come up with your own interpretation.)
We can take our cue from Paul’s four verses in Philippians.

Light Four Advent Candles
1. Joy (4)
2. Gentleness (5)
3. Prayer (6)
4. Peace (7)

1. Joy (4)
It is no secret. This is a dark time of the year. The sun goes down around 4:30 PM. That makes light from any source welcome. It is that way with our wreath. Light an Advent candle of joy.
That is what Paul leads off with: “Rejoice” (Php 4:4). But it is not a matter of: “Be happy. Be glad. ’Tis the season to be jolly.” And it is not something that we have to work up on our own or work through by ourselves. Because that can be shallow and short—a fake smile or a phony grin for one month. That doesn’t last.
Where does true joy come from? It is not from outward circumstances—like a pile of presents under a tree, but from inward sureties—like a place in paradise with our God. That is what Paul points to: “Rejoice in the Lord” (Php 4:4)—in the sphere of, in the circle the Lord. That produces ongoing and unending joy—cemented to him and surrounded by him.
Add to that an adverb. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Php 4:4). Yes, at all times and on every occasion. What a minute. Perhaps Paul has gone too far now. Rejoice when there are problems and pains? Those are real and they hurt. Rejoice when there are difficulties and death? Those are relevant and are hard. But, yes: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Php 4:4).
And in case we missed it, Paul mentions: “I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Php 4:4). The repetition is because of importance. Paul had not lost touch with reality. He is not writing to his dear friends in Philippi from a sandy beach, but under house arrest. He didn’t yet know of his outcome of his trial in Rome. That is because joy is not based on what is going on around us, but built on what is inside us. The prophet Zephaniah is helpful with his reasons:
 “The LORD has taken away your punishment” (Zeph 3:15). There is joy in Jesus’ manger, cross, and tomb. He was the One that was pure and perfect in our place and then punished and pierced for our sins (Is 53:5). He was raised from the dead and he returned to life. And so the psalmist had us sing: “With you there is forgiveness” (Ps 130:4). That was the “good news” that John the Baptist proclaimed to the people who came to him along the Jordan River when he preached repentance—turning from their sin and turning to their Savior.
 “He has turned back your enemy” (Zeph 3:15). With death defeated and the devil destroyed, our guilt is gone and heaven is our home.
 “The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you” (Zeph 3:15). The Lord is on our side and by our side. Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us” (Is 7:14; Mt 1:21).
Light an Advent candle of joy—joy in Jesus.
2. Gentleness (5)
You can’t hide light—natural like from the fiery orb in the sky or artificial like from the bulbs on an evergreen. We can’t conceal our joy. It is evident in our actions. Light an Advent candle of gentleness.
“Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Php 4:5). That is the way that our joy shows itself—with gentleness. It might be along the lines of “bigheartedness.” But it goes beyond generous. It has the idea of not demanding one’s rights loudly, but yielding them quietly—a willingness to suffer wrong rather than inflict it. That is not that easy, is it? Someone grabs the last item in the store as you are out and about shopping. “Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Php 4:5). Hardly. And that is in public. What about in private? We have some growing to do. But like John the Baptist encouraged the various individuals who came out to him: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Lk 3:8)—fruit relative to their roles in life. That exterior fruit for them and us is evidence of interior faith. It is clear in our dealings with others.
Forgiven through Jesus of a lack of being kind or considerate, we model our life after Jesus who was always gentle with everyone with whom he came into contact—helping and healing the sick, absolving and assuring the guilty (2 Co 10:1). And that embraces us. That is not a demonstration of weakness, but a display of strength.
And then follows the reminder: “The Lord is near” (Php 4:5). That is what Advent is about—Jesus’ coming, the first time or the second time. That is what Paul has us ponder. Jesus will come back one day to confer on us our eternal home. We wait like a child staring at the neatly and nicely wrapped gifts, knowing that it won’t be long now. Or like a watchman anticipating the morning (Ps 130:6). “Come, Lord Jesus” (Re 22:20).
Light an Advent candle of gentleness—gentleness through Jesus.
3. Prayer (6)
It is likely that there is a statement, or even a shout, that sounds like this: “I wish that there was more light.” That is the case as we look at a third. Light an Advent candle of prayer.
Paul goes on with a something that we need to hear, not just now when there might be high stress about getting everything done for next week—with the prospect of company to the purchase of gifts, but anytime there is heavy strain. “Do not be anxious about anything” (Php 4:6). He is definite: not at all.
That really is an echo of Jesus’ words when he taught his disciples on a hillside: “Do not worry about your life” (Mt 6:25ff.). That is not an encouragement not to think about something. It is an emphasis not to worry about it. That is a lack of trust in an all-powerful and almighty God who gave us Jesus and will give us all things (Ro 8:31). We can’t hear that too often, can we?
And it is not that we sweat the small stuff and surrender the big stuff to the Lord. (I don’t know how to make the distinction. If it is critical to us, it is a concern to God.) We “cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us” (1 Pe 5:7). “But in everything … present your requests to God” (Php 4:6). We make known to him what is on our heart and in our head (Ps 50:15). And those talks with our God incorporate …
 “prayer” (Php 4:6). That is a general conversation with the Lord.
 “petition” (Php 4:6). We include a plea for a specific need like for recovery or therapy.
 “thanksgiving” (Php 4:6). We express our gratitude for his willingness to listen and his readiness to act. We entrust ourselves and others into his loving hands.
Of course, that is not a substitute for planning ahead and pushing forward. But in every effort, we don’t fail to communicate with our God, awaiting his blessing.
Light an Advent candle of prayer—prayer to Jesus.
4. Peace (7)
The desire is that all go well for Christmas. No one wants plans to fall flat in failure. Paul has something bigger and better than a successful string of lights on a tree. Light an Advent candle of peace.
Paul closes with a promise: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Php 4:7). Again, with Jesus encircling us, all is good, right with God. We are at peace through the “Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6). That is what he came to give and that is what continues to grant (Jn 14:27)—peace. That goes way beyond our ability to understand, but not our capacity to appreciate. Because peace is ours—from God and for us. It protects where we think and what we think like a sentry took his post at the city gates. That picture was not lost on the Philippians because many of them were retired Roman soldiers. That peace keeps us safe and still.
Light an Advent candle of peace—peace from Jesus.
Call it what you will—a Christmas wreath or an Advent one. Come up with four recommendations for each of the candles. We don’t go wrong if we pick the four thoughts that Paul presents. Light Advent candles—joy, gentleness, prayer, and peace. And like the circle of the garland, they are all connected. We have joy which causes gentleness which leads to prayer and results in peace. Let those shine brightly in Advent and in your life. Happy Advent. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen (Php 4:23).

December 16, 2018

Second Sunday in Advent (Malachi 3:1)

2018-12-09T13:55:00.001-08:00

Look! An Advent Messenger

This is the time of year when you try to grab people’s attention.
 You are driving here or there and “Look! That is an impressive light show on someone’s front lawn and rooftop.” The demonstration is dazzling as it flickers and blinks. (Some even choreograph it to music.)
 You are trimming the Christmas tree and “Look! This is an ornament that grandma made quite a few decades ago.” And then you put it on a branch.
 You are shopping in the mall and “Look! This would make an outstanding present.” And you make a mental note about the wish.

That is what the LORD Almighty—the One who is over every host in heaven and army on earth—does through the prophet Malachi (Mal 3:1). He announces to his complaining people that he has something, better, someone, to show them (Mal 2:17). He is emphatic: “See” (Mal 3:1). It is along the lines of “behold.” But we don’t talk like that. “Look.” There is an urgency in his words. As well as a certainty. “See, I will send my messenger” (Mal 3:1). The Lord is dispatching a specific individual on an authorized mission and as an approved representative. That one comes from him and he is for the people.

And there is a purpose for him: “[He] will prepare the way before me” (Mal 3:1). Road construction is not a new phenomenon. It has been going on for a long time. In ancient days, when a king was coming, there would be a concerted effort to repair the corridor so that the dignitary could travel on flat ground—no deep potholes to go in or high bumps to go over. It was to be even and level.

The prophet Isaiah clearly contends the same, pointing ahead. “A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD” (Is 40:3; cf. Lk 3:4). And the gospel writer Luke carefully confirms the identity, detailing the time in history with the precise rulers listed alongside of Caesar (Lk 3:1,2). Look. An Advent messenger. It is an advance party of one—John the Baptist. He was to make the route ready. The King was coming, “the King of glory” (Ps 24:8-10). Jesus.

Luke also identifies this messenger’s function as a forerunner to turn the people back to the Lord their God (Lk 1:16): “Make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth” (Lk 3:4,5). He was to address two extremes that would hinder Jesus’ arrival:
 Any ditch of despair. That is the one who has the inkling that “I am too bad. My guilt is too big.” There may be a gazing at one’s lack of love, even in December.
 Any peak of pride. That is the one who has the idea that “I am not too bad. My life is too good.” There may be a glancing at his or her generosity around Christmas.
We need to evaluate where we are—reacting with open anxiety, wallowing in self-pity, or relying on our actions, walking in self-righteousness. Look! An Advent Messenger. We listen to him.

So John took up shop outside of Jerusalem in the wilderness. Again Luke documents his activity. “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Lk 3:3). There was water. And there was washing. And there was a recognition because there was repentance. That is, a turning from one’s sin and turning to one’s Savior. The goal was the sending away of sin, a canceling of a debt. That is because of Jesus, who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). Look! An Advent Messenger directing us to the forgiveness in Jesus. We have clean hands and a pure heart (Ps 24:4).

And we give John our ear. Or a parent or a pastor, someone in our family or one of our friends as an Advent messenger. We recall our sin and remember our Savior—the One who came as a Baby and the One who will come as a Judge. He came to take our place on the cross at Golgotha so that we can take our place by his side in heaven. And we can be confident that we will. As the apostle Paul penned to the Philippian Christians: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Php 1:6). Jesus is coming. That is our focus as we get set for his first arrival in a manger and his final appearance on the clouds.

There is a lot that can take our concentration off the coming Christ. It is not that displays of lights, decorations on evergreens, and dreams of gifts are wrong. It adds to this stretch on the calendar. But Look! An Advent Messenger. He leads us to Jesus, who entered this world to erase our wrongs. He is coming. Happy Advent.

We read from Malachi 3:1:
“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.

December 9, 2018

Midweek Advent Service (Psalm 117:1,2)

2018-12-06T06:09:00.000-08:00

Shout an Advent Hallelujah!

Maybe you know of the Hallelujah Chorus. It is a part of Handel’s Messiah. You probably have heard it. (If not, you can google it when you get home and get it stuck in your head.)

It was the final number of the Christmas concert from my freshman year to senior year in high school. One of my less mature friends would comment, “When in doubt, just sing ‘hallelujah’ and you will be fine.” (He was not far off. It comes up once or twice in the piece.) That is not the worst advice before Christmas. When in Advent, shout “Hallelujah.”

It is a word that is on loan to us from Hebrew. We simply take the sounds from that language and put them into letters in English. You are familiar with it because you have heard it and used it often—whether in worship or even in conversation. Hallelujah.

But it is more than just a matter of bringing it into our vocabulary to impress others like if we greeted one another tonight with the Hawaiian aloha. (Then we might as well stick with the Hebrew shalom.) It is beneficial to define it. Hallelujah means “praise the LORD.”

Two times in two verses that is what the psalmist has us say—the first words and the last ones: “Praise the LORD … Praise the LORD” (Ps 117:1,2). It must be important. It is.

Add to that two bits of trivia.
 It is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
 But this is better than a 30-second commercial to satisfy our short attention span quickly—nothing more than a quick plug and we can get back to regular programming. “Praise the LORD” (Ps 117:1). Now let’s resume with what is necessary.
 And it is not just something to get out of the way like a child who could gladly skip the next 20 days of December to unwrap some presents. “Praise the LORD” (Ps 117:1). Now let’s return to what is needed.
 It is the middle chapter of the Bible. I have highlighted before that the middle, at least in Hebrew, is the most important. Think of a meal. The appetizer is wonderful and dessert is delightful. But the main course. Well, it is the main course. And so the psalmist leads us: Hallelujah.

This little psalm is in a collection of praise psalms (Ps 111-118). It was used at the Passover, Israel’s national celebration of when God spared the first-born. We use it for a special occasion too—our midweek Advent service. “Praise the LORD” (Ps 117:1).

What does “to praise signify? Someone once put it this way: “being sincerely and deeply thankful for and/or satisfied in lauding a superior quality or great act of the object.” That is a mouthful. But in a sense, Thanksgiving continues as we contemplate Advent. Jesus is coming. We eagerly await the announcement of the angels: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you” (Lk 2:11). Hallelujah because of his greatness and excellence.

We praise the LORD. He is the gracious and compassionate One (Ex 34:6,7). The heavenly messengers also mentioned that: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11). True God becoming true man, taking on our flesh. True God becoming true man, taking away our sin. Hallelujah because of who he is—the LORD.

Who is to do this praising of the Lord? It is not a specific group or a geographic space.
 “Praise the LORD, all you nations” (Ps 117:1). No one is excluded.
 “Extol him, all you peoples” (Ps 117:1). “Extol” carries a similar thought as “praise”—to glorify the quality of someone. Everyone is included.

It might be easy to be casual about Christmas. For most of us, all of us, this is not new. Jesus is born. Do we really need 4 weeks to get us ready for that observance? I would suggest “yes.” We need Jesus, who rescues people from their sins (Mt 1:21). Us. So those sent by God to publicize the entrance of the One who would be in a manger, later to be on a cross to be out of his grave declared: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Lk 2:11). We are part of the “all.” Shout an Advent Hallelujah because Jesus came for you. For me.

Why are we to praise the Lord? Two reasons:
 “For great is his love toward us” (Ps 117:2). His mercy is great. It towers over us. In another psalm, David described it this way: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him” (Ps 103:11). He didn’t leave us in our sin, but loved us and sent his Son—for the world and for us (Jn 3:16).
 “And the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever” (Ps 117:2). The Lord is trustworthy because what he states is always true. He is dependable and reliable. It is during Advent that we often review the many prophecies of the coming Savior. As we go to the little town of Bethlehem, we spot the Righteous One whom God promised to crush the devil’s head (Mi 5:2; Je 33:16; Ge 3:15). And if he kept the guarantee of Jesus’ first coming on Christmas Day, we can be sure and certain about his second one on the Last Day.
Shout an Advent Hallelujah because of the Lord’s love and faithfulness for right now and for all time.

It may not be our custom or even our culture to call out “Hallelujah”—“praise the Lord” (unless you went to the same institution as I did growing up and it was tradition for the annual performance). But we can in this case—with our mouth or just in our heart. Not just to amaze someone with our knowledge of Hebrew. But to call attention to God’s grace to us in giving us Jesus. Shout an Advent Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. Yes, praise the Lord. Happy Advent.

We read from Psalm 117:1,2:
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations;
Extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
And the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

December 5, 2015

First Sunday in Advent (Luke 21:25-36)

2018-12-02T11:12:00.001-08:00

Grace and peace to you (1 Thess 1:1). Amen.

The season of Advent falls between two huge events. I am not talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, even though that is correct according to the calendar.
I am referring to Jesus’ first and second coming. And that is what “advent” means—“coming.” For the next four Sundays, we think about how …
 Jesus came the first time as a Baby to take away our sins (Mt 1:21).
 Jesus will come the second time as a Judge to take us to our heavenly home (Mk 13:27).
But neither one of those is something to be afraid of, but to look forward to. Why? Jesus tells us. As he comes to us in his Word, we jump from his initial appearance on Christmas Day to his next arrival on the Last Day. Look up during Advent—joyfully, closely, and prayerfully. We read from …

Luke 21:25-36

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, the Coming One,
It can happen that the same thing can produce opposite emotions in an individual. I will give you an example: fireworks—like on the 4th of July to remember Independence Day or on the 31st of December to ring in a new year.
 They can be frightening to an infant as the loud bang pierces the eardrum. And it causes the baby to cry in fright and look down.
 They can be fascinating to an adult as the light blast pleases the eyeball. And it makes a person to stare in wonder and look up.
What about Judgment Day?
 Upsetting. It will be for the one who is not ready for Jesus.
 Uplifting. It will be for the one who relies on Jesus.
So listen up and then …

Look Up during Advent
1. Joyfully (25-28)
2. Closely (29-33)
3. Prayerfully (34-36)

1. Joyfully (25-28)
Some have the custom now that it is December to have a second calendar. An Advent Calendar. It counts down (or counts up really) the days until the 25th. There might be a box to open up or a page to tear off. There is a picture or a passage. It is to build excitement for Jesus’ birth. Jesus directs our attention to another day. Look up during Advent—joyfully.
It is Tuesday of Holy Week. In a few days, Jesus would hang on the cross and then head out of his grave three days later. But before that, Tuesday was a busy day for Jesus at the temple. He was being attacked by his enemies to trap him. But he was also being attentive to his disciples to teach them.
That was especially the case as his faithful followers were gushing about the grandeur of the structure (Lk 21:5). Yeah, about that Jesus comments: “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another” (Lk 21:6). That led to two obvious questions from them:
 “When will these things happen?” (Lk 21:7).
 “And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” (Lk 21:7).
Jesus took the opportunity to lecture them about the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the world—the one picturing the other. That is where we pick it up: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars” (Lk 21:25). The thing with signs is that they point to something outside of themselves. If there is a piece of paper on a wall that says, “wet paint,” it means that it is not dry. (The wall, not the sign.) But this is bigger than sticky fingers. The laws of nature will change drastically and the heavenly bodies will no longer function normally.
 The result: “On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea” (Lk 21:25). There will be distress as well as anxiety at the sound and the surging.
 The reaction: “Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Lk 21:26). There will be fear because of what is happening all around, not knowing what to expect when the Maker of heaven and earth becomes the Shaker. What once was so powerful is now frightful.
On the heels of that: “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Lk 21:27). All will catch sight of Jesus, the Son of Man—true God and true man—in all of his splendor in the sky. It is the opposite of when he was placed in a manger. That was in humility. Not this time. He comes with muscle and magnificence. And all will stand before him.
So will you and I. Does that make your knees knock? Will your feet be firm? This is the One who not only has all ability, but all knowledge. He can do something about our sin of which is very much aware.
But Jesus doesn’t come to call us out in front of everyone, but to call us home beside him. It won’t be: “Get away from me.” But “come along with me.” That is why Jesus encourages us. “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Lk 21:28). Straighten up. No need to slouch down. Hold up your head. No reason to drop it down. We not only know the One who is coming. We know why he is coming. For us. He has redeemed us—paid the price necessary to set us free from sin and Satan, living and dying in our place. We are right because of what God promised through Jeremiah—the righteous Branch from David’s line, “The LORD Our Righteousness” (Je 33:16). So when he arrives again, it will be the final deliverance—to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Pe 3:13). Look up during Advent—joyfully. We know what to expect. Jesus is coming.
2. Closely (29-33)
Perhaps a family forgets about the Advent Calendar for a few days. It may not be a big deal. All they have to do is to catch up so that they are ready for the big day. Jesus doesn’t want us to be so casual about the biggest day. Look up during Advent—closely.
Jesus uses an illustration to instruct. “He told them this parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near” (Lk 21:29,30). You may not know what a fig tree looks like. But any tree will do as Jesus notes. We could pick whatever tree. We have had enough experience with Minnesota winters that we recognize that they don’t stick around forever. (It just seems that way when the temperatures are so cold and the snow so deep.) But when the buds come out in March or April, you understand that the frigid season is just about over. And there is life again. Plants grow and it is warm.
Thus the comparison. “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (Lk 21:31). A “one way” sign steers you in the right direction. Jesus does as well. The signs indicate one day when the kingdom of heaven will be ours in all of its fullness.
Jesus makes a statement in which he stresses the certainty and validity. “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Lk 21:32). There will always be a segment of society that scoffs at the concept of the end of the world just as the Jews lived to witness the fact of the devastation of Jerusalem that Jesus predicted.
But then there is the reminder. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Lk 21:33). The world as we know it will come to an end, but whatever Jesus has uttered will not become something that is not valid or not vital—at any time and for all time. When Jesus declares …
 “Your sin is sent away” (cf. Mt 9:2), it is true—forever.
 “Heaven is your home” (cf. Lk 23:43), it is true—forever.
 “I am returning for you” (cf. Jn 14:3), it is true—forever.
Look up during Advent—closely. We know what to expect. Jesus is coming.
3. Prayerfully (34-36)
Possibly another day on the Advent calendar gives an idea of what to ask God for in hope of December 25th. It could be, “Keep me calm amid all the craziness.” There can be a bit of turmoil leading up to Christmas Day. Not just when shopping, but even more while waiting. Jesus wants us to make requests during this time. Look up during Advent—prayerfully.
The lesson on the Last Day was not over. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap” (Lk 21:34). Not just when you have the time. Be ready. It is to be continual. Like a “high voltage” sign. It alerts that there is electrical potential to cause severe injury—more than just straight hair. You want to avoid it all the time. Not just when it is convenient. Jesus urges using time wisely. Not in the sinful and shameful pursuit of pleasure summarized with the slogan “party hearty” or in the super-abundance of alcohol. (Jesus is not against a seasonal party or an occasional beverage.) But you can’t wish it away or drink it away. (Not to mention there is the sense of regret or an ache in the head.) Or even worry it away. Because there is no escaping like a bird caught in a snare. “For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth” (Lk 21:35).
Jesus adds another imperative: “Be always on the watch” (Lk 21:36). Keep on being awake. It is to be constant. And in what manner? “And pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Lk 21:36). We ask with urgency because of our serious need. That is what the apostle Paul did for the Thessalonians. “May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” (1 Thess 3:13). And God answers that prayer. Like a Christmas tree secure in its stand, God supports us so that we continue to be faultless. So we continue to pray …
 “Guard my life and rescue me, for I take refuge in you” (Ps 25:20). As he did the psalmist David, the Lord does with us as we turn to him and trust in him.
 “Deliver us from the evil one” (Mt 6:13). He ultimately responds to that when he revisits the earth.
 “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Re 22:20). Yes, come quickly.
Look up during Advent—prayerfully. We know what to expect. Jesus is coming.
Someone termed this span between Jesus’ first Advent (“coming”) and his second advent as “The Great Between.” Jesus came once he will come again. Therefore we await and anticipate it like a fireworks show. But Jesus doesn’t want to scare us, but prepare us. That is why we have this 4-week stretch. Look up during Advent for Jesus—joyfully, closely, and prayerfully because he is coming for you. Amen.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it (1 Thess 5:23,24). Amen.

December 2, 2018

Last Sunday in End Time - Christ the King Sunday (Revelation 1:4b-8)

2018-11-25T17:14:00.003-08:00

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ (Re 1:4,5). Amen.

Maybe you heard about it. Black Friday. Didn’t the advertising begin back in July? It has almost become a national holiday. In fact, it was on the calendar on my phone. (You can check yours later.) And I didn’t put it there. The mall is not where I find myself in my free time. I even have my wife’s birthday and our anniversary to contend with in the next few days. You would think I would have taken advantage of the sales starting on Thursday.
This is the time of the year when the days of the week get names. In case you didn’t stock up on Friday. There was Small business Saturday. They were happy if you stopped in to swipe your credit card for Christmas gifts.
What about today? I am going to go with the church calendar and not the regular calendar. It is the last Sunday before we begin a new year. But it has nothing to do with shopping for deals and everything to do with saving our souls. It is Christ the King Sunday. Give glory to the King who makes us clean and who makes us calm. We read from …

Revelation 1:4-8

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, the King of kings (Re 19:16),
A trip to an island sounds exotic and exciting. (By the way, it is.) There is sand, sun, and surf. (And no snow, shovels, or sweaters.) Perhaps it calls to mind a nice vacation get-away.
But not for the apostle John. He was on the island of Patmos. Not for enjoyment, but in exile. All because he was preaching and teaching about Jesus (Re 1:9). Instead of a sigh of contentment because of the place, there may have been one of confusion because of the persecution.
That is why Jesus came to him. In Revelation, he gives John a series of visions. The theme is Jesus wins. He is still on his throne—reigning and ruling as the King. As we look at the opening verses, we have occasion to sing his praises.

Give Glory to the King
1. Who makes us clean (4b-6)
2. Who makes us calm (7,8)

1. Who makes us clean (4b-6)
I suppose that if you have a day named after you, it is because of something significant. Christ the King Sunday. It is not just because he is a king. There have been kings who are just a name or a note in a history book. Jesus is the King. And add to that what he does. Give glory to the King who makes us clean.
John writes Revelation to seven churches located across the water from him (Re 1:4). His greeting is a familiar one. But we ought not to overlook it. “Grace and peace to you” (Re 1:4).
 “grace” (Re 1:4). That is the reason for our rescue from sin. Grace is undeserved kindness that sinners don’t earn, but what we enjoy. Because God hands it to us in Jesus.
 “peace” (Re 1:4). That is the result. All is right between us and God through Jesus.
“Grace and peace to you” (Re 1:4). That is ours already. John’s prayer is that it continue to be. And it is. When the guilt of your conscience is heavy: “Grace and peace to you” (Re 1:4). When the attack of the devil is hard: “Grace and peace to you” (Re 1:4).
And those two outstanding gifts come from our Triune God.
 “Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come” (Re 1:4). That is God the Father. He is the changeless One—no beginning, no end (Ps 90:2; Mal 3:6). It is like what he mentioned to Moses at the burning bush: “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex 3:14).
 “Grace and peace to you … from the seven spirits before his throne” (Re 1:4). That is God the Holy Spirit. He is God himself and the complete source of divine wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and respect for the Lord (Is 11:2).
 “Grace and peace to you … from Jesus Christ” (Re 1:4,5). That is God the Son. He is the One whom God anointed to save us from our sins (Mt 1:21).
The rationale for putting Jesus last is that John goes into greater detail about our King. He describes who he is:
 “the faithful witness” (Re 1:5). As our Prophet, he is dependable and reliable as he depicts and reveals the Father’s love for us (Dt 18:15; Jn 1:18). And there he was on trial in front of Pilate. He explains his purpose for appearing on earth: “For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (Jn 18:37). We listen to the One who is the Truth—the only Savior who brings us into his family (Jn 14:6).
 “the firstborn from the dead” (Re 1:5). As our Priest, he sacrificed himself for us on the cross on Good Friday, but God raised him from the dead on Easter Sunday. And now because he lives, we live (Jn 14:19). Because Jesus exited his grave, we will too.
 “the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Re 1:5). As our King, he is in control and in command. No one is over him—no president or person—and nothing gets by him—no problem or pain. He directs everything for our good and determines all for his Church (Ro 8:28; Eph 1:20-22).
And then John designates what the King does:
 “who loves us” (Re 1:5). That is ongoing and unending—continuing on and on. It is not here this day and gone the next (Jn 3:16). He hung the cross and headed out of the tomb because that is what we needed.
 “who … has freed us from our sins by his blood” (Re 1:5). That is a fact because it happened. There was a payment required to release us from our wrongs. The cost was his precious blood, shed on that instrument of torture (1 Pe 1:18,19). But he has opened heaven for us by breaking the chains of sin’s punishment and power.
 “who … has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father” (Re 1:5,6). His rule in our hearts has come to us (Mt 6:10). And not just an exalted position but also extraordinary privileges. We have direct access to our Father. We have a definite activity in offering our bodies as living sacrifices as thank offerings (Ro 12:1), declaring the praises of him who called us out of darkness to his marvelous light (1 Pe 2:9).
As John says that and we see that, we join him in chanting the doxology to our King: “To him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen” (Re 1:6). Yes, it is so. Give glory to the King who makes us clean—washing us from every spot and stain of sin.
2. Who makes us calm (7,8)
I suspect that if an important dignitary were to visit St. Paul, that would cause a bit of excitement in getting ready and being ready for him. The King is coming. We can be anxious in a good way. Give glory to the King who makes us calm.
Jesus is returning. The reality is not in doubt. It is the when that is in question. We are to be on alert. Recall back at Jesus’ ascension, the angels announced: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
John was there and now calls attention to that detail with his “Look” (Re 1:7). And what are we to note? “Look, he is coming with the clouds” (Re 1:7). The prophet Daniel also made clear the vehicle for his arrival. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven” (Da 7:13; cf. Mt 24:30).
He will not sneak back. “And every eye will see him, even those who pierced him” (Re 1:7). How that will be we can leave to the Lord. But there will be no obstructed view like when someone stands in front of the TV.
It will be a day of miserable mourning. “All the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him” (Re 1:7). Those who have made earth their home, becoming so wrapped up in the present that they fail to consider what is in the future. Perhaps we could compare it to a shopper that concerns himself with a Christmas gift in December rather than Christ’s gift of heaven. And then it will be too late (Mt 25:41). There is an emphatic affirmation: “So shall it be! Amen” (Re 1:6). It is unmistakable and unshakable.
But that is not all. How do we know? Because the King speaks. Our King. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty’” (Re 1:8). Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. We would comment that Jesus is "the A through Z." He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Re 22:13). And he is eternal, “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (He 13:8). As the psalmist had us sing: “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever” (Ps 45:6). And his might has no limit. He is over every host in heaven and army on earth. And he uses his muscle to help us, not to hurt us. He destroyed the devil and defeated death. And he hands us the victory. That is why there will not be incredible sorrow for us but extreme joy from us. The King will wipe away every tear from our eyes as he welcomes us to our heavenly home (Re 21:4; Mt 25:34). Give glory to the King who calms us with the comfort that we are his right now and forever.
It is fine if merchants have their day. I guess there is Cyber Monday yet for your next chance to spend some cash. But the Messiah will have his day too. Christ the King Sunday. Give glory to the King who makes us clean. He removes our sin with his holy blood. And he will have another day. Give glory to the King who makes us calm. He readies us for his reappearance on the last day. “To him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen” (Re 1:6).

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen (Re 1:5,6).

November 25, 2018

Thanksgiving Meditations

2018-11-22T07:57:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord in the morning

It is morning. Your eyes open—slowly or suddenly. With or without an alarm.

What thoughts immediately run through your mind at that moment?
 Possibly what you plan to do, hope to do, want to do. Before your head comes off the pillow or your feet hit the ground, you have plotted out the day—of course, with the assumption that you will accomplish every last thing on the list.
 Or perhaps there is a question or a concern about the upcoming hours. How will I achieve my multiple goals? There is this that could interfere or that which could interrupt. There could be this situation to disrupt or that scenario to disturb.
 Tomorrow it might be how long to bake or how often to baste the bird so that there is not dryness on one hand or E. coli on the other.

So many things could race through your brain.

Maybe King David could help us. He knew a thing or two about pressures and problems. It might have been during his son Absalom’s rebellion that he sang a psalm. Instead of wondering or worrying about the day, with him, we can begin with a silent or spoken prayer.

The fact that we can even pray is a gift from God. (If you are coming up with a list of things to be thankful for, that might make it. It is definitely near the top.) Only a child of God through faith in Christ can come before him. It is Jesus who paid for all of our sins that makes the privilege possible. We approach our Father as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father (cf. Luther’s Explanation to the Address of the Lord’s Prayer). And God gladly and willing turns his ear like a mom drops everything to listen to her child when he calls on the phone. And she loves to hear that voice.

David reminds us that we address our requests to the LORD—the One who is changeless in his love and boundless in his grace. “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice” (Ps 5:3). As day breaks, our voice beseeches our God …
 With a prayer of thanksgiving. We have a new day of grace after a deep night of sleep. God has watched over us and woken us up again. Sometimes when someone asks, “How are you?” the casual, or comical, response is: “Still breathing.” But there is more than a simple action. Every time our lungs routinely inhale and repeatedly exhale is a gift from the Lord. Another day is a reminder of that.
 With a prayer of receiving. We have opportunity to serve our God and our neighbor with our abilities—in a personal way like a mother to a professional way like an employee (unless you have tomorrow off—from work, that is, not as a parent. There are no vacations from that).
Note that Luther does a nice job in directing our attention to that. His morning prayer is worth memorizing.

It is interesting that the gospel writer Mark notes that at daybreak after a busy day of driving out a demon in the synagogue and healing many people, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mk 1:35). He felt that it was necessary to spend some time talking to his heavenly Father. How much more do we?

David continues: “In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” (Ps 5:3). We have the opportunity to arrange our cares like you might do with your clothes on the bed—deciding on what outfit to wear. (There is another thing—we undoubtedly have more than one to choose from. Another blessing to give thanks for.) And then like an ancient watchman on the wall looking intently, we wait expectantly for the Lord’s blessing on our day.

What is a good time of day to praise the Lord? Praise the Lord in the morning. Happy Thanksgiving.

We read from Psalm 5:3:
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Praise the Lord at noon

It is noon. This is fuzzy math because it depends on when you rolled out of bed, but the day is half over. The morning is in the past; the afternoon is in the present. Some things started; others ended. But there is so much more to carry out and work through. First, there is lunch. Food on the table is another occasion for appreciation to the Lord (Ps 145:15,16)

But then what? King David can lend a hand again. Once more it might be from the episode of when his son was trying to usurp the throne and he was forced to flee from Jerusalem (2 Sa 15-18). David entrusts his cause to the Lord. “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice” (Ps 55:17).

Recall that was also the practice of the 80-year old Daniel. It was his jealous enemies who got King Darius to issue an edict that no one was to pray to any god or person for the next 30 days except to the king (Da 6:7). If anyone was caught, they would be a happy lunch for the hungry lions. Daniel did not deny his God, but lived out his loyalty. He continued his practice: “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened to Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before” (Da 6:10). Yes, he prayed at midday—one of his fixed times of devotion—along with the other two. But interesting is the content of his prayer—thanksgiving, not complaining—even it could have been the last day of his life.

That is a good thing to keep in mind. As we consider of what we are appreciative, it is usually what we like or what we enjoy. And nothing wrong with that. Every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father (Ja 2:17). But even in troubling and trying times—and each of us has those, we can give thanks to God. From house arrest in Rome, Paul could pen: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Php 4:4). In another epistle, he could encourage: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess 5:16-18).

So as we make our way through the day, even when in sorrow we groan or in sadness we moan, we call out to God when those things occupy our attention. And like in the morning, we have the remembrance and the reassurance that the Lord listens. And God answers in his wisdom. Included in those petitions would be for strength and support to keep on with the challenges and charges of the unfinished day.

What is a good time of day to praise the Lord? Praise the Lord at noon. Happy Thanksgiving.

We read from Psalm 55:17:
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

Praise the Lord in the evening

It is evening. You are weary from all the effort extended and worn-out from all the energy expended throughout the day. And looking back, what is there—tasks uncompleted and sins committed? Now what?

Yet again, King David can assist us. We join those all the way to the ends of the earth who respect and revere the Lord in awe and admiration of his powerful activity. Just like God controls the waves of the ocean so that they go only so far, he limits the nations on earth (Ps 65:5-7). Think back to the Exodus when the Lord brought the nation of Israel out of their slavery so they could return to the Promised Land—the place that our Savior would be placed in a manger, hung on a cross, and raised from the dead, all for our sin and for our salvation. From the time that the sun goes up to when it goes down, the mighty acts of God from furnishing our needs day after day to forgiving our sins day by day bring happiness.

Luther captures those ideas well in his evening prayer. It is valuable to commit it to memory.

So instead of Thanksgiving being one day, Thanksgiving can be all day. It is the Lord who causes us to shout with gladness.

What is a good time of day to praise the Lord? Praise the Lord in the evening. Happy Thanksgiving.

We read from Psalm 65:8:
Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.

November 21, 2018

First Sunday of End Time - Reformation (Romans 6:23)

2018-11-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Ro 1:7). Amen.

It is Reformation 501. Does that sound like an upper-level history course as a college elective? It would go beyond the “101 level”—an introduction to the Reformation. That class might explain definite dates like October 31, 1517—the day when Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Castle Church door. Or explore key characters like Philip Melanchthon—his role in writing the Augsburg Confession. Perhaps Reformation 501 might digger deeper into the purpose of indulgences or dive into the politics of the Holy Roman Empire.

Whether any of that is exciting or appealing to you, that is not what I mean by Reformation 501. It is not on a curriculum, but on the calendar. Last year was the 500th Anniversary of that important event when Luther swung a hammer. I don’t mean to insult you, but one year later and it is 501. (If you got nervous when I started with history, I threw in a bit of math to make you make you more uneasy.) The celebration of the Reformation continues and so does the significance. Eternal life is the gift of God.

But we have to go back to the past for a bit. (Hang with me.) Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk. The year was 1518. That order in Germany was slated to have its triennial meeting in the city of Heidelberg on April 26th of that year. It was traditional for these gatherings to have a disputation over which one of the priests would preside. This individual would prepare the set of theses for debate. Luther got the nod. He composed 28 points to acquaint his brothers with his “new” teaching.

But we put “new” in quotation marks because it was not a novel approach to Scripture. It always has been and always will be true. It is not what we do. It is what God has done. He gives. And we get. Eternal life is the gift of God.

The apostle Paul tells us that and teaches us that in one verse. We might call it Law and Gospel 101. And those two ideas are found in the two parts of the Bible—Old Testament and New Testament.

1) The Law. Maybe you have heard of this and found it helpful. SOS—“shows our sin.” Think of the 10 Commandments. “Do this”—Honor your father and mother (4th). “Don’t do that”—“you shall have no other gods” (1st). When we fail, not if we fail, that is sin. It is going against God in disobedience and defiance. The common picture is to miss the bullseye like in archery. And we don’t come close, but we fall short as if we are shooting in the opposite direction. And so Paul comments: “For the wages of sin is death” (Ro 6:23). A Roman soldier would collect money or meat, corn or salt for his service rendered to the Caesar. he earned it. He expected it. After all, he had it coming for guarding the empire.

While payday is thrilling, this is not. “For the wages of sin is death” (Ro 6:23). We open up our paycheck or look at our pay stub and it says “death.” That is what sin shells out. We deserve it. That hurts because we were born in it. And that is hard because we live in it.

But that didn’t stop Paul from trying to please God. In his younger days, he put his confidence in himself like holding a cell phone up to take a selfie—“it’s all about me: “In regard to the law, a Pharisee [the thought was, “Hey, God, look at me and what I am accomplishing.”]; as for zeal, persecuting the church [Certainly it was a misguided fervor to stamp out Christianity.]; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless [At least in the eyes of his associates]” (Php 3:5,6). Where did that get Paul? Nowhere. He was still not right with God. He did not keep the law constantly (Ga 3:10). And for all his efforts: “For the wages of sin is death” (Ro 6:23). That is the result.

That didn’t prevent Luther from attempting to appease God. That was originally why he entered the monastery. He wanted to be in good with God because he saw Jesus only as an angry judge, waiting, perhaps even wanting, to punish him. He even once remarked: “If a monk ever got to heaven through monkery, then I too should have made it.” What did that get Luther? Nothing. He did not keep the law continually. Remember that Heidelberg Disputation? Thesis 26 states: “The law says, ‘Do this,’ and it is never done.” For all his energy: “For the wages of sin is death” (Ro 6:23). That is the remuneration.

But it makes sense to our way of thinking, doesn’t it? If I punch in at work, it will pay off at the end of the week with money in the bank. If I try hard, God will be happy. What does that get us? Nil. We do not keep the law completely. For all our exertion: “For the wages of sin is death” (Ro 6:23). That is the reminder. Sin brings death—physical [separation of body and soul] and eternal [separation from God in hell] (Ro 5:12).

But there is more, much more. We don’t want to check out now. That is only half of the verse. It comes down to a word of transition: “But” (Ro 6:23). “For the wages of sin is death, but …” (Ro 6:23). In a sense, Paul would have us consider another side like turning a coin over. “Now contemplate this.” Gospel. Good news. Eternal life is the gift of God.

2) The Gospel. We can reuse the SOS—“shows our Savior.” So Paul comforts. “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 6:23). Life is the opposite of death. Sin brings death. The Savior brings life (Jn 3:16). This living, never-ending relationship with God is from God. It is not merited. It is provided—graciously and generously. It is for free. It is for nothing. Like a person looking for a handout, we have our hands out. And God puts the gift of eternal life in them. Luther summarized that in the last words that he wrote before he died. He scribbled on a slip of paper (of course, in German): “We are beggars, that is true.” But as such, we have eternal life (Jn 5:24).

And it is ours only in connection with or in the sphere of “Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 6:23).
 “Christ” (Ro 6:23). He is the One God promised to reveal the Father to us as Prophet, to remove our sin from us as Priest, and to rule over us as King. When Luther was exhausted from trying to win God’s favor—confessing his sins over and over and beating his body again and again, it was his father-confessor, Dr. John Staupitz, who encouraged him to look to Christ: “Throw yourself into the Redeemer’s arms. Trust in him.” We do the same—turning to him as he gives us eternal life.
 “Jesus” (Ro 6:23). He is Savior (Mt 1:21). He rescued us by picking up the wages of our sin and paying for them with his death on the cross. He did it all to give us eternal life.
 “our Lord” (Ro 6:23). He sits at God’s right hand. There he is the Caretaker and Controller of all for his believers to whom he gives eternal life (Eph 1:22).

So Paul could announce that righteousness is from God to all who believe (Ro 3:22). What God demands—holiness—God delivers “in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 6:23). Heaven was his. “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 6:23).

Luther could appreciate that “the righteous will live by faith” (Ro 1:17). Faith grabs ahold of this gift from God. The gates of heaven were open to him. Recall the Heidelberg Disputation: “Grace says, ‘believe in this,” and everything is already done.’” Eternal life is undeserved kindness. “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 6:23).

We are aware that we are delivered from death by grace alone by faith alone (Eph 2:8,9). Scripture alone proclaims Christ alone. We have nothing to boast about or brag about except the cross of Christ (Ga 6:14). “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro 6:23). Eternal life is the gift of God. Cherish it. Treasure it. Happy Reformation 501. It is not about history. It is about heaven.

We read from Romans 6:23:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you (Ro 16:20). Amen.

November 3, 2018

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost (Mark 10:46-52)

2018-10-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.

I know what it is like not to be able to see well. Some of you are the same. It might be a difficulty with close up or a problem with far away. Or both. So there are glasses and contacts, bifocals and even trifocals. (I think that is as high as the possible number of lenses that can go in one’s frame.)
But actually to be in utter darkness. For almost all of us, it would just be a game of pretend—shutting your eyes completely or shielding them carefully like when playing hide and seek. But you can always open them up again to see once more.
But Bartimaeus was absolutely blind. And yet he could see very clearly. Jesus is a sight for blind eyes. He is the Savior who delivers from trouble. He is the Savior who delights in trust. We read about Jesus’ amazing healing of this man from …

Mark 10:46-52

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our merciful and mighty Savior,
I am aware that the cliché is “a sight for sore eyes.” You have been on the road for 12 straight hours coming back from a work trip or a road trip. It’s late. You simply want to get out of the car and get into your home. As you turn into the driveway, your house is a “sight for sore eyes”—something that is welcome. But it can also be a person who fits that description—your wife or your mom has a hot meal waiting for you.
Bartimaeus wasn’t simply tired, he was totally sightless. He needed more than a meal; rather a miracle. We could argue, though, that he had better vision with his terrible handicap that those with their natural ability. For that reason,

Jesus Is a Sight for Blind Eyes
1. He is the Savior who delivers from trouble (46-52)
2. He is the Savior who delights in trust (51,52)

1. He is the Savior who delivers from trouble (46-51)
Perhaps there are frequent headaches. Or possibly things are always fuzzy. That is when you make an appointment with an optometrist. A prescription from a doctor takes care of the problem. But Bartimaeus didn’t have a stigmatism to correct. And he had a Savior to call. Jesus is a sight for blind eyes. He is the Savior who delivers from trouble.
The one issue led to the other. Because Bartimaeus was blind, it reduced him to being a beggar. That is how he made his living. And so he took his usual place along the way in Jericho (Mk 10:46). One day was life-changing. Jesus, his disciples, and a considerable group were passing through and passing by. They were headed the last 15 miles up the road to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration.
Bartimaeus’ eyes didn’t work. But his ears and vocal chords did. And he made full use of them as the parade of people marched along. When it was clear that Jesus, who had grown up in Nazareth, was among the travelers, “he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Mk 10:47). He was loud because he wasn’t going to lose this opportunity.
There was a recognition of Jesus. That is clear in what he calls him.
 “Jesus” (Mk 10:47). It is good for us to stop and consider the significance of that name when we cry out to him. He is “Jesus.” He is true God, true man, who came to save us from our sins (Mt 1:21). And that is exactly what he did by keeping the entire law for us and crushing the enemy Satan for us (Ge 3:15).
 “Son of David” (Mk 10:47). That is code for the Messiah, the Christ. This was the promised Descendant from David’s line (2 Sa 7:12,13). He would rule a never-ending kingdom (Lk 1:32,33).
There was a request of Jesus. “Have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47). In other words, “have pity on me.” There was a definite need for divine aid. Bartimaeus went to the right person with the right plea. It sounds similar to the statement of the children of Israel in Jeremiah’s day: “O LORD, save your people” (Je 31:7).
We are no strangers to suffering. It could be a consequence of our own sins like the abuse of alcohol could affect our health or the result of the sins of others like when someone spreads false things against us. And then there is the kind that comes for no apparent reason like the blindness of Bartimaeus. Why?, we wonder. And then Jesus goes by. In struggles, more than in successes, we reach out to him and look up to him. “Have mercy on me.” Our petition is not based on our merit, but his mercy. “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy” (CW p. 15).
Not everyone was excited about the interruption. They had places to go. “Many rebuked him [that is, Bartimaeus] and told him to be quiet” (Mk 10:48). They expressed their disapproval like a mother hushing or shushing her restless child at the kitchen table. (If only it would be as easy as muting your cell phone.) But he exclaimed with persistence. “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:48). (That is where the illustration breaks down. A child shouldn’t carry on at a high volume in defiance while eating.)
It is worth noting Jesus’ reaction. He would not, did not, turn a deaf ear to the desperate appeal. “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’” (Mk 10:49). He paused because he was not too preoccupied to give himself to one person. The multitude quickly changed their tune: “So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you’” (Mk 10:49).
No one is too insignificant for Jesus even as his suffering, death, and resurrection loom large. He is not too busy to be bothered. That means you too. Be bold in your petitions. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk 10:47,48). He halts to help.
Bartimaeus wasted no time. “Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus” (Mk 10:50). And Jesus met his need: “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road” (Mk 10:52). His spiritual eyesight also turned into physical eyesight. Bartimaeus could now see where he was going. And that now was to the capital city behind Jesus.
It is interesting that Jesus accepted the title, “Son of David” (Mk 10:47,48). For some, that designation had political overtones. The hope was that the Messiah would drive out the despised Romans—to be an earthly king and a mighty champion. But that was not Jesus’ purpose or plan. Not only did Jesus demonstrate his mercy in curing Bartimaeus’ blindness. He also displayed his power. He gave sight to the blind (Ps 146:8). It was proof that he was the coming One (Mt 11:4,5), a mark of the Messiah. But he was more than a healer; he is the Savior. And now was the time.
That is why Jesus is making this journey to Jerusalem. It would be his last. But there on a cross he would pay for our guilt, defeating the devil and destroying death. “Have mercy on me.” And he does. He takes care of that necessity.
And that is the case for the others. “Have mercy on me.” He may remove it. He may reinforce us. Whatever is the best possible way. Jesus is a sight for blind eyes. He is the Savior who delivers from our trouble.
2. He is the Savior who delights in trust (51,52)
I cannot speak for certain since I am not a doctor, but I suspect that an optometrist is happy when a patient goes from things being blurry to being sharp. Bartimaeus’ day was now different. All because of Jesus. Jesus is a sight for blind eyes. He is the Savior who delights in trust.
Jesus didn’t ask for himself. He knew. It was for Bartimaeus. “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mk 10:51). It was an encouragement to be bold for a blessing—to express his faith in Jesus’ capability and willingness to heal. His faith was not misplaced. “Rabbi, I want to see” (Mk 10:51). It was polite as much as personal. And his trust was not misdirected. “‘Go,’” said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you’” (Mk 10:52). It wasn’t because he believed hard enough. Jesus was the cause of his trust and the content of his trust. Faith was on the receiving end.
Our faith in Jesus is as much of a gift as our deliverance through Jesus. He gives us our physical sight and spiritual. Neither one of those do we determine or develop. He gives to us and we get from him—like putting a present in someone’s hands. We were once blind, but now we see (CW 379:1). It was the unknown and unnamed author of Hebrews that fixed our attention on our perfect High Priest who sacrificed himself for us. He reached the goal of rescuing us in obedience to his Father—all the way to the cross (Php 2:8). As a result, “he became the source of eternal salvation” (He 5:9). Jesus is pleased to create faith in us and then praises us in whom he has created it. Jesus is a sight for blind eyes. He is the Savior who delights in our trust.
The eyes in our heads may get weaker with age but the eyes of heart get stronger with Jesus. He is not a sight for sore eyes, but for blind eyes. He is the Savior who delivers from our trouble and delights in our trust. We echo the psalmist: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Ps 126:3). He has had mercy on us. He erases our sin and enlightens our spirit. Thank you for such clarity, Jesus. Amen.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (He 4:16). Amen.

October 28, 2018

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost (Acts 13:38-48)

2018-10-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Ga 1:3-5).

Maybe you have a strong opinion when it comes to the competition between the two main cola companies—which you prefer to drink. Perhaps it just comes down to the heated debate as to what it is called—“pop” or “soda.” Possibly you avoid the drink altogether.

No matter what, this is not a product endorsement. But Coca-Cola is one of the most recognizable logos in the entire world. I didn’t fact check these statistics. But it came from a daily devotion put out by our church body. So I am going to trust that the following is true.
 Last year, the company spent almost 4 billion dollars, nearly 12% of all the money it earned, on advertising.
 More than 90% of the world’s population can identify the classic red can and cursive white script.
 In the 200 countries where it is sold, the average person consumes a coke product every four days.
That is impressive.

What about another symbol—the cross? How many around the globe are familiar with the importance or are aware of its significance? Right before his ascension into heaven, Jesus commissioned his disciples: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). They were to talk about what they had seen and speak about what they had heard because they had personal experience and knowledge of the facts.

What their ministry was then is our mission now. Shine the Light of salvation to the ends of the earth.

We actually come in at the tail end of the apostle Paul’s sermon one Saturday in the synagogue. It was on his 1st missionary trip. He and Barnabas had arrived in the city of Pisidian Antioch in Asia Minor (which is modern day Turkey). And just like when someone walks up to you three-quarters of the way through a conversation, you might need to catch him up. That is what we have to do.

Worship in the synagogue was a lot like ours. There were readings from the Law and the Prophets. (That is code for the Old Testament.) And then if there were any guests, they might be invited to expound on a section of Scripture. Paul was asked if he had “a message of encouragement” (Acts 13:15). Paul took the opportunity to comfort the Jews and Gentiles assembled there.

Paul does more than give a summary of the history of the patriarchs to King David. He centers on the Savior (Acts 13:16ff.).
 He began with the fact that the Lord selected their fathers.
 When they spent some time in Egypt, he blessed them.
 After their release from slavery in that country, he brought them to the Promised Land after the 40 years of wandering.
 Then a number of judges led the people. But they asked for a king.
 God gave them Saul. And then David, a man after God’s own heart. He was a good king. But more important, he was the ancestor of Israel’s great King—Jesus (2 Sa 7:12,13).
 Paul then fast-forwards to the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, who turned the people from their sin to the Savior with his preaching.
 Jesus was the One the Jewish leaders condemned, crucifying him on Good Friday. But Easter Sunday followed three days later. God raised him from the dead, restoring him to life. This was all according to God’s detailed plan.

Why the condensed or compressed review? Paul wanted them to draw a conclusion. “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:38). It is through this One that Paul can announce to each one (including us): “Your sins are forgiven.” For each and every time that we have gone against God, he has removed the guilt, sending it away like what we do with an email or text. Or we might think along the lines of canceling a huge debt. It is completely gone.

As Paul preaches, he puts it another way: “Through him [that is, “this One”—Jesus] everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39). Paul paints a courtroom scene. The law of Moses—the Ten Commandments—convict us. “Guilty.” But the love of God acquits us. “Not guilty.” God clears our account of all charges. Since we cannot keep the law perfectly, continually, Jesus did for us (Ga 3:10-12). And he credits his holiness to us. And then he died for our disobedience. Our faith grabs ahold of that like a hungry beggar does with a free meal.

But Paul adds a solemn and serious warning that we need to hear: “Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you” (Acts 13:40). They were to open their spiritual eyes to a possible danger of rejection. “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” (Acts 13:41). Paul didn’t want them to look down on the good news about Jesus. God had done “something”—sending his Son to sacrifice himself so that we might be freely forgiven. “Someone”—Paul is telling us this. While some may refuse this salvation, we rejoice in it. It is not reserved for some, but revealed to all so that no one be destroyed, but delivered. Whoever believes has everlasting life (Jn 3:16).

The conversation continued outside like if you carry on a chat with someone in the parking lot. The people wanted more. “As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath” (Acts 13:42). But seven days was not soon enough. “When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43). Paul used the opening to persuade them to stay in God’s grace—to keep on trusting in God’s undeserved kindness.

The subsequent Sabbath there was standing room only. “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord” (Acts 13:44). Note that it was not the “word of the apostle,” but the “word of the Lord.” They wanted to listen to what God had to say. We don’t want to take that word of the Lord for granted. But we take advantage of hearing what it has to communicate to us—whether we are in a church pew or around a kitchen table.

That didn’t sit well with everyone: “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying” (Acts 13:45). It wasn’t because Paul was all of a sudden popular. They thought that they were defending the honor of God as the One who had given the law. They saw it as a way to impress God and earn his favor. So they tried to ruin Paul’s reputation. But they missed the point. We value God when we rely on Jesus as the One who fulfilled the law and freed the sinner. It is not what we do, but what he has done.

Paul could not let that go. So he was open and honest. “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). Jesus came from the Jews and for the Jews (Ro 1:16). But they pushed him aside. It was their choice. It might be like a girl who contends that she is not fit to marry a certain boy. He gets down on one knee to propose, but she doesn’t accept the ring. It is on her. She has come to that conclusion by herself. The Jews did that to Jesus. They were not interested in the life that Jesus had to offer for free, for nothing. So Paul calls attention to the detail: “We are off to the Gentiles.”

Paul cites a segment from Isaiah (Is 49:6): “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Acts 13:47). The Lord is addressing his Servant, the Messiah. Part of his work would be to restore God’s remnant among the Jews. But he says that is “too small a thing for you” (Is 49:6). In a way, we might compare it to this. A dad informs his son: “It is too little just to rake our yard. You will rake the whole neighborhood.” The Gentiles would come to see the Light of the World (Is 60:1-6). They would not walk in the darkness of sin but bask in the Light of life (Jn 8:12). Recall when Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms, he sang the same thing—“a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32). Paul saw himself as an extension of that as he worked among the non-Jews. The Gentiles were not to be excluded, but included.

How thrilling that was to Paul’s listeners. “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). They were filled with joy and gave God the glory for his work for them and also in them.

We join them. God has made us who were once unworthy ones to be worthy of his salvation. He covers us and clothes us with Christ. And that is something that is for all. God doesn’t want anyone to be left out, but everyone to be brought in. So Jesus sends us: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). Inside and outside of the United States. Around our community and in every country. We can extend an invitation to those near us and express our gratitude for those who do it in our name and on our behalf as missionaries around the globe. We can pray for others to go and pay for them with our offerings. Shine the Light of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Those of us who were around in the 70s remember the jingle for Coca-Cola. They wanted to teach the world to sign in perfect harmony. They also wanted to buy the world a Coke and keep it company. It is not critical that everyone taste that sugary, caramel concoction. But it is crucial that all come to know Jesus—no matter the continent or culture. And we are a part of that. And as the psalmist had us chant: “God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him” (Ps 67:7). Shine the Light of salvation to the ends of the earth. That is the real thing.

We read from Acts 13:38-48:
38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 “ ‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’ ”
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen (Ga 6:18).

October 21, 2018

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Hebrews 13:1-8)

2018-10-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.

You have heard the sentiment: “The more things change …” It is hard to argue with that phrase. We live with change all around us. Case in point is that we have now moved from summer to fall. And that is precisely what the leaves and temperatures are doing—falling. There is a change in colors on the trees and in clothing from our wardrobe.

And then you can finish the statement: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Again it is easy to agree. Just like last year and the year before, there is the consistent—foliage coming down and warmth going away. There is the need for a good rake and a warmer coat. That hasn’t changed.

“The more things change …” For the Hebrew Christians that perhaps meant persecution for their faith all the way to confiscation of their property. Life was not the same.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” God was still in control and in charge. As the unknown writer concludes his letter, we might paraphrase it this way: “The more things change, the more Jesus Christ stays the same.”

As the unnamed author closes his epistle, there are a number of final thoughts about faith that is active when it comes to people in general, an institution from God, possessions overall, and individuals at church. In a way, it is similar to what the prophet Amos urged: “Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15).

- People in general (He 13:1-3)
“The more things change.” It has played out today exactly as Jesus laid out once as he talked about the end of the world. “The love of most will grow cold” (Mt 24:12). The Hebrew Christians experienced it. It hasn’t gotten better. We might even express it. It is not a challenge to come up with examples—road rage on the highway to angry posts on the internet. It can come from our car or on our computer.

“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” That is why the Father sent his Son to this earth. Jesus, our Brother, tasted death for us—in our place (He 2:9). He drank down the cup of suffering for our sins that was rightfully ours (Mt 26:39). He felt God’s full anger for our loveless attitudes and actions as he died on the cross. Because he suffered for our sin, he has set us apart from it (He 2:11). His forgiveness for our ongoing failures continues day after day.

And so it follows: “Keep on loving one another as brothers” (He 13:1). We have the same Father in heaven and faith in him. Our love for our brothers and sisters lingers and lasts—not in contention or competition, but with concern and compassion.

And the inspired author gives two concrete situations:
 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (He 13:2). As people were forced from their homes back then, they couldn’t stop at the local Holiday Inn or Motel 6 for a comfy bed and continental breakfast. There weren’t any. They had to rely on the hospitality of others. That was part of the culture. Just like in the Old Testament when the Lord and two angels stopped by Abraham’s tent on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah (Ge 18). Even though he had no idea who they were, Abraham gladly opened his home—offering quite a meal of meat, bread, and milk—to those who were unfamiliar to him. He did it out of brotherly love.
We might not actually receive an angel as a guest. But we don’t have to look down or look away if someone is who is new to us—in our worship or in our neighborhood. That can be a handshake to a hearty greeting. “Keep on loving one another as brothers” (He 13:1)
 “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (He 13:3). Those who confessed Christ were unfairly put behind bars. They depended on the generosity of others to care for them—providing food while they were confined.
Some are justly (and unjustly) incarcerated nowadays. But we ought not to turn our backs on them. They need to know that their guilt is not too great for Jesus to get rid of. That is why our church body carries on a prison ministry—to reach out to inmates with the good news of a Savior. That is even one of the things that Jesus highlighted as evidence of faith to the sheep on his right in a parable. “I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Mt 25:36). When they wondered when, Jesus went on: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Thus the encouragement: “Keep on loving one another as brothers” (He 13:1).

- An institution from God (He 13:4)
“The more things change.” We live in a society where marriage is under attack, or at least, in question. What is it? Many might not be able to answer that. And the gift reserved for marriage is exercised before marriage with someone or during marriage with another. Soap operas and sitcoms and sick jokes don’t help us value the close bond between husband and wife that the Lord has formed.

“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” Jesus defended what God designed back in the perfection of the Garden of Eden, bringing Eve to Adam: “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one” (Mk 10:6-8).

We need to be on guard that our outlook on this is that it does not fall under the category of convenient or casual—stomping on the Sixth Commandment because it makes me feel good or it feels right. It is sinful and serious. But Jesus Christ handed himself over for the Church, his Bride, making her “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Eph 5:27). He was condemned for our lack of purity. Thus the reality in every way: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure” (He 13:4). For the married and unmarried, we will fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions. And spouses will love and honor each other (Explanation to the Sixth Commandment).

- Possessions overall (He 13:5-7)
“The more things change.” What is enough? As technology improves and sales abound, a reply may be, “A little more”—whether it is better phones for communication or bigger closets for outfits. The chase is on for the latest and greatest (Mt 6:32). Again, that is not necessarily wrong. Money is a means, a tool. We acknowledge what we have as coming from a loving heavenly Father (Ja 1:17). The issue is if we set our hearts on it like the rich young man who approached Jesus (cf 1 Ti 6:6ff.). Jesus pointed out that he had not loved God above all things. Therefore, “He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mk 10:22). The sacred writer addresses our character and conduct: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (He 13:5).

“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” How can we do away with ungodly greed, unending getting and grabbing? Go back to God’s promise: “because God has said [it is still in force and in effect], ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (He 13:5). Two times. Never. Never. He won’t desert us in our distress. Just like he assured the new leader of Israel, Joshua as he was about to receive the mantle from Moses, the Lord announces his presence with us (Dt 31:5; Jos 1:5). The Lord knows what we need (and want) and he understands completely when or where or how to give it to us. Since he did not spare his Son, he will make sure that he provides all things for us (Ro 8:32). Even if or when we don’t understand how. “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God” (Mk 10:27).

And that is why we can be bold and brave: “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (He 13:6). Nothing. Like a doctor who diagnoses and prescribes when we are in need, our God directs and protects as we make our way to heaven. We are undisturbed and undaunted.

- Individuals at church (He 13:8,9)
“The more things change.” I will list some names: Gausewitz, Plocher, Nauman, Petermann. All former and faithful pastors here at St. John now enjoying the eternal rest of an everlasting place at the side of the One they preached and proclaimed. The Hebrew Christians had names that came to their minds too. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (He 13:8). They opened their mouths and opened the Scriptures. They made known the good news about Jesus.

“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” A pastor is a person—with likes and dislikes, qualities and quirks. We don’t have to mimic those. But we continue to copy their full commitment to Christ as one day we fall asleep in Jesus as they have (Re 2:10).

The more things change, the more Jesus Christ stays the same. That sounds like the psalmist had us sing: “From everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Ps 90:2). Or in the divine writer’s words: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (He 13:8). He is Jesus—true God and true man, Savior, because he rescued us from our sins (Mt 1:21). He is Christ, the Anointed One, who speaks God’s word to us, who sacrificed his life for us, and who sits on his throne over us. Jesus Christ—constant throughout the past, in the present, and into the future. Even in the fall of the year, the more things change, the more Jesus Christ stays the same.

We read from Hebrews 13:1-8:
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

May the God of peace …equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (He 13:20,21).

October 14, 2018

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Hebrews 2:9-11)

2018-10-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (He 12:2). Amen.

What did they see when they looked around? Persecution of some kind. And it wasn’t getting better. That led to questions. What is happening?
What do we see when we look about. Problems of some sort. And it isn’t getting easier. That results in concerns. Why is this happening?
It makes no difference if it is the Hebrew Christians or us. They needed, we need, the letter of Hebrews. The eyes on our faces are valuable. The eyes of our faith are vital. And what do we spot? We see Jesus who completed his Father’s plan and who confesses his perfect family. We read from …

Hebrews 2:9-11

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our heavenly Brother who helps us,
I learned about it as a senior in college in psychology class. (That is a shout out to my liberal arts education.) It is called a “Rorschach test.” A person tells what they think an inkblot is when they glance at it. This test is to examine an individual’s characteristics and emotional functioning. That is the extent of my knowledge. That is because I know a little about a lot.
I don’t know if one of the blobs resembles a cross. But that is what the author of Hebrews holds out to us so that we hold on to it.

We See Jesus
1. Who completed his Father’s plan (9,10)
2. Who confesses his perfect family (10,11)

1. Who completed his Father’s plan (9,10)
In the Nicene Creed this morning, we asserted: “We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen” (CW p. 18).
 His power is evident and he simply says, “Let there be,” and there was (Ge 1:3).
 His wisdom is apparent as he carefully forms things in an orderly way—beginning with light and ending with mankind.
 His love is obvious as he really institutes marriage—giving Eve to Adam: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Ge 2:24).
 All of that is true as we view our own bodies—how he has fashioned us. With the psalmist, we sing: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14).
When our first parents believed the lie of the devil and sinned, that did not stop our God. He formulated a way to rescue all. That is the one the unknown writer points to. We see Jesus who completed his Father’s plan.
With our spiritual vision, “We see Jesus” (He 2:9). We pause for a moment to remember, to reflect on that name. Recall it was the angel who reported to Joseph about Mary’s miracle baby: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). Jesus translates as “the Lord saves.” That is what he did—according to the Father’s plan.
Jesus, true God, became true man. We also acknowledged that: “For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate [In other words, “he was ‘in the flesh.’”] of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human” (CW p. 18). In the process, “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels” (He 2:9). He gave up the majesty of heaven and was put in a manger in Bethlehem (Php 2:6-8). That must have been quite a sight as one of the messengers from on high stated to some scared shepherds at work: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11).
But that was for a short time and for a specific purpose. “We see Jesus … now crowned with glory and honor” (He 2:9). He sits on his throne—having come out of his three-day grave and going back to his eternal position, deserving of all respect and reverence as THE King, exalted to the highest place (Php 2:10). “Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Php 2:11).
Why? All “because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (He 2:9). He didn’t sniff at it or sip it like if we are sampling something in another’s glass to find out if we like it. No. He drained the “cup of suffering” to its very dregs according to the Father’s will (Mt 26:42). He gulped down our guilt as he suffered our punishment on the cross—for our sin. The author highlights the fact that is “grace”—unmerited favor, a free gift. Jesus died “for everyone” (He 2:9). We can all contend individually, “In my place and for my sake and for my benefit. For me.” That is not selfish, but that is certain (He 11:1).
The Father did not sit back and let us flounder with our feeble, futile efforts. Quite the opposite. Not one thing that Jesus did was by accident. “It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering” (He 9:10). He is the Cause and Creator of the entire universe. And it was proper and appropriate that he deal with our sin. He sent his Son to be “the author of salvation.” Jesus didn’t just blaze a trail to heaven, he is the way to heaven (Jn 14:6). And Jesus reached the goal of rescuing us from Satan and sin like a when a team scores a touchdown. That is the objective. So Jesus’ pain gives us perfection. His cry from the cross is correct: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). He has done it all. We see Jesus who completed his Father’s plan entirely.
2. Who confesses his perfect family (10,11)
It was in the Apostles’ Creed that we announce under the article of the Holy Spirit: “I believe in … the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints” (CW p. 19). Those who have been called together are a joining of holy ones. That is what the unnamed writer of Hebrews points out. We see Jesus who confesses his perfect family.
The Father through his suffering Son has succeeded “in bringing many sons to glory” (He 2:10). Sons—that is our status no matter what age or gender. And we have a never-ending home with him forever—by his side and in his presence (Jn 14:2,3). Jesus has provided it and prepared it by becoming one of us. “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family” (He 2:11). Holy—free from sin and far from it. And so we often define it as “perfect” or “pure”—just like Jesus.
“So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers” (He 2:11). He is not embarrassed by us as one sibling may be of another because of something that they have done. (Who wants to be kissed by his sister?) No one is insignificant or irrelevant. It is hard to miss that in that short scene. The disciples wanted to push the little ones away, but Jesus pulled them close: He was not above them and they were not below him. “Let the little children come to me” (Mk 10:14). Jesus came as our brother and calls us his brothers. We see Jesus who confesses his perfect family eagerly.
To me, a blot of ink is more suited for an exhibition in an art gallery (even though I am not a fan of abstract art) than for an evaluation of a disorder. (I am not speaking against the medical profession.) But we have something concrete to stare at in the middle of persecution and in the midst of problems. We see Jesus who completed his Father’s plan to save us and who confesses his perfect family to claim us. That is no doubt what we see. Jesus. Amen.

Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.

October 7, 2018

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Philippians 1:12-18)

2018-10-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Php 1:2). Amen.

Joseph is my go-to guy—the one who comes to mind right away to make something that is abstract clear. It would be like saying, “Practicing piano leads to playing it better.” That is the theory. Then the reality: “That is why Ludwig van Beethoven could tickle the ivories so well.”

For that reason, I always use Joseph to connect a person in the Bible with a promise from the Lord. I realize that there is some distance between the two—when it comes to the aspect of time (The person is in the Old Testament.) and the place in the Scripture (The promise is in the New Testament). But he helps to illustrate a certainty that spans the ages and speaks the truth—all the way to today. The guarantee becomes more than a general concept for us. We have God’s Word on it. But it is a comfort to us. We have a concrete example of it.

First the assurance. The apostle Paul reminded the Christians in Rome: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28). (That is worth memorizing, if you haven’t already.) Notice that Paul didn’t remark: “We wish that or want that” or “we suppose that or suspect that” all things—not many or most things, some or several things, all things, including both our sufferings and our blessings—are under God’s guidance for one goal—our good. That is the case even when it doesn’t seem apparent or evident or when we are in the middle or midst of something. We might compare it to reading one sentence in a paragraph rather than every page of the entire book. You miss a lot if you don’t have the correct perspective of the whole novel.

Then the account. Someone asked me this week to give an elevator account of my life. That is when you condense things so they are short and sweet—as much as you can get out on the ride up before the doors open. That is not so easy with Joseph (Ge 37-50). He might need the trip to go to the 56th floor, stopping at each one to let people on and off (and maybe even get stuck for a while, waiting for the fire department). Here is an attempt:
 Joseph’s brothers didn’t like him. (Maybe that is an understatement. But we will go with it.) So they decided to get rid of him without killing him.
 They sold him to some Midianite merchants for 20 shekels of silver.
 Those traders took him to Egypt where Potiphar bought him.
 Joseph was successful, as successful as you can be as a slave, because the Lord was with him. That is until Mrs. Potiphar took a shining to him and propositioned him—repeatedly. When Joseph refused to sin against God, she lied that he had tried to harass her rather than the other way around.
 Joseph found himself in prison. When Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams, the cupbearer recalled that his fellow inmate had interpreted one of his when he was doing time. After Joseph provided the meaning (7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine), Pharaoh elevated Joseph to second in command of Egypt.
 When the lack of food reached Israel, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. After a while, Joseph revealed himself to his siblings. And later on, Joseph commented because he had the correct perspective: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Ge 50:20). The line of the Messiah stayed alive and intact. At the time, Joseph’s brothers didn’t assume that as they collected the cash. At the moment, Joseph didn’t anticipate that as he took the trip. No. God took an evil plan turned it into a proper end.

That is critical for us. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28). We hang on to that firmly and hold on to that tightly. That correct perspective is for the greatest apostle to the humblest Christian.

But here is the thing: the one who shared that with a pen when writing to the Romans is the same one who showed that with an event when writing to the Philippians. The Christians in the city of Philippi had a close relationship with the apostle after his time among them. They had the same faith in God and were part of the same family of God. When Paul was transported to Rome and placed under house arrest in the capital city, they wondered things were going for him. So as Paul awaited his trial, he answered them in the form of an epistle.

Paul puts any of their concerns to rest: “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Php 1:12). It was his desire that they understand these things in this circumstance. What seemed to be a negative God had it serve a positive. The incarceration did not hurt the good news of Jesus, but helped it. The messenger might be bound; the message was not (2 Ti 2:9). Like a ship making headway across the ocean, the gospel was making progress through the region and the ranks.

The apostle points to two instances since he had the correct perspective:
 “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ” (Php 1:13). As the soldiers cycled through their rotation of watching Paul, they saw that the only grounds for why he was in their custody was because of his connection to Christ. Hardly a crime and definitely not a criminal. And Paul had the opportunity to speak to them about the One who was obedient to death—even death on a cross (Php 2:8). The One whom God also raised and exalted (Php 2:9). And that significance of a Savior spread through the city and became widely known. In today’s terms, it would have been a trending story on an internet news home page.
The Lord can use any of our situations to foster the growth of the gospel—from chronic pain (“I get my strength from God” [2 Co 12:9]) to a coming possibility (“I get my blessings from my heavenly Father” [Ja 1:17].) We have that correct perspective as we proclaim Christ.
 “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly” (Php 1:14). Those who labored for the Lord in Rome dared to do so with great boldness. This inspired them to be brave.
Others may do the same with us. They encourage us to look for moments to assert our confidence in Christ. If they can, so can I.

There is a sad side note. “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry. … [They] preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains” (Php 1:15,17). Did the jealousy come because of Paul’s “hero status?” Along the lines of, “What about us? We have been here for more time and heralded with more trials.” Shouldn’t they get some admiration too? But that is looking out for one’s own glory than one’s God. There were some mixed intentions.

It is sad if professional resentment or personal reward get in the way. It is vital for a pastor to pray, “Lord, have them look past the servant to the Savior—not to applaud me, but to appreciate you.” It is valuable for a person to pray, “Lord, it is not about me, but about you—not to call attention to me, but to draw attention to you.” Proclaim Christ with the correct perspective.

And that is what the focus of many was. “But others out of goodwill. [They] do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel” (Php 1:15). Paul was a genuine role model for them as they preached Christ crucified.

We would do well to imitate that group—respect for the worker and reverence for the work.

Again it comes down to the correct perspective. Paul concludes: “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” (Php 1:18). He is not excusing false teaching—“as long as they mention Christ.” It is not a matter of who announces, but what is announced. That sounds similar to what Moses explained when Joshua got excited: “I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Nu 11:29). Jesus echoed the same idea: “for whoever is not against us is for us” (Mk 9:40).

We continue to tell with conviction what Christ has accomplished. He took on our guilt and took it away with his life and death and resurrection. God has done something exceptional and extraordinary in answer to our request: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps 51:10). And he does just that. Proclaim Christ with the correct perspective.

I will stick with Joseph and maybe give a shout out to Paul as my go-to guy that God makes a promise and he keeps it. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28). In a sense, we have an individual in the Old and New Testaments. They both saw it—even in desperate or difficult times. The focus is not on me, but on Christ. Proclaim Christ with that correct perspective and the gospel goes forward. And because of that, we rejoice.

We read from Philippians 1:12-18:
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen (Php 4:23).

September 30, 2018

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (James 3:13-18)

2018-09-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen (Ro 16:27).

Maybe this has happened. You ask a question of someone or want a comment from someone and the person looks up—in the air or to the sky or toward the ceiling. (Rubbing the chin or scratching the head is optional.) As if the answer or observation is going to be there. It is not a bad thing. It may be because he is just considering how to reply or it is that she is just contemplating how to respond. There is a glance up before something comes out.

In a sense, that is where James wants our eyes to be in order to be wise—upwards. Get your wisdom from above.

Perhaps we need to define wisdom. With the first semester of school underway, we might think of the student who is all about the accumulation of information from instructors or the acquisition of insight from professors. And nothing wrong with that. That is useful when it comes to quizzes and tests or helpful when writing papers or reports. But we can aim a bit higher. Even more than reciting the books of the Bible in order or remembering some Bible passages from catechism class. Wisdom from above is a way of thinking and a manner of living.

Real wisdom is knowing that Jesus has come from above (Jn 3:31)—just like every good and perfect gift (Ja 1:17). He appeared to be our Savior—One who was lifted up on a cross for our sin and raised from a tomb for our freedom (Ro 4:25). The apostle Paul once pointed out: Jesus is “wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Co 1:30). We stand before God, dressed in Jesus’ perfection (Jesus is our righteousness), set free from sin and separate from it (Jesus is our holiness.) because Jesus has paid the price with his blood to release us (Jesus is our redemption.). Jesus explained that to his disciples very clearly and concisely: “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise” (Mk 9:31). Don’t miss that: death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit has recorded that for us in the Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Ti 3:15). That wisdom comes from God to us—from above.

But the book of James is like a follow up with the doctor. You have a procedure done and then schedule another appointment for him to see how you are healing. The faith in our hearts will show in our lives. And so James inquires in order for us to evaluate: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (Ja 3:13). Faith goes on display through our noble behavior. “Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (Ja 3:13). There is a genuine gentleness. That is not weakness, but wisdom.

How does that look? Sometimes we learn through contrasts. We know the difference between hot and cold because we have experienced them. James begins with wisdom “from below.” The difference is detectable from what is “from above.” “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth” (Ja 3:14). Exhibit A is the discussion of the disciples (or better, disagreement). Jesus was focusing on ascending an instrument of torture and they were fixated on climbing a ladder of promotion—arguing “about who was the greatest” (Mk 9:34). I wonder if they were a little nicer than some of those TV commercials about his coming November. Speaking arrogantly and falsely does not reflect wisdom.

In fact, James can conclude: “Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven” (Ja 3:15). And then he adds three ugly qualifiers. “But is …”
 “Earthly” (Ja 3:15)—opposite of heavenly.
 “Unspiritual” (Ja 3:15)—according to our sinful, human nature.
 “Of the devil” (Ja 3:15)—demonic. And Satan’s goal is to devour and destroy (1 Pe 5:8), pulling us away from God and pulling us down to hell.
And then James highlights what it leads to: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (Ja 3:16). Selfish actions—demanding one’s own way at the expense of others (a “me first” outlook)—results in no good thing. We see that play out over and over again in our community and in our country. Not to mention, sin can grow, starting with an attitude in our hearts and coming out in an action in our lives (Ja 1:14,15)—coveting something could end up in stealing, wanting something that is not ours to making it ours.

James does not stay there or stop there. And that is valuable. There is a different kind of wisdom. And there is quite a lineup. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is …” (Ja 3:17)
 “first of all pure”—There is no moral defect as an unwanted additive in food, but definite integrity.
 “then peace-loving”—It fosters peace. It might look like allowing another to merge on the highway rather than speeding up to cut him off, or an employee not talking under one’s breath about a boss or a child behind a parent’s back, or siblings not arguing whose turn it is to wash the dishes.
 “considerate”—It remains steadfast even in the face of injustice. Jeremiah typifies that. He continued to proclaim the truth even when those around him plotted against his life—leaving it in the Lord’s hands. “To you I have committed my cause” (Je 11:20). Or as the psalmist David had us sing: “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; deliver me in your righteousness” (Ps 31:1).
 “submissive”—There is a willingness to obey as one observes the speed limit on the road.
 “full of mercy and good fruit”—Fall is right around the corner. A common decoration is a cornucopia. It is a horn-like wicker tube from which fruit or vegetables spill out. Such is a wise life—overflowing with beneficial works—fruits of faith, like apples on a tree. There are kindness and compassion, for example.
 “impartial”—There is no prejudice.
 “sincere”—There is no hypocrisy, a phony pretense or show. [Notice the last two positive qualities we describe negatively—what it is not.]

So does that describe your last week? This morning? If we are fair, we fail. So then what? We go back to the peace that Jesus gives (Jn 14:27)—perfect peace between us and God, purchased on Good Friday and provided by Easter Sunday. All is right between us and God.

Those who know peace sow that peace like seeds. “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (Ja 3:18). And we are “blessed” (Mt 5:9) as we do that in our homes and in our churches and in our relationships—planting kernels of peace which leads to a plentiful crop of peace.

There are also those who look down before they have a reaction or a comeback. I don’t know if it is to hide embarrassment or to buy time. But not us. We look up—not to a mountaintop guru, but a merciful God. Get your wisdom from above. It is not a bunch of facts and figures. It is faith and fruitfulness. We are truly wise.

We read from James 3:13-18:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! (Re 7:12).

September 22, 2018

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (September 9)

2018-09-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3). Amen.

How is your day so far? Perhaps you haven’t had enough time to formulate an opinion yet. Possibly you would put it into the category of “normal.” You got up and got ready. You showered and shaved. And now you are sitting here. It is an ordinary Sunday.
That was not the case for a lame man. His life was completely changed. He would say and we could state it: This is no ordinary day because of extraordinary deliverance and because of extraordinary delight. We read from …

Acts 3:1-10

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who has all power and deserves all praise,
I don’t know when any given day goes from normal to abnormal. We all woke with things that bug us or bother us. Each of us has them—to various degrees. And they are real—for you and for me. My concerns. Your cares. And it will be that way this side of heaven. It will never be painless or pain-free.
But here is the reminder. Even though they are made up words, our day is not “Jesus-less” or “Jesus-free.” For that reason, …

This Is No Ordinary Day
1. Because of extraordinary deliverance (1-8a)
2. Because of extraordinary delight (8b-10)

1. Because of extraordinary deliverance (1-8a)
It just may be me. I am not sure where to put the stress on the adjective. Is it extraordinary? Or is it extraordinary? It refers to something phenomenal. That describes what occurred with a crippled man. This is no ordinary day because of extraordinary deliverance.
There was no indication that the present day was going to be different from the previous day. After Jesus ascended into heaven, the believers assembled in the temple courts (Acts 2:46), gathering around God’s Word. So it is not surprising that Luke reports: “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon” (Acts 3:1). The ninth hour was one of the three hours of prayer. The others were 9:00 AM and sunset. Peter and John are mentioned together and often worked together. So far, pretty ordinary—Peter and John making their way to the temple.
And there was that nameless man. For 40 years he had struggled with the same situation—he had no use of his legs (Acts 4:22). Since there was no welfare system, he went about his daily activity, stationed in his usual place like people position themselves at stoplights here in town. “Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts” (Acts 3:2). He was at the mercy of passersby for charitable gifts. So far, pretty ordinary—this man making a living at the temple.
But that all changed. Peter and John met this man. They were strolling and he was soliciting. “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money” (Acts 3:3). He stretched out his hand for some help—a coin of some sort, if they could spare some change.
The two men stopped. Who wouldn’t feel for this one with his withered legs? “Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’” (Acts 3:4). Peter wanted his undivided attention as a teacher does with her students. No looking down or looking up. “Eyes right here.” Could this be his payday? He was ready. “So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them” (Acts 3:5).
Was he upset at what Peter uttered next? “Silver or gold I do not have” (Acts 3:6). What good was that? But there was more, much more. Bigger and better. A student wants a day off of school around Christmas time and he gets a two week of vacation. “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). He requested some money and received a miracle. “Taking him by the right hand, he [that is, Peter] helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong” (Acts 3:7). Four decades of an ailment reversed with a few words from a disciple. And it was immediate. No physical therapy or fancy exercises like after knee surgery. “He jumped to his feet and began to walk” (Acts 3:8). No stumbling or staggering like a toddler’s first steps. We can only imagine what that must have been like. This is no ordinary day because of extraordinary deliverance.
When Jesus was on earth, he performed miracles—just like he did in the region of the Decapolis (Mk 7:31). There was that man who had deafness in his ears and difficulty with his speech. Jesus gave him the ability to hear clearly and talk correctly. Mark even recorded the Aramaic word: “‘Ephphatha!’ (which means, ‘Be opened!’)” (Mk 7:34). He fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah predicted: “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy” (Is 35:5,6). Those were marks of the Messiah whom God promised to send to save from sin (Is 34:4).
What Peter did was not by himself of on his own. That ability came from Jesus—“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). In other words, “by the power of and the authority of Jesus.” This is an example of one of the signs that the apostles did (Acts 2:43). Jesus gave them that capability to back up their message. They were his instruments. The people could connect the dots. What Jesus did, his followers do. They must be from him. And those proofs confirmed their message about Jesus who came to rescue all from the stranglehold of sin and Satan. That let them proclaim that significance.
When we hold our tin cup up to God, what are we looking for? Since we have nothing to offer him, he offers us everything. Instead of a dollar or two (and that does come from him too), we get deliverance from sin and Satan. Instead of some pocket change, we get a perfect change. He sends away our sin because he set it on Jesus’ cross and supplies us with Jesus’ holiness. What he has, he gives to us—the removal of guilt and the eternity with him. And he follows that up with good and perfect gifts on earth—other things (Ja 1:17; Ro 8:32). This is no ordinary day with an extraordinary deliverance from the Lord—undeserved gifts to us.
2. Because of extraordinary delight (8b-10)
It really makes no difference how we pronounce it—extraordinary or extraordinary. The meaning remains the same. It is something remarkable. That depicts what transpired with a paralyzed man. This is no ordinary day because of extraordinary delight.
There was no stopping him. How could anyone? Can you picture him trying out his new legs? This was not a sad dream, but sheer delight. “Then he [that is, the lame man] went with them [that is, Peter and John] into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8). All three are significant—walking, jumping, and praising. He checked out his long stride and vertical leap. But the words of worship were not directed to Peter, but to God. He was the One to honor for what had taken place.
It certainly drew the notice of those who had congregated on the temple grounds. “When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:9,10). They were almost beside themselves with astonishment at what was so unusual. This gave Peter an opportunity to address them with a lengthy explanation (Acts 3:11ff.). But this is no ordinary day because of extraordinary delight.
There may have been other beggars there that day who were not healed. Jesus didn’t come to get rid of all physical problems. He came to take care of our spiritual issues. And he did. That doesn’t make him powerless to handle the others. That reminder is in place. He can and does keep some suffering from us. We praise him for that. But when there is hurt or heartaches, cancer or colds, if he doesn’t clear them up, he bears us up—strengthening us and supporting us each day. We praise him for that too. In them we look to the Lord. Through them we lean on the Lord. Even others take note as we take comfort in his goodness and faithfulness. This is no ordinary day because of extraordinary delight in the Lord—undeniable gratitude from us.
So what about today? Normal? Whatever that is for a Sunday—an afternoon nap in a comfy chair or a nice lunch in front of the TV since football is back on. Or any other day. It doesn’t matter. This is no ordinary day because of extraordinary deliverance and because of extraordinary delight. God cancels our sin and keeps us strong. With the psalmist we sing: “Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Ps 146:1). Amen.

Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! (Re 7:12).

September 9, 2018

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Ephesians 6:10-20)

2018-09-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:2). Amen.

Tomorrow is Labor Day. It is our annual commemoration of the contributions of the American worker to the well-being of our nation. Certainly nothing wrong with that. We recognize that the ability to work is a gift of God and from God. Honest effort promotes an ongoing economy.
Not to take away from tomorrow, but today we focus on a different strength—not inside of us, but outside of us. Be strong in the Lord. There is an enemy and there is an armory. We read from …

Ephesians 6:10-20

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who protects us perfectly,
Our country is at war. That is serious. Perhaps at times we forget that. We thank the men in women in the armed forces for their service. I know that we have other holidays for them, but we are grateful that their labor is to keep us safe.
Christians are at war. That is significant. Possibly on occasion we overlook that. And Satan smiles. But the Savior supplies. And so the imperative is not impossible.

Be Strong in the Lord
1. There is an enemy (10-12)
2. There is an armory (14-20)

1. There is an enemy (10-12)
It can be a bit of an exaggeration. I appreciate the attempt of a color commentator to get our attention with fancy phrases when it comes to an NFL preseason game or an opening weekend college matchup. “It is a battle of epic proportions.” Even if it is a rivalry, that is an overstatement. It is not a matter of life and death. Just a win or a loss. That is not the case with the apostle Paul. He is not being dramatic, but realistic. It is a contest of comic magnitudes. As he enlightens us, he encourages us. Be strong in the Lord. There is an enemy.
As Paul concludes his letter to the Christians in the city of Ephesus, he closes with a command as they faced the future skirmishes of temptation. “Finally, be strong” (Eph 6:10). But they didn’t have to work that up like a workout at the gym—not from themselves, but from their Savior (Jos 1:6-9). “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Eph 6:10). They would find help in connection with and in the sphere of the Lord (Eph 1:3). He is the One who is above all and over all. In love, he has the capability to accomplish anything and the ability to finish everything. We keep on turning to him for strength (Ps 46:1). Be strong in the Lord. He makes the powerless powerful.
Paul tells us to dress for success. “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph 6:11). He will describe that in more detail in a bit. But he emphasizes the fact that we have an enemy (1 Pe 5:8). And the slanderer is stealthy and sneaky as he tries to convince us to relax our moral standards in a situation. He is crafty and cunning as he persuades us to remove a major teaching in the Scripture. “Did God really say?” (Ge 3:1). It is not out of his curiosity, but for our confusion. But we can hold our position against his deception. “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Eph 6:10).
And Satan is not alone in trying to do us harm. And Paul heaps up terms to highlight that it is not a batch of ragtag ruffians, but a bunch of well-trained warriors. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12). In a wrestling match, the opponent is obvious. One can grab on to him as he grapples with him. But not us. The foe is unseen and invisible. And they have tricky moves in their arsenal and slippery tactics at their disposal. They have a few more years of experience than we do of expertise. It would be like us taking on an Olympic gold medalist on the mat. We would be no match for that kind of a professional.
Paul is not trying to scare us, but prepare us like a sergeant with his troops on the frontline of a foreign conflict. There needs to be a healthy respect for the other side. We need to keep that in mind and not underestimate them thinking that we are too smart to be sucked in the first time or too sturdy to stumble the second time. The battle is bad. And the fight is fierce. Be strong in the Lord. We can. There is an enemy. But “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Eph 6:10). We are.
2. There is an armory (13-20)
I cannot imagine a scenario that football player would head out onto the field for a game (again, not the battle) in street clothes. That would be foolish not to put on the uniform with the momentum and muscle of the participants nowadays. He would be risking severe injury. Paul would contend the same about a legionnaire. We head into combat clothed. Be strong in the Lord. There is an armory.
When Paul penned this epistle, he was under house arrest, awaiting his trial in Rome. He may have been tied to a soldier. So he employs a military illustration using the standard equipment of an infantryman. We are not unarmed. We have some major hardware. “Therefore [that is, since you have an enemy] put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Eph 6:13). Note that it is not an “if,” it is a “when”—“when the day of evil comes” (Eph 6:13). Sometimes it is fast and furious; other times it is slow and steady. But the devil watches and waits with patience, pokes and prods for our weakness—what distracts us and what disturbs us. It may be different for all of us. But where is our Achilles’ heel? That is where that great Greek hero was vulnerable because that is where his mother held him as she dipped him in the River Styx. We are not invincible on our own. Jesus pointed that out. “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mk 7:21,22). Satan works off that and with that.
But be strong in the Lord. There is an armory. God outfits us very well. We take it up and strap it on.
 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Eph 6:14). The belt safeguarded the midsection. And the belt of truth is invaluable to us. Because when the devil opens his mouth out spew lies because he is “a lair and the father of lies” (Jn 8:44). He tries to convince you what God really thinks of you—that he doesn’t take an interest in you either with his compassion or care.
But we have the truth. Jesus is the truth (Jn 14:6). And so is God’s Word (Jn 17:17). Jesus explains and the Bible expresses that God does love you. He demonstrated that by giving his Son so that we would have the forgiveness of sins and the home in heaven (Jn 3:16). We sing with the psalmist: “Oh, how I love your law! [that is, instruction, teaching]” (Ps 119:97). And we will follow the admonition of Moses: “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it” (Dt 4:2). We will not tamper with it, but trust in it.
 “with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Eph 6:14). That might be like a bullet-proof vest. But this is better than Kevlar. The devil can accuse us of sin (and he would be right because we don’t measure up to God). But God clears our account of any accusation (Ro 3:21-26). That is because Jesus carried our sin so God can cancel our guilt. God put it all on Jesus so he can place Jesus’ holiness on us (2 Co 5:21).
 “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15). We have the good news that all is right between us and God (Eph 2:16,17). Like cleats, we have good traction and firm footing. We will not falter or fall.
 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Eph 6:16). This was long and covered the whole body to ward off flying and fiery projectiles. Maybe we compare it to a going up against flamethrower. It was to start a fire and have it spread. But what we believe can snuff out what the devil tries to shoot at us.
 “Take the helmet of salvation” (Eph 6:17). A blow to the head could/would be dangerous, if not deadly. It wouldn’t just put them in concussion protocol or lead to CTE. But Jesus rescued us, redeemed us. The devil can’t destroy us because Jesus has delivered us.
 “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17). We can read what the Holy Spirit has recorded for us (2 Pe 1:20,21; He 4:12,13). We can apply it to what is happening in life to where we are going in death. When we question God’s presence, he reminds us that he will never leave us (He 13:5). When he calls us to his side, we will reside in paradise (Lk 23:43). But in order to swing the sword of the Spirit, we need to stay in the Word—in Sunday worship, in Bible Class, in confirmation class, in Little Lights, in home devotions. We will continue to dig into and dive into it to ward off the devil (Ja 4:7).
Furnished in such a way with every piece in place, don’t set it down or let it slip it off. Be strong in the Lord. There is an armory.
But there is one more formidable weapon in the fine arsenal. Prayer—speaking to the one true God. Paul gives us a quick lesson on that gift which is our battle-cry.
 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions” (Eph 6:18). There is no certain instant—whenever. Every moment—morning, evening, at night.
 “with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph 8:18). There is no specific issue—whatever. Everything—from giving thanks to getting things.
 “With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Eph 6:18). There is no special individual—whomever. Everyone. Look around at you fellow holy ones. They need your prayers as you need theirs in the fray as the devil comes at us with all his fury.
The apostle also appeals to them: “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Eph 6:19,20). Paul is not shy in asking for their prayers. And he is precise. He requests boldness and openness whenever he starts to speak while he is in custody.
In the same way, pray for your pastor and pastors, professors, teachers, missionaries all around the world so that they proclaim the good news with confidence and conviction. (In a few weeks we will be hearing from one who serves in Africa.) Be strong. There is an armory. The victory is ours.
On Tuesday we will return to what we celebrate on Monday—to our various labors, from school to office to factory. It is fine to take a day off—especially to thank the Lord for what we achieve through him and by him. We also pray that we promote a good work ethic for the advancement of our country. There is another area that we want to be strong in. Our spiritual warfare. But we don’t enter the melee alone. Be strong in the Lord. There is an enemy—the devil and his ugly horde. But they are defeated through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. And be strong in the Lord. There is an armory. Definitively wear them and win decisively with them. Onward. Amen.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Eph 6:24). Amen.

September 2, 2018

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Hebrews 11:24-28)

2018-08-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.

We can say it now—whether it is tomorrow or soon. It is a different kind of great Minnesota get-together. Back to school. That may cause one’s heart to speed up or stomach to sink down. Either way, it doesn’t change the fact. It is time for classes to resume within days or weeks.

That means that there was probably the annual pilgrimage to the store. A student needs new sweats and nice shoes as well as eight spiral notebooks and twelve #2 pencils.

It could also include an appointment with the doctor. He may test your reflexes. Or she may check your ears. But there is also the eye chart. A student has to be able to see the blackboard or whiteboard (whatever color they come in now). If there is a problem, maybe the recommendation is for glasses to have 20/20 vision. (Hopefully not too many will need bifocals. Save that for later in life.)

Moses didn’t need frames for his eyes. He had faith in his heart. And faith’s eyes see Christ clearly.

Moses was born at a dangerous time. At least, for boys. The children of Israel were no longer welcomed guests in Egypt, but oppressed slaves—baking bricks and building cities (Ex 1:11,14). The memory of what Joseph did for them during the huge famine was long gone (Ex 1:8). The Pharaoh went so far as to declare an edict that every baby boy was to be thrown into the Nile River (Ex 1:22).

Then along came Moses. “He was a fine child” (Ex 2:2), “no ordinary child” (He 11:23). So his parents hid him for three months by faith (He 11:23). When they couldn’t keep him concealed any longer, his mom made a basket and set him in the river. It was Pharaoh’s daughter who found him, drawing him out of the water, and adopted him, calling him her own. Moses didn’t just have it good. He had it great. An excellent education in an elite culture (Acts 7:21,22). (I wonder if he ever complained about learning his hieroglyphics.)

But when Moses was older, he made a decision. It was “by faith” (He 11:24). “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (He 11:24). He declined the certain position and the special privileges that he had in the palace and the perks that accompanied it. And it cost him. You know how that it is. When you say “no” to something, you are saying “yes” to another thing. Shutting off YouTube (“no” to a funny clip) translates into doing homework (“yes” to a math assignment).

How did that look for Moses? He turned down his royal place and turned to his real people. “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time” (He 11:25). He suffered with God’s nation rather than satisfy his sinful nature. And there was a price. Whatever abuse fell to them fell on him.

That doesn’t make pleasant things wrong. Those are gifts from our heavenly Father (Ja 1:17). But not at the expense of our relationship with God. The enjoyment of earthly amusements only lasts a short time. Think of a present at Christmas. Toys break for a child. Jeans fade for an adult. What God has in store for us is eternal (2 Co 4:18). That is why Joshua encouraged the tribes of Israel at Shechem to get rid of the false gods/idols. We add our voice to his in announcing: “We will serve the LORD” (Josh 24:15). He is worthy of our undivided loyalty to him in response to his undeserved love to us.

It came down to Moses’ mindset: “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (He 11:16). Whatever abuse there was didn’t matter. Moses knew about the coming Messiah. Later he even wrote about him in the first five books of the Bible (Jn 5:46). He urged the people to watch for and wait for the One who would crush Satan’s head (Ge 33:15) and proclaim God’s Word (Dt 18:15). That is because faith’s eyes see Christ clearly. We might compare it to an artist painting an individual (or perhaps a butter sculpture like at the Minnesota Fair). He will stare at that one so that he can reproduce her accurately. (You don’t need that same concentration when drawing a stickman.) Moses kept his attention fixed on and focused on Christ.

We do the same as we gather in God’s house publically or as we grow in God’s grace privately (He 10:25; 2 Pe 3:18). It is valuable for us to not do that annually as optometrists suggest, but daily as God speaks. The eyes of faith view the future, not just the present. Our God holds out the “reward” of heaven, not because we have produced it by ourselves, but because he has provided it through Jesus. He gave up everything to give us everything (2 Co 8:9). We join Peter in asserting when so many were walking away from Jesus: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68,69). Jesus is the One who makes us right with God, dying on the cross for our sin and delivering his perfection to us.

Moses was God’s man to rescue Israel from Egypt (Acts 7:25). That also was “by faith” (He 11:27). (That is the second time the unknown writer highlights that quality.) “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger” (He 11:27). Moses could lead an estimated 2 million people from their captivity without any concern for the king’s rage boiling over. Why? “He [that is, Moses] persevered because he saw him who is invisible” (He 11:27). That is God. The Lord would guide and guard. That was very evident at the Red Sea. The situation was serious. The dry desert to the sides of them, the deep water in front of them, and the determined Egyptian army behind them. But God walled up the water so that they could walk through without getting their sandals wet and then washing over the enemy.

Our eyes of faith see the Invisible One protecting us and providing for us (He 11:1; 1 Pe 1:8). We can sing to the Lord with the psalmist: “Be my rock of refuge to which I can always go; for you are my rock and my fortress” (Ps 71:3). In him we are safe and secure.

But we need to backtrack a bit. Pharaoh was not so excited to let the free labor go free. The Lord had to convince him. There was plague after plague—9 in all. But still Pharaoh would not budge. God decided that there would be one more to break his iron grip—the death of the firstborn of both man and animal. But not of Israel. The Lord made that possible. They were to take the blood of a one-year-old lamb and paint it on the doorframes of their houses. They were to eat the meat of that animal, ready to head out quickly. That evening, the Lord would pass over those places and spare the oldest. That blood saved them. And Moses inaugurated that annual celebration. That was “by faith” (He 11:28). (That is the third time that the unnamed author emphasizes that characteristic.) “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel” (He 11:28).

Year after year lamb after lamb lost its life as the children of Israel commemorated that critical night. But that paschal slaughter only pointed ahead to the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus, “who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29). He has lifted up and carried off our guilt. It is no more. He redeemed us, paid the price necessary to set us free, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood (1 Pe 1:18,19). Faith’s eyes see Christ clearly. He gave up his life to grant us life. He has cleansed us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7).

Back to school. That could be significant or insignificant depending on who you are. That may or may not bring new clothes, supplies, or glasses. We can be grateful for a checkup today. Faith’s eyes see Christ clearly. By faith, we live with him right now, even when there is pain. By faith, we live with him forever in Paradise. Thank you, Lord, for the same eyesight of faith as Moses.

We read from Hebrews 11:24-28:
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.
26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (He 13:20,21).

August 26, 2018

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Exodus 16:2-15)

2018-08-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:2). Amen.

Behold. I don’t know if you use that word. If you do, I am going to guess probably not that often. It sounds like something from William Shakespeare. As in: “Behold how the tempest rages against yonder window pane.” (That is not really from one of his comedies or tragedies as far as I know. So it is not plagiarism. But then again, I only had a semester of his plays in college. Besides, I am not sure what kind of glass they had in Bill’s day.)

“Behold” (or the word in the original language) is fairly common. And when it appears, it is often left untranslated because we just don’t talk that way. But it is a valuable word. Along the lines of “Look!” It is an interjection demanding attention. In a way, it is almost as if the writer is pointing his finger because this is important. It is something that he wants us to witness, drawing us into the account—pulling us inside. It is like a child pointing at one of the birds that patrols our field: “Hey, that is a big hawk.” Or “Behold.”

The first time that it comes up is in verse 4. It is kind of bland: “I will rain down bread from heaven for you” (Ex 16:4). Really: “Behold I am going to cause it to rain for you bread.” Again with the idea: “Moses, see what I am going to do.” The Lord wanted him to observe what was about to occur.

The more important one is in verse 10. “While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and [behold—the 2nd time] there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud” (Ex 16:10). It is that phrase “glory of the Lord” that we want to consider. (The glory of the Lord is also in verse 7, but there is no “behold.”) This is the first time that it shows up in Scripture. There are others. But perhaps it is like a ranger at Teddy Roosevelt State Park in the North Dakota Badlands. The views are impressive initially, but quickly become ordinary. We don’t want that to be. So it is worth our considering. Behold the glory of the Lord.

We need to backtrack a bit. The Israelites were about a month removed from some major events. The Lord through Moses convinced Pharaoh to let them go from the country and their slavery. It came in the form of 10 Convincers, or Plagues—the final one being the death of the first-born of man and animal. Then when the Egyptians had second thoughts about their free labor leaving, the army took off after them. Again the Lord intervened. The water at the Red Sea walled up and the entire nation passed through without getting their sandals wet. The forces of Pharaoh didn’t make it out alive when the water came crashing down.

And they had set up camp again after a bit of travel. It is not too hard to imagine that whatever foodstuffs that they had brought with them had been used up. So what do you do? The same thing that they became experts at over the years. Complain.

They are not the only ones who are good at it. When things get hard, we grumble too. Even too much. We can be pretty proficient at it—almost shaking a fist at God.

Moses and Aaron often found themselves working behind the complaint counter—the targets of discontent. “In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron” (Ex 16:2). In this dry and desolate region, there was no missing their dissatisfaction and displeasure. There is even an accusation as well as an allegation: “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death” (Ex 16:3). Talk about selective memory—remembering what they wanted and forgetting the rest. They called to mind the delicious food, but the cruel treatment slipped their minds. They forgot the troubles of the past when facing the problems of the present.

It is that way when we grouse. How quickly we forget the hardships of the days gone by and turn them into the “good old days.” Those days in Egypt weren’t so good. Now that it is August we can mention back to school. That sounds like a 5th-grader contending that 4th-grade math was so easy when there was plenty of bellyaching the year before about the subject.

What does the Lord do? He doesn’t destroy them (maybe that is what we might have done), he delivers them once again. That is the same thing that he does when we moan and groan. He forgives us in Jesus. The apostle Paul used the picture of dressing correctly—peeling off the old and changing into the new—like from bedtime pajamas to a black tuxedo. “And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:24). God has brought it about that we are right with him and holy before him. He wipes our account of sin and it shows in our life for him. The psalmist David had us sing: “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise” (Ps 145:3).

The forecast called for bread. But it had a short shelf life. “[Recall that it starts with a “behold.”] I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions” (Ex 16:4). And there would be a regular rotation—bread every day. That sounds like how Jesus taught us to pray in that model prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt 6:11). We recognize that what is in our pantries, closets, and garages come from him.

The exception being the 7th day of the week, the Sabbath. “On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days” (Ex 16:5). Already they were being conditioned to think of the rest that the Messiah would one day bring—refreshment from their guilt. We come to Jesus for the same (Mt 11:28).

Moses then mentioned, along with Aaron: “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD” (Ex 16:6,7). That would be part of their personal experience. God was teaching and training them to rely on him day-to-day.

Moses is correct when he points out that murmuring against them goes up the chain—where the real object of their frustration was:
 “Because he [that is, the LORD] has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” (Ex 16:7).
 “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD” (Ex 16:8). It is the Lord of love who stands behind the gift of food. And it was not just a bite, but a bunch. They would feast and be full. He is the compassionate Supplier.
It is no different with us—not just daily, but richly too (cf. Explanation to the First Article and The Fourth Petition). It is David who declares: “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Ps 145:15,16).

Moses wanted Aaron to have them report: “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling’” (Ex 16:9). And then it came about: “While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and [there is a second “behold.”] there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud” (Ex 16:10). That must have been quite a sight.

But there is more to it than a fireworks show after a ballgame—the glory of the Lord.
 The Lord is making his presence known in a very special way. He wanted them to know that he was there.
 It is a visible sign of God’s burning desire to carry out his gospel promise. When it is present, The Lord is advancing his plan to rescue his people. It is with the Savior in mind.

So there is a bit of repetition: “The LORD said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.”’” (Ex 16:11,12). It is obvious that he understood the children of Israel. But they will definitely be able to appreciate personally that he is …
 The LORD (13x in this selection)—gracious and compassionate, lifting up their rebellion and continuing his mercy (Ex 34:6,7).
 Your God—they could call and claim him as their very own.

There is no surprise that is exactly what transpired.
 “That evening quail came and covered the camp” (Ex 16:13). This was not a great coincidence, but God’s explicit command, his specific directive—when and where. Some estimate that the population numbered around 2 million individuals. That is no small task.
 “And in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, [There is the third “behold.” It is as if we are right in the midst of this incredible gift.] thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor” (Ex 16:13,14). This was not by accident, but by announcement. The people could be flexible as far as preparation—baking it or boiling it, even eating it raw.
And this would continue for the next 40 years. A miracle of epic proportions and with enough portions. It was Moses who cleared up the confusion. “When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat’” (Ex 16:15). They were to be sure how this came about—from the Lord. Jesus made that point too when the people asked Jesus for some “miraculous sign” (Jn 6:30). They mistakenly attributed the manna to Moses. But Jesus corrected them. It came from God.

Jesus had just fed 5000+ men, women, and children from a small boy’s lunch box—5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish (Jn 6:1-15). The people got excited and followed Jesus for another possible free lunch the next day (Jn 6:26). But that is not why he came—to be a “Bread King” (Jn 6:15). He made that evident—eternal needs, not earthly ones. “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (Jn 6:29). To trust in the One whom the Father sent to give life—a living relationship with the Lord. That only comes through Jesus. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (Jn 6:35). It is Jesus who gives us what is essential, life—right now and forever. To God be the glory for our physical bread and spiritual Bread.

“Behold” may not be an everyday word for us. But it is everywhere in the Old Testament even though we might not always be able to spot it. It places us at the scene of what is going on. When the Israelites protested, God provided. But that is how he operates. Behold the Glory of the Lord who graciously and abundantly supplies our needs in Christ.

We read from Exodus 16:2-15:
2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.
5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt,
7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?”
8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.”
9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ”
10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
11 The LORD said to Moses,
12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”
13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.”

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Eph 6:24). Amen.

August 5, 2018

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)

2018-07-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Co 1:2). Amen.

We have a God of all. What comes to mind when I say that? Perhaps you think of the fact that he created all and now keeps all (Ge 1,2). That would be correct. And since he did, all things belong to him.
The apostle Paul would have us consider the statement, “we have a God of ‘all,’” a bit differently. It is clear in the way that he repeats the word “all.” We have a God of “all” who gives all to us and who gives all through us. Count the “alls” as we read from … [It is a bit of a trick as far as the correct answer, but I will explain in a bit.]

2 Corinthians 9:8-11

Dear People of our good and gracious God,
The Maker of all allows us to be the manager of some. That is when we break out the fancy word “stewardship.” That means that we take care of someone else’s stuff. My classic example is Joseph in the Old Testament. As a slave, he was responsible for the household of Mr. Potiphar (Ge 39:1-6). He was not the owner of anything, but just the overseer of everything.
But it is not simply stewardship. It is Christian stewardship—looking after our possessions as followers of Christ. Our God is at the center. That is because …

We Have a God of “All”
1. Who gives all to us (8)
2. Who gives all through us (8-11)

1. Who gives all to us (8)
We get the concept of gifts because we get them. Some occasions might be for birthdays or Christmas. James reminds us: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (Ja 1:17). Paul makes that point too. We have a God of “all” who gives all to us.
This section of Scripture is taken from a lengthy conversation that Paul has about an offering that the Corinthians were collecting—along with others in the area. It was to help their fellow believers in Jerusalem who were in dire need. Those in Corinth had committed to take part and Paul was encouraging them to complete it so that the donation could be delivered soon (2 Co 8:12).
The apostle is emphatic as he takes up the topic of cheerful giving—not reluctantly or under compulsion (2 Co 9:7). It should not make one sad, but glad. And not a “want to,” but a “get to.”—joyous and generous.
So he calls their attention to God. “God is able” (2 Co 9:8). Ability and capability—God has it. There is no limit. “God is able to make all grace abound to you” (2 Co 9:8). [That is “all” number one if you are counting.] It is not material goods, but divine blessing—grace, undeserved kindness. That would overflow to them. I think of a certain individual when it comes to a $.79 icee from a certain convenience store/gas station. He takes the 24-ounce cup and puts the cover on. Then he pulls the handle and lets the blue raspberry sugary concoction pour in. There is even a shake to have it settle and a squirt or two more. It is not a bit, but a bunch. That is God’s grace given to us. God provides all grace superabundantly.
 The Father sent his Son into the world because he loved us (Jn 3:16). Through Jesus, he no longer counts our sins against us (2 Co 5:19). He doesn’t just give spiritual life, but physical life—richly and daily preserving us with what we need (cf. Explanation to the First Article and The Fourth Petition). That is abundant grace.
 Jesus, though he was rich, became poor so that we might be eternally rich (2 Co 8:9). He died for all and was raised again (2 Co 4:14,15). We are now right with God (2 Co 5:21). That is abundant grace.
 The Holy Spirit has brought us to faith and builds up that faith. He is a deposit, or a down payment, in our hearts, guaranteeing that more blessings will come (2 Co 2:22). That is abundant grace.
God’s grace is not in short supply. We have a God of “all” who gives all to us so that we are blessed.
2. Who gives all through us (8-11)
We get the idea of gifts because we give them. The events might be like weddings or Easter. Jesus relays to us that fathers know how to give the good gifts to their children like bread and fish (Mt 7:9,10). They are not the only ones. Us too. We have a God of “all” who gives all through us.
There is a result, or purpose, behind God’s grace that is more than enough. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Co 9:8). [There it is—“all” 5x in one verse. That is not just trivia. By the way, the 5th “all” comes through in translation as “every.”] “All things, all times, all needed, every good work.” God is a God of “all.” The recourses are more than adequate when it comes to giving our moments to one another as well as our money for one another.
Jesus certainly demonstrated that on a hillside in northern Galilee. The situation seemed impossible—food for 5000+. There was no Roberts Street where there is a restaurant every few feet. There was no pizza delivery in 30 minutes or its free. You hear the hopelessness in two of the disciples.
 Philip weighed in: “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (Jn 6:7). His arithmetic was appropriate.
 Andrew chimed in: “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (Jn 6:9). His assessment was accurate.
But they didn’t take into account Jesus’ almighty power. When all was said and done, everyone had enough to eat—not just a nibble (Jn 6:12). And there were 12 basketfuls left over—more, much more than with what they started (Jn 6:13). God is able.
And so a Christian can teem with anything that fits into the category of a “good work”—whatever is useful and beneficial (2 Co 9:8). We don’t have to hesitate to give whatever, fearing that we come up short or come up behind. God is able to furnish more. That unnamed man’s gift to Elisha and the school of the prophets is living proof (2 Kings 4:42-44). Twenty loaves of barley bread miraculously fed 100 men. They even had extra to put in Ziploc baggies if they wanted.
There is no reason for us to be hesitant. Paul supports that from the Psalms (Ps 112:9). “As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever’” (2 Co 9:9). That brings to mind a farmer who chucks seeds all over—sowing plentifully, handfuls here and there, to reap plentifully, heapings of this and that (2 Co 9:6). The one who is right with God will live right for God. We just imitate God’s liberality.
Paul turns it back to God. “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Co 9:10). God is the source. The reality that there was seed implies there was a previous harvest. And now there is grain for bread. That will continue to be the case.
If we transfer the imagery, Paul is reinforcing that we receive the means to be cheerful givers from God. In gratitude, we give and give. And God will cause our attitude and our ability and our availability to grow. We sing with psalmist because we are sure: “O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you” (Ps 84:12).
And so Paul continues: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Co 9:11). [That brings the grand total of “alls” to 7. Again, it comes in the form of 2 “everys.” English is a bit more flexible than Greek, employing two words instead of one.] They will have a singlemindedness of being big-hearted and open-handed, no ulterior motives or hidden agendas.
The result of this will be—for them and us: “through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Co 9:11). It will bring about gratefulness to God.
 The givers are thankful to God. That is why we give.
 The receivers will be thankful to God for the gifts. Others will join us in giving thanks—to God and for us.
We have a God of “all” who gives all through us so that others are blessed.
I don’t discount the truth that the Lord God called the world into existence. The Bible declares it to be true. He is God of all. But that includes the word “all.” We have a God of “all” who gives all to us. He has been generous to us. We have a God of “all” who gives all through us. We can be generous to others. Thanks be to God. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.

July 29, 2018

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Mark 6:30-34)

2018-07-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:2). Amen.

Generally speaking, summertime is vacation time. That may be the case for you. You have already gone or are going soon. (But time is short. Have you noticed them? There are now “back to school” sales going on. [I know that I probably just made someone’s day.]) And even if you can’t sneak away in the near future, you can come up with a dream destination.
It is important. Jesus knows that too. So he extends an invitation: Come, get some rest physically and spiritually. We read from …

Mark 6:30-34

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who gives and grants real rest,
“So where do you want to go?” That is usually the initial question that begins a conversation—especially if you don’t have a cabin where you can mow lawn and feed mosquitoes.
If you are at a loss, you can spot a commercial on TV or search the web on google as far as suggestions. They typically give places where or reasons why—30 must-see locations in this state or that one or 20 things to do in this city or that one. Depending on your personal preference, it might range from a national park to a ballpark to a water park to an amusement park. It changes is you want to be around people or away from them. Or in the mountains or along the ocean. No matter what it is, it is a break from the routine.
But while tourism departments are concerned about your money, Jesus cares about your mentality. And it is not a recommendation, but a reality.

Come, Get Some Rest
1. Physically (30-32)
2. Spiritually (33,34)

1. Physically (30-33)
“How are you?” That is a common inquiry—at the supper table or the church entryway. The reply most often has to do with our bodies. It can be lethargic from being sleep-deprived to energetic from being sleep-blessed (I made that word up.). Wherever you find yourself on that scale, come, get some rest—physically.
That is one thing that Jesus had in mind for his disciples. They had trailed him for a while. As part of their training, he had recently sent them out in pairs (Mk 6:7). (That is what “apostle” means: “one sent out—for a specific purpose and with definite authority.”) He dispatched them to preach repentance from village to village—a change of mind, turning from their sin and turning to their Savior (Mk 6:12). They could take what they had learned from him and get some practical experience without him.
But that was over. Was it because it was predetermined—a certain time frame when they were to return? In the olden days before cell phones, when we went shopping at the mall, my parents would set a meeting site and an exact time for my brothers and sisters to report back—“the food court at 5:00.” Then we would break the huddle and scatter. Or did the recent news of John the Baptist’s untimely death—beheaded by Herod for speaking against his unlawful marriage—bring them scurrying back (Mk 6:14-29)? It makes no difference. Mark simply relays: “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught” (Mk 6:30). It was better than those quarterly or yearly statements about your stocks that come in the mail from companies, full of column after column of numbers (not interesting reading for most). As much as they performed or proclaimed—from acceptance to rejection (Mk 6:10,11). How eagerly and patiently Jesus must have listened.
It was significant work, but strenuous too. And the press of the crowd was infringing on their narratives like when you keep getting texts when you are trying to talk to someone. (You don’t necessarily have to look at them or respond to them.) “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’” (Mk 6:31). The weary workers need some downtime to be refreshed from their traveling tour—even if it wasn’t at a 5-star bed and breakfast or all-inclusive resort. “So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mk 6:32). Rest followed work. It was rest with him after work for him.
We have been there a time or two—possibly right now. Busy. It affects any and every age group—young and old, all year around. We are constantly on the go. And you are aware of the result: tired (with a smidgen of cranky mixed in for good measure).
It is worth acknowledging. Work is not punishment for us, but a purpose for us. Work is a gift of God going all the way back to the Garden of Eden (CW p. 32). It is a way for Adam and Eve to worship God and give him glory (1 Co 10:31). It still is for us. It wasn’t until sin came into the world that it brought frustration or irritation to the process. By providing us with abilities and opportunities to work in different roles, we take care of our various responsibilities. There is high value and dignity in hard work.
But it was not the Lord’s intention that we work around the clock all year long—driving ourselves so hard that we deprive ourselves so often. There is also the good of rest—ranging from an afternoon nap to a night’s sleep to a week of vacation or an afternoon of recreation (CW p. 32). That is evident in one of the aims of the Sabbath Day in the Old Testament—in part, a day of rest for the body (Ex 20:8-11). Time off and time away allows us to recuperate and rejuvenate.
Either extreme is the issue—to work too much or too little. There has to be a balance—not lounging around and laying around all day. Work follows rest. Work for him is after rest with him. The disciples would soon be back at it serving as waiters and busboys to 5000+ people, handing out food from a boy’s lunchbox—5 loaves of bread and 2 fish—and cleaning up 12 basketfuls of leftovers. We work faithfully and rest appropriately. Jesus is aware of that. Come, get some rest physically so that we can serve our Savior and each other.
2. Spiritually (33,34)
So “how are you?” The response can also include our souls. No matter where you are from exhausted to animated (coffee and caffeine might have a part in that), come, get some rest spiritually.
Jesus and company were able to sneak a bit of time together (Jn 6:3). But not for long. “But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them” (Mk 6:33). It was like paparazzi chasing a celebrity. It may not have been really respectful like calling someone in the middle of the night, but they took advantage of the opportunity to be with Jesus—some, no doubt, for the miracles, others for the message.
It was a conscious choice on their part. We have many options in a day and on Sunday. It is not rest away from Jesus, but rest together with Jesus. We don’t want to take a holiday from him, but with him. We can include worship during time away.
Jesus did not view the throng of people as a nasty interruption of his free time. He did not send them away, but he sat them down. There was an intense need in them. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mk 6:34). His heart ached for them. The comparison is familiar. Sheep cannot survive without someone watching over them—guiding and guarding them. They cannot find food for themselves. They cannot fight predators by themselves. They will end up dead.
Things had not changed that much from Jeremiah’s day. Those in charge were not leading and feeding God’s people. So God took matters into his own hands: “‘I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the LORD” (Je 23:4). Ultimately he pledged a “righteous Branch” from David’s family (Je 23:5). That is a prophecy about Jesus.
Here Jesus healed their sick. He helped their souls. “So he began teaching them many things” (Mk 6:34). His instruction more than likely included who he was—the Messiah—and why he came—to save. He had come to lay down his life and take it up again (Jn 10:17).
And that is what he did. With David, a shepherd himself, we can declare: “The LORD is my shepherd” (Ps 23:1). And as such, he summons us to come to him for rest—rest for our weary and burdened souls (Mt 11:28). He takes the weight of the guilt and replaces it with his righteousness. He lives up to his name: “The LORD Our Righteousness” (Je 23:6). Through him, we are right with God—holy. He restores our souls as he makes us lie down in green pastures and beside the quiet waters of his Word (Ps 23:2). Or as the apostle Paul pointed out about Jesus: “He himself is our peace” (Eph 2:14). And changing the picture from an open field to a solid structure: “You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph 2:19,20).
The rest isn’t just on earth, but for eternity where nothing will disrupt or disturb it. We can be confident: “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Ps 23:6). Come, get some rest spiritually. And it will not end.
We maybe fit into two categories—looking back on or looking ahead to vacation. In summer more so than any other time of the year. It is vital for us to rest. Jesus is aware of that. So he doesn’t just suggest rest; he supplies it. Come, get some rest—physically and spiritually. Both come from him whether it is a breather from work or the forgiveness of sins. Rest easy—now and always. Amen.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Eph 6:24). Amen.

July 22, 2018

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Ephesians 1:3-14)

2018-07-16T06:59:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:2). Amen.

There are some things you can scan quickly—like a postcard mailed from a boy at camp, others you have to scour slowly—like a textbook printed by a scholar about physics.
Why? You want to make sure that you don’t miss anything.
 It is not hard to get a scribbled note: “You wish you were here.” You can glance at that casually and go on.
 It is not so simple to grasp a complicated formula: E=mc2. (In case you forgot: “Energy equals mass times the speed of light squared.” Thanks, Mr. Einstein.) You have to pour over that carefully and go over it again.
It is just a paragraph from the apostle Paul which stretches from eternity to eternity—something God planned and performed. It is not necessarily light reading. But it is very comforting reading. We join him in this thought. Praise God for his glorious grace. You are selected by the Father, saved through the Son, and sealed with the Spirit. We read from …

Ephesians 1:3-14

Dear People of our Glorious God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
A doxology is a hymn of praise. Paul is no stranger to them when it comes to God. In his letters, he breaks out in song in the middle of them (Ro 11:33-36). He busts out at the end of them (Php 4:20). It is the same at the start of them like the section before us.
He couldn’t help singing God’s praise. No matter when or where. Even from prison in Rome when he writes to the Christians gathered in the city of Ephesus (Acts 25:11; 28:30 [along with the letters of Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon]).
It is relatively brief, but really beautiful. We don’t want to overlook the meaning, but look over the message. And when we do, Paul’s encouragement is easy (Eph 1:6,12,14).

Praise God for his Glorious Grace
1. You are selected by the Father (3-6)
2. You are saved through the Son (7-13)
3. You are sealed with the Spirit (13,14)

1. You are selected by the Father (3-6)
This morning we confessed: “I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty” (CW p. 31). The Father is the first person of the Trinity. Paul has us think about that. Praise God for his glorious grace. You are selected by the Father.
God certainly is worthy of words which call him good: “Praise be to [or “blessed be”] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 1:3). Why? “Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph 1:3). There is nothing missing or lacking—whatever fits into the category of a blessing—every sort of and every kind of. That all comes from heaven and culminates in heaven (Ja 1:17). And all through Christ. Without him we have nothing. With him we have everything. And we do. (More on that, or better—more on him in a minute.)
Consider what the Father has done: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” (Eph 1:4). Let that sink in. He picked us. And it wasn’t a notion that he threw together at the last moment—on a wish or a whim. Before he laid the foundation of the universe. Long before we were even born. And it was not like Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Those representatives from the National League and the American League are the best of the best in baseball. (I didn’t even get one vote, if you are curious.) They have a high batting average or on-base percentage. They can hit home runs and field fly balls. No. It wasn’t who we would be or what we would do. But who Jesus was and what he would do. It is based entirely on the mercy of God and totally on the merits of Christ. Praise God for his glorious grace.
And there was a purpose behind it: “to be holy and blameless in his sight” (Eph 1:4). Not because we were holy and blameless—we weren’t, but to be …
 “holy” (Eph 1:4)—free from sin and far from it. That makes us “saints” (Eph 1:2).
 “blameless” (Eph 1:4)—without fault or blemish (Eph 5:27).
That is how we stand in front of him. Our conscience can make accusations. The devil can make allegations. But God elected us to be holy and blameless. Praise God for his glorious grace.
The Father acted in our best interest. He had to and did. “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Eph 1:4,5). Once outside of his family, now inside. God puts us there—sons and daughters with the full rights and privileges that come from the Father (Ga 3:26,27; 1 Jn 3:1). All because he wanted to, not forced to. It was exciting to him and executed by him. “To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Eph 1:6). Look around to see your spiritual siblings. The Father was well pleased with his Son (Mt 3:17). With us too. That undeserved kindness God gives to us. Praise God for his glorious grace. You are selected by the Father to be his own from eternity.
2. You are saved through the Son (7-13)
And then we continued: “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God” (CW p. 31). The Son is the second person of the Trinity. Paul has us think through that. Praise God for his glorious grace. You are saved by the Christ.
Paul’s pen now points to the One who makes everything possible—our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3). “In him we have …” (Eph 1:7)
 “redemption through his blood” (Eph 1:7). To “redeem” is to set free through the payment of a price. We might use the illustration of the ransom for the release of a prisoner of war. And it came at a high and heavy cost (1 Co 6:20)—not money from a bank, but blood from Jesus’ body (1 Pe 1:18,19). He suffered on the cross and died in our place. Praise God for his glorious grace.
 “the forgiveness of sins” (Eph 1:7). That has the idea of sending off or sending away—like canceling a debt or an obligation. Gone. All the times that we have stepped to the side like a gymnast falling off the balance beam. But that didn’t result in a deduction, but damnation. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Ps 103:12). Praise God for his glorious grace.
Speaking that Paul highlights that: “in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Eph 1:7,8). There is not just a bit of grace—like the drip of a leaky faucet splashing in the sink, but a bunch of it—like cold water running over the sides of a glass. We wouldn’t complain about that on a hot and humid day. But not an advisory about the heat, but the admittance into heaven. God knew what had to be done and acted on that. We have that knowledge and appreciation.
But we would have never come up with any of this. Again, God took care of that. “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ” (Eph 1:9). It is not as if we could sniff out some clues to figure it out. A “mystery” is something that God has to reveal to us like when someone hands you a present. You have to open it to know what is inside. God explains that his desire is to save us in Christ. And he has. Praise God for his glorious grace.
And God has a goal—“to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Eph 1:10). Jesus is above all and over all. At the right moment, he came into the world to take care of our sin and shame (Ga 4:4). And again, this wasn’t a haphazard happenstance—nothing accidental: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:11,12). Everything occurs just as God had determined—from the promise to Adam and Eve of a Savior for them to the guarantee to Abraham of a Savior from him. And God is faithful. He carried it out. Jesus finished it (Jn 19:30). Praise God for his glorious grace.
And not just for Jews, but for Gentiles. For us too. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13). We are in Christ. We see that in God’s true Word (Jn 17:17). That fact that he has saved us—rescued us from an impossible situation—is good news. It might be similar to the happy story that took place this week in Thailand. There was no way that the soccer coach and his 12 players were going to get out of that cave by themselves. The 17 days that they were trapped in that cave are proof of that. Plus the expert divers sent in after them. They needed someone to save them. And so did we. That is why the Lord sent his prophet Amos: “Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:15). And that is why Jesus sent the 12 “two by two” (Mk 6:7). It was so that the people would see their sin and their Savior (Mk 7:12). That is the responsibility of fathers to children, generation after generation. The upshot of that is: “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands” (Ps 78:7). Praise God for his glorious grace. You are saved through the Son, Jesus Christ, to be his own to eternity.
3. You are sealed with the Spirit (13,14)
And finally we concluded: “I believe in the Holy Spirit” (CW p. 31). The Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Paul has us think over that. Praise God for his glorious grace. You are sealed by the Spirit.
It was the Holy Spirit who created faith in our hearts by calling us to faith with the Word. That gives us a present blessing: “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13). In Paul’s day, a letter would be rolled up and closed with wax. A person would push a ring on the hot material signifying that the contents were genuine. But a seal also was an indicator of ownership. We belong to God. The Holy Spirit comes and makes that clear (Acts 2:33; 2 Co 1:21,22). He does it as he dwells in our hearts.
But there is more—a future blessing. “[The Holy Spirit] is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:14). That is a technical term like our down payment. When you purchase a new/used black vehicle, you hand over a certain amount and pledge that the rest will follow—every month for 72 of them, for example. By granting the Holy Spirit, more is on the way. That is when Jesus will come again to take us to his side in heaven (Lk 21:28). That is when we will receive our full inheritance (Mt 25:34). Praise God for his glorious grace. You are sealed by the Spirit to be his own for eternity.
I am not sure of the rule of thumb for how many times you read a postcard or textbook before it makes its way into the recycle bin. More than one time. Is that fair? It is with Paul’s introduction to the Ephesians. And when we do it leads us to praise him. Praise God for his glorious grace. You were selected by the Father, saved through the Son, and sealed with the Spirit. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Eph 6:24). Amen.

July 15, 2018

The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Ezekiel 2:1-5)

2018-07-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Co 1:2). Amen.

Both words are important and instructive—“public ministry.”
 The adjective—public: It is in the sense of “on behalf of” and “in the name of.”
 The noun—ministry: It signifies service.
That describes those who go out from God and for God—a service on behalf of and in the name of a group of individuals. It is not on their own or by themselves. There is a call. And God is behind the message and the messenger.
We celebrate it with pastors, for example. And we see it with prophets—like Ezekiel. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—speaking to them and speaking through them. We read from …

Ezekiel 2:1-5

Dear People of God who proclaims his Word through his workers,
There are plenty of prophets in the Bible—both in the Old Testament and the New (He 1:1). You don’t have to think very hard to come up with a name or two. Often the book bears their name—Jeremiah or Daniel, Joel or Obadiah. There are others too like Elijah and Elisha who were significant in Israel’s history.
But what is a prophet? We often think of someone who tells the future. But there is more to it. My definition is “one who speaks God’s Word to God’s people.” A spokesman. God calls them and communicates through them. It is his initiative and idea.

The Sovereign LORD Sends His Spokesmen
1. Speaking to them (1,2)
2. Speaking through them (3-5)

1. Speaking to them (1,2)
“Who said so?” That plays out all the time—between siblings and coworkers. It is not just what is said—“time to eat supper” or “time to get busy,” but who said it—a parent or a boss. If one is going to represent another correctly, he has to listen to him carefully so that the statement is clear. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—speaking to them.
That is what happened with Ezekiel. He had been in Babylon for a few years when the Lord came calling. That is because King Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed Jerusalem and deported many far from their homeland. But God had not forgotten them. He had something to convey to his people. That was the job of his prophet Ezekiel.
Before sending him, God speaks to him. And he appears in an impressive way—a marvelous vision. Ezekiel observed four living creatures. Each had four faces—the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle. Above them in a vast expanse was a fiery-looking throne on which was seated “a figure like that of a man” (Eze 1:26). Ezekiel did what we would do—a face plant. (And not like when we fall off of our bike or trip on the sidewalk.) But his nose was on the ground before the glory of the Lord (Eze 1:28).
But that is not really conducive to conversing. You might contend the same: “Look at me when I am talking to you.” “He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you’” (Eze 2:1). The Lord addresses him that way frequently throughout the 48 chapters in our Bibles (93 times!). He is calling to mind the fact that Ezekiel is a man and he is God. That is obvious. But there is a big difference between Ezekiel’s sinful humanity and God’s striking holiness. But Ezekiel was to be attentive like a soldier snapping to attention before his superior—ready to receive his orders.
Ezekiel got some much-needed help. This was too important to miss. [Slide 10] “As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me” (Eze 2:2). It is interesting that the name “Ezekiel” means “God strengthens.” He was doing just that.
That is an important reminder for God’s spokesmen—both for the one who serves and the ones served. There is no room for pride in the ministry—in one’s wisdom or wit, smarts or savvy. No individual is the Savior. There is only One who is in that category—Jesus. A spokesman is feeble and frail. And he has to be fair. Like the author of a psalm, he asks: “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?” (Ps 130:3). What if God did as good of a job as doctors do with their charts? And he answers—“who can stand?”: no one. Or as we chanted earlier: “Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you” (Ps 143:2). Again, no one.
But the Sovereign Lord stands his messengers on their feet and supports them with a message of the sending away of sin (Ps 130:4). First for them. It is not because of their charisma, but of God’s character. He is merciful. Every day. The psalmist also captured that thought: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love” (Ps 143:8). It is morning. And those mercies are new every morning (La 3:22).
The spokesman of God goes forward with that—comforted and courageous. The apostle Paul highlighted that. Whatever his “thorn in [his] flesh” was (he is not specific), it was painful (2 Co 12:7). But it caused him to look to the Lord and lean on him. He heard God’s promise: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Co 12:9). So Paul could not keep silent: “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Co 12:10). The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—prophets, Paul, pastors—speaking to them a word of pardon for them. They preach God’s grace to themselves first.
2. Speaking through them (3-5)
“Who said so?” Once a brother or colleague understands the authority behind the call to the dinner table or the concern about the work ethic, there might be a willingness to act. God endorses his prophets and then encourages them to go. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen speaking through them.
Ezekiel’s efforts were not going to be easy. That is quite a way to begin. That would be like a coach starting his pregame speech with: “Tonight’s starting pitcher hasn’t given up a hit in 14 years, but let’s step in the batter’s box and swing away.” What? “Son of man [The second time that God labels him that.], I am sending you to the Israelites” (Eze 2:3). Ezekiel was going on an official mission and for an important purpose. But consider the audience:
 “a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me” (Eze 2:3). There was ongoing resistance to God’s authority. This is not the stereotypical teenager who won’t obey because he knows better. Not only had they failed to keep the law, there was also the worship of other gods. So much for the covenant with God. That is why the Lord was disciplining them in their new home in a foreign country—a judgment on their sin.
 “they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day” (Eze 2:3). It was a generational problem—a learned behavior. They had broken the relationship with the Lord with open defiance. It is not just a matter of “why?,” but “why not.”
Do you think that Ezekiel was raising his hand for the assignment? “I am more than happy to sign up for that.” No one asks for the nasty chores around the house. (I will let you use your imagination.)
And then there is more (as if that wasn’t enough). Imagine pushing a standup comedian on stage with: “They are cranky and crabby. They have raw vegetables and ripe fruit with good arms and great aim.
 “The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate” (Eze 2:4). Really, “hard of face.” They were shameless almost as if they stood with arms crossed.
 “and stubborn” (Eze 2:4). Literally, “hard-hearted.” Like a rock, they weren’t going to change.
And yet God wanted them back. So he sent his spokesman—speaking through him. It had nothing to do with Ezekiel’s whims or wishes. “Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’” (Eze 2:4). “So declares the One who is the Master of all who is serious about his threats as his guarantees.” He would mention their guilt before God but also the Messiah from God.
The reactions would be one of two—neither of which Ezekiel could control: “whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house” (one more description of their disobedience) (Eze 2:5). They could open their ears in acceptance and recognition or close their hearts in reluctance and opposition. They might take note; they might not. That wasn’t Ezekiel’s business. But there was this reality: “They will know that a prophet has been among them” (Eze 2:5). They would have that personal experience without a probable excuse.
That is how it was in Nazareth when Jesus came to town, teaching in the synagogue. They couldn’t get past their familiarity with Jesus’ family. And the sad report: “And they took offense at him” (Mk 6:3). They stumbled into the deathtrap of unbelief with the notion, “It’s just Jesus. No big deal.” There were some who did believe in him and bring their sick to him. But in general, many, if not most, snubbed him.
The results are still the same: People can reject or refuse God’s spokesman because he has flaws or faults. They might not like what he asserts—whether it comes to the gift of marriage or the use of the tongue. But “This is what the Sovereign LORD says” (Eze 2:4). Or one can rejoice because God’s representative brings forgiveness and freedom. They might love what he affirms. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says” (Eze 2:4). Jesus’ empty cross cancels guilt and open tomb confirms life. God’s Word has that power and purpose to give life (Ro 1:16; Is 55:10,11). The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen—speaking through them second.
It was almost 7 years to the day that you called me to be your pastor. It was not directly from God, but directed by God. That has always been the case with prophets—known or unknown, from Amos to Agabus (Amos 7:15; Acts 11:28). They are mouthpieces—those who speak God’s Word to God’s people. The Sovereign Lord sends his spokesmen for public ministry—service on behalf of and in the name of a congregation. But as he dispatches, he does it speaking to his spokesman—cleansing him from sin. And then God speaks through his spokesman—calling to the Savior. Such a one hears for himself and is helpful for you. Together we turn to and trust in the Sovereign Lord. Amen.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Co 13:14). Amen.

July 8, 2018