Trinity 16 (Baptism of Wren Elizabeth Swenson)                                                                                 
1 Kings 17:17-24
 

v.17   After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill.  And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, our text for this morning follows on the heels of our O.T. reading from last week when the prophet Elijah was directed by God to travel to Zarephath in order to be fed by a widow, during a time of great famine.  Elijah's coming brought hope and joy to the widow and her son.  For, when he arrived, she imagined she was about to make their last meal, after which they would both starve and die.  But with the coming of the prophet of the Lord--with the Word of God he proclaimed--there came hope and promise--for the jug of oil did not run out, nor the jar of flour--and so they ate for many days--they lived--and they had joy!
          But now, on this day, tragedy strikes.  The widow's son becomes ill.  She tries every remedy she knows, but he only grows weaker.  She prays and prays, but his laboured breathing grows more and more shallow, until he stops breathing altogether.  The heartache of this mother is vast and understandable.  She lashes out at Elijah--"What have you against me, O man of God?  You have come to bring my sin to remembrance to cause the death of my son!"  Why did you come?  To give me a glimpse of hope and then snatch it away?  What was the point?  Better we had both died long ago than my son die, while I yet live.  Her words even hauntingly echo St. Paul's in Romans, "the wages of sin is death."  She knows.  She knows all too well that sin brings only death.
          And so do you, dear friends.  Some of you have even felt this particular pain in that you have had a beloved child die.  You know the heartrending agony that this woman experienced, first hand.  Nonetheless, we have all lost loved ones.  We have all felt the pain and sorrow of death.  And so we have all cried out to God, at one time or another, seeking answers.  "Why, God, why?  Why have you allowed this suffering…this evil?  Was it merely to remind me of my own sin…my own impending death?  I don't understand!"
          The prophet Elijah has no answers.  He simply asks the woman to give him her son.  He takes him upstairs to his lodging and lays him on his own bed.  And then Elijah cries to the Lord, "O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?"  Elijah has no firm answers, but he has hope.  For he knows that the Lord is the living God.  He is the God of life and not of death.  Elijah knows and trusts that the God who can make it so that the jug of oil does not run dry, nor the jar of flour be spent, has the power to even restore the life of the dead.  So Elijah prays to the Lord.  He stretches himself upon the child three times and prays, "O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again."
          And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.  Elijah scoops up the boy and carries him down to his mother with the only words that had any hope of comforting this distraught woman, "See, your son lives."  And with those words, the woman's weeping turns to joy.  Tears of sorrow to tears of gladness.  What a great miracle!  What an incredible story! 
          Beloved, would you be surprised to hear that this story is also your story?  Indeed it is.  Truly, we are blessed at St. Paul today to witness this very story in action, once again.  For little Wren Elizabeth Swenson will be [has been] baptized into Christ Jesus.  The threefold stretching of Elijah over the widow's son foreshadowed the threefold application of water in God's triune name upon all who are baptized:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This is no small thing, dear friends, but a miracle of resurrection in the face of death.
          For we are all by nature conceived and born in sin.  Therefore, we are all doomed to die, for the wages of sin is death.  But, as St. Paul says in Romans 6, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were buried therefore with Him by Baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His."
          Do you recognize these words?  These words are repeated at every funeral for every member of our church.  We recognize that in Baptism we have been united to Christ into both His death and resurrection.  Wren Elizabeth, not quite one month old, this day has died and risen again.  Her sinful flesh was drowned in the waters of Baptism.  Her sins washed away by the redeeming flood of Christ's own blood that He shed on the cross for her and all people.  But the story doesn't end there.  For even now, Wren, and all who are baptized and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, have been raised to new and everlasting life.  Hence, the power of sin and death has been undone.  Forever removed from those who live in their Baptism.  Eternal life belongs to Wren, even now, just as it belongs to each of you, dear friends. 
          Beloved, this same story was told in our Gospel reading, but even more fully.  For therein the Lord of Life Himself, Jesus Christ, interrupted a funeral procession.  Moved Himself with great compassion at the sorrow and distress that death had caused the widow of Nain at the death of her son, Jesus acts.  He stops the procession and speaks His life-giving Word directly into the ears of the dead man, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 
          These same words have been spoken to Wren this day at her Baptism, as they were to each of you at your Baptism.  For having been washed with water in the Word, Jesus has spoken directly to each of you, "I say to you, arise."  Just as He has spoken these words to all of our loved ones who have been baptized and have died in the faith.  They live, even now, with the Lord Jesus, awaiting the Last Day, with all of us, when Christ will descend in great power and majesty and speak His living, resurrecting Word over the whole earth, "I say to you, ARISE!"  And then, we and all the faithful will rise to new and everlasting life in glorified bodies, to live in holy communion with Jesus and all the saints forever.
          Indeed, this story is so amazing, so miraculous, so wonderfully unexpected, that we can't help but confess with St. Paul in our epistle reading for today, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."  Truly, God works wonders that far exceed anything we can dare ask or think.  He has rescued us through water and the Word from our greatest enemies of sin, death, and the power of the devil.  Freely, no strings attached.  Jesus' blood covers over us all, from generation to generation, as the Spirit continues to work faith and love in our hearts through the Word and Sacraments.  You have died…and risen again!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Trinity 14                                                                                                                                         
Galatians 5:16-24
 
v.19-21       Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.  I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, St. Paul's words to us this day strike deeply into our hearts and minds--at least--they should.  Especially after hearing last week about the important difference between working to earn salvation (which is impossible and condemned), and inheriting salvation (which is lifted up and glorified as God's free gift to all people through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ).  While our works cannot earn us a way into heaven--St. Paul argues that those who engage in the works of the flesh (quite a list he gives here) will NOT inherit the kingdom of God.
          Now we can easily look at the world around us and see these works of the flesh--particularly the first three:  sexual immorality, impurity, and sensuality.  All you have to do is turn on the TV or computer or pick up a magazine--any magazine--and you will see all sorts of examples of these degrading and self-destructive works of the flesh.  We have had the beautiful virtue of chastity (both inside and outside of marriage) been completely replaced with a radical kind of hedonism that seeks only physical pleasure and gratification as the highest good.            And we have seen the terrible fall-out from this radical sexual revolution in our society where sex outside of marriage is encouraged and accepted.  We see children torn apart from their families--we have even seen the horrors of the abortion industry (which is a necessary back-up if you want to embrace the ideology of free sex without the consequences of children).  We have been assaulted with images and videos of unborn children being harvested for their organs.  And the list could go on and on.
          However, this text from St. Paul really hits home when we examine our own lives by the light of God's clear, revealed Word--and we see the naked truth.  The horror of our own sinful condition.  That we are as just as guilty of these works of the flesh in thought and word and deed.  We are, according to the Scriptures, as the lepers in our Gospel reading--filthy in our sin--unclean--cut off from God and His kingdom--unworthy and unable to approach the Holy God who is clean and pure.
          Indeed, we can all recall those times in our lives where we have given into these works of the flesh--be it sexual immorality--or drunkenness--or fits of anger--or jealousy--and particularly idolatry--wherein we have loved and trusted in things other than the one true God.  So, even as we call out to the world to repent of evil deeds and works of the flesh--we in Christ's church also continue to be called to repentance ourselves--recognizing our own gross sin before God.  As we examine the mountain of evidence in our lives of the works of the flesh that warn us that we will not inherit the kingdom of God, what are we to do?  Where can we point this broken and hurting world?  Where can we ourselves look for comfort and peace?
          Only one place, dear friends.  There is only one hope--the hope and prayer of the lepers in our text--"Lord, have mercy."  Our liturgy in our divine service reflects and echoes the cry of the lepers and countless others in Scripture and down through the ages--the piteous cry for help.  For there is no other hope, but to look to Jesus.  "Master.  Have mercy on us!" 
          This is the cry of faith.  The cry of faith that reaches to the Lord's ears.  A cry of utter despair as we realize the full extent of our sinful works of the flesh--those things that have separated us from God and from each other.  We are led by the Holy Spirit to repent of these evil deeds and to seek relief in the only place it can truly be found--as our liturgy puts it, "Lord, have mercy!" 
          As Christians who are filled with the Spirit, we walk by faith and not by sight.  We are confident of Jesus' help even before we ever see any evidence of it.  We cry to Him for help and comfort when we are guilt-ridden over our sin.  We beseech Him to preserve us even as our bodies are consumed by disease and death.  Though we may not see any evidence of the Lord's mercy being poured upon us--though we may still struggle with feelings of guilt and doubt--though we may still see and feel our body deteriorate and succumb to sin and death--yet, we trust the words of Jesus. 
          We trust in Jesus' mercy given to us because He is the one who went to the cross to earn our salvation--to bring us life--to forgive our sins and create in us "the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,  and self-control."  Beloved, though we look at life and the world around us and see sin, evil, and the works of the flesh in great abundance--our reality is that of those who have been touched by Christ's redeeming Word.  Despite your sin--despite your guilt.  Despite the growing weakness plaguing your body, which will eventually lead to death--your reality--your truth--is far greater and more sure and certain. 
          You are fully forgiven.  Made clean and whole by the blood of Jesus outpoured on the cross for you and your sins and that of all people.  You have been bathed in the cleansing waters of Holy Baptism that washed all your guilt away--that worked new and everlasting life in your heart through faith in Jesus.  He is the merciful Master who speaks words of peace and healing to you.  "Go.  Show yourselves to the Father--for you have been cleansed and forgiven by my blood that I shed for you on the cross in your place.  Go to my font and receive my washing in my name with simple water.  Go to my table so that I may feed you my life-giving body and blood.  The same body and blood that died and rose again is herein given to you to eat and to drink so that you might be comforted in the face of your sin--in the face of death itself."
          So, dear friends, you go.  You go where the Lord has invited you to go and receive His blessings.  Here in His own holy church where He showers His mercy upon His people through His Word and Sacraments.  These are not just symbols of His love and mercy--they are VESSELS of His love and mercy!  The very vehicles that He uses to pour into your hearts the full and free forgiveness for ALL of your sins: be it sexual immorality--idolatry--divisions--etc.  All is forgiven.  All is cleansed--by the redeeming and holy blood of Jesus. 
          In response, the Christian does not revel in the works of the flesh!  How could you?  No, indeed.  As those who have been called to faith by Christ Jesus you now rejoice in the fruit of the Spirit.  You give thanks to the Lord, even as the Samaritan leper returned with joy and thanksgiving on his lips to praise the One who had mercy upon him. 
          We, too, receive Jesus' gifts with thanksgiving.  For we realize and remember that this side of heaven we will always struggle against the works of the flesh.  We will succumb to temptation and engage in sinful and destructive behaviours, thoughts, and words.  Yet, by the Spirit, we are constantly repenting of these sins and bearing the fruit of the Spirit as we are daily forgiven and washed clean by the words of Jesus. 
          One of the greatest gifts of God is that of the Lord's Supper--also known as the Eucharist.  This word in Greek literally means "to give thanks."  So, beloved, let us give thanks for the rich and undeserved mercy of our God who does not turn us away from His presence or destroy us forever in hell because of our sin--but rather He has mercy on us.  To heal.  To love.  To restore.  To give life.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.
          

​Trinity 12                                                                                                                                            
 

v.34-35       And looking up to heaven, He [Jesus] sighed/groaned and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."  And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, give thanks and praise to God with me for the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 29 has been fulfilled, "In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see."  For herein St. Mark's Gospel we are given to see the Day of the Messiah--the Day of the Lord in which the deaf were able to hear.  This is no small thing, but a great miracle of our Lord Jesus, which leads to greater miracles of faith and doxology, which is right praise.  By God's grace your ears have been opened and your tongues set free by the power of the Holy Spirit--so that you might hear and believe and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord of all and Saviour of the earth.
          Beloved, not being able to hear and to speak is an enormous cross to bear.  It makes much of communication very difficult, especially when written communication is limited as well.  It may very well lead to missing out on conversations with family and friends and many other things as well.  Some of  you may struggle with hearing loss--and though technology has improved dramatically to aid us in our hearing and speaking--many of us may very well long for the day when Jesus will grant us perfected bodies in the resurrection of all flesh.  For then we will hear with clarity and speak plainly.
          Such, no doubt, was the longing of the man in our text.  He was a Gentile, living in the region of the Decapolis near the Sea of Galilee.  Then one day word reaches the community that Jesus of Nazareth, that incredible Jewish miracle worker, is coming to the area.  Whether they were motivated to see a good show (and you've got to admit that miracle worker Jesus would have been the hottest ticket in any town!) or they were genuinely concerned for this man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking, is not known.
          What is certain is Jesus' response to the situation.  Taking this man aside, who undoubtedly was confused as to what was happening, Jesus uses simple sign language to indicate to the man what was about to happen.  He has compassion on this man and touches both his ears and tongue, telling him that He is going to heal him. 
          Then Jesus looks up to heaven, He prays to the Father, and then speaks His powerful, creative, redemptive, and healing word, "Ephphatha--be opened."  And immediately the man's ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.  An incredible miracle and joy, to be sure.  Jesus does the impossible.  By the power of His Word He sets in motion the new creation, wherein that which has been broken and cursed by sin would be restored and mended. 
          Beloved, you and I have received an even greater restoration and healing at the words of our Lord Jesus.  For though we are conceived and born in sin--deaf to the Word of God--mute to His praises, yet even so in Holy Baptism, water sanctified by the words of Jesus’ mouth is applied to us; and the finger of God, that is, the life–giving Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 3:4–11) is put into our ears in the hearing of the baptismal Gospel.  When the pastor poured water over your head in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, your ears were opened to the truth in Christ Jesus and your heart was moved to believe the Gospel and respond with joyous praise and thanksgiving for all His gifts.
          And we must continually receive this grace of God in Christ all the days of our lives.  For our ears are continually being plugged and stopped up by the world, the devil, and even our own flesh.  We desire to hear only what we want to hear--what makes us feel good about ourselves.  The sickness of narcissism and self-love is rampant in our society and in our hearts.  How often have we turned a deaf ear to the Holy Scriptures or the preacher when something is said that we don't like--that we don't agree with--as if we are the arbiters of all truth. 
          Rather than looking outside of ourselves for truth and clarity in this crazy world, we look inward--to our own sinful hearts and long to hear from those around us that which echoes in the chamber of our inner being--and delight in thinking that we are somehow more elevated--more inspired--more attuned to reality than those others who adhere so strictly to an ancient Scripture.
          This desire and seeking after those who only speak what we want to hear--who scratch so deftly our itching ears--then leads us to speak only that which seems right and good to us.  Look at the world.  Look at the hatred that is espoused by those on the right and the left, both with heartfelt conviction that they are absolutely correct and their opponents are wrong.  We speak, caring not for the feelings of others.  We pretend we are speaking "truth to power" when in reality we speak only the wicked lies of our own hearts that we have fallen victim to. 
          And so, we need Jesus.  Jesus who comes to us and opens our ears and our hearts to the outpouring of His love.  Jesus who conquers our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds by the power of His bloody cross.  Jesus who with a word cleanses your hearts and minds to trust in Him and His Word.  Jesus who loosens your tongues to speak the truth in love and to rightly proclaim His Word of truth and give praises to His holy name. 
          For the tongue and the ears are the only things that distinguish us as Christians from all others.  Outwardly there is no difference.  For a Christian lives, eats, drinks, sleeps, wakes, labours, builds, and plants like any other person.  His works, good or evil, are no visibly different or efficacious than an unbeliever's.  However, Christians hear and speak far differently from unbelievers.  A Christian has ears that hear God's Word, the truth, and the cry of the poor.  He has a tongue that gives God thanks and praise,  glorifies Jesus Christ the Son of God, and speaks and confesses the truth. 
          We who know and hear God's Word of truth and study it rightly also confess it rightly.  So that we will not fall victim to the lies spread by others, even blaspheming God's holy name, as has been done recently, once again, with Hurricane Harvey.  There are misguided Christians who have spoken wrongly about the reason why this has happened (just as they did when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans).  They would like to state that this is God's just punishment and condemnation upon a sinful city or state.  However, they would be dead wrong and they besmirch the name of Jesus and blaspheme His name and His Word by speaking thusly. 
          Beloved, these kinds of disasters and tragedies happen the world over because of sin, it is true.  But not because of a particular sin.  Rather, it is because we live in a sin-filled and broken world.  That means that God's good creation is out of alignment and bad things happen.  How are we to respond to these situations?  First of all, by repenting of our own sin.  By falling to our knees before the Lord and begging for His mercy for we, too, are sinners, deserving of nothing but wrath.  However, we know that Jesus was crucified for our sins in our place--the punishment that we deserve has already been meted out upon Him. 
          Therefore, secondly, we respond with acts of love and mercy toward our neighbour in need.  We do anything and everything we can to help because we are those who hear the voice of our Lord in His Scriptures, encouraging and exhorting us to help the poor and needy.  Finally, we lift up our voices in thanksgiving and praise for God's goodness and mercy--for the blood of Jesus that covers over all sin--and that, in the end, makes all things right again.  By His Word He has opened our ears as well as our hearts, to receive His forgiveness and mercy, thereby opening heaven to us and to all who believe.  Truly, "He has done all things well.  He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.  

​For our consideration this week, Jesus says, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (v. 14)
In the Gospel reading this week, there are two main characters: the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee and the tax collector both have the same, major problem. They are both sinners, but they each seek out a solution in a different way. The Pharisee goes up to the temple, and stands in plain view for everyone to see. He said, “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I pay tithes of all that I get.” Here in his prayer, the Pharisee reveals that he has a second problem. He is arrogant. All he does here is list off other people’s sins as well as his own merits and good works. He does not believe that he is a sinner. He fasts twice a week! Or at the very least he does not believe that he is as much a sinner as others, especially that tax collector over there. After all, he doesn’t cheat people or commit adultery. The Pharisee pronounces judgment upon himself. He believes that he is a righteous man. He believes that he has no need of God’s forgiveness and mercy.
          Then we see the other sinner in the story, the tax-collector. The tax-collector does not stand in plain view of everyone. Instead, he falls down on his knees. He will not even lift his eyes toward heaven. It is almost as if he is afraid that God will see him and his sin. The tax collector knows that he is the worst of all sinners. He does not mention any merits or good works which he might present to God. He knows that there aren’t any. He does not mention any comparison to other people or their sins. He knows that he is no better than anyone else. The tax-collector does not pronounce his own judgment. He simply begs for mercy from God. He humbles himself and repents, and Jesus says, “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other.”
          The Pharisee compared himself to others. He exalted himself. He stood and prayed to the God and Creator of the Universe who knows all things and sees all things, including the Pharisee’s true and sinful heart. The Pharisee prayed to the All-Knowing God and gave an accounting of everyone else’s problems. Imagine going to the doctor. You sit down in the doctor’s office, and you start telling him how unhealthy your next door neighbor is. You have a sharp pain in your chest and your left arm is going numb, but you think that’s not really that big of a deal. The doctor doesn’t need to know that. You just keep telling him about your neighbor’s diabetes.
That’s what the Pharisee was doing! He was dying in sin, but his pride and arrogance kept him from repentance. He refused to be humbled and confess. Instead, he just keeps listing off his own merits and his neighbor’s downfalls. What good is it to tell the doctor about your neighbor’s diabetes when you are having a heart attack? What good would that do? Would that cure you? In the same way, what good is it to tell God about your neighbor’s dishonesty or even to list off your own good works when you are just as sinful? Will your good works forgive you? Will your neighbor’s sin really change your standing before God? No. They will not.
          Jesus says, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The Pharisee exalted himself, and truly at the Day of Judgment he will be humbled. The tax-collector humbled himself and begged for mercy. Truly at the Last Day, he will be justified and exalted.
          So, what does this mean for us here today? It is obvious that we are not supposed to be like the Pharisee who prays, “God I thank you that I am not like other men.” Jesus is clearly trying to tell us to be like the tax-collector. But, how easy is it to puff ourselves up even after hearing this story? How easy is it to say, “O God, I thank you that I am not like this Pharisee. I’m not super concerned with tithing or fasting. I don’t care if my neighbor openly sins. In fact, I affirm and applaud my neighbor for their individuality, and I condemn anyone who tries to call them to repentance. Thank you for not making me like this Pharisee.” But, my friends, by saying these things, we have become like the Pharisee. The Pharisee was not in the wrong because he tithed. He was not in the wrong because he fasted twice every week. He was not wrong for adhering to God’s law. Refraining from adultery and dishonesty are good things. That is not why the Pharisee was wrong. Instead, he was wrong because he believed that his works justified him. And the tax-collector is right in his prayer because he knew that the only way to be justified, the only way to be forgiven and made right before God was through the mercy, love, and forgiveness of God. And so he rightly humbles himself and prays, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”
          This is the prayer of every Christian. “God be merciful to me, a sinner. Forgive us our trespasses. Deliver us from evil.” Our liturgy says with 1 John, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But, if we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We are all sinners, every last one of us. We are guilty. But, God is faithful and just. He forgives our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
          Jesus came to earth and humbled himself on our behalf. From the moment He was born in a stable until He was crucified next to criminals, Jesus humbled himself so that we might be exalted. This is why God can now declare you righteous.  This does not mean that God has all of a sudden become immoral by saying that our unacceptable behavior is suddenly acceptable. Rather, He takes His Son Jesus Christ and heaps upon Him all of our sin, all of our wrongdoing, and all of our guilt. God laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. God exalts us, He justifies us by the humility of Jesus on the cross. At that cross of Christ, God pronounces judgment upon you. That judgment is forgiveness and eternal life. God judges you innocent because Jesus has taken our guilt. The water and blood which flows from Jesus’ side has become the healing balm with which you were washed in Holy Baptism. His sacrificial and life-giving body and blood fill every table and overflow every cup the world over. His blessed words of absolution offer an answer to our prayer. We beg, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” And from the cross Jesus says, “Father forgive them.” He answers, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” He tells us, “It is finished.” With these words, you hear that your sins are forgiven. With these words, you hear that exaltation to the Kingdom of God awaits you because the Son of God humbled Himself and became Man to take your place, to be forsaken by God. And finally with these words, you hear that there is nothing more to do. It is finished. Christ has redeemed you. Your sins are gone forever. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.