​Trinity 3 – Father's Day                                                                                                                              June 20, 2021
Luke 15:11-32
 
The Father's Joy!
 
v.31-32       And he [the father] said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; was lost, and is found."
 
          Dear friends in Christ, what a fitting text we have before us this Sunday as we celebrate the gift of fathers on this Father's Day!  It is a time of great joy and celebration for so many families to honour—and give thanks to God for—those men in our lives who are our fathers—whether by flesh and blood—or by word and deed.  Those men who have steadfastly provided for—protected—instructed—and disciplined those in their care—particularly teaching us the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as the foundation for life everlasting! 
          And so, no doubt, many of you have thought about how best to express your love and gratitude for all that fathers have done.  We want to give them something we know will bring them joy as we celebrate this day: maybe a nice bottle of rum—or a new Hawaiian shirt—or some such.  Of course, for most fathers, the greatest gift is simply that of time—spending time with their children and loved ones on this special day—made even more joyous as this is the official first day of summer!  A time which marks increased time for relaxation and fun with family and friends—this summer will hopefully be particularly joyful as we come out of the serious lockdowns and restrictions that have plagued us this past year of pandemic.
          Well, when thinking about what special gift might make the father in your life smile with joy, you may be surprised to learn what it is that brings great joy to your Heavenly Father.  Previous to our text, Jesus told two other parables about lost things: a sheep and a coin.  At the conclusion to each parable, when that which was lost has been found, and there is celebration, Jesus remarks: "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance (v.7)…Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents (v.10)."  Then, at the conclusion to our text, which highlights the gracious and loving nature of God our Father in dealing mercifully with His wayward children, the father in the parable pleads with his stubborn elder son, saying, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found (v.31-32)."
          So, what is it that gives your Heavenly Father the greatest joy?  Repentant children.  Those who recognize that they are sinners in need of His grace—who turn away from sin—and embrace the forgiveness the Father longs to bestow through the blood of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ—which raises us from death to life.  St. Paul, in our epistle reading from 1 Timothy, also highlights this merciful nature of God, "But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (1 Tim. 1:13b-15)."  Just a little while later Paul writes that God, "desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:4-5)."
          We see the fullness of the depth and depravity of humanity's sin in our Gospel text from St. Luke.  The familiar story of the two sons of the merciful father.  The younger son takes his inheritance early, leaves home and squanders his money on reckless living—living only for himself and his sinful wants and desires—rejecting the love and care and wisdom of his father.  However, he eventually hits rock bottom—having lost everything he decides to return home—hoping to bargain with his father so that he could return—not as a son, but as a hired servant—so he could at least survive.  Yet upon his return home, his father, who has been keeping a sharp look out for his son all this time, sees him coming from a distance.  Abandoning all decorum and dignity befitting his advanced age and station in life, this father runs to greet his wayward son.  "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him (v.20b)." 
          The son tries to follow through on his plan—he begins his prepared speech—"'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'  But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.  And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'  And they began to celebrate (v.21b-24)."
          Can you imagine?  Here comes the son slinking home—knowing he has deeply wronged his father.  But before he can get a word in edgewise, his dad has run to greet him, embraced him,  and showered him with kisses!  While he tries to stumble through his oh-so-carefully constructed speech of repentance—his father is barely listening.  Not because he doesn't care about what his son has to say, but for joy that his son has returned!  The father is busy giving orders to the servants: get the best robe—put a ring on his finger—kill the fattened calf—we are going to PARTY tonight!
          The young man is stunned into silence.  For his father exhibits no animosity—no anger—no bitterness or frustration—only joy!  Joy that his boy has returned home.  Joy that his son is alive again.  Joy that his boy has been found!  Just so is the heavenly Father's attitude toward you and me and every sinner!  We can barely imagine it.  For we daily sin much and deserve nothing but the full and unreserved wrath of the Father on account of our sin.  But instead, we receive mercy.  We receive a warm welcome!  We receive joy and celebration. 
          For those who repent of their sin and look to the Father for mercy shall surely receive it.  For the Holy Spirit works mightily in our hearts to show us our sin by the light of God's Law, but then also comforts us by the peace of the Gospel.  For Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom you and I are the foremost.  He came to bear the Father's wrath for our sin in our place.  That by His shed blood all our sin may removed—cast into the darkest depths of the sea—never to be seen again. 
          Now, we can enter into the Father's presence with great joy and thanksgiving—knowing we have been covered in the robe of Christ's own righteousness—that we bear the crown of life earned by His bloody death and perfectly lived life.  We are not castaways.  We are not doomed to suffer in hell for eternity, but rather we are received with utmost joy and celebration into the Father's house—the kingdom of heaven—where there will be rich feasting that will never cease.  What joy that puts in our hearts, beloved!  What confidence and peace!  For we know the great love the Father has for us in giving us His own Son, so that we can enjoy eternity with Him.
          Therefore, we must be watchful that we do not fall into the trap of the other son.  He thought he was righteous (even though he was not), as is clearly evidenced because he is indignant at his father's mercy toward his wayward brother.  He refuses to celebrate with the others.  We, too, might find it difficult to rejoice in the Father's grace toward our brother—our neighbor—especially when they have sinned against us.  We stubbornly want them to suffer for the hurt they have caused.  We don't think it is right for them to get away with such sins, scott-free, as it were. 
          Of course, this isn't really the case, anyway, is it?  No, indeed, all sin has a cost—a price that must be paid in blood—but this price has been paid in full by Christ Jesus for you and me and for all people.  Even the sin of stubborn self-righteousness that sometimes infects our hearts—when we hold other peoples' sins as greater than our own—less deserving of grace and mercy.  Even still, the father comes to this petulant older son and beseeches him to enter the household and rejoice.  Against all decorum and dignity, once again, the father seeks out his son, to plead with him.
          Remember that our gracious Father continually does the same for you and me.  He exhibits compassion (splanknitzomai—gut feeling) toward his sons.  He calls us to remember that all His gifts are already ours—by virtue of our faith in Jesus.  So, we freely rejoice in God's Word, Baptism, and Supper whereby He both calls us to repentance and bestows on us the forgiveness for our sins.  Indeed, these are the very means by which the Father approaches us—chases after us—seeks us out—to bring us near—to bring us to repentance—so that we may be saved.
          For this Father in heaven is like no earthly father—for all earthly fathers—even the very best—are still deeply flawed human beings with sins and vices.  Yet our heavenly Father is perfect.  He is perfect in patience, love, and understanding.  He is perfect in grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  As can be seen in that which brings Him joy—that we repent of our sin—so that we may be forgiven—and enter into His eternal kingdom of life and peace.  Called by His love.  Called by His mercy.  We freely embrace His love for us in Christ Jesus who died for us.  And now, we may joyfully approach the Holy Supper of our Lord's body and blood—which is but a foretaste of the great feast to come in the Father's everlasting home.  What good news!  What great joy!  For you and me and all people.  Thanks be to God our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

​Trinity 2                                                                                                                                                      June 13, 2021
Ephesians 2:13-22
 
Peace for All in Christ
 
v.17   And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, our text for this morning is St. Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus.  The Christian church in Ephesus was similar to many early Christian churches in that it was composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity.  This sometimes led to conflict and difficulty in the early church, especially as some Jewish Christians thought it was necessary for Gentiles to practice Jewish ceremonial and dietary laws in order to be good Christians.  Paul's full discourse on this subject can be found in his letter to the Galatians, but you can still see that there was some tension between these two groups in the body of Christ in this letter to the Ephesians.  And so Paul sets out to encourage them—and remind them—how they are both one people now through faith in Jesus Christ.
          Indeed, Paul began chapter 2 by hammering home the full extent of the Law and the Gospel to both Jew and Gentile.  "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…by grace  you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  While Paul recognizes the fact that the Gentiles were once far off from the grace of God—not having been the primary recipients of the Word of God and the revelation of the hope of the Promised One who would be born of the Jews—yet he is now urging them all to recognize that whether one is a Jew or a Gentile—we are all one in Christ who shed His blood to bring us near to the throne of heaven.
          As Paul writes (Eph. 2:13-16), "But now in Christ Jesus  you who once were far off [Gentiles] have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one [Jew and Gentile] and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
          So, beloved, though the Gentiles were once far off—separated from God in the Old Testament ceremonial worship laws—now they, too, have been brought near by the blood of Christ who has washed them clean of all sin.  There is now peace between all and between God: well-being, unity, and salvation.  All purchased by the saving blood of Christ shed on the cross.  There is now no more separation between Jews and Gentiles in their worship of the one true God. 
          Prior to this there was a literal wall built in Herod's temple that served to separate the inner court of the temple where only Jews could gather for worship, from the outer court of the temple where Gentile converts were able to worship.  No more!  In Christ, Jews and Gentiles are no longer divided in their worship of God or the reception of His gifts, but are able to freely come together and hear God's Word and receive His Sacraments with joy and thanksgiving.
          For the very precepts that once separated Jews from Gentiles are gone—they have been fulfilled in Christ.  Indeed, Christ also overcame the Law's ability to condemn any believer.  All humanity may now be unified as One through faith in Christ—no matter their ethnicity, language, tribe, or people—ALL are one in Christ Jesus.  So, there is no longer any hostility between men and women of different backgrounds—we are all one family—brothers and sisters through our common faith in Christ! 
          What joy this should bring to us—and to the world in which we live.  For we live in a world divided—a world filled with anger and hostility toward people who are different from us.  This must not be so in the church of Christ.  For He has come to unite us all to Him—and therefore to one another—by the blood He shed to redeem us all from our sin.  So, we welcome all people into our church family—no matter what they look like—how they sound—what foods they eat—how they dress—etc.  Our common faith in Jesus as the Savior unites us all—and serves as the basis to reconcile any divisions that may exist between us.
          More importantly, of course, is the fact that through Christ there is no more hostility between God and man—period!  The full and potent wrath of God for sin has been poured out upon Christ Jesus in our place.  By virtue of our Baptism into Christ, His death on the cross has become our death—just as His resurrection from the dead has become our life and salvation. 
          The benefits of Christ's reconciliation by which He exhausted the wrath of God for us—is received  in His holy Body, the Church.  For here in the Church of Christ we freely receive God's grace and mercy in Word and Sacrament:  we hear the blessed absolution that forgives our sins each week; we are reminded of God's cleansing us of sin through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism; and we are fed and strengthened in our faith through the very eating of Christ's own body and blood in the Lord's Supper.  Nowhere else may these gifts be received, but in Christ's church—the gathering of the holy ones of God around the holy things of God—as we confess in the Creeds.  And after more than a year of having our worship intermittently interrupted due to a pandemic—what sweet joy it is to gather together as the people of God in this way—so that our faith may be strengthened unto life everlasting.
          For Jesus (Eph. 2:17-22) "came and preached peace to those who were far off and peace to those who were near.  For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
          It matters not who you are or where you come from—even what religious background you may have.  Jesus preached peace to ALL.  So that all people may hear of Him and His saving work—and so come to faith in Him and be saved—having peace with God, rather than His wrath on account of our sin.  For apart from Christ and His saving work on the cross there is no peace with God—no salvation—for we remain dead in our trespasses and sins—subject to His eternal wrath.  But through faith in Christ, all may be saved, taking refuge and comfort in the cross of Him who died for us—and in His empty tomb that guarantees us life by His name.
          Indeed, through faith in Christ, all people now have access to the heavenly Father in the Spirit!  We Christians are free to pray to the Father—to call God OUR Father!—through faith in His Son, which has been wrought in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  So, then in Christ, there are no strangers or aliens/sojourners in the kingdom of heaven/the household of God—for we are all fellow citizens by virtue of our unifying faith in Jesus.  We have all been redeemed by the same blood of Jesus shed on the cross—we all have the same God as our Father—even as we have all been called to saving faith by the same Holy Spirit working through the Word.
          Now, we are being built up together on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets—the Word of God—the Holy Scriptures!  With Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone of the whole church, which grows into the dwelling place of the Lord.  Jesus' work did away with the former way of worship in the temple of Jerusalem. No longer were there any more sacrifices needed for sin or guilt or thank offerings.  For Christ Jesus is the perfect sacrifice—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  He has now erected a new spiritual house of God—the holy church—built on the teaching and preaching of the apostles and prophets—who proclaimed the Word of God concerning His Son, Jesus. 
          So now Jesus is the chief cornerstone of the church—serving as the foundation that anchors the walls together into a strong, united structure.  Whether Jews or Gentiles—near or far—all are brought together and united in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Indeed, in Him the Church as Christ's Body is now a living temple.  You and I and all believers are new "stones" that have been added to the church so that it will continue to grow as more and more people come to faith in Jesus.  We grow and mature in our faith by learning the truth of God's Word, rejecting error in all its forms, and loving one another as Christ has first loved us. 
          So, beloved, we do not look upon any human being with hostility or anger in our hearts—thinking that they must remain separated from us and from God.  No, indeed, we have the answer that plagues our world right now as divisions continue to grow and spread among all people.  And the answer is faith in Christ as Lord.  We see in His word that all people are sinners before God, by nature subject to His wrath and everlasting torment in hell.  Yet, we also know that Jesus has come to bring peace to all through His shed blood, thereby uniting us first to God, and secondly to our fellow human beings.  May God grant us the strength—and the joy—to share this Good News with others—that we may all be built up together in the Church of Christ in peace and unity.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.
 
 

​Trinity 1 – Graduation Sunday at St. Paul                                                                                                    June 6, 2021
1 John 4:16-21
 
Loving God and Loving Your Neighbor
 
v.21   And this commandment we have from Him [God]; whoever loves God must also love his brother.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, this time of year brings with it much joy and excitement for many families as they anticipate and celebrate the graduation of their loved ones: from high school, college, or other institutions.  Not only is this a time to rejoice in these young peoples' accomplishments, but it also is a time to look forward to how God will use them in their new vocations (either in continuing education or in the workforce) to love and serve their neighbor. 
          Seventy-seven years ago today, many young men (some of whom were younger than most High School graduates today) embarked upon a bitter struggle to rid the world of a great evil in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day.  Many lost their lives in that valiant struggle.  They lost their lives in loving service to their country—and many others whom they would never know.  They did so out of love for their neighbor.
          Loving one's neighbor is a high and noble calling for all people—but especially for the Christian.  For our Lord Jesus commands us to love our neighbor—and teaches us that by loving our neighbor—we are also loving Him. As Jesus declared in St. Matthew's Gospel (22:37-38), "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  But this begs the question:  "How?  How does one love one's neighbor?"
          The world has some peculiar ideas on how this should be done.  You've no doubt seen the signs on car bumpers or in front lawns and windows of homes—"Love is love," in bright rainbow colors—evoking the sentiment of "Pride" for the LGBTQ+ community.  We are to "love" our neighbor, they exclaim, by not only permitting or tolerating various sexual relationships, but by fully accepting and celebrating them.  All people today in our society, whether recent graduates or not, find themselves in the uncomfortable position of bowing to the progressive agenda of the LGBTQ+ community, or enduring the consequences of being labeled a bigot—a hater—a "phobe" of some kind (trans-, homo-, queer-, or otherwise)—and thus facing severe backlash from the current cancel culture.  This could mean being kicked out of school, losing one's job, or being shunned both on social media, and in real life as well. 
          We are to jettison our beliefs from Holy Scripture that the sexual union is reserved for that special relationship between a man and a woman—husband and wife in traditional marriage—to the exclusion of all other relationships—whether homo or heterosexual or anything else.  Cease those outmoded ways of thinking—or suffer the consequences.  Soon, this may become ensconced in law in the United States with the passing of the Equality Act, which would impose severe penalties not only on churches, but ALL organizations that do not follow the "Pride" flag agenda.
          Part of "loving" our neighbor, we are exhorted, includes not "judging" anyone for anything, as they claim Jesus taught.  Of course, this is NOT what Jesus taught at all.  But rather, Jesus teaches us in Holy Scripture not to judge peoples' actions based upon our own thinking of what is right and what is wrong, but rather to judge solely on the basis of God's Holy Word—not a popular thought in today's cultural context.
          However, the apostle John in his first epistle teaches us that a Christian's experience of love is to be formed first and foremost by the love of God for him in Jesus Christ.  "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."  We know the love God has for us because the full expression of His love has been given to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  God's own Son who went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sin—our lack of love for our neighbor—our failure to keep and abide by God's Holy Commandments in His Word.  Jesus denied Himself—sacrificed Himself—out of love for us.
          As Christians, we are transformed by the love of God for us in Christ Jesus.  For many of us, this happened when we were baptized as infants.  The Holy Spirit entered into our hearts through water and the Word, casting out the devil, and transforming us into His holy temple—a place where the Word of God dwells richly.  This first creates in our hearts love toward God, but this love is then clearly expressed in our love for our neighbor.  As John writes in our text, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." 
          So, beloved, our faith in Christ in our hearts cannot be seen by our neighbor—our brother—but it can be shown in our acts of love toward our brother.  Of course, as we have already mentioned, what the world considers love is actually not love—but selfish and self-centered—seeking personal fulfillment and joy in pleasure, and a license to sin.  But true love is from God.  The worldly "love" of sinful pleasures is misplaced affection, which corrupts that which God created to be good.  So, we actually love and serve our neighbor rightly by teaching him God's Word of truth, and encouraging him to live in accordance with that truth.
          As John writes in v.15, just prior to our text, "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God."  So, we want to love our neighbor by confessing Christ Jesus to him, that he may come to know and believe in Jesus, and so abide in God and God abide in him.  This is the great joy of the Gospel proclamation—to share God's love for all people in Jesus Christ.  He is God's own Son who gave up His life into death on the cross for the sins of the whole world—for your sins and mine—and for our neighbor's too.
          Abiding in this love of God for us in Jesus frees us from all fear.  Firstly, we do not fear God's judgement against us on account of our sin, for we know that by faith in Christ Jesus we have been cleansed of all sins of thought, word, and deed.  Jesus' blood and righteousness covers over it all.  As John commends us, "By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgement, because as He is so also are we in this world."  God's love is perfected in us by casting all our sins, griefs, and sorrows onto Christ who bore them to the cross in our place.  We have been redeemed by His precious blood, and so we have nothing to fear on the Day of Judgement—the Day when Christ returns in glory to judge the living and the dead—for we have been saved by grace through faith in Him alone.
          Just so, then, secondly, what have we to fear of the world?  Sure, pagans are going to act like pagans—they are going to hate us—even as they hate and despise the true Jesus of the Bible.  But what have we to fear of what they can do to us?  Our eternal salvation is secure by the blood of Christ who died for us. So, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.  For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."  We do not fear the wrath of the world—for the God we believe in has overcome the world.  Therefore, we are free to love and serve our neighbor in accordance with the Word of God.  This means calling all people to repent of their sin—us too!—and to believe the Gospel—to look to Christ Jesus for forgiveness, mercy, and strength. 
          And so, "We love because He first loved us…And this commandment we have from Him; whoever loves God must also love his brother."  As Christians who have been touched by the transforming power of God's love through His Word and Sacraments, we joyfully serve our neighbor in truth and in righteousness—as Christ Jesus has taught us.  Never forsaking the Word of God, but rather proclaiming this Word to the world—holding Christ and His cross ever before their eyes—and before our own.  Knowing and trusting that Christ has conquered sin, death, and hell for us—and for our brother.  Indeed, now we find that we cannot help but to love our neighbor—even as God has first loved us in Jesus.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Holy Trinity Sunday                                                                                                                                   May 30, 2021
Isaiah 6:1-7
 
Touched By an Angel
 
v.6-7 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.  And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."
 
          Dear friends in Christ, touch is one of the five senses that God has given us, along with sight, hearing, smell, and taste.  Though everyone is different, most people like, indeed actually need, to be touched.  It is built into us--this need for touch--contact with others.  For example, did you know that some hospitals employ people to sit and hold newborn babies in distress?  These fragile human beings NEED to be touched, rocked, and held--or else they simply won't survive. 
          Now touch, as we know, can be both gentle and kind, or rough and painful.  We like some touches better than others (I didn't particularly care for the spankings I received as a child--as necessary as they may have been!).  Some touches give us a thrill of delight (like that first time a boy and a girl hold hands), whereas others may cause fear or sorrow.  Sadly, in the age of COVID, we have come to both fear and long for human touch.  We long to be touched—to be in close contact with other human beings—as health regulations have dictated we maintain 6 feet of separation.  Yet, at the same time, we fear to come too close, lest we risk the spread of disease.  What a mess!
          The prophet Isaiah in our text needed a certain kind of touch--a special touch.  He was witness to the divine glory and majesty of the Lord God in a heavenly vision.  He knew that he was a sinner and could not be in the presence of the holy God without dying.  He was terrified as he was touched with God's holiness.  For God's holiness consumes and destroys sin.  But God in His mercy, sent an angel--a seraphim--to grab a burning coal from the fire of the altar and touch Isaiah's lips--thereby removing his guilt and sin--and granting him life and salvation.
          I know, I know, "How could a burning coal forgive sin?  It seems silly and implausible.  How can water make someone reborn a child of God?  How can a little bread and wine forgive people their sin?"  All this seems impossible.  It cannot be.  It's like the mystery of the Holy Trinity (One God in Three Persons: Father Son and Holy Spirit).  It just doesn't make reasonable sense to us.  I mean, if someone approaches me with a burning coal and says, "Here now, I'm just gonna place this fiery coal against your face to make you feel better--to forgive your sin."  I'm gonna run as fast as I can in the other direction!
          What must Isaiah have been thinking as the angel approached him to touch him in this way?  How can a simple touch--even by an angel accomplish something so big?  Isaiah's sin--like yours and mine--is huge.  Each of us is a person of unclean lips dwelling in the midst of a people of unclean lips--sinners through and through.  My life is filled with guilt over the many, many crummy things I have done to hurt others--how I've disobeyed God--and I know your lives are the same.  We have all been touched by sin--we will all be touched by death.
          Though I realize it seems incredible that God could and would forgive Isaiah's sins through a touch with a live coal--this is what He does.  And really, when we look through all of Holy Scripture don't we see God doing these kinds of things over and over again--working through simple, ordinary means to help and forgive and save His people?  He works through the shed blood of lambs, goats and bulls to forgive sins.  By a bronze serpent on a pole any who looked at it would be saved from poisonous snake bites.  Jesus uses a little bread and a few fish to feed thousands of people.
          The important thing to remember, beloved, is that it is not just these ordinary THINGS--nor even an angel--that actually does such great and wonderful works, but rather it is the Word of God.  As our epistle stated, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgements and how inscrutable His ways!"  So, in all things dear friends, we must bow before the word of God.  We believe what He says precisely because HE has said it.
          Now this does not come easily.  Our earthly reason and wisdom wants to argue with God--wants to explain everything in nice, neat, little categories that our tiny little brains can understand.  But let me ask you this.  Is it reasonable to expect a finite human being (no matter how smart) to be able to fully comprehend the infinite God of the universe?  Is it not rather arrogant on our part to expect to be able to piece God together in an image we can readily understand?  Would it not be wiser simply to accept God for who He says He is and what He has done as He has told us in His Word?
          I know, I know.  We hear the arguments all the time, don't we?  "God can't exist--especially not three persons in one Godhead--that doesn't make sense. The creation account in Scripture can't be true because we have all this scientific evidence that says otherwise (though of course there is no real, hard evidence, just mere speculation and philosophy).  Simple, water, bread and wine can't really forgive sins--that's just crazy!"
          But dear friends, God's Word confidently and calmly declares ALL these things and so many more to be TRUE.  We must remember that even our own reason and intelligence--as great a gift it is in enabling us to understand so many things and to accomplish so much--is still corrupted by sin and subject to error and eventual death.  Only God's Word to us can cut through the lies of the world and the devil and our own sinful minds and give us the TRUTH.
          The truth is God is 3 Persons in 1 God.  We worship the Trinity in Unity and the Unity in Trinity.  Can we fully understand this divine mystery?  No.  Not completely.  And that's OK.  It actually frees us.  We don't HAVE to make sense of everything--explain every little bit--the hows and the whys and the wherefores--we simply trust it IS true because God said so. 
          What has the Lord said to you?  You are a sinner--touched by sin and subject to death and hell.  That is true.  But God has sent His angels (messengers)--pastors, teachers, parents, grandparents, etc. to touch you with His mercy and grace.  Indeed, the Lord reaches out His gracious hand to you and has touched you in your Baptism--washing away all of your sin as you were reborn by water and His Holy Spirit.  Your sins are forever removed--the old sinful flesh having been drowned in the waters of your Baptism. 
          Furthermore, Jesus touches you with His Word of absolution spoken through His undershepherds.  Touching your ears and your hearts with the good news that because Jesus has died on the cross and shed His blood for you--your sins are gone--forever taken away.  Despite the lies of the devil and the world--despite the arguments of your own mind that tell you what a great and miserable sinner you are--Jesus' word cuts through all of that and sets you free!  Free from sin--free from guilt--free from death and damnation.  Why?  Because Jesus--the Word and Truth made flesh--SAYS so.
          This day, Jesus also comes to touch you in a very intimate way with His very own body and blood given for you in simple bread and wine.  So that as you partake of this holy meal by faith in Him you receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins.  I know that your mind will be warring with the Word of God as you approach this altar.  "That's just bread and wine.  It doesn't look, smell, taste or feel like body and blood."  But it IS.  Because Jesus said so.  I can't explain how--it just is.  Which is why we so often pray, "Lord I believe, help me in my unbelief."  And He does.
          Beloved, whatever may come your way--be it good or evil--joy or tragedy--victory or defeat--life or death--you can meet it head on, relying and trusting confidently in God's Word to you.  "Behold, this [body/bread; blood/wine] has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for."  Indeed, "To Him be glory forever."  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Pentecost Sunday                                                                                                                                        May 23, 2021
Acts 2:1-21
 
Calling on the Name of the Lord
 
v.21   And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
 
          Dear friends in Christ, a blessed Pentecost to you all!  This day marks the 50th day after our Lord Jesus' resurrection from the dead—and 10 days following His Ascension into glory.  On this day we see the in-breaking of the power of God to restore His broken creation.  We also see the promise and blessing of the Holy Spirit who has come, just as Christ promised He would.
          There the disciples were—gathered in a house together—awaiting the promised blessing of the Holy Spirit as Jesus had directed them.  The Spirit came from heaven in a sound like a mighty rushing wind—in tongues of fire resting on them—and He gave the apostles the ability to speak in other languages that they did not know.  Why?  The purpose is quickly revealed as we can see from our text.  Indeed, for many Jews from all over the world had come to Jerusalem to celebrate this holy festival of Pentecost.  They were astonished at what the apostles of Jesus were able to do—these Galileean men with thick accents were able to speak to these assorted visitors in their own home languages!  As they themselves remarked, "we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 
          This gift of tongues by the Holy Spirit was not given for the personal edification and glory of the apostles—but rather for the benefit of their neighbours—those who were not fluent in Aramaic.  At this blessed event, all those gathered were able to hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ crucified and risen—the great and mighty work of God—in their own language!  What joy!  What amazing grace of God!
          Some in the crowd assumed the disciples of Jesus were simply drunk—this was special holy day, after all—and even we are wont to consume too much wine at special occasions like Christmas and Easter.  But Peter quickly denies this, and instead directs them back to the Scriptures—the prophet Joel—wherein he prophesied this very event hundreds of years before.  Peter begins his great Pentecost sermon with this very text—showing how God has fulfilled His Word.  The Spirit was being poured out upon the people—concluding with how "it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
          Hear that again, beloved.  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord—Jesus—will be saved!  What amazing good news!  What glorious promise!  No matter who you are—what you have done—what you look like—where you are from—EVERYONE who calls on Christ Jesus in faith for rescue and forgiveness of sins shall not be disappointed—but will indeed be saved.
          Oh, dear friends, how desperately we need to hear this sweet message of the Gospel of Jesus in these grey and latter days.  For our sinfulness and rebellion seems to know no end.  Indeed, it has brought nothing but division, separation, pain, and suffering and death.  Remember the story of the Tower of Babel from our O.T. reading of Genesis 11.  Therein the people of the earth in their great pride and arrogance sought to make a name for themselves—prove themselves as great—by building a great and magnificent tower all the way to heaven.  It was as if they were saying, "We don't need God.  We've got this.  Look at what we can do.  We are so strong—so powerful—so incredible—we can be like gods ourselves." 
          Sound familiar?  That same prideful arrogance is very much alive and well today in our country—in our community—in our families—in our own hearts.  Yet what was the fruit of this sinful rebellion against God (for He had indeed instructed them to go forth and spread across the earth to fill it, but they had decided to come together in one place and build this tall tower to heaven—a direct challenge to God's Word and authority).  God looked down from heaven to see what they were doing—and He confused their language and scattered them across the earth. 
          Our sin bears much wicked fruit of division—separation—hatred—and anger.  We see this in Critical Theory that wants to divide everyone into various groups and set them in opposition to one another: whether it be gender, sexual orientation, skin color, ethnic heritage, wealth, etc.  This sin wreaks much havoc in the world today—in our own hearts and lives.   For it is symptomatic of our much deeper problem of our sin and separation from God.  Ever since the Fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, mankind has acted in rebellion against God's good word to us.  Left to our own devices, we would be forever lost and condemned to eternal judgment in the fires of hell.
          But God's Word has come to us in mercy.  His Word has taken on human flesh in the Jesus Christ.  God has become incarnate so that He could shower His mercy and love upon us through faith in Jesus.  It is the Name of Jesus that unites people—heals divisions—brings about peace through the forgiveness of sins.  For first God restores that broken relationship with us.  By suffering and dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world—your sins and mine.  This forgiveness through faith in the Son of God who bled and died for us is what restores us to the Father—brings us into close communion with Him.
          Now, once again, Christ working through His Spirit, which is at the same time at work through His people—offers and brings this forgiveness, peace, and joy between men.  The Name of Jesus ushers this peace in through the forgiveness that comes only by His name—the Name of the God-Man who bled and died to bring reconciliation to all. 
          How can this be?  Well, the Lord's name actually bears His being and power to save—because of who He is and what He has done.  Jesus—whose name literally means "the Lord saves" is truly, in the flesh, the God who saves!  In mercy He has sent the Holy Spirit to bring His presence and peace to His people through the Word and the Sacraments—what we call the means of grace.  For by the cross Jesus won and earned the complete forgiveness of sins of the whole world—but this gift of life and joy is delivered to His people—personally and individually—through the Word and Sacraments.
          In Baptism, the very name of the Holy Triune God—the God who Creates—the God who Redeems—the God who Sanctifies—is literally placed upon each Christian through water and the Word.  This Name of God—Father Son and Holy Spirit—is the Name by which we are washed clean of our sin and granted the gift of faith and the Holy Spirit.  His name pronounces us absolved when we confess our sins.  The Name of Jesus and His Word blesses simple bread and wine to be His body and blood—united for us Christians to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of our sins.
          This blessed and joyful Good News is the precise reason behind the miracle of the speaking in tongues at Pentecost.  So that all people may hear this Good News, repent and believe the Gospel of Christ, and so call upon His name and be saved. 
          Note, God speaks very precisely through His prophet Joel, as He did through the Apostle Peter and others.  You can't just call on any name and be saved—no matter how sincere you may be.  The depth and sincerity of your faith is not what saves you.  A devout Jew or Muslim or Hindu or anyone else who prays and calls upon the name of their god will NOT be saved.  For it is only by calling on the Name of the Lord—Jesus—that people are saved.  For it is the Object of our faith that saves—not the act of our faith.  Calling on the Name of Jesus saves because Jesus is the only God who suffered, died, and rose again.  Jesus is the only true God in the flesh. 
          With this understanding of how we are saved there is no place for pride or arrogance.  No thinking that we are saved by how great and good we are—we recognize that it is only the work of Christ on the cross that redeems us and sets us free from sin, death, and the power of hell.  Nor is there any room for despair over our sins.  For a single drop of blood from God would have been enough to pay for the sins of all people for all time—such is the precious nature of His blood—and yet in love for us Christ shed it all—giving it all up into death for you and me.  What great comfort and consolation that soothes our troubled hearts and minds when our consciences are afflicted with the many sins we commit every day. 
          Yet into our troubled hearts and lives comes the clear Word of God—Everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.  Everyone means everyone!  So that means you.  Hear that blessed Word and promise of God—call upon His name—believe His promises—and  you will be saved!  For Christ Jesus has bled and died for you.  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Easter 7 – Ascension Day (Observed)                                                                                                        May 16, 2021
Luke 24:44-53
 
Ascending with Joy!
 
v.51-52       While [Jesus] blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy…
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, we have come to the end of the celebration of the great and joyful Easter season in the church year.  This is the final week in the "week of weeks" in the special season that marks the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave.  Indeed, after Jesus' suffering and death on Good Friday, He rested in the tomb for three days, but rose in glorious victory on Easter morning.  He then went on to give substantial proofs to His disciples and many others that He had indeed risen from the dead. 
          Jesus showed them His wounds.  As the blessed Fourth Century Church Father, St. Augustine notes (NPNF1 6:456), "He arose, with His wounds healed, His scars kept.  For this He judged expedient for His disciples, that His scars should be kept, whereby the wounds of their hearts may be healed.  What wounds?  The wounds of unbelief.  For He appeared to their eyes, exhibiting real flesh."  Christ showed to them all the holes in His hands, feet, and side where cruel nails and spear had pierced His flesh.  But now, risen in glory, these scars bore witness to the suffering He endured to wipe out our debt of sin—to free us from bondage to sin, death, and the devil.  He rose—bodily—with real flesh.  Indeed, prior to our Gospel text, Jesus proved that He was no ghost—no mere disembodied spirit—by eating a piece of broiled fish before them!
          Over the course of 40 days, Jesus appeared to many and gave convincing proofs of His resurrection and defeat of death.  Then He took His disciples to Bethany—the Mount of Olives—and there was visibly taken up into heaven before their eyes.  As He ascended He blessed them.  And they "returned to Jerusalem with great joy." 
          Can you imagine, beloved?  The disciples had been witnesses to the arrest and crucifixion of their Lord and Master.  By grace, He appeared to them after His resurrection.  He ate with them.  Spoke with them.  He taught them.  But now He left them.  And their response is not sorrow—not grief or fear or trepidation—"What are we going to do now that Jesus is gone?  How are we going to carry on?"  No, indeed.  They fell on their faces in humble worship as He ascended before their eyes—convinced of His divinity at last.  They worship and then return to Jerusalem with great joy—the blessing and promise of Christ resting upon them.
          For you see, it's not as though Jesus was abandoning them.  No indeed, He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until they would be "clothed with power from on high."  For was sending "the promise of the Father" upon them.  How would they be clothed with power?  Who was this promise of the Father that Jesus would send?  None other than the Holy Spirit.  The Third Person of the Holy Trinity would come upon them at Pentecost (50 days after Jesus' resurrection) and He would clothe them with power—filling them with faith and steadfastness in the words and promises of Jesus.  More about that next week as we celebrate the Festival of Pentecost!
          Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father—the position of power and authority.  Indeed, as Jesus said to His disciples near the end of St. Matthew's Gospel record, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."  He now sits in glory at the Father's right hand, with all things in subjection to Him.  He is there to rule the universe and His church—that His Gospel may be proclaimed into all the world—so that many people may hear and be saved.
          Jesus' Ascension is actually good news for the disciples of Jesus—it is Good News for you and me!  For now He rules over all things—for your good and for mine.  "Well, pastor, it certainly doesn't look like it!  I mean, just take a look around you—look at the state of the world—our families—our country—our communities.  It seems like a disaster."  Nonetheless, what Jesus has declared to be IS true.  He is risen from the dead—and He is working to preserve His faithful people.
          For remember, Jesus did not come to sit in a King's palace and be served by humanity, but rather to serve humanity with His life, death, and resurrection.  This is why, during those 40 days of Easter when He was with His disciples He taught them "that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."  He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures—to see that Jesus is at the heart of the Word of God.  That from beginning to end, every page—every word—points us to Jesus. 
          And why is this important, beloved?  Because we, too, have the sacred Scriptures, which alone are able to make people wise unto salvation.  Do you want to know what the Bible is all about?  Have you ever been asked by a non-Christian friend, "What is the point of the Bible?  What is the main teaching?"  It's an awfully large collection of books, filled with lots of teaching, but what's it really all about? 
          Jesus tells us very plainly in our text.  And it is a message that can be heard and understood and proclaimed by all people—from little children to wizened grannies and grandpas.  "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."  That is what Jesus says the Bible is all about—Him!—specifically, His suffering, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. 
          This message of Good News—the Gospel—is what the Christian church has been heralding for 2000 years!  From the Apostles of Jesus—down to each and every Christian today—you and me.  This is our joy—our duty—our sacred responsibility.  To bring the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name to all the world.
          We are called upon to preach the whole counsel of God—the Law in its full sternness to bring people to repentance over their sin.  To help people to see that they are sinners in need of forgiveness and salvation.  This is not widely received in our society.  Even some churches struggle with calling sin, sin and evil, evil.  To talk about sin is seen as a "downer" and not very helpful to reaching out to people with the love of Jesus.  But Christ does not give us this option.  He tells us to proclaim repentance—to speak His Word truthfully—that ALL people may be led to repent of their sin—you and me included!  We all must turn away from sin—recognize it as contrary to God's Word and Will and deserving of His full wrath and punishment in hell. 
          But we dare not leave people with this message of only the Law.  For Christ came for the very purpose of suffering and dying for those who have broken the Law—those who are sinners—you and me and all people!  Forgiveness in Jesus' name is to be preached to those who are terrified over their sins—who long to do better—who acknowledge their sins and are sorry for them.  The comforting message of the Gospel of Jesus offers His merits to sinners—His perfect life and keeping of the whole Law of God—as well as His suffering and death on the cross in full payment for our breaking of the Law. 
          This message of forgiveness and peace with God through faith in the Crucified and Risen Christ is what comforts terrified consciences.  It's what brings us peace and joy, no matter what we face.  For this Jesus who was crucified and suffered death for your sins and mine—has risen from the dead!  He has risen in glory—proving that His death as payment for our sin has satisfied the wrath of God.  This same Jesus has ascended into heaven, even as we confess each week in the Creed—and now He sits in authority to govern His church and the world with justice and equity.  So, too, then do all Christ's people bless and worship Him with great joy, for Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Easter 6 – Rogate (Mothers' Day)                                                                                                                 May 9, 2021
John 16:23-33
 
The Power of Prayer
 
v.33   [Jesus said], "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, we Christians often like to talk about the "power" of prayer.  This subject is particularly fitting for this Sixth Sunday of Easter – Rogate – or "ask" or "pray" Sunday.  Prayer is something that ought to come as naturally to the Christian as breathing.  God commands us to pray.  Our spiritual fathers and mothers in the faith taught us to pray—even as little children.  For prayer is nothing less than speaking to God.  In our prayers we may ask for things for ourselves (petition), on behalf of others (intercession), as well as give thanks and praise to Him for the things that He has done.  We are to be disciplined in our prayer life, as Jesus said in our text, "Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
          There are many anecdotal stories that people may tell regarding prayer: miraculous healing, instant escape or protection from evil, etc., etc.  These are the things we are wont to think of when we speak about the "power" of prayer.  We tend to think that prayers are more effective—more powerful—depending upon the fervency with which a prayer is prayed—or even the amount of people who are praying.  Evangelical Christians have even come up with a name to describe people devoted to prayer—"Prayer Warriors."    
          And while we do not want to disparage prayer in any way—nor indeed those who regularly engage in prayer (something, again, all Christians are commanded to do)—yet we may become tempted to think that the results of our prayers have something to do with us and our prayers. 
          We see throughout Scripture that Christians are urged to pray.  In the appointed O.T. reading for today from Numbers 21, we see Moses urged by the Israelites to pray for them after they had sinned against God and He had sent poisonous snakes among them.  Or St. Paul in our epistle reading from 1 Timothy exhorts Christians to regularly pray for all those in authority—especially governmental powers.  And of course Jesus instructs His disciples in our Gospel reading that "whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you."
          So, indeed, prayer is a good, right, and salutary activity of the Christian life.  Most, if not all, of us could certainly do with more prayer in our lives.  For prayer teaches us to ask for those things that are in keeping with God's Word—and it reminds us that God is the One who is in control of all things—not us.  So we must never treat prayer like some form of manipulating God to get whatever we desire.  God is not some mystical vending machine deity in the sky who gives you whatever you want, as long as  you have prayed in the right way, or for the correct length of time—inserting the proper "prayer coins" as it were.  Our prayers are not powerful nor effective because of who WE are—but rather because of who GOD is.
          God answers our prayers the way that He knows is best, in accordance with His grace and mercy.  Remember, with Jesus as our brother—whose blood has been shed to wipe away our sin—we have been brought into God's family of faith.  Now the heavenly Father is our Father too.  We can go to Him in prayer, as dear children go to their dear earthly fathers and ask them for things without fear or trepidation, knowing that their father only wants what is best for them.  Faith clings to the words and promises of our God in Christ Jesus.  Faith knows that God loves us for Jesus' sake.  Therefore, the Father will answer our prayers in the way and manner that He knows is best for us—in His time.  As Jesus says in our text, "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God."
          So Christian prayer IS powerful and effective, but not because of us Christians who pray, but rather because of the Object of our prayers—God Almighty.  Through faith in the Son of God who has come to redeem the world from sin, our prayers are heard and answered by the Father in heaven.
          This is important for us to remember because the Christian life is not easy—indeed, being a Christian is not for the faint of heart.  Jesus has been instructing His disciples on the importance of prayer on the very night in which He will be betrayed into the hands of sinners—and then suffer and die for the sins of the world.  Jesus, just prior to praying His own high priestly prayer in John 17, says this to His disciples, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."
          You know, beloved, as well as I, that Christians face tribulation in this world, along with all other people.  The world is broken by sin—filled with hatred and violence—pain and suffering—death and destruction.  We will be called upon to suffer for our faith—even as our Lord Jesus suffered.  We will endure the pangs of sin and brokenness in this world—even as we will face the prospect of death—which is the wages for our sin. 
          In times of trial and tribulation, what is the Christian to do?  Pray.  Pray!  Pray to the Lord God Almighty.  Bring your requests, your petitions, your intercessions, along with your thanksgivings—bring them all to the Lord God in prayer.  Do not be burdened with things you cannot control nor overcome.  Rather, give them to Jesus who has overcome all things for you.  He who has taken your sin and death into His own flesh so that He might suffer for it on the cross in your stead.
          The God to whom we pray is not some weak, lifeless, deaf, and dumb statue that cannot see, nor hear, nor speak, nor have any power to do anything.  Rather, our God is the Living God—the God who has died and risen again.  Our God is the Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  Therefore, Christ urges us to take heart—to take courage—to have confidence and steadfastness in the face of danger or trial or tribulation or testing.  We can take courage, no matter what we may face, because Jesus has overcome and conquered the world for us.  He has won the victory!  With His suffering and death on the cross—with His Resurrection from the dead—the Lord Jesus has overcome all things that seek us harm: our own sin, our adversary the devil, and even the final enemy—death!  All have been trampled down under the foot of the risen Christ!  He has smashed through the gates of hell—punched a hole through the belly of death—paid the wages due all sin—for you and for me.
          People loved by God, THIS is why we pray—and THIS is why prayer is so powerful.  Because the God who hears our prayers—the God who answers our prayers—is the same God who sent His only Son to suffer and die for us.  The same God who rose victorious over all our enemies.  The same God who urges us to pray that we may receive all good things from His gracious hand—and so be filled with joy. 
          This is why we come together as the people of God, urged by our Mother, the Holy Christian church—to pray together in unity of Spirit—and in accordance with God's Word.  This is why your faithful mothers taught you to pray as little children—so that you may know the joy, comfort, and peace that comes from having God as your Father and Jesus as your Brother.  This is why we are bold and courageous to pray to God for anything—knowing that He will hear our prayers through faith in Jesus Christ—and He will answer them in wisdom and mercy—according to what we need. 
          For Christ the Lord, in teaching His disciples' the Lord's Prayer, did not instruct them, "IF you pray…" but rather "WHEN you pray…"  So, dear friends in Christ, let us not be lax in our prayers, but bold and forthright.  Let us not wilt under the tribulations of the world, but rather courageously meet them head on, knowing that in Christ Jesus—in His death and resurrection for us sinners—we have peace.  For He has indeed overcome the world—for you—for me—for all.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Easter 5 – Cantate                                                                                                                                         May 2, 2021
Isaiah 12:1-6
 
I Wanna Sing!
 
v.6     Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, have you ever been so filled with joy—so overflowing with gladness—that you just wanted to break into song?  Human beings love to sing.  Now not everyone might enjoy singing in public, but most people do find themselves singing along to their favorite song in the car or the shower.  We sing for all sorts of occasions, like birthdays!  When we are happy and excited we just can't seem to help ourselves—and song breaks forth from our lips.
          Such was the case that Isaiah was describing to Israel.  You see, the prophet had just spent the previous chapter talking about the coming age of the Messiah—the Redeemer of the world—the "shoot from the stump of Jesse" upon whom the Spirit of the Lord would rest.  Isaiah goes on to describe the wondrous blessedness that the Messiah would bring to God's people: time of justice and righteousness—a time of salvation and deliverance from all their enemies.  Good times!
          Now, in Chapter 12, we have the first song of praise that occurs in Isaiah, which ends with the call to the people to "shout and sing for joy!"  The coming of the Messiah—the Savior—is such that God's people won't be able to contain their joy and thanksgiving.  Indeed, just last week we celebrated Jubilate or "Rejoice" Sunday.  It is fitting that this Sunday is Cantate or "Sing" Sunday as that is a natural response to joy—singing praise and thanksgiving.  How can we Christians not break forth into songs of praise during this joyful Eastertide?  How can we not respond to the Lord's mercy with joyful song?
          What is at the heart of our singing?  What is behind our joy?  Listen to Isaiah.  "You will say in that day: 'I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.'"  Though we deserve God's wrath and anger on account of our sin and rebellion against Him, yet He is no longer angry.  He isn't angry anymore because of something that Israel has done—or something that you and I as believers do—rather He is no longer angry because His anger has been turned aside.  His wrath has been poured out upon His own Son Jesus on the cross.  Jesus has suffered God's full wrath and displeasure for your sin and mine! 
          God has worked this salvation for us purely out of His grace and mercy.  We are comforted because God sent the Messiah to save.  Furthermore, the Holy Spirit—the Comforter whom Jesus sends—points us to Christ and His work on the cross for our redemption.  For through the cross of Jesus are our sins forgiven—wiped away by the blood of Christ.  Hence, God is no longer angry with us, for His anger has been meted out upon Christ in our stead.  The punishment that was rightly ours, He has taken into His flesh, and suffered and died to set us free.
          In view of the saving work of Jesus—His cross and resurrection—we are then bold to confess the words of Isaiah (v.2), "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation."  No matter what you are going through.  No matter the difficult trials of this life, yet the Christian is able to persevere.  For we know and trust in the Lord God alone.  He is our strength.  He is our salvation.  Which is why He alone is due songs of praise and thanksgiving.  No one and nothing else has earned salvation for us—freed us from the bonds of sin and death—but the Lord Jesus by His cross and empty tomb.  Our good works do not count toward salvation.  It all by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. 
          Though the first two verses of Isaiah 12 were in the singular for "you," here in v.3 and following the "you" is now plural.  "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."  With utmost joy "you" (the whole church of God)—His people from all times and places—people of faith in the Messiah Jesus—draw water from the wells of salvation.  Of course, rescue from water is a common theme throughout the Bible.  In Genesis, Noah and his family are rescued by God through the Flood.  In Exodus, God saves His people Israel from the Egyptians by having them cross through the Red Sea on dry ground.  In 2 Kings we read of Naaman the Syrian commander who is healed of his leprosy by bathing himself in the Jordan River, according to the word of the Lord. 
          Of course, Jesus speaks of giving living water to those who believe in John 4.  This living water flows from His pierced side on the cross as St. John notes 19:34.  St. Paul writes of how this living water washes us clean in Titus 3:5, "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…"  Baptism, beloved!  Baptism, which corresponds to the Flood, as St. Peter writes, now saves us by washing us clean of all sin and iniquity.  Baptism bestows upon us the Holy Spirit—breathing new life into us through faith in Jesus Christ. 
          So then the church responds as Isaiah declares in v.4, "Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted."  The church, in response to God's great love and mercy poured out upon us in Christ Jesus who died and rose again, now offers worship and praise to this One, Saving God alone—and no other.  There is but one true God: Father Son and Holy Spirit.  And this God has saved us in mercy.  So we praise Him by telling of His deeds. 
          This is the Good News, dear friends!—the very Gospel!  The Message of complete salvation from sin, death, and the power of the devil through faith in the Son of God who gave His life as a ransom for the sins of the world.  This Gospel is to be announced—proclaimed—to the very ends of the earth—to all people—in all times and places.  For this is the true God who has come to save us all.
          Finally, in worship then, we are also lead to sing.  "Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.  Shout and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."  Indeed, we offer songs of praise to the Living God—making known His saving deeds to all the earth.  For just as ancient Israel was to be a missionary people to all the nations of the earth—so, too, is the church of Christ today.  Jesus says in St. Matthew's Gospel (28:19-20), "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
          Dear friends, it is a great joy and privilege to announce the Good News of salvation to others.  To witness the working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of others as they hear the Word of God proclaimed, repent of their sin, and receive forgiveness for that sin.  To see people set free of fear of death—the guilt and shame of sin—the domination of the devil—is a powerful thing.  God accomplishes these great things in peoples' lives through the simple words of simple Christians like you and me, who faithfully proclaim this Gospel message. 
          For God is great in your midst to save—He is the Holy One of Israel.  God sent forth His Son to take on human flesh in the mystery of the incarnation.  God Himself has come into the midst of His people to save us from our sin and folly by His strong right hand of salvation.  Jesus continues to come to us in His holy church to distribute His saving gifts through Word and Sacrament.  That we may be strengthened and sustained in our faith—and made bold in our witness of Him to the world. 
          Now, to be sure, we will not always feel like singing and dancing for joy, despite this great good news.  There will be times when life, sin, death, and the devil beat us down.  When we experience pain and suffering in this world.  Yet through it all, the Christian holds on to the hope and joy given to us through faith in Jesus Christ.  And we await the great and glorious day when we will worship in glory with all the saints and angels—singing praises to our wondrous God for all that He has done—shouting for joy to all eternity—for Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Easter 4 – Jubilate                                                                                                                                      April 25, 2021
1 Peter 2:11-20
 
Purposeful, Joyous Suffering
 
v.19   For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, the appointed texts for this Fourth Sunday of Easter—Jubilate or Rejoice Sunday—seem a rather odd choice at first.  The OT reading from Lamentations 3 speaks of the believer bearing the yoke, being struck, and filled with insults, yet trusting in the Lord.  In the Gospel reading from John 16 we see Jesus telling His disciples that they will be sorrowful.  And here in the Epistle reading from St. Peter, we are exhorted to bear up, even unjust suffering!  How is any of this connected to joy?  Joy in suffering?  Nobody likes to suffer! Nobody wants to suffer!  Yet, this is what we Christians are called to endure.
          As always, it helps to have a little bit of context.  St. Peter began this portion of his letter by telling the church that they have been called by Christ, out of the darkness of this world, to be citizens of His kingdom.  Indeed, that we are now to live as Jesus' royal priesthood—for we are a part of His people—a holy nation.  Therefore, St. Peter urges us "as sojourners and exiles" (people who are in the world, but not of the world) "to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evil doers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation" (1 Peter 2:11-12). 
          Now that we Christians have been called by Christ to faith in Him, we are a changed people—a holy people—a people set apart by God for faithful service to Him and His Word—and loving service to our neighbor—whomever that may be.  Peter was not naïve.  Remember, Peter was writing at a time when it was quite dangerous to be a Christian—when the government was outright persecuting Christians (indeed St. Peter would later be executed by that government, simply for being a Christian).  Yet he urges us Christians to keep our conduct/actions honorable among the Gentiles (unbelievers).  So that, when they speak evil against us, yet they may still see our good deeds and glorify God when He returns. 
          Note that St. Peter doesn't say "If" the unbelievers speak evil against you, but "When."  Christians will always be spoken against by the unbelieving world—viewed as evil for our adherence to the Word of God above all else—despite societal norms, etc.  As Jesus says to His disciples in Matthew 10:24-25, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.  If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household."  As they spoke evil of Christ our Lord and Master, so they will speak evil of us, His disciples and servants.  We should expect nothing less.
          Peter then goes on in our text to give some examples of what our good deeds as Christians living in a hostile world may look like.  First of all, we are to be subject to all human institutions, particularly the government.  For they have been put in place by God to maintain order by punishing those who do evil and praise those who do good.  By doing good, even in the face of slanderous and malevolent accusations, the ignorant and foolish people will be silenced.  Because they will see that those who do such good things as loving and serving their neighbor at every opportunity—speaking kindly to all—etc.—are not really evil at all.  By living out our Christian faith in this way, we may prove that the world's slanderous accusations against us are false.
          We are to live as people who are free—free by the redeeming blood of Jesus.  No longer are we bound to uphold the Law in order to earn righteousness—for we have already freely received such perfect righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ who bled and died for us.  However, we are never to use such freedom as a cover-up for evil, but rather are to continue to live as servants of God.  We do what is right and good out of love for our God who has had such mercy upon us and saved us when we didn't deserve it. 
          Our freedom from the Law's demands does not excuse sinful behavior.  We can't think, "Oh, I can give into this sinful temptation and it will be OK because Jesus died for me."  That is not faith, but unbelief.  We are to repent of our sin—turn away from it—and strive to do good in all things.  Yes we fail—and yes we are imperfect followers of God's Word—and so we always rely on the Gospel of Jesus to build us up and soothe our consciences, trusting in His grace and mercy all the more.  But this is not license to sin, but rather freedom from sin.  We use our freedom, rather, in loving service to our neighbor who needs our good works.
          Therefore, we are called to honor everyone—love our fellow Christians—fear God above all things—and yet honor the government authorities however we may, as long as they don't want us to do anything contrary to the Word of God.  So then, servants are to be subject to their masters—whether their masters are kind and good or not.  Even if they are mean and unjust, we are to serve them faithfully to the best of our abilities.  This beloved, THIS is a gracious thing in the sight of God—enduring sorrows while suffering unjustly.
          To be sure there is a great deal of suffering in the world—among Christian and non-Christian alike.  But Peter isn't talking about generic suffering.  He is not talking about the kinds of suffering all people have endured this past year in relation to the pandemic: job loss, loneliness, heartache, and sorrow.  As real as that suffering is.  Nor is he even talking about the Christian suffering under the diagnosis of a terminal illness—the pain that disease and death brings to body and soul.  Rather, he is specifically talking about the suffering Christians endure when they suffer for being a Christian—suffering for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—an unjust suffering.
          Bearing up under suffering for something that you have done—say breaking the law of the land—is no big thing—you steal a car, you should pay the price.  However, suffering for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus—for His Word of truth and salvation—now THAT is a gracious thing in the sight of God.  We have seen examples of this in recent years: Baronelle Stutzman, the florist from Washington state who has been repeatedly sued for refusing to provide specific floral arrangements for a same-sex couple's wedding, as it violated her conscience and religious beliefs.  Or Jack Phillips, a Colorado bakery owner, who has been sued by the state repeatedly for refusing to use his artistic cake design skills in service to things that violate his conscience and religious beliefs.  And there are many more.
          Beloved, the time is coming when all Christians may be called upon to suffer for our faith.  The time may come when we, too, may face punishment from the government, our employers, and the world at large, for holding to Biblical truth—whether it is regarding human sexuality, the sanctity of human life, even what pronouns we use when speaking of our neighbor.  Yet, St. Peter exhorts and encourages us to remain true to the Word of God throughout.  And to continue to do good to our neighbor.  Not to respond in anger and hatred, but rather in Christian love and charity, while never denying the truth.  We combat evil and falsehood, not by using evil and falsehood in return, but rather by emulating our Lord Jesus Christ—who spoke mercy and grace to all people—who loved the world so much that He gave up His life into death to save us from our sin.
          There is purpose and joy in the suffering of the Christian, dear friends.  God may use our stalwart suffering to lead people to faith in Jesus.  For we cling to the promises of our God in Jesus Christ that our sins have been wiped away by His shed blood, meaning that this time of suffering will only be for a little while—that there is an eternity of joy that awaits those faithful who believe. 
          And our God has not left us here to wrestle with these things on our own.  No indeed.  He has provided us with His Holy Word and Sacraments—that reassure us of His love and grace each and every moment of every day of our lives.  They fill us with the forgiveness of sins Christ earned for us on the cross.  They transform us to be more like Christ so that we may bear up under the unjust sorrows and sufferings of this world.  For we know that our Lord Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the power of the devil.  So, too, shall all who believe in Him. For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen again!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Easter 3 - Misericordias Domini                                                                                                                April 18, 2021
Ezekiel 34:11-16
 
Shepherd Search and Rescue
 
v.11   For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, when traveling Jolene and I usually spend a fair amount of sightseeing. Wherever we go I take my phone with us so that we can use Google Maps, which directs us, unerringly, to whatever destination we desire.  Even if I miss a turn, this incredible piece of technology quickly recalculates and redirects me, so that we can get to where we want to go.  Pretty amazing stuff.  All the maps--of all the world--that fits into your pocket and tells you precisely where to go.  No longer do you need to worry about finding your way.  Far gone are the days of stopping at the local gas station to ask for directions.  Now, with a simple touch of a few buttons on the phone, I can go anywhere, without fear of getting lost.
          And if you've ever been lost--if you've ever found yourself on a road, or in the woods, or trail where you weren't quite sure where you were or how to get home--you know how truly comforting something like that can be.  Each year government agencies spend millions of dollars on Search and Rescue operations--trying to locate downed plains, ships, or people who have wandered far off the beaten path.  It's scary to be lost--to have no idea where you are or how to get home.
          Do you know what most SAR experts suggest you do if you find yourself lost in the woods, for example?  They tell you to hunker down--stay in one place--and wait for the rescuers to come and find you.  When people wander away they are in greater danger of moving farther and farther away from help.  In reality, we are supposed to act more like sheep.  Sheep tend to get lost quite regularly.  But you know what sheep tend to do?  When they realize they are lost they stop, sit, and wait.  They wait for rescue.  They wait for their shepherd to find them.  They will not move--they will not seek their own way home--rather, they must be sought after and found.  Which is the job of the shepherd, of course.
          And here in our text we see our Lord God promising this to His people.  You see, they had been abused by their leaders--not just religious leaders, but political leaders as well--their king and princes.  They had guided the people to turn away from the one, true God--to chase after false idols--as such, they were scattered from the fold of the Lord.  But herein, God comes to His people living in exile--living in distress--believing they are lost and have been abandoned by God--and He speaks to them as their loving Shepherd.  "I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out…I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered…I will gather them…I will bring them to their own land…I will feed them…I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord."
          What joyous promises!  Though we are lost and alone in the wilderness of this world.  Though there are ravenous enemies that seek us out--the devil that tempts and accuses us--the sin that entraps and kills us—the world that misleads and threatens us—and death that ends us--yet our Good Shepherd has promised to seek us out and provide us with all that we need for our hope and salvation. 
          We see Jesus in our Gospel text reveal that He is our Good Shepherd.  He says in Luke's Gospel that He has "come to seek and to save the lost."  That's you and me!  Led astray by the passions of our own sinful flesh--distracted by the lies of the devil and the twisted world that direct us to seek fulfillment in gods of our own making and imagination--teaching us to trust in ourselves--to pursue our own good over that of our neighbour--seeking to be our own gods and in control of our destiny--we have become lost and confused--taken down the path that leads only to death and damnation.
          Into the sinfulness and the death of our hearts, souls, bodies, and minds, comes the Good Shepherd.  He comes to seek and to save you and me.  He comes to gather us into His kingdom through the sheepfold of His church.  He brings us into the company of other sheep where we may hear the gentle and comforting voice of our shepherd in His Word.  The Word that tells you of His great love for you.  The Word that shows you the wounds of Christ that He suffered in your place as He did battle with sin, death, and the devil upon the tree of the cross.  The blood that flowed from His wounds has washed you clean and forgiven your sins, fully and completely. 
          Though you often wander and stray from Christ's fold--still!--yet He binds up your wounds--taking you into His comforting arms--He carries you away from your dread enemies--over and over again--and takes you to be with Him in His kingdom where there is good pasture and pure water.  He strengthens you with His Word and Sacraments.  You feed richly on the body and blood of the Shepherd in the Sacrament of the Altar.  This great gift of God that is given heals the broken and gives life to the dead.  For as you eat and drink this simple bread and wine under the Word of the Good Shepherd, you are eating and drinking salvation and life to your soul. 
          No matter the sins that weigh heavily on your heart--no matter the guilt that bows your head with sorrow and grief--no matter the death that threatens to overtake you--as you partake of this simple meal--you are participating in the fulfillment of this prophecy from Ezekiel.  Your sin is removed.  Your guilt cast away--as far as the east is from the west--for Christ has borne it all for you in His flesh on the cross and now He gives you His life-giving body and blood to eat and to drink--so that even death is undone!  What gift!  What love!  What mercy!
          Beloved, with all the cares and anxieties of this life--it is easy to feel overwhelmed , lost, and afraid.  We look at the mess of our personal lives, where our sin has caused so many problems: our infidelity to God and neighbour--our lack of love--the grim reality of disease and death.  We look at the mess of our community and nation--we see the corruption of the established government and judicial systems--we feel the growing sense of persecution against us because of our Christian faith--we see the world torn asunder by violence and catastrophe, both natural and man-made, and we wonder.  What is going on?  Who will save me from this desperate time?  Who will rescue me from this body of death? 
          Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  He who is your Good Shepherd has braved the perils of this broken world--He has defied the evil one--the usurper, Satan, and He has conquered and overcome our greatest enemy--death itself.  All by His own death and glorious resurrection.  For He faced  it head on and beat it down.  Death no longer has any dominion over Him, nor those who follow Him and trust in Him.  That is you, dear friends.  That is your Jesus--your Good Shepherd--the living One who has set you free with His body and blood.  You are the sheep of His pasture and He feeds you unto life eternal.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.