Easter 6 – Rogate (Memorial USA)                                                                                                           
John 16:23-33
 
 
v.33   [Jesus said], "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation.  But take courage; I have overcome the world."
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, today is Rogate or "pray" Sunday.  The sixth Sunday of Easter is set aside especially to uplift Christians in the duty and privilege of prayer—granted to us as a gift through faith in Christ.  This year, this Sunday also happens to fall upon Memorial weekend in the U.S.—a time set aside to remember and honour all those who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.  Truly, there is a great deal for which we ought to give thanks to God and pray.
          Of course, prayer is becoming more and more of a lost virtue in our day and age—even among Christians.  We struggle with finding the time and energy to humbly fold our hands, bow our heads, and offer up our petitions, thanksgivings, and praises to the One who is Lord of all.  We scarcely have time to say a few quick words before gulping down our supper on our way to our evening activities—and by the time those activities are completed—after a long, hard day—it is difficult to focus the mind and heart before sleep overtakes us in our beds.  And yet there is much for which we must pray.
          St. Paul in our epistle reading today gives us some particular direction in this regard.  Indeed, he urges "that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."  I just attended the Minnesota LCMS pastors' conference a couple of weeks ago, where one of the main speakers was a pastor from the Minnesota Family Coalition—urging us (pastors and congregations) to lift up our leaders: federal, state/provincial, and municipal, in our prayers.  The men and women who serve in these capacities desperately need our prayers and support as they seek to govern justly and wisely and make good and decent laws.  We must try to get to know them—love them and support them—especially in prayer.
          The past couple of weeks have seen both the good and the bad in terms of laws enacted by elected leaders.  We have been blessed to witness some astounding pro-life laws pass in certain states.  This is good news for the cause of life, and we ought to rise up and give thanks to God for these leaders and for any law that promotes and protects the gift of life that God gives.  We have also seen some disturbing laws passed—most recently, the Equality Act just passed by the House in the U.S.  This law is almost like an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which stated that it was illegal to discriminate against anyone based upon their race, ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, disability, etc.  That was good law.  However, the Equality Act comes with a twist.  It inserts the phrase "sexual orientation and gender identity" under the heading "sex," meaning that it will be illegal to discriminate against anyone based upon their sexual preferences or current gender identities.  We have had such a law in Canada since 2010. 
          So what?  Isn't that a good thing?  We don't want to discriminate as Christians, do we?  Of course Christians don't condone discrimination, but this new law will open the door to force people to act against their religion and their own consciences—even down to the very words we say.  To operate in the public sphere (which has also been broadened to mean more than hotels or grocery stores, but now includes any act, good, or service done in the public realm) will effectively put people of conscience on the chopping block should they disagree with the LGBTQ agenda.  No one will be protected—not the baker, the florist, the photographer, the teacher, the pastor, the church—no one.  Again, we have much to pray for.
          The situation seems to be rather desperate.  We have effectively lost the culture war.  Our children and grandchildren and we ourselves are being constantly bombarded with ideas and messages that are in direct conflict with what the Holy Scriptures teach about human sexuality and identity.  The world is fine with our teachings on greed, respect, work ethic, etc., but cannot and will no longer stomach the Christian teachings on sexual morality or life: from heterosexual fornication outside of marriage, to pornography, homosexuality, transgenderism, etc., to abortion and euthanasia—the message is coming across loud and clear.  If you hold to Biblical teaching on these issues—you are a bigot, a hater, and no longer deserving of basic rights and protections.  We have seen people lose their livelihoods to this already—and there will be more.
          So, beloved, what are we to do in this desperate situation?  Roll over and give up—give in to the culture around us—forsake the Scriptures and our faith in Christ?  No!  God forbid!  What then?  Should we separate ourselves as much as possible into tiny Christian communes away from it all—live more like the Amish—maybe even move out of the country to another place where Christianity is more welcome and tolerated?  Again, not a good option for most of us.  What then are we to do?  First, we must pray.  As St. Paul urged us to do, and as Christ commands his church—pray.  Pray without ceasing.  Pray for those in authority.  Pray for wisdom—cool heads—for changed hearts and minds.  Speak out in love the truth that God has given to us, even while receiving hatred and scorn and mockery—remembering to keep your enemies forever in your prayers—that God would have His way with them and bring them to faith in Christ through your gentle and persistent witness.
          Our text focuses on the night when Jesus was betrayed.  He is speaking to His disciples, telling then that the Holy Spirit will come and comfort them, even as they suffer.  Jesus tells us this to give us peace—for in this world we have trouble.  As I have just outlined, boy do we have trouble—tribulation—hardship—affliction as a direct result of persecution.  Yet what else does Jesus say?  Take heart!  Be courageous!  Have confidence and firmness of purpose in the face of danger or testing.  How?  How can we remain steadfast and strong in the face of such adversity—when our livelihoods—our freedoms—our families—even our lives are threatened?  By remembering that Jesus has overcome the world—He has conquered it—been victorious over it (this is the Greek verb of the noun for the goddess of victory—Nike). 
          Jesus, with His suffering and death on the cross, has been lifted up so that all who look on Him in faith may believe and receive the forgiveness for their sin He earned with His own shed blood.  Moses lifting up the bronze serpent on a pole in the middle of the desert so that those bit by venomous snakes could be saved, was but a foreshadowing of the greater One who would be lifted up in order to save all mankind.  By His sacrifice on the cross Jesus has broken the curse of sin, destroyed the power of death, and cast down the devil from his rule of this world.  Jesus lives!  Jesus reigns!  He is God in the flesh!  It is to Him that we look and pray in good times and in bad.  It is Christ whom we trust in no matter what.  We don't need to explain away His Word—be embarrassed by it—but boldly proclaim it.  He who has given us this Word is not a bigot or a hater, but the epitome—indeed, the very incarnation—of love itself.  He loves all people—and desires everyone to be saved by coming to faith in Christ alone for their salvation.  And we proclaim this full and free forgiveness to EVERYONE—NO MATTER WHAT.  Be they our persecutors or enemies—or misguided souls who have fallen into sin—the blood of Jesus is enough to cover it all—to redeem it all—and bring life.
          That means that our sin—our failure to keep God's commandments—to speak out—to live out our Christian faith (be it in sexuality or life issues)—even our failures to pray as we ought—are forgiven by the blood of Jesus.  We turn to Him now in prayer and supplication and intercession and thanksgiving.  For He has given us our lives—and preserves our faith by the giving of His own Holy Spirit.  You, beloved, are His children.  You have been washed by the blood of this Lamb of God who came to suffer and die for all sin.  You look to Him who was lifted high upon the cross and see your salvation.  No matter what the world may throw your way—no matter the tribulation and persecution you may be called upon to endure—you stand victorious already—for the Lord Jesus has declared you forgiven and free and granted you eternal life in His blessed name.  And He has crushed all your enemies under His foot when He gave up His own life into death on the cross.  But now it is He who reigns victorious, now and forevermore.  In Jesus you have overcome the world.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 5 – Cantate – Graduate Sunday St. Paul                                                                                          
John 16:5-15
 

v.7     Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper/Comforter will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send Him to you.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is Risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, what a day this is!  Cantate Sunday--Sing Sunday!  A day of great rejoicing and praise in the life of the church, which is so reflective of the joy that we celebrate this Easter season [and especially as graduation approaches for our high school seniors].  The church sings. [Graduate's parents sing!] She sings to her God for the wondrous things that He has done.  We sing in good times and in bad--in darkness and light--in sadness and joy!  We sing because Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! 
          Beloved, our text this day comes from the Holy Gospel of St. John.  Once again, we have Jesus speaking to His disciples on the night in which He will be betrayed into the hands of sinners.  He has told them, in no uncertain terms, that He is going away--that He will suffer and die--and He will go to the One who has sent Him--the Father.  This talk of Jesus going to the Father fills the disciples' hearts with sorrow.  For they do not understand the great good that will come from this act of Jesus.  They can only comprehend their present circumstances.  They fail to understand the goodness that will be theirs from this necessary work of Jesus. 
          Beloved, we do not always realize what is for our own good, do we?  And we sometimes grow angry and upset when we think we are being denied something that is good for us.  We are, at times, like little children who throw tantrums at being denied the pleasure of running into a busy street to play.  We, who love them and stop them, do so for their own good--but they just can't see it.  This is, after all, the same pattern of behaviour that incited the Fall of mankind into sin.  Adam and Eve saw a fruit--a single fruit--in the midst of an entire Garden.  And they saw that it was beautiful--and that it was good to make one wise (having listened to the serpent--the devil)--they grasped at what had not been given for their good--which God had commanded them not to eat, for their own good--and sent all creation into the depths and brokenness of sin and death.
          But Jesus is telling His disciples that it is for their good that He goes away to the Father.  For how will He go to the Father?  By means of the cross.  The cross of Jesus, which is for our ultimate good--for on it the Christ will suffer and die for the sins of the whole world--for your sins and mine--that by the fruit of the tree of the cross--the curse of the eating of the fruit of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden--might be undone.  Christ's shed blood cleanses you of the guilt of your sin--Christ's shed blood quickens your soul and grants you everlasting life--the blood of Christ breaks the stranglehold of Satan over you and sends him spiraling into the pit of hell to be bound for all eternity.
          It is no wonder that we sing for joy on this Sunday!  For our Lord Jesus has loved us so much that He willingly endured the suffering and shame of the cross.  He did so not only for the disciples--but for the entire world of all time--for sinners like you and me.  For you are sinners.  You are under the weight and curse of sin.  You are convicted by the Holy Spirit who through the Law of God shows you what a sinner you are.  For you have failed to love  your neighbour as yourself.  You have coveted the gifts of others--you have taken that which did not belong to you--you have disparaged the holiness of the gift of marriage and defiled it in thought, word and deed.  You have murdered your neighbour in your heart with unkind thoughts and words.  You have spoken falsely of those around you in your gossip during coffee break.  You have not honoured those given by God to be in authority over you--be it in your family--your community and nation--or in your church. 
          But what is worse is the fact that we have all set up false gods in our hearts.  You have worshiped the created rather than the Creator.  We set ourselves up as the ultimate authority--seeking and worshiping our pleasure and own felt needs--instead of looking to Christ and His Word for our every good.  We have forsaken the holy day of the Lord to pursue our own interests and we misuse God's own holy name to curse rather than to bless--and fail to pray and speak the truth of God as we ought.  For all these and so much more--you and I are most certainly guilty and deserving of everlasting death and damnation in hell. 
          Yet, by the Holy Spirit, the world is also convicted in righteousness.  By the blood of Jesus outpoured on the cross the sins of the whole world have been atoned for.  The debt of humanity's sin has been wiped out by the redeeming flood of Christ's righteousness that He earned with His own suffering, death, and resurrection.  Yet God does not force Himself on any one.  He offers this righteousness--this forgiveness and mercy--as a free gift.  And, as with any gift, it can be rejected.  For those who reject this gift of faith in Christ given by the Holy Spirit--those who say, "I don't need, nor want you, Jesus,"--the Holy Spirit convicts them of sin for they do not believe in Jesus.  But to all who do receive Him--who believe in His name--God gives the right to be called children of God. 
          You, beloved, are God's children.  Not by your works of love and compassion to your neighbour--as good and right and necessary as those are--but purely through faith in the work of Jesus on the cross.  You are saved--by God's grace--through faith in Christ--alone.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  The Spirit of truth--the Comforter--has come to point you to Jesus your Saviour.  So that you might be forever comforted amidst life's trials and hardships--as well as life's joys and triumphs.  You may always look to Jesus and His death on the cross for your every good.  [Now more than ever as country continues its headlong dive toward insanity with terrible laws that are in direct conflict with our Christian faith.]
          On the cross Jesus also broke the power of the evil one himself.  This is why the Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning judgement--that the ruler of this world is judged.  That is the devil.  This is the very petition that we pray in the Lord's Prayer--deliver us from evil (the evil one).  This Christ has done by being the sacrifice for your sin.  He has taken your place under God's just wrath for your sin.  He has borne it all on the cross--drunk the full cup of the wrath of God so that He might bestow on you the cup of God's blessing.  In your Baptism the devil has been cast out of your heart as the Holy Spirit has moved in and taken up residence.  He speaks to you all that is Christ's and declares to you through Word and Sacrament the saving work of Jesus on the cross for you and all people.
          What joy it is to gather together and receive the blessings that Christ earned with His body and blood on the cross.  In His Holy Supper He gives to the penitent, believing Christian the full redemption of all sins, eternal life, and salvation from the power of the devil.  All this He has done--for your own good.  Is it any wonder then that we lift up our voices and sing this day?  For no matter how the world turns—no matter how our faith is threatened—no matter how wickedness and perversion seem to prosper—yet we know the victory is ours—the Lord has won!  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 4 – Jubilate – Mother's Day                                                                                                             
1 John 3:1-3
 

v.1     See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, what a wonderful day of celebration this is—for we have great reason to rejoice and be glad.  We give thanks to God for the gift of mothers—for those who gave us life—and for the gift of children—the special blessing given by God whereby another flesh is created through the one-flesh union of husband and wife in holy marriage.  And while most women would certainly agree that giving birth is no easy task—indeed it can be downright scary—but as Jesus says in our Gospel, "when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." 
          Indeed, children and parents have a unique and special bond.  John goes on to write in our epistle reading for today that it is because of the love of God the Father that we are called children of God.  How on earth can this possibly be?  I mean think about it.  God is perfect and holy and pure.  We, because of our sin, are not.  We have disobeyed His commandments in thought, word, and deed.  We are, by nature, spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins as St. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians.  So, how can we be called children of God? 
          After all, we most certainly don't deserve to be called God's children.  On account of your sinful nature, it's not like there is something innately lovable about us that God should look kindly upon us.  But that's just John's point in our text.  It is nothing within us that moves God to regard us kindly, but it is purely given to us by grace, borne out of His love for us.  See what kind of love the Father has given to us!  What kind of love?  A perfect, giving, sacrificial love.  A love that knows no end.  A love that seeks to redeem those whom He loves.  A love that is so deep and wide that we cannot fathom it.
          An earthly mother's love for her children (as great and wonderful as it may be) is but a pale reflection of the love of the Father given to us.  The love of a mother who can receive a scribbled up piece of paper from her child—with no discernible shape or color—and yet receive it with such joy that it is placed upon the refrigerator door for all to see—bragging to all her friends about the wonderful picture she received from her beloved child.  And the heavenly Father's love is so much more.  His love is expressed in giving up His only-begotten true Son into sin and death—so that our sin may be atoned for—and that we may be forgiven all our sins—and restored to a right relationship with the Father once more.  It is a love borne out of unimaginable pain and suffering—written in Jesus' own blood.  A love that rejoices in life and goodness—as Jesus has been resurrected—so too shall all the Father's children.
          While the world enjoys a time of sentimental joy and celebration for mothers on this day, yet it misses the deeper love and joy that exists for those of us in Christ Jesus.  For not only do we have the love of the Father through faith in Jesus Christ, but we also give thanks to God for our spiritual mother—the holy church.  She who has given birth to all Christians through water and the Word of Holy Baptism—she who proclaims to us the love of Christ our brother in the words of absolution—she who feeds us with our brother's own body and blood in holy communion.  This the world cannot understand.  It hates us because it does not know us—just as it first hated Jesus as it did not know Him. 
          And we Christians struggle with this declaration of God that we are His children.  For when we honestly examine our lives in the light of God's Holy Ten Commandments, it becomes readily apparent how we have not and do not live up to our Father's perfect expectations.  We see our failures.  We see our rebellion.  We see our abandonment of good in the vain pursuit of our own pleasures and desires.  In our sin, we would cast off the family name of God—curse Him as our Father—and reject Jesus as our brother—seeking to go our own way and do our own thing—so as not to be "burdened" under God's holy will.  In light of all this how can God call us His children?  How can He be our Father and we His children?  It seems so very wrong—so completely impossible.
          How can we be God's children—how can we be like Jesus?  We look at ourselves—and the world looks at us—and we are woefully disappointed.  Where are the white robes of heaven?  Where is crown of glory sparkling on our brow?  Where are the pearls of love that are to adorn our person?  "Beloved, we ARE God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared…"  Our white robes of righteousness, crown of glory, and pearls of love are invisible to our physical eyes, but what we will be is sure and certain.  We look with eyes of faith—trusting in the Word of the Father to us who declares us to BE His children—through the Spirit wrought faith in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, "we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure."
          You are made children of God—pure and innocent and holy in the Father's sight—not because of who you are or what you have done—but because of the Father's love given to you in Jesus Christ.  He who went to the cross in your place—spilled His life's blood on the ground—suffered the tortures of hell—all for you.  You are God's children because you hope and trust in Him and what He has done for you.  You are now pure because you believe with your ears what God has told you in His Word—that you are His children—made holy and redeemed by the blood of His Son. 
          When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, this is not what you see.  Even when you look at your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (be they your own family—parents or siblings or children or spouses) this is not what you see.  Listen not to the lies of the devil who would have you believe that are incapable of ever being a child of God—your sin being too great—your faith too small.  Listen instead to the word of your heavenly Father—He who has called you by name and declared that you ARE His beloved child.  He who created the heavens and the earth with His Word and Spirit has created faith in your heart through the same.  What He has declared you to be—you truly are—by His grace. 
          Never forget who you are.  Remember that though the troubles of this world are great and many—yet they will last but a little while.  For eventually the Lord Jesus will either call you to glory by His side—or He will come again in visible glory before all the world—and when He does—your time of sorrow and weeping, of trial and tribulation—will be forever finished.  For you will see Him as He is—and you will be made like Him—perfect and holy—the beloved child of the Father—raised unto life everlasting.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

​Easter 3 – Misericordias Domini                                                                                                                  May 5, 2019
1 Peter 2:21-25
 
A Voice to Follow
 
v.21   For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, you have to be careful whom you listen to nowadays.  Unfortunately, there are many out there who call us to follow them in various schemes and gimmicks and enterprises, but who have only their own self-interest at heart.  There are telephone scams, internet frauds, etc.—people whom we may be very tempted to listen to—people who may come across as very genuine indeed—but who only desire to take from you and to hurt you.  While this is certainly cruel and damaging to people—indeed, some have lost everything at the hands of such scoundrels—yet there is another group that is far worse.  They are those who are the false shepherds of God—the false prophets who are wolves in sheep’s clothing—the hired hand who cares nothing for the sheep but what he can get from them.  And they are everywhere.
          They are most often heard calling out to God’s sheep with charismatic voices that promise good times for all if we will only listen to them and do what they say.  And what would they have the sheep of God’s pasture do?  Cheat on their spouses or taxes?  Oh no...it’s much more insidious than that.  They would have you follow the example of Christ Jesus.  Well, that doesn’t sound so bad does it?  In fact, we have St. Peter talking about the example of Christ that we are to walk in.  Isn’t that what Christians are supposed to do?  Good works for God and neighbour?  Are we not to always be asking the question, “What did Jesus do?”  Jesus was great and wonderful—certainly, following in His steps can’t be a bad thing...can it?
          The answer is both “yes” and “no.”  For Christians are indeed to follow the example of our Saviour who, as Peter goes on to say in our text, “committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.  When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.”  But the problem dear friends is that this moral following of Jesus—this Jesus who is preached as the great and good example for us to follow—is NOT the Gospel—and does not save.
          Those who proclaim that the good news of Jesus—the very Gospel—the heart and soul of Christianity—is that we have a perfect moral example to follow— have completely misrepresented precisely what our Lord Jesus came to accomplish.  Jesus as moral example, though true, is not Gospel, but Law—and a heavy dose at that!  For who among us can claim to have committed no sin—no matter how hard we may try?  Who among us has no deceit in our mouths?  Who among us takes unjust criticism and reviling in stride and holds our tongue?  Who among us suffers at the hands of our enemies and doesn’t threaten?  Lastly, who truly and fully trusts in God alone at all times?  Certainly not me...and not you either if you are being honest with yourselves.
          Therefore, to place before the Christian ONLY the message of Christ as moral example is to set people up for failure—it is ruinous to faith—and contrary to Holy Scripture, which itself teaches us the primary purpose of Christ’s coming.  Indeed, He came to call and gather His sheep together—not by their works—but by His work for them.  As Peter goes on to explain, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed.  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
          And THAT, beloved, is the true and real Gospel!  That is the comfort and joy for all Christians.  For He has come to perfectly work that miracle of salvation that He alone could accomplish.  He bore in His own body on the tree our sins—our transgressions—our failures—our rebellions—our straying from Him and His Word.  And it is through the Lord Jesus alone that we have died to sin—for He took it from us and nailed it to the cross in His own body—and through Baptism we have been joined to Him so that His death has become our death and His resurrection our life.  He has given us forgiveness and healing in the only way possible—by serving as our Substitute—shedding His blood that we might be saved.
          We live, as Christians, in His righteousness and peace that He alone accomplished and earned for us by His own perfect life, suffering death, and glorious resurrection.  He has come as the Good Shepherd.  The One who truly cares for us, His wayward sheep.  He serves us perfectly in His life and death—gathering us together into one holy flock—washed clean and made pure and holy—gleaming like white wool—through His shed blood.
          Now, we are frequently tempted to stray from God—from His pasture—to go our own way—or to follow the siren calls of the false shepherds that would lead us only to our eternal doom and destruction in hell by focusing on our works—on what we do and don’t do, as important as those things are for our neighbour.  Yet our Good Shepherd seeks us out—He goes after us—calling out to us with the voice that we recognize and trust—the voice of His Gospel in Word and Sacrament. 
Jesus sets us straight—brings us back—torn, wounded, bleeding (exhausted from our failed attempts to earn His favour with our works)—scared, hurt, and dying (from trusting in ourselves).  He nurses us back to health by pouring the healing balm of His forgiveness on our wounds of guilt, pride, and anger.  He refreshes our parched and dying souls with the living water of His salvation that was poured out upon us in our Baptism.  He feeds us the rich and nourishing food of His pasture that is the very body and blood of the Son of God given in bread and wine.  The terrible guilt—the crushing weight of our sin—He gently removes by speaking to us clearly in Holy Absolution—you are His sheep—you are one for whom He (the Good Shepherd) has died—and your sin is taken away—borne by Christ Jesus on the cross—so that you don’t have to be burdened by it any longer.
          Beloved in Christ, we truly follow Christ’s example when we believe the Word that He speaks to us—clinging to His voice that calls out to us of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation that is ours through faith in our Good Shepherd.  Jesus did not risk His life for His sheep merely to set a noble example, but rather gave His life up into death as an atoning sacrifice for the sin of His sheep. 
          And you who hear Jesus’ voice calling to you again and again in the Gospel—you who immerse yourselves in the healing waters of your Baptism wherein God called you by name and washed you in the blood of the Lamb—you who feast sumptuously on the richness of Christ’s own body and blood in the Sacrament of the Altar—you are those who truly do follow in Christ’s footsteps—His example sure.  Not in order to earn heaven—or to receive God’s grace—but because you have already received it freely from Him who died and rose again for you.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 2 – Quasimodo Geniti                                                                                                                    
John 20:19-31
 
Closed Minded Christians
 
v.25   So the other disciples told [Thomas], "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe."
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!....Or is He?  This is what Thomas wondered, dear friends.  As our closing hymn for today puts it in verse 1, "These things did Thomas count as real: the warmth of blood, the chill of steel, the grain of wood, the heft of stone, the last frail twitch of flesh and bone."  And there are many today who would say the same.  You, no doubt, have friends and family and neighbours, who look at the Christian celebration of Easter as something—well, if not outright moronic—then, at least, "quaint" and "cute"—but with no foundation in logic or reason.  "The idea that a person can come back from the dead?  Absurd!  People don't come back from the dead.  We know that.  Science indisputably proves it.  To believe otherwise is folly in the extreme.  But, if your Christian faith helps you to be a better person, then no harm, no foul."
          Beloved, this kind of thinking is not limited to the world, either, but has found its way even into the church.  Serene Jones, president of Union Theological Seminary in New York, made some devastating comments in an interview with Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times for an article published Easter weekend.  The irony is thick.  Union Theological Seminary was founded in 1836 on the foundation of the Bible as the infallible Word of God.  But today, while claiming to be a Christian minister, President Jones has uncategorically, and unapologetically, denied every major tenet of the Christian faith, not the least of which being the literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.[1]  This is not Christianity.
          The entire Christian faith stands or falls upon the truth of Christ Jesus crucified and dead on Friday, but miraculously alive again on Sunday morning!  As St. Paul puts it so succinctly in 1 Corinthians 15:17-20, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."  St. Paul challenges any and all skeptics to prove that Christ has not been raised.  Earlier in his letter, Paul gives concrete historical proofs that Jesus was raised, and lists many eyewitnesses who can testify to that fact—stating that there are more than 500 people who can corroborate Paul's own testimony.  We have dedicated an entire lesson in our Apologetics Bible study on this point alone—the Resurrection of Jesus.  For, if Christ has not been raised, we may as well do as the world does: eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.  But if Christ has been raised, and He promises a similar resurrection to all His followers, then that changes everything!  There IS hope beyond this world and life.  There is truth in what Jesus said about Himself and who He is—what He has done—namely died to forgive our sins.  This changes US!  We live now as His people, loved by God as His own children, working to serve our neighbor in selfless love, even as we have been loved first by God.
          But that's just it, isn't it?  This truth of Jesus Christ crucified and risen is simply too big for small minds.  Those who accuse Christians of being small or closed minded are, in fact, guilty of that themselves, for they refuse to open up their minds even to the possibility of Jesus' resurrection—denying all the historical evidence—so that they can continue to live their lives as they please—not beholden, so they think—to any God or higher power.  Essentially they tell us, "I already know what I believe.  Don't confuse me with the facts."
          Thomas believed in what he could see with his eyes and touch with his hands.  He adamantly refused to believe the words of the apostles.  We have friends and family who do the same—some who have left the faith and wandered far from it.  This hurts us and scares us.  For we love them and want them to be with us in everlasting glory. 
          We hear people tell us over and over again that they will only believe what science can tell them—as if science can tell them all things.  We hear people close their minds to history—as if by denying the past they can somehow make it untrue or of no consequence in their lives today.  What can break through such hard heartedness?  What can lead us to the truth? What can deepen our faith in the Lord Jesus and what He has done for us with His dying and rising again?  One thing.  The Word of God.  As John writes, "these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing  you may have life in His name."
          We should and must indeed be prepared to give sound arguments to people's skeptical objections to our faith, but we must not trust in our own cleverness to win people to Christ.  That is beyond our power.  Only the Holy Spirit can change peoples' hearts and minds.  The Spirit that Jesus gave to His church to forgive and retain peoples' sins.  The Spirit of power and truth that only and ever points us to Jesus and His saving cross—the blood and water that poured from His side and testifies to His mercy and love for His church and His world. By grace alone we believe the testimony of the Scriptures concerning Christ and His resurrection. 
          I know, this seems like such a small thing.  But this is the only thing that creates and sustains faith in hearts and minds.  The same Word that created all things—the sun, moon, and stars—the plants and animals—and each and every human being—this same Word today opens hearts and minds to receive the Gospel—the grace of God in Christ Jesus.  It is  a living, powerful, Spirit-filled Word—it forgives sins and gives life and salvation to all who believe in Jesus—who cry along with Thomas, "My Lord and my God!" 
          The peace that surpasses all human understanding is given to those who believe this wondrous good news of the salvific power of the blood of Jesus.  Young and old, rich or poor, men or women—we are all united in our common faith in the blood of Jesus Christ alone to wash us clean of all sin—and to give us the promise of the certain hope "of the resurrection of the body and the + life everlasting" as we confess in the Creed each week.
          We saw this in action, once again, this past week in Sri Lanka.  Many of you have no doubt heard of the devastating attack carried out against many churches on Easter morning during worship.  Hundreds were killed and many hundreds more were injured.  In one church, the perpetrator set off his bomb just as the Sunday School children were making their way to the main church for worship.  They had just been asked by their Sunday School teacher a poignant question—a similar question to one we ask each of our confirmands during the rite of confirmation: How many of you are willing to die for Christ?  Every single child put up their hand and then lit a candle, indicating that they were indeed willing to lay down their lives for their faith in Jesus.  Just minutes later—half of them would—16 out of the 26 people killed at that particular church last Sunday, were children.
          I say this not to frighten or shock or alarm you, but to put it before you how very important our Christian faith is—how important the truth is—that the world hates true Christian faith—and those who believe and practice it.  This comes as no surprise to us, for our Lord Jesus said (John 15:18-19), "If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
          Beloved, you have been chosen by God.  Chosen for faith and life.  Trust in the Word of Christ that alone is able to keep you firm in your faith until that day that you are called to be with Him in glory.  Trust not in what your eyes see about the world around you—leading you to despair that death is the only cold reality and there is nothing beyond it.  But rather, trust in your ears—hear with eyes of faith—and trust in the Word of Christ given to you in Word, Baptism, and Supper wherein He has made you His own—called you to faith—and washed away all of your sins.  Close your minds to the lies of the devil—to the perversion of the world—which call evil things good, and good things evil—rather, trust in God's Word to open  your heart to what is truly good, right, and salutary.  Trust in the wounds of Christ—the hands and feet that were pierced with nails—the side that was pierced with a spear.  Look upon the crucified and risen One—and rejoice and be glad—for He is your redeemer and the rock of your salvation.  Look on Jesus and remember, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.


[1] Michael Foust, "Seminary President Admits She Doesn't Believe in Heaven, Miracles, or Christ's Resurrection," Christian Headlines, April 25, 2019.  Retrieved from https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/seminary-president-admits-she-doesn-t-believe-in-heaven-miracles-or-christ-s-resurrection.html?fbclid=IwAR2vfV13Pkkmn7VBcn0g8FPLj6FHAxgnGCqG8ipj7a8knVWw2tQnxsE62EE

​Lent 6 – Palmarum – Sunday of the Passion                                                                                             April 14, 2019
Matthew 27:11-54
 
Desperate Innocence
 
v.24   So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this blood; you will see."
 
          Dear friends in Christ, our text for this morning is one of the darkest scenes of Holy Week—indeed of all Scripture.  For herein we see the stark contrast between the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday—when people declared Jesus king and sang His praises, shouting loud "Hosannas" to the Son of David—to Good Friday, and the horrors of the crucifixion of Jesus, wherein the innocent Lamb of God shed His blood on the cross in payment for sin.  At times, it is difficult for us even to read these words—the images they evoke cause us great unrest and turmoil.  Jesus—beaten—mocked—shamed—crucified as a common criminal—and we realize that it was OUR sin that put Him there—OUR sin for which He suffers and dies.
          Beloved, we wilt under the accusation of the Law as we witness the pain and suffering that was our due being meted out upon our innocent Lord.  But in times of intense guilt and shame, what is the sinful human response?  We often try to rationalize it away—to ignore it—to be rid of it in some way.  We see Pilate do this in our text.  He was the Roman governor—the only one with authority in the land to put another person to death.  Yet, under the pressure of the Jewish leaders and crowds—he caves—gives in—and goes the easy way—ignoring justice and truth in order to placate the crowds.  He knows it isn't right.  He knows Jesus is innocent of all charges against Him, but Pilate doesn't care.  If it's a choice between him and Jesus, it's a no brainer—let this silly Jewish man suffer and die—better Him than Pilate.
          And yet Pilate has an uneasy feeling on the inside.  A feeling of guilt and shame—of the wrongness of putting an innocent man to death (and releasing a well-known criminal in His place).  In desperation Pilate takes water and washes his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this blood; you will see."
          How often we do the same, dear friends?  When confronted with the clear light of God's holy Law shining on our own sinful actions, we do anything we can to make ourselves feel better—we are desperate for innocence.  We may get around the cold feeling in the pit of our stomachs by imagining that our sin is not as bad as someone else's sin.  "I may not be perfect, but at least I'm not like her!"  Or, we may even do our very best to ignore or, better yet, change God's Word so that our sin is no longer declared sin.  "Well I may be engaged in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, but the Bible talks about how God is love—and since I love this person—then that means it's OK—it's not a sin."
          How are any of our rationalizations—any of our excuses—any different from what Pilate did?  No different.  Did Pilate's pitiful gesture of hand washing truly mark him as innocent of betraying Jesus' innocent blood?  Of course not!  He was guilty, along with Judas and all the people who were clamoring for Jesus' death in the first place.  Just as you and I are guilty of our sin before God and each other.  We can't run away from it.  We can't hide from it.  The facts are plain and simple—especially as we read Matthew 27—OUR sin put Jesus on that cross.  The sin of the world put Him there—MY sin—YOUR sin—there is no escaping it. 
          Our voices may just as well have been added to the din of the crowd calling for Jesus' blood.  Our hands may as well have been balled up into fists that struck His face.  Our fingers may as well have grasped the whip, the nails, the hammer, and the spear.  Our tongues may just as well have heaped insults upon Him as He hung there in agony.  Our heads may have wagged in derision and scorn.  Look upon the crucifixion and see with horror the price for your sin—an innocent man tortured into death in your place.  It is for your sake that Jesus was delivered to be crucified.
          The crowds respond to Pilate's empty gesture of hand washing with their own empty words, "His blood be upon us and on our children!"  They scream this defiantly, secure that Jesus deserves to be crucified—needs to be crucified—in order to pay for His blasphemy of claiming to be the Son of God and the King of the Jews.  But as with Pilate's inept action, so with these words of the crowd.  Don't think for a minute that only they are responsible for the crucifixion.  A special judgement would come upon that generation in 70 AD for rejecting the Messiah as Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed, but their words cannot take away your guilt or mine. 
          Thanks be to God there is another beautiful irony at work here—for the blood of Jesus can be upon us in faith for our good.  Any and all people may become Jesus' disciples—and so these words can now be seen as a plea applied to any Christian—"May His blood be upon us and on our children!"  Faith turns this cry of anger and bloodlust into a cry for mercy and grace.  In the face of our sin and guilt and shame—where else can we turn, but to the blood of Jesus?  THIS is the whole reason why He came to earth as man—to take up our sin—carry it to the cross—and suffer and die in our place.
          Nothing happened when Pilate declared his own innocence by washing his hands.  But something incredible happened when each one of you was washed by God in the waters of Holy Baptism.  You were declared innocent—washed free from all sin and guilt—cleansed by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for you.  In Baptism you have each become "Barabbas," which means "son of the father."  You have been graciously brought into the family of God as His beloved children by virtue of the innocent blood of the Lamb who was slain for you.  Rejoice with loud shouts of praise and hosannas!  For the Son of David has come to take your place under the wrath of God for sin.  He has saved you now by His suffering death and resurrection. 
          What's more, the Lord Jesus has provided gifts to you to assure you of His mercy and love for you, no matter how great your sin may be.  Each week we gather together we engage in this activity of worship to receive the gifts of God in the forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ.  Feeling guilt and shame over your sin?  Come here—to this place.  Instead of trying to declare your own innocence, confess your sin to God—freely give it all up to Jesus and lay it before the foot of the cross—then hear the blessed word of the Lord that DECLARES you forgiven: In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  The very same name into which you  have been baptized, is the name by which you are declared free from all sin and guilt and shame.  A cleansing flood of forgiveness and mercy that brings total innocence, righteousness, and life in its wake, satisfying the desperate need of each of us for innocence.  For what God says is true and right and good, actually is.  You are innocent!  For by faith, the blood of Jesus is upon you—a cleansing flood.  Hosanna to the Son of David!  Indeed, thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.