Easter 7 – Exaudi                                                                                                                                        May 24, 2020
John 15:26-16:4
 
v.26   But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, we live in an age of great comfort.  Even in the midst of a pandemic wherein we have been urged for months to stay home and stay socially distant from one another, we have all sorts of wonderful things to make life easier, more relaxing, more enjoyable and comfortable.  We have Lazy-boy recliners, microwave popcorn, HD TV, cell phones, computers, etc.  We enjoy food from around the world—crab from Alaska, wine from Spain, grapes from Chile—everything and anything we want is quite literally right at our finger tips.  And we should thank God that we live in a land where we are free to receive and enjoy such wonderful things of God’s good creation.  We also thank God for the many men and women of our armed forces who have served so faithfully and given their lives in service to their country to preserve the freedoms we so readily enjoy.
          However, there are times when we need a different kind of comfort.  For during this time of social isolation we have often been left alone with our thoughts—and focused on our sinfulness in light of God's Word.  Therefore, we need to feel secure, safe, loved, forgiven.  And this is not always so easy to find.  Jesus, of course, knew this.  In looking at our text for this morning, which again comes the night in which He will be betrayed into suffering and cruel death in a most agonizing way, He seeks to prepare His disciples for what is to come.  Indeed, He knows that even after His glorious resurrection He will ascend to heaven to be with the Father.  His disciples will then be left to carry on the work of spreading the Gospel—but will have to do so in a most hostile environment as both the Jews and the Romans will actively seek them out to persecute and kill them.
          So, to give them hope, to give them courage, to comfort them—Jesus says He will send the Paraclete—translated here for us as Helper, but also having the meaning of Advocate, Defender, and Comforter—He who is God the Holy Spirit.  He will come and He will be with them and help them through their difficulties.
          Dearly beloved in Christ, this promise of Jesus was not just for His apostles, but is for His whole church—indeed, for each of you, personally.  The Spirit of God has come upon you in your Baptism and now resides in you.  He is with you at all times—from your moments of greatest joy—to your moments of deepest sorrow and despair—when the world appears to be unraveling.  He is with you to comfort you—to reassure you—to give you the mercy and grace that Jesus earned for you on the cross.
          How does He do this?  How does He grant you comfort and hope in your most desperate hour—when you are beset by evil on every side—when the world and the devil are trying their very best to tear you apart—enticing you to forsake the truth of God's Word—to accept the sin in the lives of others, rather than call them to repentance—when your conscience is overridden by guilt at the things you have done...and not done—when you must face the ugliness of death?  What then?  What help can the Helper give?  By doing what He does best—what He always does—bearing witness of Jesus. 
          For you see, no matter what evils the world may throw your way—no matter how they may suck you in to their deadly traps of sin that lead to everlasting death and hell—no matter how often the devil may whisper or scream at you—laying bare your many faults and sins against God and neighbour—heaping ever more guilt upon your already weighed down shoulders—terrifying you with the fear of God’s just wrath for sin—there is only one way to comfort, strengthen, instruct, and defend the Christian’s conscience from these attacks of devil and the world—and that is by pointing sinners to Jesus. 
To be sure, the devil has the upper hand in terms of the Law, which rightly points out that we are dreadful sinners.  But Satan cannot infer from this that we are therefore to be damned and be his slaves.  For the Holy Spirit comes and offers us a comforting sermon about Christ, assuring you that though you are indeed a sinner, Jesus has shed His blood for you, blotted out all your sin, has overcome your death, and has extinguished God’s wrath and hell, and has in Baptism made you an heir of eternal life solely through His own life, suffering, death, and resurrection.  This message—this sermon—preached by the Holy Spirit—through lowly undershepherds (pastors)—in Word and Sacrament—is a message that the devil and all his hordes of evil angels cannot abolish, undo, or go against.  For the Spirit’s Word of Truth He proclaims concerning Christ reigns supreme and has the ultimate and final say.  The blood of Jesus cries out –you are FORGIVEN!  You are saved!  You are free! 
Though the Devil has two powerful weapons that he uses against Christians: sin and the penalty for sin—which causes untold terror for the Christian in his heart and mind and spirit—God has blessed us with a divine Comforter—who, as God Himself, is much stronger with His comfort than the devil is with his terror.  Whenever the devil brings to mind your many sins—whenever the world is against you—tempting you to forget about Jesus and forsake His Word—the Holy Spirit is here to grant you comfort with the Gospel—by pointing you to Jesus Christ crucified—who died for you.  He paid the full penalty for all your sin—so that you are no longer accountable for them—Jesus has taken them into His own flesh on the cross—and sacrificed His life to pay for your death.  Remember, beloved in Christ, no matter how bad things may be in your life—Christ and His love and righteousness and mercy is greater than all your sins and those of the whole world.  His life and His consolation are stronger and mightier than your death and hell—let alone any virus or pandemic.
And it is this truth alone that makes the Christian heart happy and glad—granting us comfort and peace—though all around us be chaos and confusion, hurt and suffering, fear and despair.  This truth makes us bold to proclaim Jesus no matter how the devil and world may try to frighten us.
For, if sin wishes a hold on you—it must first go through Jesus.  If death seeks to devour you—it must first devour Christ.  If the devil and world want to torment and frighten you—they have to get past Jesus first.  So dearly beloved in Christ, fear not!  Because all of Jesus Christ—His suffering, His death, His resurrection and life—are yours.  They belong to you and have been given by the Holy Spirit—sealed unto you in your Baptism—placed into your mouths with bread and wine along with Jesus’ own body and blood—echoing in your ears at the pronouncement of Holy Absolution.  The Holy Spirit, His comfort and hope are yours, together with the Father and His grace.  For the Father has sent the Holy Spirit to preach Christ into your heart and to fill you with His consolation and peace.  That is His job.  That is His joy—and yours too.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Easter 6 – Rogate                                                                                                                                        May 17, 2020
Numbers 21:4-9
 
v.7b-8         So Moses prayed for the people.  And the Lord said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live."
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, prayer is as natural to the Christian—those reborn through faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit—as is breathing.  As His baptized people, we go to Him now as dear children approach their dear Father.  We can do this because in our Baptism we have been named and claimed by God—and are now children of God with total access to the Father through our dear Brother, Jesus. 
          So, prayer marks the life of the Christian—we pray in all circumstances and for all people, even as St. Paul exhorts us in his letter to Timothy (1Timothy 2:1-2).  Christian prayer is particularly marked by prayer in Jesus' name.  We pray with faith in Jesus as He is the One Mediator between God and man—who gave Himself as a ransom for all so that by His blood we may enter into the presence of the Father, having been cleansed from our sin.
          God not only commands us to pray, but He also promises to hear our prayers—just as a beloved father hears and listens to the voice of his children.  But sometimes the way God answers our prayers is NOT the way we would want—or even expect—of a loving God to respond to His children's pleas.
          Take our text for today, beloved.  The people of Israel were in the midst of their 40 years of wilderness wanderings.  God had led them down to the Arabah—circumventing the land of Edom.  The Arabah is a desolate desert—very little vegetation and even less water.  The people are distressed by this—very quickly forgetting that the very God who has led them this way is the same God who has been providing them with manna (bread) and quail (meat) in the wilderness.  They become impatient along the way and speak against God and against Moses.  They even go so far to say that they detest the manna – the very bread God has provided them from heaven to sustain their lives.  They loath it and call it worthless.  They have even accused God of bringing them there for the express purpose of killing them, even though He has gone through great lengths to preserve their lives—even delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians!  This is true blasphemy—speaking evil of God Most High.
          What is God's response?  He sends a plague of poisonous snakes among them.  He could have simply destroyed them all, but instead He acts in loving kindness—yes, loving kindness!—to bring them to repentance.  After the fiery serpents bit the people so that many people of Israel died—they come to their senses.  The chastisement of the Lord does its work.  "And the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you.  Pray to the Lord, that He take away the serpents from us.' So Moses prayed for the people."
          The people approach Moses in beseech him to intercede to the Lord on their behalf.  They know they have sinned. They know they are unworthy to call on the Lord.  "Moses, pray for us!"  So Moses prays.  But what is the Lord's response?  Does He ignore them?  No.  He does indeed answer their prayer, but not in a way that any would expect, nor really want.  "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.'"
          So Moses makes a bronze image of a fiery snake and sets it on a pole high for all to see.  The snakes are not removed, but whenever someone is bitten, should they look on that serpent-draped pole, then they would live and not die.  This is not some sort of magical pole or staff we read about in fairy tales, dear friends.  No, really, the pole with the snake is incidental.  The power for healing and life is, as always, in the Word of God that He has attached to it, "everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." 
          God uses this entire incident to teach His people, once again, to trust in Him and His Word.  We are to have faith, beloved.  Faith, which is at the heart of all prayer—but not faith in faith itself—that is, do not trust in your believing to make you well—but rather, to trust and have faith in the One who spoke the Word of grace and mercy—to trust in the object of our faith—the God of heaven and earth. 
          Such is the comfort and peace that God gives to you, His people, this day as well.  He has not promised to answer your prayers the way you always want.  But He does promise to hear them and answer them in the way that He knows is best.    This is very important, particularly as we continue in a time of pandemic—when many are getting sick and dying.  We pray for the Lord to bring an end to it.  We pray for the Lord to grant healing.  But our prayers have not always been answered.
          This is why the Lord gives us His Word to hold on to for our comfort and peace.  He has given you the promise of His Word attached to specific water in your Baptism to comfort and sustain you when things go awry—when your sin threatens to overhwelm you—when the evil one assaults you—or even when death draws near.  You have the Word of Jesus attached to you in Baptism—"whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16)—and "Baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:21).
          And now, beloved, like Moses in the wilderness, Jesus is our go-between before the throne in heaven. He was lifted up on the cross that we might be saved and restored to the Father.  For though our sins be many, by the blood of Jesus, they are completely removed. 
          In time of plague and pandemic—fear runs rampant—we don't know who or what to believe to keep us and our loved ones safe.  What are we to do?  Look to Jesus and trust in His Word.  Look to Him who was crucified for you—raised up upon the cross to bear the wrath of God for your sins in your place.  To undo the terrible power of the old serpent—the devil—and even of sin and death.  Jesus' shed blood has brought you peace with God—indeed, has made it possible for you to be brought into God's family as His children—for God to be your Father with Jesus as your Brother!
          Know, people loved by God, that Jesus is your friend.  Jesus is the One who bled and died for you that you might receive the gift of eternal life through the forgiveness of your sins.  We, too, grumble against God—especially when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way that we want Him to.  Repent, beloved.  Repent and look to Jesus hung on the cross for your every good.  For whether you die of COVID-19, snake bite, or anything else—you will certainly die one day—and your only hope—your only prayer—is in Jesus hung on the cross and risen again in glory to usher you into the Father's kingdom of everlasting joy and blessedness. 
          Indeed, the 16th Century Reformer, Martin Luther, had these words of consolation to say to those facing death:  "For the believer death is thus already dead and behind its cloak and mask it holds no terrors.  Like a slain serpent, death still has its former terrifying appearance, but now this is only a mask, for it is now a dead and harmless evil.  Just as in Numbers 21 God commanded Moses to raise up a brass serpent, at the sight of which the living serpents perished, so also does our death die when our eyes of faith rest upon the death of Christ.  It is only the outward appearance of death that remains.  By means of such splendid symbols [the cross of Christ] the mercy of God shows us in our infirmity that even though death should not be taken away, its power has been reduced by Him to a mere shadow.  This is the reason that in the Scriptures it is called a sleep rather than death" (Luther's Works, Vol.42, p.150).  To which we can do no better than to conclude that our prayers HAVE been answered, for Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia! Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen

Easter 5 – Cantate (Mother's Day)                                                                                                              May 10, 2020
John 16:5-15
  
v.8     And when He (the Helper) comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate Cantate or "Sing" Sunday.  A wonderful day in the season of Easter wherein God's people burst forth in songs of praise to the God who sent His only begotten Son to redeem us from our sin and grant us eternal life and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  This is, of course, also a day in which we should be singing for our secular calendar has set aside today for honoring our mothers—those women who have loved and nurtured us—even if they did not carry us in their wombs. 
          And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, this day doesn't seem like a day to be filled with all kinds of joy and singing—at least, not yet.  The COVID-19 virus is still running rampant—and even though some things are starting to open up—it's still not the same.  We may be unable to participate in many of our customary traditions that normally surround our celebration of Mother's Day.  We may not even be able to see our mothers—hug or hold them.  Not to mention that many of us are undergoing extremely difficult times of financial stress—while others may have relationships that are falling apart (perhaps even with our mothers)—and still others are facing pain, suffering, and even death from all sorts of illnesses and injuries.  And so, to be honest, it seems as though we are going to need some help if we are to burst forth into singing on this particular day.
          God be praised!  In our text for today, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to the One who sent Him (the heavenly Father)—and that though this news filled the disciples' hearts with sorrow, yet it was actually to their benefit that He go away for He promised to send them the Helper (the Holy Spirit).  "Yes! We think to ourselves, yes!—now that's the kind of help I'm talking about—the almighty God—Third Person of the Holy Trinity—what kind of amazing help can we expect from Him?  Perhaps, He will do away with the pandemic.  Perhaps, He will heal all the sick and the dying.  Perhaps, He will help me with my financial difficulties—or even help us sort out the family spats that have been more and more common lately.  Yes, thank you, Jesus, send me the Helper!"
          Yet what does Jesus tell His disciples that this Helper will actually do?  "And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." 
          Well…that's not EXACTLY the kind of help we are looking for, is it beloved?  He will convict the world concerning sin, because those who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior—who do not have faith and believe in Him for their salvation—stand apart from God's grace and mercy in Christ—and instead fall under the full wrath of God for their sin.  Those who deny Christ Jesus are already convicted and will be condemned to hell for all eternity.  "Ok, not sure how that's going to help me get a better job, but what else will the Helper do?"
          The Holy Spirit also convicts the world concerning righteousness, because Jesus is going to the Father, and we will see Him no longer.  What does THAT mean?  This means that Jesus is the only righteous One.  He alone is without sin, perfect in every way—He alone has earned the way to the Father in heaven.  You and I through our good works could never do so.  We do good works—we help our neighbor who needs us in every way—for this is good and right in the sight of God—but these works do not make us righteous before the Father.  Only the merit and blood of Jesus (shed on the cross for our sins) is what makes us righteous.  There is no other righteousness given to mankind that grants heaven, other than the pure and holy righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself, which can only be received by faith.
          "Ok, that sounded a little better, but I'm still not sure that's exactly the kind of help I'm looking for right here and now.  What else will the Spirit do?"  He will convict the world concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.  The ruler of this world is Satan.  He is a master of temptation and a liar beyond all liars.  His ultimate goal is to lead people astray from the righteousness of Jesus—so that they will be convicted of their sin and enter hell forever with him.  Our sinful flesh willingly follows the ruler of this world—for he makes it look like he has all the power—that he can give us whatever we want—wealth, power, happiness, health—if we sacrifice everything else and worship what he wants us to worship, which is anything but the true God in the flesh, Jesus Christ.
          This is, of course, nothing other than a lie, dear ones.  For the devil has no real power or authority—he can only do what God permits him.  Those who follow the devil will judged on the Last Day the same way Satan has been judged and cast into the eternal fires of hell. 
          "Hmmm…again, not sure that's the kind of help I really want or need, Jesus.  Anything else?"  Jesus states that the Holy Spirit—who is the Spirit of truth—will guide the disciples into all the truth—He will glorify Jesus, taking what is Christ's and declaring it to us—for whatever He hears He will speak."  The Helper comes, beloved, not to talk about Himself—not to glorify Himself—or you—or me—or anyone but Jesus.  The help He comes to give is to point us, unerringly and always, to Jesus.  He comes to declare the comforting words of Jesus that our sins have been forgiven—that Jesus has earned life and salvation for us with His own death and resurrection.
          And THIS, dear friends, THIS is what makes our hearts swell with joy, and our tongues burst forth with singing.  Even while our world collapses around us—be it due to financial crisis, relationship issues, or even death itself—yet the Christian can sing for joy because the Holy Spirit has helped us by leading us to faith in Christ—meaning our sins and death no longer have any hold over us.  We have been set free!  Set free by the blood of Jesus.  Set free from our sin—set free from all condemnation—even set free from the hounding of the devil. 
          While at first, to our sinful flesh, this may not seem like any sort of big help, we know that when our lives are in the dung heap—when everything is falling apart—this is PRECISELY what we need most.  For money, friends, power, family, even good health—none of these things will last forever—they are all transitory.  What we need most in this life is the comfort and assurance that when we die—we will be in eternal glory with Jesus and all believers.  And this is certain conviction and confidence that the Holy Spirit gives to you, dear friends.
          So, whether it be Mother's Day or Judgement Day or any day in between—we Christians who have been redeemed by Christ Jesus can face it with a song of joy and thanksgiving on our lips—even while our hearts may be breaking with sorrow and distress.  For we know the truth.  The Holy Spirit has guided us into all the truth—who is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself.  He comforts you with His Word of forgiveness.  He reassures you of His loving presence in His Word and Sacrament.  He does this through our spiritual mother, the Holy Christian church.  So, indeed, let us sing today, in thanksgiving to God for all our mothers—those who have nurtured us in the true faith—those who have given us life—for they are gifts of God to us.  But most importantly, let us sing to Christ who with His death has brought us life everlasting.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen. 

Easter 4 - Jubilate                                                                                                                                      May 3, 2020
John 16:16-22
 
Joy in the Midst of Suffering
 
V.20  Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.  You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, life is hard and full of suffering.  That's just reality.  And at this point in a global pandemic, it's really hitting home, isn't it?  We have missed out on months of activities with family and friends.  We have not been able to gather together for worship and receive the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.  Some of us have been unable to work and financial stress is growing every day.  We are beset with loneliness, anxiety, and depression.  And of course, behind it all, looms the pandemic—we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.  Yet, even in the midst of the pain and sorrow of this life, we are promised joy and peace by our Lord.
          Consider our text for this morning.  Jesus speaks on the very night in which He will be betrayed.  He prophesies to His disciples regarding His forthcoming passion--where He will suffer and die, "A little while, and you will see me no longer..."  They see Him now, this night, but soon--very soon--and He will be taken from them--betrayed into the hands of sinners--He will be tormented--be unjustly condemned--and die.  For three days they will see Him no longer as He is buried in the tomb. 
          All the disciples' hopes and dreams--all the promises of Jesus--will seem lost--for nothing.  But Jesus speaks to them now--before anything happens--and He reassures them, "again a little while, and you will see me."  There would come a time when Jesus would be gone--taken from them and they would weep and lament, while the world rejoiced, but eventually…eventually, their sorrow would turn to joy.  How?  By the power of His resurrection!  By the power of His victory over their sin--over the devil--and even death itself.  But then there would come another time--40 days after Jesus returned to them in His resurrection glory--that He would again be gone from their sight.  Jesus would ascend into heaven to His place of power and authority at the right hand of the Father.  "A little while and you will see me no longer." 
          Beloved, this is the "little while" in which we find ourselves.  The time between Christ's Ascension and His imminent return on the Last Day.  This is the little while of suffering and pain for the Christian.  This is the time when we rightly call things that are evil, evil.  We don't sugar coat life when awful things happen.  We recognize the ugliness of cancer/COVID-19-- the betrayal of adultery--the fear of persecution--the brutality of death.  Life hurts--at times, very badly.  The world often rejoices, even as we cry out in sadness and despair, though during this pandemic not many are rejoicing anywhere.  It seems like this time of suffering will last forever--has lasted forever (and I'm not just talking about social distancing and self-isolation due to plague, but the overall period of angst and grief people face in this broken world—even in the best of circumstances)!  And we wish it would end--that God would put a stop to all suffering and sorrow.
          It is hard for us, as we are in the midst of this "little while" of suffering, to recognize that it truly is, in the grand scheme of God's design, but a short time--and that there is insurmountable joy yet to come.  Jesus illustrates that for us perfectly in describing a woman in the pains of labour.  In the midst of labour, whether it is 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or even more!--though it seems, in the middle of it, that it will last forever--yet, it does come to an end.  Giving birth is difficult, hard work--and, even with medical advancements, it still holds elements of danger.  But, after the hours of pain--the hours of difficult anguish (perhaps days!)—yet at the moment of delivery, the woman no longer remembers it (except at birthdays, of course!), for joy that a human being has been born into the world.  Women have the great privilege and honour of coming as close to God as is possible in the act of creation.  They nurture and carry new life in their wombs--and then--through a very difficult process, which is part of the curse of sin--new life enters the world--and where once pain sought to overwhelm her--now joy has replaced it all!  Joy that a son or daughter has been born!  Joy that God has given new life.
          This is the kind of joy that God promises to His people as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, which marks our regular, everyday existence in this broken world.  We are all sinners.  Therefore, all of our lives are filled with constant pain and sorrow as we navigate through the dangerous wilderness of this life.  But there is joy—even in the midst of suffering.  There is peace—even in the midst of sorrow.  There is hope and life--even in the midst of despair and death.  How can this be?  Because of Christ and His glorious resurrection.  His Easter triumph means that, ultimately, all of the sin that plagues you--the very death that hunts you (whether it be the coronavirus or anything else)--is undone.  Jesus' cross has broken the curse of sin and death and restored to you the joy of everlasting salvation! 
          To be sure, during this period between Christ's Ascension and His imminent return, the world will greatly rejoice at times.  For a little while the world will seem to be superior and the only reality--and your humble faith the lie.  "You foolish Christians!  Don't you know that you could die at any moment like the rest of us?  It's certainly better to eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die!  Why bother with all those commands of God?  Why bother with worship?  You'll die just the same as us."  But we do not give in to these lies and temptations of the evil one.  We do not follow only what our eyes tell us of this world--for we listen to the voice of God in His Word.  A voice that echoes through the centuries--promising eternal joy and life to broken and dead people.  Trust in the Word of Christ who says to you, "I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."
          To give you courage and strength in the face of adversity--to lift you up so that you may eagerly await the great and awesome day of the Lord's return--the day when you will see Him face to face--as He is--your eyes behold Him and not another--the Lord has given precious gifts to His holy bride, the church.  So that, even though we may not see Him for a little while, yet we behold Him each week in His Word and Sacraments.  He comes to you in steadfast faithfulness through called servants to bespeak you righteous through Holy Absolution.  He washes you clean of the guilt of sin and drives off the devil with the water of Holy Baptism.  And He feeds you richly with His very own body and blood in the Holy Supper. 
          How can you have joy when the mortgage is overdue?  When your spouse has cheated on you?  Your daughter has had an abortion?  Your grandchildren have left the faith?  When your beloved no longer remembers you?  When you have the deadly diagnosis from the doctor and can do nothing but wait to die?  Where is the joy?  Where is the hope?  Where is the peace?  Right here where it has always been.  In the crucified and risen Saviour, given into death for you for the forgiveness of all of your sins—and who promises to come again in glory to bring you to His kingdom of joy and blessedness—where there is no pain or suffering.
          Know that you have been bathed in the redeeming blood of Christ in your Baptism, and that His sacrifice continues to bring you joy and hope and peace.  Yes, there is anguish and sorrow in this life, but it is only for a little while.  There will come a day when the Lord Jesus returns in glory and might to renew His creation just as He promised.  So now, when you see Him again, "your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."  For you have lived and believed in Jesus and His Word to you.  For Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.
 

Easter 3 – Misericordias Domini                                                                                                               April 26, 2020
John 10:11-16
 
v.11   I am the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
 
          Alleluia!  Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, Jesus declares that He is the Good Shepherd—the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.  Those who are hired hands—who do not actually own the sheep—see the wolf coming—danger approaching—and they flee—to save their own skins.  They run because they care nothing for the actual sheep.  Tending them was just a day job activity—a way to earn a little money—pay the bills—but not a lifelong career choice.  "That's dangerous work!  And I don't get paid enough to put myself at such risk."
          That's a sentiment we can certainly understand.  "If I'm getting minimum wage to watch some dumb sheep and I see a wolf coming—and all I've got is a staff and sling to scare it away—you better believe I'm running!"
          This shows their lack of love toward the sheep.  They don't really care for them.  The sheep are just a means to an end.  Such is the case in the church today, dear friends.  For the false shepherds spoken of in the Bible are those in places of authority in the church, but who do not really care for the sheep—the people—under their care.  Who are willing to run away at conflict—give in to the false teaching of the devil—"As long as I'm still getting paid—that's all that matters.  Who cares if the sheep eat the wrong spiritual food and drink from spiritually poisonous waters—and their faith dies?"  The prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah speak of this harsh reality for the children of Israel that existed long ago. 
          Which is why God proclaimed that He would one day send a Good Shepherd to lead and guide His people.  He foretold through Ezekiel (34:15-16b), "I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.  I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak…"  Enter Jesus hundreds of years later.  "I AM the Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." 
          Jesus is the fulfillment of the Scriptures.  He is God come in the flesh to be the Shepherd of His people.  He is not faithless—He will not run at the devil's attacks, but will instead drive him away with the Word of God.  Nor will Jesus shrink from death itself—but will charge headlong into the fray—to lay down His life for the sheep—lay it down so that He may take it up again.  For Jesus has come to defend His sheep—you and me—to care for us—to bind up our wounds of sin, which have been left open by our own sinful natures and the wicked temptations of the devil which we have embraced.  Jesus comes to wash those wounds clean through the healing balm of Holy Baptism.  He comes to bind up our torn souls with the proclamation that our sins are fully forgiven by His Word of Absolution.  He comes to drive away death by the power of His life and resurrection.  Indeed, Jesus comes to feed and nourish us with His rich Word and Sacrament—that deliver all the benefits of His cross and empty tomb to His poor, wayward sheep. But what a strange looking shepherd He is. 
          Now shepherds in the ancient world were not really looked upon with any sort of great admiration.  Indeed, they were usually regarded as lowly and filthy—maybe one step above a slave.  They were quite often dirty and smelly—spending a great deal of time in the open elements with their sheep.  This Good Shepherd Jesus, however, has an even more strange semblance.  For He who is the Good Shepherd also stands as the Lamb who was slain.  Recall that John the Baptist spoke of Jesus (John 1:29) as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  Lambs were slaughtered in the ancient Jewish religious system to remove sin and guilt.  This is precisely what Jesus—as the Good Shepherd of His sheep—came to do—to lay down His life in sacrifice for all the lowly sinners of the world—including you and me.
          Jesus permitted sin, death, and the devil—our greatest enemies—to rip and claw at Him—to bereft Him of His life—even though He was innocent.  He gave up His life into death for sinners.  Because He knew that sin, which leads to death and eternal separation from the Father—is more deadly and dangerous than any pandemic—any physical malady that could ever come our way.  Our real problem, beloved, is not COVID-19, but SIN.  Sin which is a part of each of us since the Fall.  Sin which leads to our rebellion against God and our wickedness of thought, word, and deed against each other. 
          THIS is the enemy that Christ came to destroy—and there was only one way to do it—by laying down His life on the cross—so that by His wounds we may be healed through the forgiveness of our sins by the blood that He shed.
          Why?  What could motivate Jesus to do such a thing?  To suffer so horribly?  The only answer, dear friends, is LOVE.  His deep love for you and all people motivated Him to do this.  For this act of redemption—of paying the ransom for our sin—was something only He could do.  We poor miserable sheep would be overpowered and undone by our enemies of sin and death—not to mention the old evil foe—Satan!  So Jesus came not to set an example for us to follow (which we could never do)—but rather to set us free by laying down His life for us.
          With great joy we now hear the voice of our Good Shepherd Jesus calling to us through His Holy Word—offering us grace, pardon, and mercy for our sins—promising us life eternal with Him.  This gift of life comes only through the wounds of this Lamb of God who was slain—but now lives to all eternity in triumphant victory!  For He has laid down His life only to take it up again!
          Which is why at first our Good Shepherd may seem so strange to us.  For this Shepherd is a Lamb marked with deadly wounds as One who was slain—but who nevertheless lives!  A strange sight indeed!
          Yet a sight that fills our hearts with joy, peace, and gladness.  For we look to Jesus our Good Shepherd—we look to Him who died and rose again.  For when we look upon Jesus we see what the ancient church understood about these appointed texts in the lectionary for this Sunday, which we often call "Good Shepherd Sunday" but which they referred to in Latin as Misericordias Domini—the Merciful Heart of God Sunday.  For on this day—in these readings—we see our Good Shepherd Jesus—and in looking to Him we also are given to see the merciful heart of our heavenly Father—who loved us so much that He sent His own beloved Son to suffer and die for us.
          By the wounds of Jesus we have been healed of the deadly disease of sin—so that death no longer causes us fear or alarm—for we know we have life forever in Him who died and rose again for us.  This same Jesus calls us to His side in glory through the power of His own Word.  Those who fail to heed His voice will be forever condemned—but to all who receive Him—hear His Word and trust in Him by faith—no matter where they come from—what they look like—what language they speak—or what foods they eat—we shall ALL be united as One flock under our One Good Shepherd Jesus.  For He as laid down His life for us all—that He might take it up again in glory.  For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen!   He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen. 

​Easter 2 – Quasimodo Geniti                                                                                                                     April 19, 2020
John 20:19-31
 
Wounds of Joy and Believing
                                     
v.20   When He [Jesus] had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
 
          Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Dear friends in Christ, in our text for today from John's Gospel, the wounds of Jesus are presented that restore us to the Father, and which turn our anxiety and fear to joy and gladness.  So, beloved, let me ask you this—what would bring you joy and gladness?  I imagine that all but the most introverted among us would be glad of an end to this pandemic that has kept us separated from loved ones and prevents us from living our lives in a normal fashion.  Some would be filled with joy at the opportunity to go back to work—to earn an income and provide for themselves and their families.  For others, joy would come through the simple pleasure of being able to hold their children or grandchildren close once more.  To give a neighbor a hug.  To enjoy those easy every-day human touches that have now become so scarce and viewed with fear.  Yet for some, gladness would come in an even more simple manner:  a phone call—a card—a meal one didn't have to cook themselves—or even a full package of toilet paper in the house or extra sanitzer!
          And so at first it surprises us that the wounds of Jesus bring His disciples joy—even driving away fear and doubt!  "How?" we wonder.  "How could such a thing bring the disciples happiness?"  Wounds usually are an indication of injury—which results in weakness—pain and suffering.  Only people who are sick and twisted—truly sadistic—receive joy from such things.  How, then, can the wounds of Christ bring about such an unexpected response in the disciples?
          Well, because these wounds are no ordinary wounds—they no longer bleed—they no longer cause pain or suffering of any kind to Jesus—but rather stand as signals—banners—of Jesus' triumph over sin, death, and hell.  For these extraordinary wounds are also found on an extraordinary Man—for these are the wounds of the resurrected Christ!  He who is God in the flesh carries these wounds as badges of honor and victory.
          Just days before, these wounds were inflicted on Jesus—causing Him great pain and suffering the likes of which we can scarcely imagine.  His face twisted in agony at every sharp blow from fist, club, and whip.  Screams tore from His sacred lips with each breath as He struggled to breathe by pushing Himself up on nail-pierced hands and feet.  For on the cross Jesus suffered the Father's wrath for every sin—yours and mine too.  Until at last, with one final cry, He declared, "It is finished!" and gave up His Spirit—bowed His head—and died.  Mercifully, Jesus did not feel the Roman spear thrust into His side, eagerly seeking His heart to ensure He was dead—He had already breathed His last.
          It had not been good for Jesus' disciples since then.  They had all fled from Him as He was arrested.  Those closest to Jesus had all abandoned Him—some, like Peter, even vehemently denying that they even knew Him.  Now, on that first Easter morn, the disciples huddled together in fear of the Jewish authorities.  They trembled at every approach to their locked doors.  They hid in secret, knowing that Jesus was now dead and gone—they would be hunted—any one of them could be the next to face arrest, torture, and death.
          That very morning, some of the women had traveled to the tomb and reported something strange—Jesus' body was missing!  They claimed an angel had told them Jesus was arisen—and they were bid to meet Him in Galilee.  Mary Magdalene even went so far as to say that she had seen and touched Jesus.  And though Peter and John confirmed that the tomb was empty—yet these words seemed unbelievable to them—frantic tales of grief-stricken women—hardly something to be believed! 
          And so the disciples sat in misery—hiding in the darkness—controlled by fear due to their unbelief—unsure what to do next.  Hoping—praying—to stay hidden until such time as they could figure out a way to escape the city. 
          It is into this situation of fear and trembling that Jesus comes—suddenly and unexpectedly.  At first the disciples are even more afraid—is this Jesus' ghost come to haunt them—come to wreak some terrible retribution upon their unworthy, cowardly heads?  If so, it would certainly not be anything less than they deserve.  Yet, "Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'"  His first words to them are words of peace—not anger—not judgement—not condemnation—but peace!  Still, they shrink away from Him—unsure of what to expect.  So Jesus "showed them His hands and His side.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord."  In showing them His wounds, the disciples' fear turns to joy.  Why?  How?
          For the disciples could see that this was no angry spirit or shade come to torment them—but this is their Lord Jesus—in the flesh—His true body spoke to them a powerful sermon—He had risen!  Just as He told them before.  Faith in Him and His Word grew in their hearts—transforming their dread into joy and gladness!  For herein they saw that the women's report was true—that the angel's words were honestly delivered—Jesus was not dead—but arisen!  His resurrection had astounding implications—not just for them—but every single person who has ever lived and would ever be born.  For that great—seemingly insurmountable barrier—that incredible curse of death, which clings to all people by virtue of our sin—has now forever been broken—undone—smashed to bits—torn down—by He who died and rose again.  He who allowed the temple of His body to be destroyed—has now raised it up again in just three days! 
          This miracle of resurrection brings every Christian forgiveness of their sins—as we look to and trust in the wounds of Jesus to pay for our sins—to cover our iniquity—to be our death.  These wounds of the living Jesus declare that the punishment for our sin has been paid in full.  The Father's wrath has been satisfied.  And now, by faith, we share in the resurrection life of Jesus. 
          To be sure, there is much that still causes us fear and distress—this pandemic is no small matter.  Yet, as Christians, those who behold the wounds of Jesus in Word and Sacrament—we are given joy and peace.  For we know that all of our sins—those things that should lead to everlasting death and damnation in hell—have been overcome by the resurrected Christ.  Do we struggle with doubts at times?  Of course!  Thomas did too.  But upon seeing the wounds of the living Christ—Thomas too was changed—and readily confessed to Jesus, "My Lord and my God!"
          Beloved, we have a great opportunity at this dark time in our world's history to give that same bold confession of Thomas and the other disciples.  Those brave men, most of whom went to horrible deaths, refusing to change their preaching—their message of the Gospel.  We hold on to the words and the wounds of Jesus—knowing that the blood and water that flowed from His side—grant to us remission of sins and everlasting life and salvation. 
          Dear friends, your doubts—your fears—all your sins—have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus which poured so freely from His many wounds—as He suffered torment and death for you.  Trust in Him—believe His Word to you that has been handed down by so many faithful witnesses of His resurrection.  Do not give in to the terrors of this dark and sinful world, but rather direct your eyes—your ears—your fingers—your hands—your hearts—to Jesus' wounds.  "Do not disbelieve, but believe."  For all these things have been "written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."  So now, along with our hymn, we pray "May we, O God, by grace believe  And thus the risen Christ receive,  Whose raw imprinted palms reached out   And beckoned Thomas from his doubt" (LSB 472 st.4).  For Alleluia! Christ the Lord is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus.  Amen.