The Transfiguration of Our Lord - January 24, 2010

The Church Season of Epiphany,
The Transfiguration of Our Lord,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (January 24, 2010)
One Year Series

“Just History”

Readings:

Psalm 2
Exodus 34:29-35
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

Sermon Form: Deductive

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 17th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verses.

Matthew 17:1-9 (NIV)

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

The lesson we hear today is known as the Transfiguration of Christ. The appointed Gospel reading for today has shifted back and forth through past history and is now celebrated at the end of the Church Season of Epiphany. But, that is just history, church history, and for most people that means boring history. Yet, whether we enjoy history or not, the lesson is from scripture, and all scripture points to Christ. Scripture points to the how of Christ, How He has come into our world, how He has manifested Himself among us. And Scripture does not only tell the how, but it tells us the why too, meaning why Jesus Christ came into this world. And that’s just what we need, it’s what we want to learn, it’s what we want to understand. And, to be honest, our motives may be suspect, and revealed in questions like; what’s in it for me, or how does this affect me and my world? But, you know, if you’re asking the wrong questions, scripture will still speak to you. You will hear the scripture, and be drawn into it too. Just like Peter, James, and John were, you too are drawn by Christ to high places to see, to hear, and to touch wonderful things, like the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was transfigured before three of His apostles. His appearance was changed, “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”(v.2) Christ Epiphanied, He manifested, He revealed Himself to those apostles. And the Old Testament history tells us that Daniel had seen a similar vision. For Daniel had said, “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool;”(Dan. 7:9) Aw yes, a connection maybe, but that’s just history. History of visions and mountains, things which we no longer desire to see, and mountains which we do not have the ability to climb. Messages which go over our heads, because we have closed our ears. But, just like Peter, James, and John, the light of Christ shines upon us, we are dazzled by that light, and the message of that light escapes us.

And for those three apostles there’s more than just that great and dazzling light. Now on that mountain the apostles see with Jesus, both Moses and Elijah. And who are they? Well, they’re prophets of the Old Testament, men through whom God spoke to His people. And, of course, it’s just history, but they are “two of the greatest of those through whom God saved and spoke to his people in the past.”(New Bible Commentary) And on top of that, in a way Moses and Elijah are like Jesus, because both of them suffered rejection by God’s people. They spoke God’s Word, and they were not heard. In fact, they spoke God’s Word and were hated for it. But here on the mountain top, Moses and Elijah with Jesus what an amazing sight.

So what does Peter do? He tries to build a monument. He tries to mark the spot so that they can remember the spot. Three historical monuments, one for Jesus, one for Moses, one for Elijah, so that the location of the transfiguration will never be forgotten. Peter would have three roadside shelters to commemorate the past, Jesus was transfigured right here, and alongside Him appeared Moses and Elijah, but that’s just history.

Yet before Peter could chop down a tree to whittle those historical booths, tents and monuments.....Even before Peter could finish his sentence “a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”(v. 5) Now their there attention was picqued. And I would surmise that it had become very quiet. Because that little group had heard God speak from a cloud and so they fell to the ground on their faces and they were terrified. Ironic isn’t it? They could deal with standing next to Jesus. They could deal with Jesus turning into a bright white light. They could be amazed at seeing Jesus, with Moses and Elijah. But they weren’t really afraid until God spoke to them.

They had seen the unveiled glory of God, in Jesus Christ, but they couldn’t deal with the Word of God. The apostles, missed the big picture. We miss the big picture too for we are so wrapped up in ourselves, that our minds wander from the knowledge of Christ to that which attacks us in our lives. (Pepperkorn) The love of Christ draws us to heavenly heights, yet our faces look down, our minds turn inward. In our sinful self-centered thoughts, we look to our own problems, challenges, and illnesses and fail to see Jesus in our lives. We don’t look up and see Jesus is there with us. Jesus speaks to us and He touches us.

Whether or not you choose to look up or not does not matter, Jesus is here for you. He not only went up upon a mountain and revealed His glory to three apostles, He reveals His glory to you too. For Christ went up upon the temple mountain and there upon the cross Jesus died for you. In all that challenges you in your lives, whether it be pain, illness, sorrow, or loneliness. Whether it be from the pain of your sin of action or inaction, know that Christ has died for you. And in your baptism Christ transfigures you from one who is dead, Christ makes you the one who wears a spotless robe of white.

And when you have fallen down, when you can no longer bear to look at Christ, when you are afraid beyond measure, know that Christ still comes to you. In fact He comes to you this day. Christ comes to you in Holy Communion, in the wine and the bread, His true body and blood. Jesus went to His apostles and touched them. Today He touches you, for that bread which touches your tongue is Jesus Christ. The wine that passes through your lips, is Jesus Christ. Jesus is not transformed into bread and wine, neither is the bread and wine transformed, transubstantiated, or consubstantiated, into Christ.

It is Christ Himself and that is not just history, it is Christ’s very words, for you. In those words, this is my body, this is my blood, Christ promises to touch you, to forgive your sins. He promises that He will be with you always. He promises to heal your sin sick soul. That is the message of Christ. He came here for you, to heal you, to comfort you, to give you that which you cannot earn on your own. And though we approach God at His Holy meal, with our faces turned down from all that would burden our hearts and minds, Jesus touches you. In the Holy Supper of our Lord, Jesus forgives you. And in His forgiveness, Jesus tells you to “get up...do not be afraid”(v. 7) for your sins have been forgiven.

And Christ’s Words are indeed words to hear. For Christ’s words are not just history. In fact all of scripture speaks of Christ, for we know that, “In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but now in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.”(Heb. 1:1) Christ is revealed to you in splendid glory. Christ has spoken to you the forgiveness of your sins. In Christ you are given salvation, and one day when your body ceases to fight the toils and travails of this world, upon that last breath Jesus Christ will touch you once again. He will speak to you and tell you to get up, do not be afraid and you will be transformed from your lowly body and will see the brightness of Christ’s glory in the eternal life which has revealed and freely given to you. Amen.

+SDG+

Funeral Sermon for Donna Haines - January 19, 2010

The Church Season of Epiphany
Epiphany 2
Funeral Service for Donna E. Haines
Our Savior Lutheran Church,
Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home Gladwin, MI
January 19, 2010

Readings:
Psalm 23
John 10:27-29

“My Sheep Hear My Voice”

John 10:27-29

[Jesus said] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has give them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

+INI+

Friends and family of Donna, Pete and Peggy, Mike, and the grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Donna Haines was born on August 2, 1920 was married to her beloved husband Ervin on October 27, 1937 and they were married for over 71 years. Blessed are they who die in the Lord, from this time forth and evermore.

The text for today’s message is
from the Gospel of St. John the 10th chapter

Donna was born in Gladwin the daughter of Roy and Blanche Foor. And Donna married Ervin and they lived on the family farm which is still in the family to this very day. Not even a year ago, actually closer to 10 months ago, Donna’s beloved husband Ervin was laid to rest. Both Donna and Ervin loved the farm, they worked on it together. A lot of times you hear that two people worked together on something and really enjoyed it. And then the next thing you hear is the part that each of those people performed. Well, for Donna and Ervin, working on the farm meant they worked on the farm. It meant that they both did the work, they both drove the tractor, they both did the chores. And I’ve been told more than once that not only was Donna a homemaker, she truly worked by the side of her husband on that farm. I was told that Donna enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers play baseball, which tells me she was a very patient woman. And that she also enjoyed square dancing and reading. Along with working the farm, Donna also worked at the Post office and at the school for awhile too. But mostly Donna loved the farm, and when you spend any time around a dairy farm you know that that is a family activity that keeps everyone highly engaged in work, from morning to night, seven days a week, every day of the year. Keeping track of that kind of livestock is a wearisome job, that never seems to end, so much to do, and so little time left over for much of anything else.

In the Bible lesson I read just a few moment ago, St. John wrote of a time when Jesus Christ talked about sheep hearing His voice. In fact Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”(v. 27) In the context in which Jesus said these words, there were many people around Him who were looking for an excuse to get rid of Jesus. They wanted Jesus to say something so that they could start hurling rocks at Him, to drag Him down, to literally kill Him, and bury Him in a pile of rocks. But He answered simply and straight to the point, “My sheep hear my voice.”(v. 27)

Anyone who has been on a farm, or who has dealt with animals knows just how this works. If you go out behind the farmhouse, and bang on a bucket and say just a few words, the animals come. They know your voice, they know it’s time to come in. And in Jesus’ time there were probably a few more people, well let’s be totally honest, there were a lot more people who could relate to those words. And not only that, if you truly understood those words, you also could understand that if you didn’t hear the shepherd’s voice you probably were one of the dumb sheep. And being called a dumb sheep is a pretty big insult. Actually, if you know anything about sheep, being called a dumb sheep is a redundant statement.

So, the people plotting against Jesus didn’t like the thought of being called dumb sheep. Which really meant that they didn't like the thought of being told that they weren’t hearing or understanding Christ’s message. For what Jesus Christ was really saying was that not only did His people hear His voice, more importantly they also heard and understood His message. And Christ’s message was very simple, “follow me, I give you eternal life, you will never perish, and no one will snatch you out of my hand.”(v. 28)

In her last years, Donna lived a very simple life. And as many of you know she was challenged by the things of this world, the pain and afflictions of medical challenges that slowly ravage the mind. But these challenges do not ravage the soul of those baptized into the Name of Jesus Christ. Jesus will not allow it, no one will be snatched from His hands. Even in her last few months on this earth, Donna sat down to meals and prayed with Pete and Peggy. It may seem simple, but it proves that God’s Son Jesus Christ works through all that life would send our way. Jesus conquers our troubles and He comforts our souls.

Yet while Jesus Christ’s message is easy, or as He would say, “Come to me, My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(Mt. 11:30) In fact Christ’s work was not easy, yes Jesus proclaimed His message of salvation. Yet that salvation that Jesus won for you and for me, was won in a not so easy manner. In fact, it was accomplished on the cross, Jesus died upon that cross for you and for me. Jesus died for all of Donna’s sins. Jesus died for all of your sins, and He died for my sins too. I know that because the Bible says in a very simple message, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”(John 3:17)

And quite frankly saving the entire world is not an easy task. In fact, saving the world was very hard work. Work which could not and can not be accomplished by our hands, no matter how hard we try. Because the message of salvation was won for us on the cross. Salvation was confirmed for us in Christ’s resurrection, and is given to us freely. The voice of the Good Shepherd, has spoken, He said, “It is finished.”( John 19:30) Jesus won salvation for you, and now freely gives you faith, and “faith comes hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”(Romans 10:17) Those who are baptized and believe hear Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God, who bids the sheep of His flock, “come, follow me.”(Mark 1:17)

I am told that Donna and Ervin loved to square dance. Square dancing is something that it seems people used to do a lot. There is a person who speaks, who is a caller, then there are people who hear the call and follow the voice of the one who calls for them. Now if the next thing I were to say at this very moment was that Donna and Ervin were at a great square dance in the sky, I would not be preaching the Word of God. I would, in fact, be preaching a message that was indeed not the Word of God. That is not what heaven is like at all. For us as people are fallen, we have, "all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God."(Romans 3:23) Though we may hear God’s call, we turn to the left when He tells us to do what is right. When God tells us to follow the narrow path, we circle about in our actions and inactions. Quite frankly in our sinful lives we move about aimlessly, when He tells us to, “be still and know that I am God.”(Psalm 46:10) So, no heaven is not like a square-dance.

Heaven is eternal life given to you by Jesus Christ, a place where you will never perish. Donna and Ervin are there in that place. They are called home by the the gentle message of their Good Shepherd who welcomed them into their Father’s house. The hard work is over, Christ has done it all. I know that Donna loved Ervin. I know that Ervin loved Donna. I know they both loved their family, and I’m also told that they both loved their dog wrinkles too. But all that love, pales in comparison to the love Jesus Christ has for them and for you too. For, St. Paul said, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 8:38-39) Donna and Ervin are together, and they now eternally hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, they know that He has kept His promise to them. They hear His voice and know they will never perish but have eternal life. Amen.

Blessed are they who die in the Lord Jesus Christ from this time forth and forevermore. Amen.

+SDG+

The Second Sunday after Epiphany - 1-17-10

The Church Season of Epiphany,
Second Sunday after Epiphany,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (January 17, 2010)
One Year Series

“Miraculous Signs”

Readings:

Psalm 67
Exodus 33:12-23
Ephesians 5:22-33
John 2:1-11

Sermon Form: Deductive

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 2nd chapter of St. John, especially the following verses.

John 2:1-11 (NIV)

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that (Jesus) had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

It’s interesting that our Gospel lesson should talk about signs. Because in the past few days we’ve seen huge signs like the island of Haiti shaking from an earthquake. In our Gospel lesson there was a miraculous sign and a few of Jesus’ disciples witnessed the sign of our Lord’s first miracle at a wedding in Cana. And at that wedding those guests were blessed to have Jesus in their midst.

Life is full of signs and promises, we see them every day. Some of the signs are good, like the ones which tell us which way to go for help or which way to turn safely. Some things we perceive as bad signs like red sky in the morning we know to as a warning. But the difference with the man-made signs that we see in our daily lives is that the promise made by the sign is not always kept. Sometimes the sign directs us to a street that is blocked, or to a door which is locked. And we ask why there are not enough signs to warn us of all the unexpected twists and turns ahead. But you know if we did have some sort of advanced warning lives we probably couldn’t or wouldn’t want to hear about it. People have been trying to help the island nation of Haiti for some time, but it was and still is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

There were plenty of advanced warnings of what was to happen at that wedding in Cana But, it would seem that no one knew that this wedding would be the place of the first of Jesus’ miraculous signs. However, we do know for certain that there was one person who knew what was to happen that day. For it was not by coincidence that Jesus, His disciples and His mother were invited to and attended a wedding and banquet. Jesus was there for a reason, though He said His time had not yet come, this was indeed the hour prescribed for the first miraculous signs. For there He revealed His glory, or maybe better said manifested His destiny. God was incarnate, Jesus came to the wedding feast as both God and man, He came in flesh to help His people.

And at that wedding banquet, as often still happens, something doesn’t quite go according to plans, something goes awry. For when there is no more wine, and the celebration was not yet over it was the time for the embarrassment and remorse to begin. And about that time, Jesus’ mother points out to her Son that there was no more wine. The unexpected had indeed occurred and Jesus certainly responded with an unexpected wedding gift. Jesus gives royally, both quantity and quality. This first of Jesus’ miraculous signs shows that there is no limit to His power to give, for even the slightest need is enough to evoke His compassionate aid. But, this first of His miraculous miracles was not just a physical blessing, it was also proof that this man Jesus was both human and divine. The man Jesus attended the wedding and banquet, the divine nature of Jesus gave an undeserved blessing.

Our lives may seem like a long winding journey, one in which we have seen and experienced either unwanted or unexpected twists. Sometimes those unexpected occurrences happen when we least expect them spoiling our plans and expectations. Signs which seemed like they pointed us to a never ending successful and unchallenged life are torn apart by the unexpected, and we are faced with all the hardships life can deal us. Unexpected sicknesses, unexpected family turmoil, unexpected pain and suffering inflicts itself into the otherwise beautifully planned banquet feast of our lives. The island of Haiti two weeks ago was challenged with turmoil. But one week ago turmoil turned to tragedy beyond belief. All the pain and suffering in that small corner of the world was compounded beyond our imaginations, the inconveniences of the past pale in comparison to the realities of today. And if we were only left with our imaginations and thoughts of what we could do we would soon wave the white flag, the party is over, the wine has run out. For it would seem that there is no miraculous sign which could undue this tragedy. I pray that you would look to that which you have, and try to help the people of Haiti. And when I say look to what you have, I mean first look to the miracle of grace which God has freely given you. It is time to step up and help. God gave to you freely, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Give with thoughts words, and deeds, and prayers. Help others for you have been given much and much is expected of you.

For into our world a divine guest has come, who was sent to save us from our sin, and from death, and from the devil. And that guest is Jesus Christ who performed His first miraculous sign at the wedding of Cana, but it was not His last sign. At Cana He changed water into wine, at Galilee He walked on the water, He rebuked the wind, He cured the sick, He raised the dead, He comforts you when you mourn the loss of a loved one and so much more than just those signs. For His last miraculous sign on this earth Jesus Christ went to the cross and He died there, for you and for me. And in His death and resurrection Christ continues to do even more miraculous things for us.

For in your baptism you were given the sign of the cross, and God’s Word was combined with water, and that is miraculous sign which proclaims shows that you have been made a child of God. In Holy Communion plain bread and plain wine are combined with God’s word and they are Christ’s true body and blood. In Holy Communion you receive the miraculous sign that your sins are forgiven. So, no matter what you now face, whether it be pain sorrow, or suffering, rejoice, the party is not yet over. Help the people around you, give them a hand up, give to the people who are trouble. For God sent His Son to perform a miracle for you, to give you an unending abundance of bread and wine, His Body and Blood. Drink deeply of this new wine it is a gift. Share that which you have been given with those who have nothing. For Christ brings Himself to the cross as a miraculous gift for you. He give Himself freely to you so that you may join Him in the heavenly wedding banquet feast. In Psalm 4 God speaks of Christ and what He does for His people, “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.”(Ps. 4) And truthfully, there will be no greater joy that you will ever be given than when you join Jesus Christ in the miracle of his heavenly banquet feast. Amen.

+SDG+

The First Sunday after Epiphany - 1-10-10

The Church Season of Epiphany,
1st Sunday after Epiphany,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (January 10, 2010)

"In My Father’s House"

Readings:
1 Kings 8:6-13
Romans 12:1-5
Luke 2:41-52

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 2nd chapter of Luke, especially the following verses...

Luke 2:41-52 (ESV)

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

So Far the Text

Less than 20 days ago we heard the Shepherds speak, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”(Luke 2:15-16) Now we fast forward twelve years, the Holy family undertakes another journey to attend the Passover Feast. And upon the conclusion of the feast, the entire clan began to undertake the walk from Jerusalem back to Nazareth, a distance of about 65 miles. And at the end of that first days walk, Jesus’ parents looked around and could not find Him. Joseph and Mary then did what any set of parents would do, they ask all their “friends and acquaintances”(v. 44) if anyone had seen their Son. But upon what must have been a very upsetting search, Jesus was no where to be found.

So what to do? Well, re-trace the steps, where did we last see Him? Back to Jerusalem, of course. Scripture does not tell us how long it took for Mary and Joseph to return to Jerusalem, but even if it took half the time, unencumbered by family and friends, then it still would have been a half of a day of chaotic thoughts and discussions. Then after three days of searching, Jesus is found in the Temple. After three days, they found Jesus. Can you imgaine the thoughts running through their heads? What would be running through your minds? Would Joseph and Mary yell and scream at their Son for His disobedience and scarying them half to death? Would they cry and hug Him for finding Him safe and sound? Can you imagine the shear emotion of the moment? Astonished. Mary and Joseph were astonished that Jesus was sitting in the Temple asking the teacher’s questions.

What would be your reaction? What would you say? Would you calmly say, ‘Wow, Jesus, I’m quite astonished that you were in the Temple this whole time!’ No, I’m sure that there would be a whole lot more to say. And quite frankly Mary says it, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”(v.48) And so the twelve year old Jesus speaks, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”(v. 49) That answer could have evoked many different reactions I suppose based on the intonation of the answer. But at the end of the day, the lost was found. Jesus was safe with His earthly parents, the family was a family again and they all headed home for Nazareth.

This is the one and only one recorded incident from Jesus’ boyhood and quite frankly it shows Jesus walking the path of obedience. It is an account bracketed by obedience in the beginning and also in the ending of the account of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. In the very beginning verses of this scripture we hear of Jesus’ obedience to the Law. For it is God who established the Passover and it was He who prescribed its celebration. (Ex 12:1–6; 23:15; Dt 16:1–8) The conclusion of this scriptural account reveals Jesus’ obedience to His parents, which is the obedience to the Fourth Commandment. And the fourth commandment is, “Honor thy Father and thy Mother.” This is a commandment which Jesus later defended fiercely against the those who would set aside the Law for the sake of tradition. Jesus had said, “why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.”(Mt. 15:3-6)

It is also in this setting of Jerusalem Temple, sitting with teachers, sought by His parents, we hear Jesus speak His very first words. And in these words recorded by St. Luke, Jesus’ expressly calls God His Father. In these words Jesus expresses His knowledge of His mission and office. That is to say, His life is to be uniquely a human life wholly lived to God. He is incarnate. He is a real living human being, to live a life which is in all its entirety and in every aspect an act of worship. Jesus came into this world to live a life as it ought to be lived yet never was or since has been lived by any human being. Jesus came to live the Law perfectly. So then, it must also be obvious that Jesus must be in His Father’s house, because His obedience in that place and every time and place meant salvation for us all. Here in the Temple, Jesus continues a life of obedience “unto death, even death on a cross” (Ph 2:8).

Many trees have fallen to make the paper on which in has been written regarding, how to find Jesus. How to bring Him to you. How to live out your life so that you may find Him. How to achieve perfection, how to define what is the purpose of your life. But quite frankly, the truth of the matter is, that we do not seek to find Jesus. And probably the best reason is, is that we’re too busy, doing too many other things. We’ve got too many people to see and too many errands to run. And on top of that, one of the products of our sinful nature is that in our ignorance and blindness we are much more inclined to serve men rather than God. And that’s just the opposite of what scripture tells us, “We must obey God rather than men.”(Acts 5:29) And anyhow, can’t you find Jesus anywhere? Can’t you find Him in the woods, or in a boat, or in that special place somewhere, can’t you?

You know the truth be told, it isn’t really that we don’t have the time to search the scriptures, or to hear the Word of God. We do have the time. Because we make the time when things go wrong in our lives, when our families fall apart, when our health fails, when our finances falter, or when the path ahead in our lives seems to be bleak. It’s only at that time, right then and there, that we join Mary and Joseph in that frantic search to find Jesus. That’s the time when we say, ‘Where did Jesus go? Where is Jesus when I need Him? Why isn’t He here for me now? Should I ask for prayers, should I be saying some prayers. Where is Jesus!’

And Jesus responds to you, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”(v. 49) In fact it is Jesus who seeks and finds you who are the lost. It is not Jesus who has moved farther away from you, nor has He ever left you. Everything which you can think of in this life that will comfort you, “everything with which man comforts himself, however great it may be, is altogether uncertain, and so the heart inquires constantly: Who knows whether it is right?”(Martin Luther) When all that is in this life fails to comfort us, whether it be health, finances, family, or whatever the world and the devil may throw at you, Jesus Christ is still there for you.

Jesus is not lost, nor has He lost track of you, He is always here to comfort you. For in your baptism you were marked with His Name, and in the water combined with God’s Word, you are saved. In the Holy Sacrament Jesus is not lost, He is here in this place, and He is here, for you for the forgiveness of sins. On the cross Jesus obeyed His Father’s command, and in His resurrection Jesus lives again to tell you, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Mt. 28:20) Be comforted, for Jesus on the third day rose from the dead, and ascended in to heaven. Jesus is in His Father’s house. Jesus Christ has been perfectly obedient to His Father’s will and His love for you will never be lost. Do not be afraid of the lost things of this world, but be comforted in all things that Jesus Christ will eternally welcome you into His Father’s house.Amen.

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
+SDG+

The Second Sunday after Christmas - 1-3-2010

The Church Season of Christmas,
2nd Sunday after Christmas,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (January 3, 2010)

"God’s Plans"

Readings:
Genesis 46:1-7
1 Peter 4:12-19
Matthew 2:13-23

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 2nd chapter of Matthew, especially the following verses...

Matthew 2:13-23 (NASB95)

13 Now when the magi had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more.” 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

On Christmas we celebrated the newborn Christ child. The only begotten Son of God who we know is born into this world in a state of being vulnerable and also almighty. Today we hear that Jesus and His family are controlled by the circumstances set in place by Herod who would have Jesus murdered with all the other babies.

One thing that comes through loud and clear in this passage is that Jesus was vulnerable, He was at risk of being hurt or killed. You recall that when King Herod found out from the Wise Men that another King had been born, and so he was fearful for his throne. He tried to use the Wise Men to find Jesus so that he could have Him killed. But when that plan failed, Herod flew into a terrible rage. Because Jesus was at least a year old at this time, he ordered that all male children in Bethlehem two years of age and under be slaughtered. As this was about to happen, Joseph was warned by an angel to flee that night and escape to Egypt. Imagine that (!), the Son of God having to escape under the cover of darkness, being rescued from a murderous monarch by a frightened father and mother. Joseph did as the angel said, and they took up residence to the south in Egypt until the death of Herod not long afterwards. And as we heard in the gospel lesson, all of this occurred in fulfillment of prophecy, according to God's plan. What at first appeared to be an unwanted vacation in Egypt turned out to be a fulfillment of the prophecy of Hosea "Out of Egypt I called my Son." (Hosea 11:1)

Yet Jesus is in control of everything. Everything that has happened, His birth, the rushed journey to Egypt all happened according to God’s plan for His beloved son. A plan that continues to the end of Jesus’ earthly life, and to the time of His crucifixion. We know that the cross was a part of God's plan from the beginning. It was His almighty will that Calvary take place. And yet, when it actually happened, God the Son was again utterly helpless. No escape occurred on the Cross, and no travel to Egypt was ever planned to avoid the horrible taunting, the nails, and the spear, and the His death–completely despised and rejected. Nevertheless, through that almighty vulnerability, God paid the full price for our sins and brought eternal life to all who dare to worship and place their confidence in Him.

We too often feel like our lives are full of vulnerable moments. Much of what happens to us seems to be beyond our control and often quite random. We have all lost loved ones, had challenges with someone in our family, or have struggled with tough situations in our daily lives. There often doesn't seem to be much order or purpose to the way things happen in our lives.

But there is a order in our lives because as Christians we have been joined to Christ by water and the Word and made to be members of His body through faith in Him. We should certainly expect to be experiencing Christ’s almightiness and His vulnerability in our own lives as well, both individually and as a part of this community. And that certainly is the case. On the one hand when you look at the church at large today, it seems to be in a state of disarray, vulnerable to all sorts of problems, looking less and less like God's set-apart people and more and more like the world around it. God's holy Law and Gospel often seem to be ignored.

And yet into the midst of this messy and complex world comes God's Word to us. St. Paul writes, "In everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."(Rom 8) Wherever the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, wherever the Gospel of Christ is rightly proclaimed and His sacraments rightly administered, there God has His people, His church, and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it.

And also individually, we trust that despite any appearances to the contrary, God is truly working for good in our lives. For we know that we were "called according to His purpose" in Holy Baptism, made to be His sons and daughters through water and the Word, all our sin being washed away. We therefore believe that, in the midst of our human frailty, God is indeed working out His almighty will for our benefit.

At this time of year when an old year has ended and a new year has begin, we often look back on our lives. I'm sure many of us will recall when a time of trouble or suffering which ultimately strengthened our faith in God. A seeming setback turned out to be an opportunity for better or happier employment. A chance meeting brought you to your husband or wife. In fact it was not chance at all, rather God's gracious working in your lives. For in the end, God turned you away from your thoughts of being vulnerable and turned them toward Christ where eternal hope is incarnate for you.

Sometimes the events that happen around us don’t always go the way we want, and maybe we would like to be like Joseph, Mary and that tiny Christ child and flee to another place, another country, or even another time. But, in those times when we can't make sense of things, when there seems to be no valid purpose or meaning to what's going on in our lives (and that happens to us all at one time or another), know that Christ has made you His own.

There is nothing in all of creation that can separate you from Him and His love. In fact, the Lord comes so near to you with His love that He actually gives Himself into you in the Sacrament of the Altar. He imparts to you His very own life with His body and blood. If the almighty Lord would go so far as to take on your vulnerable human flesh, to die in the flesh and shed His blood, and then give you His resurrected flesh and blood for the forgiveness of your sins, then certainly you can trust Him even in those times when there seems to be no reasonable answers to your questions.

When those times occur when our plans go crazy, or when there seems to be no reasonable answers to your questions, then that is a time when you can trust God. Our plans say the year 2009 has ended and the new year 2010 has begun. But, God said through the prophet Jeremiah, “I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11) God’s plans were for the One little baby laying in that manger. God’s plan was for One little Christ child whose earthly family fled to Egypt. God’s plan was for Christ to return to Jerusalem so that He could take our sins with Him to the cross. God’s plans for you is for you to dwell with Him in everlasting peace.

AMEN

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

+SDG+

The Eve of the Crcumcision and Name of Jesus - December 31, 2009

The Church Season of Christmas,
New Year’s Day,
The Eve of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (December 31, 2009)

“By Christ’s Precious Blood”

Readings:
Psalm 8
Numbers 6:22-27
Romans 1:1-7
Luke 2:21

Sermon Form: Deductive

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 2nd chapter of St. Luke.

Luke 2:21 (NIV)

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

On the eighth day of Christmas, Christ shed His blood for me. In no way is that how we remember that song. But, today the church calendar year celebrates “The Eve of the Circumcision of Our and the Name of Jesus.” Rather odd for us in this to hear in this modern day world. Quite frankly probably not even on the radar for the things that we would normally think about tonight. But certainly these are very important things to consider. Why? Well, when God came to earth and was incarnate of the virgin Mary and became man, this man was Jesus. And it was Jesus who even as an infant subjected Himself fully to the Law. The act of being circumcised only continued Jesus Christ’s submission to the Law, which His incarnation had begun.

Jesus truly appeared in flesh, and submitted Himself to the Law. The blood which flowed through the real veins of Christ is the precious blood of God. In the act of the circumcision of our Lord, we are confronted with the painful, literally, painful implications of our Gospel lesson. In the circumcision of Christ, the first drops of the precious blood of God flowed. It was the first time His blood was shed for us, yet it would not be the last time.

Martin Luther said of this eighth day, “In an allegorical sense the eighth day signifies the future life; for Christ rested in the (tomb )on the Sabbath, that is, during the entire seventh day, but rose again on the day which follows the Sabbath, which is the eighth day and the beginning of a new week, and after it no other day is counted. For through His death Christ brought to a close the weeks of time and on the eighth day entered into a different kind of life, in which days are no longer counted but there is one eternal day without the alternations of night.” (LW 3:141)

While tonight may not be the beginning of a new week, it is the beginning of a new year. Tonight we sit here with expectations of things which we will do this coming year. We will make our list of things to do, such as; we will lose weight and exercise more. We will pay off all our debt while at the same time saving more money. We will get a better job and get more education. We will quit smoking and quit drinking. Take trips and read books to help us relax while at the same time we fix up and remodel our homes. We will straighten out our attitudes, and energize our motivation and our state of mind, take on new hobbies, we will read the entire bible in a year, and attend bible study every week. We will write more letters, become more active in the community, and listen to or play more music. We will call or visit with all of the family members and friends who we’ve been ignoring because of some incident, or stray words that resulted in a battle torn relationship. We will apologize without the expectation of a word of forgiveness. AND, we’ll get all these goals organized so we can get them all done. THEN, we tell ourselves, yes then we will have our precious carefree lives back.

All these are great goals. All these goals are admirable goals. And quite frankly, many of these things I mentioned are achievable goals. If we did all of these things, meaning every single one without lapsing or failure, it would signify a new life for us. But, we realize that we can not do all of these things perfectly. If we think we can do it all and lead a perfect life, then “we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”(1 John 1:8) But that infant in Bethlehem did lead a perfect life and after only eight days he was faced with the first task of not only meeting the law but, setting it aside for our sake. And He did just that for you and me.

So then, since God has done everything for us, we can we forget about all of those goals, forget about this life, can we hide in our homes, not speak to anyone, not offer any New Year’s greetings, and repeat to ourselves the words from Ecclesiastes, “Utterly Meaningless, everything is meaningless.”(Eccl. 1:2) No that is not the right answer, as Paul tells us we do not continue to sin so that grace may abound.(Rom 6:1). To the contrary, as a fruit of our faith we look forward, seeing each New Year, each new day, each new person we meet, as another opportunity to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Indeed it is also our duty as Christians to help our fellow people, to insure that they do not suffer, to see that they have food, clothing, and a warm house. Yes that is our duty too, not because we will gain something for it, but because we are rejoicing in what we have already been given.

It is hard to know what those folks up in New York City are out in Times Square rejoicing for. Maybe it is in the hope of a new beginning, maybe that past illness and challenges may be overcome in the new year. Maybe they are there just for a good time, to just eat, drink, and be merry knowing that tomorrow we will all die. Yet there is a greater celebration that is all but forgotten, and that is that the Son of God, became incarnate and came to save us from our sins. Can you imagine if everyone of those people watching the ball drop were thinking about Christ descending to earth to give us eternal salvation? Well that would be a sight indeed.

But we do have that sight here tonight, for that child is here who shed His blood for us. Jesus Christ did live every bit of the law for us, in His circumcision every drop of Christ’s blood was spent to purchase us. Every drop of His human blood that fell from His human body fell as a payment for our sins. On the eighth day of His human life, Jesus met the requirements of the law which He continued to do until His death on the cross when He uttered, “It is finished.”(Jn 19:30) We may or may not conquer every challenge that awaits us in this new year. Everyone celebrating tonight might not have their mind fixed upon Jesus Christ, in fact most will not. But, we as Christians continue to move forward knowing that on the eighth day, after His birth Christ shed His blood for us. On the eighth the day after the Palm Sunday Sabbath, Jesus rose again from the dead and so He conquered death too. Whether people gather tonight in a large crowd in a large city, or a small room alone, there will be much rejoicing and reflection the things of the world. Know that Jesus Christ still comes to a world who doesn’t know of His love, love beyond the hopes and fears of all the years. Indeed it is Jesus Christ who shed His blood for you, for the forgiveness of sins. And it is Jesus Christ who is “our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter for the stormy blast, and our eternal home.”(LSB#733)

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

AMEN
+SDG+