What do you think about this analogy?
If Kindgom of God is a Theatre...
God the Father is the owner.... founder....
God the Holy Spirit is the.... stage hand.... the usher.... operator of the spotlight....
Jesus Christ is the star of the show.
(obviously all human analogies break down somewhere... )
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sermon - Lent 1 - Luke 4:1-13
Sermon
First Sunday in Lent
Luke 4:1-13
“IF and IS”
Our bulletin cover today highlights a small but key word from today’s Holy Gospel reading. “IF”. It is a word the devil used in the wilderness temptation of Jesus. But Jesus counters the devil at every turn, and defeats him with words of His own. Today we see the antidote to the devil’s “IF” is the Savior’s “IS”. Another small word with lots of meaning and punch – a Gospel word connected to Christ and his work. Consider this morning, “IF and IS”, as we join Jesus in the wilderness…
“If you are the Son of God” do thus and so… “If you worship me” I will give you this and that. It’s a little word that makes a big difference. “IF” is a word of instability and uncertainty. “IF” means “maybe; maybe not”. “If” can also be a word of doubt, which goes along with another favorite word of Satan’s, “really”. “IF you REALLY are the Son of God…”
Remember when Satan tempted Eve and Adam to eat the forbidden fruit? “Did God REALLY say, you shall not eat of it?” He suggested that the truth was not truth. He planted the seeds of his lie with a seemingly harmless question. Those seeds didn’t take long to mature into full-fledged deception, as he lied to Eve, “you will not die…” And the fruit of that sin in the garden turned our entire world into a wilderness, a wasteland of death.
But it is there in the desert that Jesus defeats the devil and fights back his temptations. It only took one attempt to deceive the first Adam. But the Second Adam frustrates the foe three full times. That’s because Jesus has a better 2-letter word than “IF”. Jesus has “IS”.
Each time the devil assailed our Lord with an “IF”, Jesus answered with an “IS”. “It IS written”. He quotes the scriptures. Those words of God which ARE a greater reality than the tempter’s twisted attempts. “IS” and the other forms of the verb, “to be” like “ARE” and “AM”. These seem to be some of God’s favorite words. These words express a reality. And when God speaks, his word does what it says.
Let there “BE” light. And light was. The very creation and providence of this world rests on God’s word which calls it to be so.
God’s personal name, “Yahweh”, which means, “I AM”. He is the ultimate ground of existence. Nothing is without him. Nothing happens apart from his will. He always was, always IS, and always will be.
And even though Lent has begun, we have those Epiphany words ringing in our ears, “This IS my son”. The disciples and many others confessed, as we also do of Jesus, “You ARE the Christ”.
And what does that mean? That Jesus came not only to defeat Satan’s temptations for his own sake, but to bring a new reality for sinners like you and me. When Jesus gave up his life on the cross, and when all was accomplished, he declared, “It IS finished”. And in those three small words – really just one word in the Greek – all history finds a pivot point, all creation sees it fulcrum, all reality is turned upside down. And sin is finished. Death is finished. The Devil is finished. No IF’s, ands, or buts about it.
And though defeated, our adversary still prowls around looking for someone to devour, deceive, or draw into doubt. Satan loves to bring a sense of “iffyness” to our relationship with God – and make us doubt God’s word – whether command or promise. “Did God really say?”
“Does God really expect you to be perfect? It’s such a high standard. Don’t you think God’s more reasonable? He knows you’re not perfect. He’ll make some allowances. Just try not to be TOO bad, and I’m sure he’ll wink at those little sins. Really. If God is so loving and powerful, I mean, Come on! He’s gotta let you get away with a little bit of fun” and so the lies might go… so the law of God is undermined and minimized. But the truth IS that God expects, even demands perfection. And no law-breaking goes without punishment.
Of course, we know, that Jesus IS the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. That means that he is our substitute. He takes our place and our punishment. He does what we can’t do, in defeating the devil, living a perfect life, and paying his own innocent blood for our bloodguilt. But Satan wants to make all that iffy too.
“IF Jesus even existed… IF he really was the Son of God. IF he died for sin. What makes you think he died for yours? And what makes you think that’s enough? Do you REALLY believe God can forgive a sinner as bad as you? I mean, imagine if the people here in church knew what you do when no one is looking, or what you think in the dark recesses of your thoughts. IF that got out… well. Then everyone would see what a sinner you are and why God can’t possibly forgive you, and…” Enough! Enough of the lies, Satan! Enough of your “Ifs” and “Really?”
For it IS written… “God so loved the world, that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
It IS written, “As far as the East is from the West, so far has he separated our sins from us.”
And it IS written, “neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation…” (and that would include you, Satan) “will be able to separate us from the love of God that IS in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Martin Luther knew all this when he wrote that favorite hymn of the Reformation, “A Mighty Fortress”. “This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will… he can harm us none, he’s judged the deed is done. One little word can fell him” Luther doesn’t say what that little word is. Some have said the word is, “Liar!”. Others say the word is “Jesus”. Perhaps even a smaller word can fell him: “IS”. Actually, any word of God will do. For Satan IS already defeated.
And now, dear Christians, come near for one more blessed assurance. For there is one final “IS” we haven’t mentioned. There is one further reality God creates for our blessing today. Jesus once said, “this IS my body. This IS my blood.” And here in his Holy Sacrament, we find once again this promise. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. We receive with our mouths more than “bread alone”. We are nourished with the Bread of Life, according to the promise of the Living Word. And with our sins thus forgiven, we put away the IF. And we rest assured in the IS. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
First Sunday in Lent
Luke 4:1-13
“IF and IS”
Our bulletin cover today highlights a small but key word from today’s Holy Gospel reading. “IF”. It is a word the devil used in the wilderness temptation of Jesus. But Jesus counters the devil at every turn, and defeats him with words of His own. Today we see the antidote to the devil’s “IF” is the Savior’s “IS”. Another small word with lots of meaning and punch – a Gospel word connected to Christ and his work. Consider this morning, “IF and IS”, as we join Jesus in the wilderness…
“If you are the Son of God” do thus and so… “If you worship me” I will give you this and that. It’s a little word that makes a big difference. “IF” is a word of instability and uncertainty. “IF” means “maybe; maybe not”. “If” can also be a word of doubt, which goes along with another favorite word of Satan’s, “really”. “IF you REALLY are the Son of God…”
Remember when Satan tempted Eve and Adam to eat the forbidden fruit? “Did God REALLY say, you shall not eat of it?” He suggested that the truth was not truth. He planted the seeds of his lie with a seemingly harmless question. Those seeds didn’t take long to mature into full-fledged deception, as he lied to Eve, “you will not die…” And the fruit of that sin in the garden turned our entire world into a wilderness, a wasteland of death.
But it is there in the desert that Jesus defeats the devil and fights back his temptations. It only took one attempt to deceive the first Adam. But the Second Adam frustrates the foe three full times. That’s because Jesus has a better 2-letter word than “IF”. Jesus has “IS”.
Each time the devil assailed our Lord with an “IF”, Jesus answered with an “IS”. “It IS written”. He quotes the scriptures. Those words of God which ARE a greater reality than the tempter’s twisted attempts. “IS” and the other forms of the verb, “to be” like “ARE” and “AM”. These seem to be some of God’s favorite words. These words express a reality. And when God speaks, his word does what it says.
Let there “BE” light. And light was. The very creation and providence of this world rests on God’s word which calls it to be so.
God’s personal name, “Yahweh”, which means, “I AM”. He is the ultimate ground of existence. Nothing is without him. Nothing happens apart from his will. He always was, always IS, and always will be.
And even though Lent has begun, we have those Epiphany words ringing in our ears, “This IS my son”. The disciples and many others confessed, as we also do of Jesus, “You ARE the Christ”.
And what does that mean? That Jesus came not only to defeat Satan’s temptations for his own sake, but to bring a new reality for sinners like you and me. When Jesus gave up his life on the cross, and when all was accomplished, he declared, “It IS finished”. And in those three small words – really just one word in the Greek – all history finds a pivot point, all creation sees it fulcrum, all reality is turned upside down. And sin is finished. Death is finished. The Devil is finished. No IF’s, ands, or buts about it.
And though defeated, our adversary still prowls around looking for someone to devour, deceive, or draw into doubt. Satan loves to bring a sense of “iffyness” to our relationship with God – and make us doubt God’s word – whether command or promise. “Did God really say?”
“Does God really expect you to be perfect? It’s such a high standard. Don’t you think God’s more reasonable? He knows you’re not perfect. He’ll make some allowances. Just try not to be TOO bad, and I’m sure he’ll wink at those little sins. Really. If God is so loving and powerful, I mean, Come on! He’s gotta let you get away with a little bit of fun” and so the lies might go… so the law of God is undermined and minimized. But the truth IS that God expects, even demands perfection. And no law-breaking goes without punishment.
Of course, we know, that Jesus IS the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. That means that he is our substitute. He takes our place and our punishment. He does what we can’t do, in defeating the devil, living a perfect life, and paying his own innocent blood for our bloodguilt. But Satan wants to make all that iffy too.
“IF Jesus even existed… IF he really was the Son of God. IF he died for sin. What makes you think he died for yours? And what makes you think that’s enough? Do you REALLY believe God can forgive a sinner as bad as you? I mean, imagine if the people here in church knew what you do when no one is looking, or what you think in the dark recesses of your thoughts. IF that got out… well. Then everyone would see what a sinner you are and why God can’t possibly forgive you, and…” Enough! Enough of the lies, Satan! Enough of your “Ifs” and “Really?”
For it IS written… “God so loved the world, that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
It IS written, “As far as the East is from the West, so far has he separated our sins from us.”
And it IS written, “neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation…” (and that would include you, Satan) “will be able to separate us from the love of God that IS in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Martin Luther knew all this when he wrote that favorite hymn of the Reformation, “A Mighty Fortress”. “This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will… he can harm us none, he’s judged the deed is done. One little word can fell him” Luther doesn’t say what that little word is. Some have said the word is, “Liar!”. Others say the word is “Jesus”. Perhaps even a smaller word can fell him: “IS”. Actually, any word of God will do. For Satan IS already defeated.
And now, dear Christians, come near for one more blessed assurance. For there is one final “IS” we haven’t mentioned. There is one further reality God creates for our blessing today. Jesus once said, “this IS my body. This IS my blood.” And here in his Holy Sacrament, we find once again this promise. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. We receive with our mouths more than “bread alone”. We are nourished with the Bread of Life, according to the promise of the Living Word. And with our sins thus forgiven, we put away the IF. And we rest assured in the IS. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Sermon - Ash Wednesday - Exodus 20:1-17
Sermon
Ash Wednesday
Exodus 20:1-17
“10 Laws and 1 Law-Keeper”
A blessed Ash Wednesday to you, as we begin our annual 40-day pilgrimage to Calvary. This year, we will spend each of our 6 Lenten Wednesdays meditating on one of the 6 chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. The Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confession. These 6 topics, Luther suggested, form the basic teachings of the Christian faith.
The church’s ancient observance of Lent provides a time for us to reflect seriously on our sin and guilt and shame, and the consequences thereof. Particularly on Ash Wednesday, we come into the presence of the Lord in great repentance (as ashes symbolize such sorrow over sin). It seems a fitting time, then, to take up our first topic from the catechism: The Ten Commandments.
We would surely all agree to the importance of the Ten Commandments. Christians nod in agreement when someone extols the virtues of the 10 Commandments. And we are rightly offended when someone attacks these holy laws of God or marginalizes their significance.
The Ten Commandments have become a political football as of late. There was the judge in Alabama who lost his job in a controversy surrounding the monument of the Commandments. The Supreme Court has even heard arguments about how and when the commandments may be displayed (and don’t ask me to explain the nuances of their decision). Some want the Commandments posted everywhere for all to see – I even know of one home in our area which has them displayed in the front lawn.
But what do we Christians do with these commandments? Besides using them as a symbol in the culture wars, do we use them in our lives? Do we try to live by them? Do we apply them to our own lives? Do we even know them, by heart, and in order, as every Christian should?
I suspect most of us would say we generally try to live by them. And that would be a kind of pious lie. Our Old Adam, anyway, our sinful nature, HATES these laws of God. We don’t like being told what to do and not do. In fact, we despise it. We want our own way. We want to be the captain of our ship, the master of our fate. We want to set the rules for ourselves, our own personal commandments.
But for the sake of appearances, perhaps, or from fear of punishment, let’s just say we generally try to obey God’s rules. Generally. Mostly. Kinda sorta.
But God doesn’t say, “Thou shalt mostly have no other gods” or “Thou shalt not have too many other gods.” He doesn’t say, “Thou shalt not steal – unless you really want the thing or think you deserve it.” He does not command, “Remember the Sabbath Day, whenever you get around to it”. There is no “generally” or “mostly” or even “try” about the commandments. They are commands. That’s how God’s law works. He commands, he demands perfect obedience.
And we fall so short. We don’t keep them when we try. We don’t even really want to try, by our nature. And so like our parents in paradise, who broke God’s first command, we too fall under the curse of the law. We too earn the wages of sin, and pay the price of death. Because we break the spirit of every one of God’s commands every day.
We deserve to be consumed by the fire of God’s wrath. And so today, Ash Wednesday, we sit in ashes (metaphorically, of course). We put on, in our minds, the sackcloth of repentance. We confess our sin. And we beg for mercy before the righteous law-giver and judge.
And he is merciful. He shows mercy, because of His Son. Jesus Christ did what we have not done and cannot do. He fulfilled the law. He kept the commandments. He was like us, in every way, yet without sin. He pleased the Father by his perfect life. He had no other gods. He always remembered the Sabbath. He didn’t ever kill or steal or bear false witness or covet or lust. He kept God’s name holy. And he honored his Father perfectly.
Christ’s perfect life of law-keeping is part of his work for us sinners. Just as important as his death for us, so is his life for us. His death takes away our sin. But his holy life makes us holy. His righteousness becomes ours. So that, in Christ, we can stand before the Father’s throne without fear of judgment. We can say, “I have not kept those commands, but my Savior and Substitute Jesus Christ has kept them without stumbling a step. And I lean on his promises and on the salvation he offers freely to me.”
So what are the 10 commandments for us, Christians? They are useful in summarizing God’s law. That law is useful in showing us our sin, and need for our Savior. But those commands bring us nothing without Christ – who fulfills the law and pays for our infractions with his blood.
Forgiven and recreated as we are, the commandments of God become a model for the new life in Christ. They guide us in Christian living. What a blessing to be shown the way God would have us live. For the new man within me wants to please him. The Holy Spirit leads us in the way of these commands.
That we would not only refrain from murder, but help our neighbor in every bodily need. That we would not commit adultery, but live in purity and decency and love our spouse rightly. That we would not despise the preaching of God’s word on the Sabbath day, but gladly hear and learn it. The commandments become a privilege for us in fulfilling the law of Love.
Jesus summarized the entire law this way, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself”. For those of us who know the love God first showed us in Christ – the law of love becomes the rule and norm for our daily life. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, growing in our faith, we also grow in adherence to God’s commands.
And so this Ash Wednesday, we dwell on our sins, reflecting on how we break God’s commands and commandments. But we look, in faith, to the one perfect law-keeper, who gives us his own righteousness. And by His Spirit, we look forward to living the law of love, and in accord with his commands. Always in his grace, and to his glory, not ours. A blessed Ash Wednesday, and a blessed Lenten season to you, in Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Ash Wednesday
Exodus 20:1-17
“10 Laws and 1 Law-Keeper”
A blessed Ash Wednesday to you, as we begin our annual 40-day pilgrimage to Calvary. This year, we will spend each of our 6 Lenten Wednesdays meditating on one of the 6 chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism. The Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confession. These 6 topics, Luther suggested, form the basic teachings of the Christian faith.
The church’s ancient observance of Lent provides a time for us to reflect seriously on our sin and guilt and shame, and the consequences thereof. Particularly on Ash Wednesday, we come into the presence of the Lord in great repentance (as ashes symbolize such sorrow over sin). It seems a fitting time, then, to take up our first topic from the catechism: The Ten Commandments.
We would surely all agree to the importance of the Ten Commandments. Christians nod in agreement when someone extols the virtues of the 10 Commandments. And we are rightly offended when someone attacks these holy laws of God or marginalizes their significance.
The Ten Commandments have become a political football as of late. There was the judge in Alabama who lost his job in a controversy surrounding the monument of the Commandments. The Supreme Court has even heard arguments about how and when the commandments may be displayed (and don’t ask me to explain the nuances of their decision). Some want the Commandments posted everywhere for all to see – I even know of one home in our area which has them displayed in the front lawn.
But what do we Christians do with these commandments? Besides using them as a symbol in the culture wars, do we use them in our lives? Do we try to live by them? Do we apply them to our own lives? Do we even know them, by heart, and in order, as every Christian should?
I suspect most of us would say we generally try to live by them. And that would be a kind of pious lie. Our Old Adam, anyway, our sinful nature, HATES these laws of God. We don’t like being told what to do and not do. In fact, we despise it. We want our own way. We want to be the captain of our ship, the master of our fate. We want to set the rules for ourselves, our own personal commandments.
But for the sake of appearances, perhaps, or from fear of punishment, let’s just say we generally try to obey God’s rules. Generally. Mostly. Kinda sorta.
But God doesn’t say, “Thou shalt mostly have no other gods” or “Thou shalt not have too many other gods.” He doesn’t say, “Thou shalt not steal – unless you really want the thing or think you deserve it.” He does not command, “Remember the Sabbath Day, whenever you get around to it”. There is no “generally” or “mostly” or even “try” about the commandments. They are commands. That’s how God’s law works. He commands, he demands perfect obedience.
And we fall so short. We don’t keep them when we try. We don’t even really want to try, by our nature. And so like our parents in paradise, who broke God’s first command, we too fall under the curse of the law. We too earn the wages of sin, and pay the price of death. Because we break the spirit of every one of God’s commands every day.
We deserve to be consumed by the fire of God’s wrath. And so today, Ash Wednesday, we sit in ashes (metaphorically, of course). We put on, in our minds, the sackcloth of repentance. We confess our sin. And we beg for mercy before the righteous law-giver and judge.
And he is merciful. He shows mercy, because of His Son. Jesus Christ did what we have not done and cannot do. He fulfilled the law. He kept the commandments. He was like us, in every way, yet without sin. He pleased the Father by his perfect life. He had no other gods. He always remembered the Sabbath. He didn’t ever kill or steal or bear false witness or covet or lust. He kept God’s name holy. And he honored his Father perfectly.
Christ’s perfect life of law-keeping is part of his work for us sinners. Just as important as his death for us, so is his life for us. His death takes away our sin. But his holy life makes us holy. His righteousness becomes ours. So that, in Christ, we can stand before the Father’s throne without fear of judgment. We can say, “I have not kept those commands, but my Savior and Substitute Jesus Christ has kept them without stumbling a step. And I lean on his promises and on the salvation he offers freely to me.”
So what are the 10 commandments for us, Christians? They are useful in summarizing God’s law. That law is useful in showing us our sin, and need for our Savior. But those commands bring us nothing without Christ – who fulfills the law and pays for our infractions with his blood.
Forgiven and recreated as we are, the commandments of God become a model for the new life in Christ. They guide us in Christian living. What a blessing to be shown the way God would have us live. For the new man within me wants to please him. The Holy Spirit leads us in the way of these commands.
That we would not only refrain from murder, but help our neighbor in every bodily need. That we would not commit adultery, but live in purity and decency and love our spouse rightly. That we would not despise the preaching of God’s word on the Sabbath day, but gladly hear and learn it. The commandments become a privilege for us in fulfilling the law of Love.
Jesus summarized the entire law this way, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself”. For those of us who know the love God first showed us in Christ – the law of love becomes the rule and norm for our daily life. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, growing in our faith, we also grow in adherence to God’s commands.
And so this Ash Wednesday, we dwell on our sins, reflecting on how we break God’s commands and commandments. But we look, in faith, to the one perfect law-keeper, who gives us his own righteousness. And by His Spirit, we look forward to living the law of love, and in accord with his commands. Always in his grace, and to his glory, not ours. A blessed Ash Wednesday, and a blessed Lenten season to you, in Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Sermon - Transfiguration - Luke 9:28-36
Sermon
Transfiguration
Luke 9:28-36
“Going Out in a Blaze of Glory”
“Going out in a blaze of glory”. What do you think of when you hear that phrase? A race car driver, crashing his car on the final lap? A soldier, charging into the fight, shouting his battle-cry? An astronaut whose rocket explodes shortly after lift-off? Maybe you think of Elijah or Moses, or even Jesus! Maybe, or maybe not.
Today is Transfiguration Day. It is the climax of the Epiphany season – the season of revealing light – in which the spotlight has been shining on the babe of Bethlehem, and our readings have been shedding light on just who this God-man Jesus Christ really is.
From his Baptism, when God declared, “This is my son”
to the visit of the wise men who confessed him as king,
to the wedding at Cana where he showed his power as the true bridegroom, to the many healings and miracles that were signs of his power….
All this leads up to his transfiguration,
up to the mountain where his glory shone like flashes of lightning,
where the great men of old came to testify and “hold converse high” and where God confirmed again, “This is my Son”.
And once Jesus gets to the mount of transfiguration, it’s all downhill from there. Downhill to Jerusalem, to arrest, to suffering, to the cross, to death.
The Transfiguration of our Lord is an important event.
Transfiguration Sunday puts us, liturgically speaking, halfway between Christmas and Good Friday. Here we are at the mountaintop, so to speak. And after this, it’s all down hill to Jerusalem, and to the other hill where Jesus would be crucified.
The mountains are in the background today, as Moses stood on Mt. Sinai to receive God’s law, and on Mt. Nebo to view the promised land. Elijah’s great competition with the prophets of Baal took place on a mountain (Carmel), and he too heard God’s voice on Mt. Sianai (Horeb). Now, both great men of old appear on the mountain again, this time with Jesus Christ in glorified form, once again to hear the voice of the Lord.
Glory. That’s another important idea today. We sinners, who so like to glorify ourselves, we wouldn’t mind being the center of all things. That’s what we do when we put ourselves before the Lord and before others. We imagine our own little mountain with ourselves as “king of the hill”. As if it’s all about me and my wants and my great qualities, and my glorious glory. What a sham. What a farce. We sinners are the furthest thing from God’s holiness. We deserve a pit, not a mountain.
But God glories in dealing with us sinners, according to his mercy in Christ. Just as Peter and the others, fools that they were, sinful men in the presence of glory – so too we find our pitiful selves at the top of the mountain today. And just as Jesus didn’t zap Peter for even being there, but had purposefully brought him to see such glory, so too Jesus’ glory is made know to us and for us today.
The Transfiguration account appears in 3 of the 4 gospels. And while Mark and Matthew don’t disagree with Luke, our reading today adds a few extra details. One of those is the content of the conversation Jesus had with Moses and Elijah. He was talking about his departure. Literally, his “going out”.
The Greek word for “going out” is actually “exodus”. It seems appropriate, then, to have both Moses and Elijah there with him on the mount. Each o them knew something about “exodus”.
Moses lived through THE Exodus. When God’s people got to “go out” of Egypt, “in a blaze of glory”. Well, more water than fire, actually, as “Israel’s host triumphant go, through the wave that drowned the foe”. Moses led the people to the promised land… out of bondage, and into glory, so to speak.
But Moses himself was not allowed to set foot inside the boundaries of that land – until he meets Jesus here on the mount.
Elijah knew something about going out in a blaze of glory too. His departure from this world was unique in all of history, as God sent a fiery chariot down to take Elijah heavenward. Elijah’s “exodus” was perhaps one of the most spectacular of all time. But it was surely less impressive than standing in the presence of the transfigured Christ himself.
Jesus’ own departure was at hand. He had an exodus to face, and it would not be in a blaze of glory. It would be in the shame of a cross. Christ, here glorified on the Transfiguration Mountaintop would soon face ultimate humiliation on the Hill of Calvary. He who shined and flashed like lightning itself would soon see the very sun darkened as he faced his last hours.
And yet in the humility of the cross, we see God’s true glory. His power which is made perfect in weakness. His justice meets his mercy. Life won by death. There as Jesus “goes out”, he brings us in to his Father’s arms. Exiled sinners bound to be cast out of his presence become sons and daughters, and are given a place in the Father’s house. His “exodus” from life is our “exodus” from sin, and our entrance into eternal bliss.
What will be your exodus? How will you go out from this world? While most of us would like to die peacefully in our sleep, some wouldn’t mind “going out in a blaze of glory”. Perhaps it’s best that we don’t get to choose how and when we go. But it’s not as important how or when we go as where and to whom. We’re going out from this vale of tears, into the arms of our Savior. We’re going out from this poor reflection, as in a mirror, to see our Lord face to face. We’re going to the heavenly Jerusalem, where God will wipe every tear from our eyes. That’s the promised land that makes our exodus a joyful one, no matter when and where and how it happens.
The Transfiguration of our Lord, Jesus Christ, is a powerful witness to those three disciples, and to all of us, about who Jesus is, and what he’s come to do. If we “Listen to Him” as the voice of the Father commands, we will hear great and good news. Listen to him speak with Moses and Elijah about his departure, which makes our departure so different. Listen to him as he goes to Jerusalem for that final blaze of glory in the shame of the cross.
Listen to him as he gives his own body and blood with simple bread and wine. Listen to those words – “for the forgiveness of your sins”. Those words spoken long ago but still echoing with the same power and authority. Listen to him. And then, make your exodus from this place, from his house, from his presence. Go forth in peace knowing that your sins truly are forgiven in Jesus Christ.
Transfiguration
Luke 9:28-36
“Going Out in a Blaze of Glory”
“Going out in a blaze of glory”. What do you think of when you hear that phrase? A race car driver, crashing his car on the final lap? A soldier, charging into the fight, shouting his battle-cry? An astronaut whose rocket explodes shortly after lift-off? Maybe you think of Elijah or Moses, or even Jesus! Maybe, or maybe not.
Today is Transfiguration Day. It is the climax of the Epiphany season – the season of revealing light – in which the spotlight has been shining on the babe of Bethlehem, and our readings have been shedding light on just who this God-man Jesus Christ really is.
From his Baptism, when God declared, “This is my son”
to the visit of the wise men who confessed him as king,
to the wedding at Cana where he showed his power as the true bridegroom, to the many healings and miracles that were signs of his power….
All this leads up to his transfiguration,
up to the mountain where his glory shone like flashes of lightning,
where the great men of old came to testify and “hold converse high” and where God confirmed again, “This is my Son”.
And once Jesus gets to the mount of transfiguration, it’s all downhill from there. Downhill to Jerusalem, to arrest, to suffering, to the cross, to death.
The Transfiguration of our Lord is an important event.
Transfiguration Sunday puts us, liturgically speaking, halfway between Christmas and Good Friday. Here we are at the mountaintop, so to speak. And after this, it’s all down hill to Jerusalem, and to the other hill where Jesus would be crucified.
The mountains are in the background today, as Moses stood on Mt. Sinai to receive God’s law, and on Mt. Nebo to view the promised land. Elijah’s great competition with the prophets of Baal took place on a mountain (Carmel), and he too heard God’s voice on Mt. Sianai (Horeb). Now, both great men of old appear on the mountain again, this time with Jesus Christ in glorified form, once again to hear the voice of the Lord.
Glory. That’s another important idea today. We sinners, who so like to glorify ourselves, we wouldn’t mind being the center of all things. That’s what we do when we put ourselves before the Lord and before others. We imagine our own little mountain with ourselves as “king of the hill”. As if it’s all about me and my wants and my great qualities, and my glorious glory. What a sham. What a farce. We sinners are the furthest thing from God’s holiness. We deserve a pit, not a mountain.
But God glories in dealing with us sinners, according to his mercy in Christ. Just as Peter and the others, fools that they were, sinful men in the presence of glory – so too we find our pitiful selves at the top of the mountain today. And just as Jesus didn’t zap Peter for even being there, but had purposefully brought him to see such glory, so too Jesus’ glory is made know to us and for us today.
The Transfiguration account appears in 3 of the 4 gospels. And while Mark and Matthew don’t disagree with Luke, our reading today adds a few extra details. One of those is the content of the conversation Jesus had with Moses and Elijah. He was talking about his departure. Literally, his “going out”.
The Greek word for “going out” is actually “exodus”. It seems appropriate, then, to have both Moses and Elijah there with him on the mount. Each o them knew something about “exodus”.
Moses lived through THE Exodus. When God’s people got to “go out” of Egypt, “in a blaze of glory”. Well, more water than fire, actually, as “Israel’s host triumphant go, through the wave that drowned the foe”. Moses led the people to the promised land… out of bondage, and into glory, so to speak.
But Moses himself was not allowed to set foot inside the boundaries of that land – until he meets Jesus here on the mount.
Elijah knew something about going out in a blaze of glory too. His departure from this world was unique in all of history, as God sent a fiery chariot down to take Elijah heavenward. Elijah’s “exodus” was perhaps one of the most spectacular of all time. But it was surely less impressive than standing in the presence of the transfigured Christ himself.
Jesus’ own departure was at hand. He had an exodus to face, and it would not be in a blaze of glory. It would be in the shame of a cross. Christ, here glorified on the Transfiguration Mountaintop would soon face ultimate humiliation on the Hill of Calvary. He who shined and flashed like lightning itself would soon see the very sun darkened as he faced his last hours.
And yet in the humility of the cross, we see God’s true glory. His power which is made perfect in weakness. His justice meets his mercy. Life won by death. There as Jesus “goes out”, he brings us in to his Father’s arms. Exiled sinners bound to be cast out of his presence become sons and daughters, and are given a place in the Father’s house. His “exodus” from life is our “exodus” from sin, and our entrance into eternal bliss.
What will be your exodus? How will you go out from this world? While most of us would like to die peacefully in our sleep, some wouldn’t mind “going out in a blaze of glory”. Perhaps it’s best that we don’t get to choose how and when we go. But it’s not as important how or when we go as where and to whom. We’re going out from this vale of tears, into the arms of our Savior. We’re going out from this poor reflection, as in a mirror, to see our Lord face to face. We’re going to the heavenly Jerusalem, where God will wipe every tear from our eyes. That’s the promised land that makes our exodus a joyful one, no matter when and where and how it happens.
The Transfiguration of our Lord, Jesus Christ, is a powerful witness to those three disciples, and to all of us, about who Jesus is, and what he’s come to do. If we “Listen to Him” as the voice of the Father commands, we will hear great and good news. Listen to him speak with Moses and Elijah about his departure, which makes our departure so different. Listen to him as he goes to Jerusalem for that final blaze of glory in the shame of the cross.
Listen to him as he gives his own body and blood with simple bread and wine. Listen to those words – “for the forgiveness of your sins”. Those words spoken long ago but still echoing with the same power and authority. Listen to him. And then, make your exodus from this place, from his house, from his presence. Go forth in peace knowing that your sins truly are forgiven in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Transfiguration Ruminations
I was thinking today, that the Transfiguration (according to Luke's account) is in a way, the "anti-Gethsemane" event. Notice the similarities/contrasts:
1. Peter, James and John go with Jesus
2. They are sleepy
3. Jesus is praying
4. At the Transfiguration: light like crazy. At Gethsemane: "the hour of the power of darkness"
5. The 2 ancient messengers of God (Moses and Elijah) converse with Jesus, while in Gethsemane, angelic messengers minister to him.
6. In both cases, Jesus is specifically concerned with the events of Good Friday - "his departure" and "this cup"
7. At the Mt. the Father speaks. In the Garden, Jesus specifically adresses the Father.
Am I on to something here?
1. Peter, James and John go with Jesus
2. They are sleepy
3. Jesus is praying
4. At the Transfiguration: light like crazy. At Gethsemane: "the hour of the power of darkness"
5. The 2 ancient messengers of God (Moses and Elijah) converse with Jesus, while in Gethsemane, angelic messengers minister to him.
6. In both cases, Jesus is specifically concerned with the events of Good Friday - "his departure" and "this cup"
7. At the Mt. the Father speaks. In the Garden, Jesus specifically adresses the Father.
Am I on to something here?
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Temple was Where?
Fellow Racine resident Texas Hold'em Blogger points out an interesting story about the archaeology of Solomon's Temple:
___
This is interesting, especially if you are into End Times prophecy.
An Israeli professor believes he has found the actual location of Solomon’s temple and it isn’t where tradition has it: where the current Dome of the Rock stands.
Using maps created in 1866 by a British explorer and passages from the Jewish Mishnah, an Israeli archaeologist and professor at Hebrew University says he has pinpointed the location of the sacred Jewish Temple, twice built and twice destroyed in ancient times.
While popular consensus places the Temple, built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. and rebuilt by Jews who returned from Babylon in the 5th century B.C., on the site of the present Muslim Dome of the Rock, Prof. Joseph Patrich says archaeological remains show its exact location – and the consensus is wrong.
According to Patrich, the Temple, its corresponding courtyards, chambers and gates were oriented in a more southeasterly direction, sitting diagonally on what is the modern Temple Mount. The difference in orientation and the placement further eastward varies from the east-facing orientation of other scholars who believe the Temple was closer to today’s Western Wall.
Many Christians believe that the Temple must be rebuilt before the Second Coming of Christ.
Here is some information on the building of the Third Temple. The Temple Institute is a group dedicated to the rebuilding of the Temple. The Institute’s webpage is an interesting look at Jewish tradition and the group’s preparation for the day the Temple is rebuilt.
___
Of course we Lutherans know the True Temple was rebuilt on Easter Sunday (just as He promised). And therefore, while historically of interest, it doesn't really matter where the bricks-and-mortar temple is or was.
___
This is interesting, especially if you are into End Times prophecy.
An Israeli professor believes he has found the actual location of Solomon’s temple and it isn’t where tradition has it: where the current Dome of the Rock stands.
Using maps created in 1866 by a British explorer and passages from the Jewish Mishnah, an Israeli archaeologist and professor at Hebrew University says he has pinpointed the location of the sacred Jewish Temple, twice built and twice destroyed in ancient times.
While popular consensus places the Temple, built by King Solomon in the 10th century B.C. and rebuilt by Jews who returned from Babylon in the 5th century B.C., on the site of the present Muslim Dome of the Rock, Prof. Joseph Patrich says archaeological remains show its exact location – and the consensus is wrong.
According to Patrich, the Temple, its corresponding courtyards, chambers and gates were oriented in a more southeasterly direction, sitting diagonally on what is the modern Temple Mount. The difference in orientation and the placement further eastward varies from the east-facing orientation of other scholars who believe the Temple was closer to today’s Western Wall.
Many Christians believe that the Temple must be rebuilt before the Second Coming of Christ.
Here is some information on the building of the Third Temple. The Temple Institute is a group dedicated to the rebuilding of the Temple. The Institute’s webpage is an interesting look at Jewish tradition and the group’s preparation for the day the Temple is rebuilt.
___
Of course we Lutherans know the True Temple was rebuilt on Easter Sunday (just as He promised). And therefore, while historically of interest, it doesn't really matter where the bricks-and-mortar temple is or was.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
False Alternatives in the LCMS
I heard about a bunch of LCMS students the other day discussing some terms which have become common lingo in certain quarters of our synod. The phrases are "Mission Outpost" and "Maintenance Station".
I don't know where these terms come from, but they are embraced by many in the LCMS today even though they present a false alternative. The idea is this - that every church should think of itself as less a "Maintenance Station" and more of a "Mission Outpost". That "Maintenance Stations" are dead, cold, boring, dying, stodgy, traditional types of congregations, while "Mission Outposts" are growing, thriving, innovative, contemporary, responsive, loving, and just about every other complimentary adjective to boot.
At one of our pastors' circuit meetings last year we were asked to rate our own congregations on a "scale of one to ten", with "Maintenance Station" being 1, of course, and "Mission Outpost" being 10. Subtle, huh?
My problem is not with the terms, per se, but with the false alternative they present. It's a simple flaw of logic that a congregation can't be concerned both about "maintaining" and also about "mission". In fact it works best, I believe, when a congregation does BOTH. When they are concerned about BOTH.
I contend that a church CANNOT be a "mission outpost" WITHOUT being also a "maintenance station". The two are inseparable. If we don't "maintain" (our own members, the Gospel, our doctrine), then what are we offering when we "do missions"? If we only seek to "maintain" (well, I don't know of any congregation that purposely eschews missions), then how are we actually being faithful to the Christ who calls us to share the Gospel?
A very similar false alternative is suggested by a certain group who dubs some in the LCMS as "missionaries" and some as "guardians" (though if I recall, that distinction was a little kinder to the "guardians").
Other dubious terms are the phrases, "mission-minded" or "having a heart for mission". I find this kind of thing is often used to contrast some who think of themselves as "more mission-minded than that other guy".
I think the best term to encompass all of this - maintenance and mission, guarding and reaching out, mission-mindedness and doctrinally-sound - the best term is simply "faithful". Is your church faithful? Is your pastor faithful? If they are, and if he is, everything else falls into place.
Of course none of us is perfectly faithful. Yet we live under the Gospel. But I think you get my drift here.
I don't know where these terms come from, but they are embraced by many in the LCMS today even though they present a false alternative. The idea is this - that every church should think of itself as less a "Maintenance Station" and more of a "Mission Outpost". That "Maintenance Stations" are dead, cold, boring, dying, stodgy, traditional types of congregations, while "Mission Outposts" are growing, thriving, innovative, contemporary, responsive, loving, and just about every other complimentary adjective to boot.
At one of our pastors' circuit meetings last year we were asked to rate our own congregations on a "scale of one to ten", with "Maintenance Station" being 1, of course, and "Mission Outpost" being 10. Subtle, huh?
My problem is not with the terms, per se, but with the false alternative they present. It's a simple flaw of logic that a congregation can't be concerned both about "maintaining" and also about "mission". In fact it works best, I believe, when a congregation does BOTH. When they are concerned about BOTH.
I contend that a church CANNOT be a "mission outpost" WITHOUT being also a "maintenance station". The two are inseparable. If we don't "maintain" (our own members, the Gospel, our doctrine), then what are we offering when we "do missions"? If we only seek to "maintain" (well, I don't know of any congregation that purposely eschews missions), then how are we actually being faithful to the Christ who calls us to share the Gospel?
A very similar false alternative is suggested by a certain group who dubs some in the LCMS as "missionaries" and some as "guardians" (though if I recall, that distinction was a little kinder to the "guardians").
Other dubious terms are the phrases, "mission-minded" or "having a heart for mission". I find this kind of thing is often used to contrast some who think of themselves as "more mission-minded than that other guy".
I think the best term to encompass all of this - maintenance and mission, guarding and reaching out, mission-mindedness and doctrinally-sound - the best term is simply "faithful". Is your church faithful? Is your pastor faithful? If they are, and if he is, everything else falls into place.
Of course none of us is perfectly faithful. Yet we live under the Gospel. But I think you get my drift here.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
"Preaching is an Assault"
At Christ Lutheran Acadamey's 2007 Pre-Lenten Retreat, the keynote speaker was Pastor Peter Berg. His paper was very helpful - some good ruminations on Lutheran preaching. For a teaser, here were his section headings:
- Preaching is not a Bible Class; It's an Assault
- It's all about Jesus, Stupid!
- In Spite of what the Defectors are saying, the Law/Gospel Nexus Must be Maintained
- Don't Be Afraid to Say, 'You'
- It's No Laughing Matter
- Children, Don't Try This at Home
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Dungy Superbowl Comments
Tony Dungy, coach of the Super Bowl winning Colts, during the post-game ceremonies, was asked about the "social significance" of his winning today.
Understanding the question, he said he was proud to represent African Americans, and that it was a great day for America. But then he said, that for him and for Lovie Smith (his counterpart) that it was "more significant" that they were both Christian coaches.
Good show, Tony.
Understanding the question, he said he was proud to represent African Americans, and that it was a great day for America. But then he said, that for him and for Lovie Smith (his counterpart) that it was "more significant" that they were both Christian coaches.
Good show, Tony.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Good News for Packers Fans
Brett Farve has seen his shadow, and thus will play at least one more season. And there was much rejoicing in cheeseland.Amen.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
"Err on the side of the Gospel"
Permit me some more "cliche' busting" (as Petersen called it)....
We often hear in Lutheran circles that people should "err on the side of the Gospel". A couple of things are troubling about this little aphorism.
People often mispronounce the word "err". It isn't really supposed to sound like "air" but instead like, "ur".
But here's my main point:
I believe this soundbyte is used, quite often, as a smokescreen for anti-nomianism. When someone says "err on the side of the Gospel", they are often simply trying to minimize the Law.
Whether this is because we are uncomfortable applying the Law in today's ever-more-"tolerant" world, or because we are uncomfortable being accused by the Law ourselves.... either way, when we minimize the Law, the Gospel also loses.
Perhaps a better approach than "Err on the side of the Gospel" is, "Don't Err."
In other words, keep the Law and the Gospel in proper balance and distinction. Use the Law when it is needed and called for. Use the Gospel appropriately too.
Will we still err? Sure. Is there a proper way to understand "erring on the side of the Gospel"? I'm not so sure. I suppose it's better than "erring on the side of the Law". But our goal should never be to err, but to apply God's Word rightly in all cases.
We often hear in Lutheran circles that people should "err on the side of the Gospel". A couple of things are troubling about this little aphorism.
People often mispronounce the word "err". It isn't really supposed to sound like "air" but instead like, "ur".
But here's my main point:
I believe this soundbyte is used, quite often, as a smokescreen for anti-nomianism. When someone says "err on the side of the Gospel", they are often simply trying to minimize the Law.
Whether this is because we are uncomfortable applying the Law in today's ever-more-"tolerant" world, or because we are uncomfortable being accused by the Law ourselves.... either way, when we minimize the Law, the Gospel also loses.
Perhaps a better approach than "Err on the side of the Gospel" is, "Don't Err."
In other words, keep the Law and the Gospel in proper balance and distinction. Use the Law when it is needed and called for. Use the Gospel appropriately too.
Will we still err? Sure. Is there a proper way to understand "erring on the side of the Gospel"? I'm not so sure. I suppose it's better than "erring on the side of the Law". But our goal should never be to err, but to apply God's Word rightly in all cases.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Sermon - Epiphany 2 - John 2:1-11
Sermon
Epiphany 2
John 2:1-11
“Whatever the Bridegroom Says”
Ever see one of those blooper shows with a segment on wedding disasters? The bride faints, the wedding pavilion collapses, somebody has a wardrobe malfunction… why do people find wedding mishaps so funny? Perhaps because a wedding is a big deal. It’s an important social occasion, and we want everything to be “just right”. I’m sure it was the same in Jesus’ day…
The Wedding at Cana. Jesus goes to this celebration (which could last for days) and in the course of the partying, they run out of wine. The bridegroom was responsible for treating his guests well. For a failure of hospitality such as this – it would have meant a major embarrassment and loss of face. Social disaster was looming, and Jesus comes to the rescue.
In this Epiphany season, one of the themes we will see over and over again is the unveiling of who Jesus is. From his baptism, where God declares, “you are my Son” to the mount of Transfiguration, where we also hear “This is my son…” and all in-between. The question looming in the background: “Who is Jesus?” It’s more than a short answer. Here at Cana we get a glimpse of Jesus through his first miracle – or as John calls it, a “sign”. Here Jesus, by turning water into wine, “manifested his glory”. He gave a hint of who he truly is.
The true bridegroom in the story is not the man who got married that day, but Jesus himself. His first sign is given in the context of celebration – and why not? For he, the bridegroom, has come to his bride, that is, to his people. Throughout the Old Testament, God is described as a husband to his people (though they are often unfaithful). Jesus fulfills such metaphors, as he becomes the true bridegroom. Even in the last chapters of Revelation, we see the church in her glory depicted as a bride – the wife of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Likewise, there is more to the story here as we see sacramental overtones. What Lutheran could miss the fact that both water and wine are central to the story. That water came from jars for ceremonial washing (another word for that is “baptism”). And the wine – wine that the savior provides is always a blessing to his people – much like the wine that he gives as his very blood for the forgiveness of our sins in Holy Communion.
And there’s also a hint of the end times here. When Christ returns at the end of time, then will be the great consummation. Then will be the “marriage feast of the Lamb in his kingdom, which shall have no end.” But there in Cana, Jesus was announcing the beginning, the ushering in of that kingdom. Even now we live in the “end times” and continually celebrate the wedding – even as we look forward to that final celebration in its heavenly fulfillment.
But like most of John’s Gospel, this passage is almost inexhaustible in the rich fabric of its meaning. There is much more than we can absorb in one sitting, or certainly, in one sermon. So let’s concentrate on just a part of it.
As someone who deals with words “for a living”, I am constantly thinking about and noticing
how different words are used. Sometimes, it’s the little words that make all the difference. “You could earn up to $10,000 as month!” (did you catch those two little words, “up to”?). “Qualified buyers pay no interest for 2 years” (“qualified?”). Words, even the little words, matter and mean things. Especially when it comes to God’s Word.
Whenever we read from Scripture, we must pay attention to the words. Sometimes it’s the mundane words which grab our attention – and pack a punch with meaning. Take the words of Mary in the reading, “Do whatever he tells you.” Whatever. Now there’s a word.
Today we use the word “whatever” in so many fun ways. It can be a way to end an argument, “Whatever!”. It can mean you don’t really care about something, “Whatever”. It can even be used in a question, “whatever did I do with my car keys?” It can be an all-encompassing catch-all word.
Mary used the word “whatever” to express her faith. When they ran out of wine, and disaster was looming, Mary knew Jesus could help. She knew enough about her Son to know he was someone special. She knew what the angel had told her. She had been pondering the events of his birth – what the shepherds said about the angel choirs – the unusual visit from the wealthy and generous wise men. Mary had seen Jesus grow in wisdom and stature before God and man. But did Mary expect a miracle here? Or did she simply think Jesus would smooth over the embarrassment with some wise social counsel? Who knows. But what seems clear is that Mary knew Jesus could do something to help. And she trusted him. “Do whatever he tells you” is a confession of faith.
And it’s also good advice for us today. “Do whatever he tells you”
If we do “whatever” he says, what is that?
Well first it means we need to listen to what he says. Read, study, listen, learn. Come to God’s house and hear his word proclaimed and explained. Jesus is still speaking today.
In one sense, if we do whatever he says, we would be without sin. Don’t think for a minute Jesus came to do away with God’s law: “Whatever!” No, he actually raises the bar on what is expected of us. “You’ve heard it said ‘do not murder’ but I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22)
But instead, we tend to do “whatever” we want. Whatever we think is best, whatever is easiest, whatever makes us feel good, whatever…. “whatever” gets us into trouble. Whatever will we do?
Whatever he says. Because Jesus doesn’t only tell us not to sin. He also knows we need saving from it. So his words are also words of grace and mercy. “whoever is thirsty, let him come…” Jesus says, and not just to drink the best wine at the wedding. Jesus gives, “the free gift of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17).
Doing whatever Jesus says means - believing in him. Trusting him to save us from whatever sins we have done, and whatever guilt and shame we’re carrying around. Doing whatever he says means receiving the free gifts he offers – forgiveness, life and salvation – found in the water, and in with and under the bread and wine. Doing whatever he says really means doing nothing whatsoever, but letting him do whatever needs to be done for our salvation.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed that his cup of suffering would pass, but yet, that God’s will would be done. In other words, “Whatever you will, O Lord”. But it was God’s will that Jesus would suffer, that Jesus would die, and that Jesus would bear the punishment for whatever sins we have committed. Whatever you have done – whatever you have failed to do – whatever you’ve thought or said – whoever you’ve hurt – however you’ve failed – whenever you’ve done it – WHATEVER – Jesus takes it all to the cross. And all that sin is gone.
The bridegroom did whatever he had to – and it was a big whatever – to win the bride. “With his own blood he bought her and for her life he died”. For OUR life, he died, and for our resurrection, he arose. And for our eternal rest he prepares a place for us.
And so the Christian lives with a different “whatever” than the world. I like the way Paul says it, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
May we do the same, as we wait for the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, and in faith, as we seek to do, “whatever he says”. In his Name. Amen.
Epiphany 2
John 2:1-11
“Whatever the Bridegroom Says”
Ever see one of those blooper shows with a segment on wedding disasters? The bride faints, the wedding pavilion collapses, somebody has a wardrobe malfunction… why do people find wedding mishaps so funny? Perhaps because a wedding is a big deal. It’s an important social occasion, and we want everything to be “just right”. I’m sure it was the same in Jesus’ day…
The Wedding at Cana. Jesus goes to this celebration (which could last for days) and in the course of the partying, they run out of wine. The bridegroom was responsible for treating his guests well. For a failure of hospitality such as this – it would have meant a major embarrassment and loss of face. Social disaster was looming, and Jesus comes to the rescue.In this Epiphany season, one of the themes we will see over and over again is the unveiling of who Jesus is. From his baptism, where God declares, “you are my Son” to the mount of Transfiguration, where we also hear “This is my son…” and all in-between. The question looming in the background: “Who is Jesus?” It’s more than a short answer. Here at Cana we get a glimpse of Jesus through his first miracle – or as John calls it, a “sign”. Here Jesus, by turning water into wine, “manifested his glory”. He gave a hint of who he truly is.
The true bridegroom in the story is not the man who got married that day, but Jesus himself. His first sign is given in the context of celebration – and why not? For he, the bridegroom, has come to his bride, that is, to his people. Throughout the Old Testament, God is described as a husband to his people (though they are often unfaithful). Jesus fulfills such metaphors, as he becomes the true bridegroom. Even in the last chapters of Revelation, we see the church in her glory depicted as a bride – the wife of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Likewise, there is more to the story here as we see sacramental overtones. What Lutheran could miss the fact that both water and wine are central to the story. That water came from jars for ceremonial washing (another word for that is “baptism”). And the wine – wine that the savior provides is always a blessing to his people – much like the wine that he gives as his very blood for the forgiveness of our sins in Holy Communion.
And there’s also a hint of the end times here. When Christ returns at the end of time, then will be the great consummation. Then will be the “marriage feast of the Lamb in his kingdom, which shall have no end.” But there in Cana, Jesus was announcing the beginning, the ushering in of that kingdom. Even now we live in the “end times” and continually celebrate the wedding – even as we look forward to that final celebration in its heavenly fulfillment.
But like most of John’s Gospel, this passage is almost inexhaustible in the rich fabric of its meaning. There is much more than we can absorb in one sitting, or certainly, in one sermon. So let’s concentrate on just a part of it.
As someone who deals with words “for a living”, I am constantly thinking about and noticing
how different words are used. Sometimes, it’s the little words that make all the difference. “You could earn up to $10,000 as month!” (did you catch those two little words, “up to”?). “Qualified buyers pay no interest for 2 years” (“qualified?”). Words, even the little words, matter and mean things. Especially when it comes to God’s Word.Whenever we read from Scripture, we must pay attention to the words. Sometimes it’s the mundane words which grab our attention – and pack a punch with meaning. Take the words of Mary in the reading, “Do whatever he tells you.” Whatever. Now there’s a word.
Today we use the word “whatever” in so many fun ways. It can be a way to end an argument, “Whatever!”. It can mean you don’t really care about something, “Whatever”. It can even be used in a question, “whatever did I do with my car keys?” It can be an all-encompassing catch-all word.
Mary used the word “whatever” to express her faith. When they ran out of wine, and disaster was looming, Mary knew Jesus could help. She knew enough about her Son to know he was someone special. She knew what the angel had told her. She had been pondering the events of his birth – what the shepherds said about the angel choirs – the unusual visit from the wealthy and generous wise men. Mary had seen Jesus grow in wisdom and stature before God and man. But did Mary expect a miracle here? Or did she simply think Jesus would smooth over the embarrassment with some wise social counsel? Who knows. But what seems clear is that Mary knew Jesus could do something to help. And she trusted him. “Do whatever he tells you” is a confession of faith.
And it’s also good advice for us today. “Do whatever he tells you”
If we do “whatever” he says, what is that?
Well first it means we need to listen to what he says. Read, study, listen, learn. Come to God’s house and hear his word proclaimed and explained. Jesus is still speaking today.
In one sense, if we do whatever he says, we would be without sin. Don’t think for a minute Jesus came to do away with God’s law: “Whatever!” No, he actually raises the bar on what is expected of us. “You’ve heard it said ‘do not murder’ but I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22)But instead, we tend to do “whatever” we want. Whatever we think is best, whatever is easiest, whatever makes us feel good, whatever…. “whatever” gets us into trouble. Whatever will we do?
Whatever he says. Because Jesus doesn’t only tell us not to sin. He also knows we need saving from it. So his words are also words of grace and mercy. “whoever is thirsty, let him come…” Jesus says, and not just to drink the best wine at the wedding. Jesus gives, “the free gift of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17).
Doing whatever Jesus says means - believing in him. Trusting him to save us from whatever sins we have done, and whatever guilt and shame we’re carrying around. Doing whatever he says means receiving the free gifts he offers – forgiveness, life and salvation – found in the water, and in with and under the bread and wine. Doing whatever he says really means doing nothing whatsoever, but letting him do whatever needs to be done for our salvation.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed that his cup of suffering would pass, but yet, that God’s will would be done. In other words, “Whatever you will, O Lord”. But it was God’s will that Jesus would suffer, that Jesus would die, and that Jesus would bear the punishment for whatever sins we have committed. Whatever you have done – whatever you have failed to do – whatever you’ve thought or said – whoever you’ve hurt – however you’ve failed – whenever you’ve done it – WHATEVER – Jesus takes it all to the cross. And all that sin is gone.
The bridegroom did whatever he had to – and it was a big whatever – to win the bride. “With his own blood he bought her and for her life he died”. For OUR life, he died, and for our resurrection, he arose. And for our eternal rest he prepares a place for us.
And so the Christian lives with a different “whatever” than the world. I like the way Paul says it, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
May we do the same, as we wait for the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, and in faith, as we seek to do, “whatever he says”. In his Name. Amen.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Sermon - The Baptism of Our Lord - Luke 3:15-22
Sermon
The Baptism of Our Lord
January 7th, 2006
Luke 3:15-22
“Baptismal Identity”
Permit me a brief personal note as I thank all of you who were so generous and expressed warm wishes at the birth of our third daughter just before Christmas. These few weeks have been memorable as we’ve welcomed a new baby, a new year, and today as we begin using a new hymnal. I pray that we will all find the adjustment bearable, and that these new resources will be a blessing to our life together here at Grace.
With all this “newness” in the air, I find it striking that our readings for today point us to the theology of Holy Baptism. Baptism goes well with new-ness. In baptism God does something new, or makes someone new…
Indeed, today we observe the minor festival, “The Baptism of Our Lord”. We mark Jesus’ arrival at the Jordan River, his baptism there by John, the opening of the heavens, the Spirit’s descent and the approving voice of the Father, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
Our Old Testament reading also reminds us of Holy Baptism, as there the Lord speaks through the prophet, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” When else, but in Holy Baptism, does God redeem us so personally – even calling us by name – and making us his own?
And even our Epistle from Romans 6 is a fascinating discourse on Baptism – here seen as participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. We are “dead to sin” and “alive in Christ.”
Yes, there are many ways we could approach and appreciate God’s gift of Holy Baptism. Today, however, a focus on this aspect of the sacrament, “Baptismal Identity”. That is, asking the question, “Who are we? Who am I?” through the lens of this precious gift of God.
Perhaps first it is worth asking who we are apart from God. Who am I, if I stand on my own? Who am I, just me, alone in the universe? I don’t mean the outward characteristics of height, weight and shoe size. I mean who am I by nature? What is my essence?
The world might tell me I am a pretty good guy, essentially. If you caught the Rose Bowl parade, the theme song they ended the parade emphasized, “our good nature”. And many believe just that, that we humans are basically good-natured. That criminals and wrongdoers are anomalies or accidents of society. But if everyone is true to themselves, true to their nature, if everyone just follows their heart – then our world would really be some sort of utopia.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Our identity, our nature, is not so good. No matter what we think of ourselves, we know what the truth is because God tells us so in his word. And that truth may hurt. But we confess it nonetheless. We are by nature sinful and unclean. We are born into sin. In sin did my mother conceive me. There is no one that does good, not one. And on and on… Scripture leaves no doubt about who we are – it tells us quite clearly our identity. Whatever our appearance, our family name, our station and lot in life – we share the same identity – sinner. Sons and daughters of Adam – fruit of the poisoned tree.
And this is more than just a mere acknowledgment that, “O well, nobody’s perfect”. Our sinful nature, our evil identity, means that we are enemies of God. We are on the very wrong side. We deserve his wrath and punishment. We deserve to be exiled from paradise, from life itself, and from God for eternity. Not just because of what we do, but because of who we are! It might not seem fair, but God does hold us responsible even for the sinfulness we are born into, as well as those wrong things we actually see ourselves doing. We all fall under the curse of our forefather Adam. We are a part of him and his sin lives within us. And it deserves punishment. That’s just who we are.
Of course, this is all without Christ. Without Jesus, we are the helpless and the hopeless. But in Christ we receive a new identity. And it’s based in his own identity. That identity of his which comes into focus so clearly at his baptism.
Jesus’ baptism is a pivotal event in his work for us. It is the beginning of his public ministry – those 3 years of preaching and healing and miracle-working. But it’s more than that. Here God declares Jesus’ identity – he says who he is, “You are my beloved Son” and describes what that means, “with you I am well pleased”.
Ok, all well and good. But the burning question Christians often ask is this, “If Jesus is sinless, why is he getting baptized? Isn’t baptism supposed to wash away our sins? What does Jesus need THAT for if he’s sinless?”
John the Baptist must have wondered the same when he objected, “you should be baptizing me instead!” But Jesus answered, “let it be so now” (as in, just this once) “in order to fulfill all righteousness”. See, Jesus’ baptism was part of his work as Savior. And by this event, he shows both his own identity as God’s beloved Son, but he also identifies with sinners – in order to save sinners.
Jesus came to be one of us, born as a human. But he also came to be the one who would stand for all of us – who would take all our sins on himself – who would pay our price at the cross – and who still represents us all before God. At his baptism, Jesus publicly takes on that role as the one who stands for all.
It’s how he fulfills all righteousness. First he fulfills the law of God perfectly for us. One of us - but better than us. Then he fulfills the plan of God by becoming the sacrifice for our sin. One of us - for all of us. He’s Son of God and the Savior of the World. It’s his baptismal identity.
His baptismal identity finds ultimate fulfillment at the cross. In Luke 12, Jesus says, “I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” Here Jesus doesn’t mean his baptism in the Jordan with water, but his baptism on the cross – bathed in the wrath of God.
There God truly does something new. There all other baptismal fonts find their source. There Jesus cleansed the world of sin, washing it all way in his blood. There water came from Christ’s own pierced side – water which points to the water of our baptism – water which brings us under the cross. Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan was the first step, in a way, toward his baptism on Calvary – both baptisms not for his sin but for ours.
Finally, in the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, we see indications of our own baptismal identity. For the elements of this account apply to us, in our baptism.
Heaven is opened to us, in our baptism. The Holy Spirit descends on us, in our baptism. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are active and present, in our baptism. And in our baptism, God accepts and declares, “you are my son, you are my daughter, with you I am well-pleased”.
Our old sinful identity gives way to our new baptismal identity. We are new creations in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come. No longer dead, but alive. No longer enemies of God, but dear children. No longer hell-bound but heaven-bound. No longer slaves to sin, but set free. Baptism changes everything. Jesus Christ changes everything. He takes who we were and makes us who we are. He who was baptized for us, died and rose for us, and lives and reigns to all eternity for us… Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Lutheran Ladies
Lutheran Survivor is back for the New Year... and, of course... Ladies First!
Vote for which Lutheran Actress is escorted off the island first... over at Lutheran Survivor
Vote for which Lutheran Actress is escorted off the island first... over at Lutheran Survivor
Friday, December 29, 2006
Sermon - Advent 4 - Micah 5:2-5a
Advent 4
December 24, 2006
Micah 5:2-5a
“Oh Bethlehem”
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie…
Bethlehem, in the region of Ephratha. From you will come forth a ruler over all Israel, with ancient origins. A strong and good shepherd who will bring security and peace. You, the little town of Bethlehem.
You, oh Bethlehem, whose name means, “House of Bread”. From you will come the One who will feed his people with everlasting spiritual bread – mana from Heaven. He, who will also give his own body in the bread of a Holy Sacrament.
You, Oh Bethlehem, the little town where David was born. Little David the shepherd boy, who became great King David, ruler of Israel in its heyday. From you, Oh Bethlehem, will come the Son of David, the shoot from the stump of Jesse. And David’s Son will be David’s Lord.
They will welcome him with shouts and palm branches and fanfare as a king, when he comes to Jerusalem. They will cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David”. But then they will shout, “Crucify!”. And when the Roman ruler asks if the Son of David is truly a king, he will hear, “my kingdom is not of this world”. And when that same ruler sentences the king of heaven to die on a cross, he will post the notice, “This is the king of the Jews”.
Oh Bethlehem, oh little town of Bethlehem. You who are a shepherding town, where sheep and shepherds are born. When David was born in your midst, he was raised a shepherd boy. He even fended off a lion defending the lambs of his flock. But from you, Bethlehem, will come the great Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep. The Good Shepherd who defeats our roaring adversary the Lion, by laying down his life for the sheep.
From you, oh Bethlehem, where lambs are born and raised for the sacrifices, and only the perfect yearlings are led to the temple slaughter. From you will come the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Perfect and without blemish, the once and for all sacrifice to whom all sacrifices pointed forward, and in whom all sacrifices found their power and meaning. From you will come the Great High Priest who offers himself as that sacrifice, and still intercedes for us.
Oh Bethlehem, you who are a small and insignificant town, your honor is made great by the one who was born in your midst. Just as many were surprised that anything good could come from Nazareth. Who but the prophet would predict that you, oh Bethlehem, would bring forth such a ruler?
For the Lord makes low the mighty, but he exalts the humble. He regards the humble state of his servant Mary, so that all generations would call her blessed. He calls poor fishermen, tax collectors and prostitutes. He shames the wise things of this world and glorifies the foolish. He turns weeping to joy, sin into righteousness, and death into life.
Oh Bethlehem, Oh little town of Bethlehem, while shepherds still watched over their flocks by night, in your outskirts the song of angels would be heard. As those lowly shepherds went about their everyday business, they would hear the sweetest, most glorious, most important news yet uttered by the lips of angels, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord”. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men on whom his favor rests”.
Oh Bethlehem, did you know that song of the angels echoes even today when Christians gather for worship? God’s glory is still being made manifest, and his peace is still on earth. His favor still rests with men because of the same savior, Christ the Lord. Messengers, now human but not angelic, still tell of his birth, his life, death, resurrection, reign and return. And at this message, this news, his people still wonder.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, in the song and on the Christmas cards, how still we see thee lie… but your peace would be broken when King Herod sent soldiers to kill infants. As he slaughtered your young ones, O Bethlehem, your mothers wept. Herod’s wise men knew the words of prophet Micah. The chief priests and scribes knew, that you, O Bethlehem, would be the town to bring forth the Christ, and yet their wisdom abetted the evil king to do this wicked thing.
Meanwhile, faithful wise men, kings perhaps, brought 3 gifts of honor, to the newborn king. Following the star to you, and to the True Light and Morning star in your midst, they brought not only gifts but also worship and honor. They stood for all the nations who would one day find hope and peace in the babe of Bethlehem.
Oh Bethlehem, when we see you today, like in the days of Herod’s massacre, we find little peace. You are in a land torn apart by religious warfare. Your holy shrines have even become a haven for armed men.
But are you surprised, oh Bethlehem? For you are, yet, like any human town, full of human sinners. Anywhere we humans gather, sin gathers. Towns and cities like Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, Jerusalem, Rome, Berlin, Washington D.C., Milwaukee, and even Racine, Wisconsin, all are filled with sinners living together, living in an outward peace but never entirely peacefully lying.
We may not be shooting each other, but we are caught up, too often, in our own little worlds. We forget the one born and laid in a manger, and think only of the one we see in the mirror. We live for things that don’t matter, stress over things that will surely pass away, and ignore things eternal. We pay no heed to the angelic news that a savior is born to us, and we fail to wonder at what we have seen and heard, or treasure these things in our hearts.
Except when Racine comes to Bethlehem, and when we, like the shepherds, come to “see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about”. For there we find peace, hope, joy, love, forgiveness, life, righteousness, innocence, blessedness, and the Good News that heaven has been opened, God is now dwelling with man, and on us his favor rests.
Some come, all ye faithful, come to the little town of Bethlehem.
Oh come and adore him:
Born the King of angels,
Highest, Most holy,
Light of light eternal,
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, you citizens of heav’n above. Sing you citizens of Racine, below. For born to you this day in the city of David is a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Alleluia. Amen.
December 24, 2006
Micah 5:2-5a
“Oh Bethlehem”
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie…
Bethlehem, in the region of Ephratha. From you will come forth a ruler over all Israel, with ancient origins. A strong and good shepherd who will bring security and peace. You, the little town of Bethlehem.
You, oh Bethlehem, whose name means, “House of Bread”. From you will come the One who will feed his people with everlasting spiritual bread – mana from Heaven. He, who will also give his own body in the bread of a Holy Sacrament.
You, Oh Bethlehem, the little town where David was born. Little David the shepherd boy, who became great King David, ruler of Israel in its heyday. From you, Oh Bethlehem, will come the Son of David, the shoot from the stump of Jesse. And David’s Son will be David’s Lord.
They will welcome him with shouts and palm branches and fanfare as a king, when he comes to Jerusalem. They will cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David”. But then they will shout, “Crucify!”. And when the Roman ruler asks if the Son of David is truly a king, he will hear, “my kingdom is not of this world”. And when that same ruler sentences the king of heaven to die on a cross, he will post the notice, “This is the king of the Jews”.
Oh Bethlehem, oh little town of Bethlehem. You who are a shepherding town, where sheep and shepherds are born. When David was born in your midst, he was raised a shepherd boy. He even fended off a lion defending the lambs of his flock. But from you, Bethlehem, will come the great Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep. The Good Shepherd who defeats our roaring adversary the Lion, by laying down his life for the sheep.
From you, oh Bethlehem, where lambs are born and raised for the sacrifices, and only the perfect yearlings are led to the temple slaughter. From you will come the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Perfect and without blemish, the once and for all sacrifice to whom all sacrifices pointed forward, and in whom all sacrifices found their power and meaning. From you will come the Great High Priest who offers himself as that sacrifice, and still intercedes for us.
Oh Bethlehem, you who are a small and insignificant town, your honor is made great by the one who was born in your midst. Just as many were surprised that anything good could come from Nazareth. Who but the prophet would predict that you, oh Bethlehem, would bring forth such a ruler?
For the Lord makes low the mighty, but he exalts the humble. He regards the humble state of his servant Mary, so that all generations would call her blessed. He calls poor fishermen, tax collectors and prostitutes. He shames the wise things of this world and glorifies the foolish. He turns weeping to joy, sin into righteousness, and death into life.
Oh Bethlehem, Oh little town of Bethlehem, while shepherds still watched over their flocks by night, in your outskirts the song of angels would be heard. As those lowly shepherds went about their everyday business, they would hear the sweetest, most glorious, most important news yet uttered by the lips of angels, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord”. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men on whom his favor rests”.
Oh Bethlehem, did you know that song of the angels echoes even today when Christians gather for worship? God’s glory is still being made manifest, and his peace is still on earth. His favor still rests with men because of the same savior, Christ the Lord. Messengers, now human but not angelic, still tell of his birth, his life, death, resurrection, reign and return. And at this message, this news, his people still wonder.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, in the song and on the Christmas cards, how still we see thee lie… but your peace would be broken when King Herod sent soldiers to kill infants. As he slaughtered your young ones, O Bethlehem, your mothers wept. Herod’s wise men knew the words of prophet Micah. The chief priests and scribes knew, that you, O Bethlehem, would be the town to bring forth the Christ, and yet their wisdom abetted the evil king to do this wicked thing.
Meanwhile, faithful wise men, kings perhaps, brought 3 gifts of honor, to the newborn king. Following the star to you, and to the True Light and Morning star in your midst, they brought not only gifts but also worship and honor. They stood for all the nations who would one day find hope and peace in the babe of Bethlehem.
Oh Bethlehem, when we see you today, like in the days of Herod’s massacre, we find little peace. You are in a land torn apart by religious warfare. Your holy shrines have even become a haven for armed men.
But are you surprised, oh Bethlehem? For you are, yet, like any human town, full of human sinners. Anywhere we humans gather, sin gathers. Towns and cities like Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, Jerusalem, Rome, Berlin, Washington D.C., Milwaukee, and even Racine, Wisconsin, all are filled with sinners living together, living in an outward peace but never entirely peacefully lying.
We may not be shooting each other, but we are caught up, too often, in our own little worlds. We forget the one born and laid in a manger, and think only of the one we see in the mirror. We live for things that don’t matter, stress over things that will surely pass away, and ignore things eternal. We pay no heed to the angelic news that a savior is born to us, and we fail to wonder at what we have seen and heard, or treasure these things in our hearts.
Except when Racine comes to Bethlehem, and when we, like the shepherds, come to “see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about”. For there we find peace, hope, joy, love, forgiveness, life, righteousness, innocence, blessedness, and the Good News that heaven has been opened, God is now dwelling with man, and on us his favor rests.
Some come, all ye faithful, come to the little town of Bethlehem.
Oh come and adore him:
Born the King of angels,
Highest, Most holy,
Light of light eternal,
Son of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, you citizens of heav’n above. Sing you citizens of Racine, below. For born to you this day in the city of David is a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Alleluia. Amen.
Sermon - Christmas Eve - Luke 2:1-20
Christmas Eve 2006
Luke 2:1-20
“Christmas Light”
Tonight we celebrate Christmas Eve with a “service of light”. We light candles, especially that white Christ candle in the center of the advent wreath.
Later in the service, we will all hold a lighted candle and sing “Silent Night”, which includes the line, “Son of God, love’s pure light”. So many of our other Christmas hymns mention light somehow too. “In thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light”, “Break forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light”, “Light and Life to all he brings”, etc. etc…
Most of our homes have some sort of Christmas lights up for decoration. Sometimes we even drive through certain neighborhoods known for elaborate Christmas light displays. Christmas and light seem to go together.
Light is one of the foundational symbols of the Christian faith. Scripture begins and ends with light. God’s first recorded words, “Let there be light” open up the creation account, just as Revelation closes with the promise that there will be no more night in Heaven, for the Lord Almighty and the Lamb shall be our light.
Light also stands for all that is good and right and holy, as opposed to darkness, which stands for all that is sinful and evil and to be feared.
Jesus called himself the “Light of the World”. And in our Nicene Creed we confess him as God of God, Light of Light. For all the good things that light stands for, Jesus fulfills them most perfectly. He is the light in the midst of the darkness.
Just a few days ago, meteorologists reminded us of the Winter Solstice – the “shortest day” of the year. Only 9 hours of daylight on December 21st. But from that day on, the hours of daylight have been getting longer. Is it any coincidence the ancient church chose this time of year, in which the “light begins returning” to celebrate the arrival of the true light of the world, Jesus Christ, and his birth in Bethlehem? The truth is we don’t know exactly when Jesus was born, whether December 25th or some other day. But the when isn’t nearly as important as the what and the why and the who. Jesus, the Light of the World, was born to dispel the darkness of sin – of our sin.
It was a dark time, when Jesus was born. Luke records how Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of the Roman Emperor’s decree. Roman rule was a burden on the faithful people of God, who chaffed at the Romans’ pagan religion and totalitarian regime. The Jews longed for the days of King David, when they governed themselves, no answering to some foreigners. They longed for a Messiah to save them from such tyranny. And though the light had come, he came to deliver from a different kind of darkness.
As we go about our Christmas celebrations, the darkness is never far, is it? The darkness of strained family relationships. The darkness of the stressful demands on our time. The darkness of a loneliness in this supposed happiest time of the year. The darkness of guilt looking back on a year full of mistakes. The darkness. The lurking knowledge that even though it seems like the rest of the world is all smiles and candy-canes, it’s a thin veneer that is easily shattered.
It was a dark time, in the Judean night, as the shepherds went about their business. Watching over the flocks, protecting them from predators and thieves, it was business as usual for those ancient sheep-herders. Until light broke into their night. “The glory of the Lord” shone, or shined, around the angels. And the light they could see was overshadowed by the light that they heard – the message of the angels, “Unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.
But the greatest light the Shepherds saw that night was not the angelic choirs singing God’s praises. The greatest light was a baby wrapped up and lying in a manger. The light that had dawned on this world now in human form.
Light. Heavenly light. Light which would be seen more clearly by three disciples gathered on a mountaintop. There the Light of the World would pull back the veil on his true nature, and they would glimpse the glory hidden beneath. There Jesus was transfigured, and he shined like flashing lightning.
The Light the darkness sought to snuff out. In the dark of the night, in Dark Gethsemane, was the hour of the powers of darkness. They arrested him, brought him to illegal trial under cover of darkness, and at break of dawn he was already on the way to the cross. And as he hung, suffering, dying, even the sun itself stopped giving light. Then the darkness of death took hold.
But such light the darkness cannot contain. For at the dawn of Easter morn, the Light of the World broke forth from the darkness of death, shattering the powers of evil, sin and death itself. Much as his birth into the dark Judean night gave hope and peace, so also his resurrection took away the fear of all the darkness – even of death itself.
Those shepherds who had heard and seen and been so enlightened, they did what we all do when we see the light. They rejoiced. The praised God. And they shared the light. They went and told all who would hear what they saw and heard. So too, when disciples of Jesus saw him raised from the dead, they shared the light of his salvation – preaching, teaching, witnessing. So too, do we, his modern disciples, share the light as we have opportunity. We speak by word and by example to those still in the darkness, pointing to the light, the True Light, the Light of Lights, our Lord Jesus.
Tonight we light our candles, and pass the light from one to the other, in much the same way Christians share the light and love of Christ with each other and with the world. It will all start with the Christ candle, for he is always the source of our light. And though these candles will soon be extinguished as we go on our way, we know the true light can never be snuffed out. His light is eternal. His love never ends.
Light. In all the Christmas lights and candles we see this season, may we see reminders of the True Light, Jesus Christ, who has come to chase away the darkness of sin, and bring us into his light for eternity. And may we share that light until the day that we all shine like stars in his heavenly presence forever.
Luke 2:1-20
“Christmas Light”
Tonight we celebrate Christmas Eve with a “service of light”. We light candles, especially that white Christ candle in the center of the advent wreath.
Later in the service, we will all hold a lighted candle and sing “Silent Night”, which includes the line, “Son of God, love’s pure light”. So many of our other Christmas hymns mention light somehow too. “In thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light”, “Break forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light”, “Light and Life to all he brings”, etc. etc…
Most of our homes have some sort of Christmas lights up for decoration. Sometimes we even drive through certain neighborhoods known for elaborate Christmas light displays. Christmas and light seem to go together.
Light is one of the foundational symbols of the Christian faith. Scripture begins and ends with light. God’s first recorded words, “Let there be light” open up the creation account, just as Revelation closes with the promise that there will be no more night in Heaven, for the Lord Almighty and the Lamb shall be our light.
Light also stands for all that is good and right and holy, as opposed to darkness, which stands for all that is sinful and evil and to be feared.
Jesus called himself the “Light of the World”. And in our Nicene Creed we confess him as God of God, Light of Light. For all the good things that light stands for, Jesus fulfills them most perfectly. He is the light in the midst of the darkness.
Just a few days ago, meteorologists reminded us of the Winter Solstice – the “shortest day” of the year. Only 9 hours of daylight on December 21st. But from that day on, the hours of daylight have been getting longer. Is it any coincidence the ancient church chose this time of year, in which the “light begins returning” to celebrate the arrival of the true light of the world, Jesus Christ, and his birth in Bethlehem? The truth is we don’t know exactly when Jesus was born, whether December 25th or some other day. But the when isn’t nearly as important as the what and the why and the who. Jesus, the Light of the World, was born to dispel the darkness of sin – of our sin.
It was a dark time, when Jesus was born. Luke records how Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because of the Roman Emperor’s decree. Roman rule was a burden on the faithful people of God, who chaffed at the Romans’ pagan religion and totalitarian regime. The Jews longed for the days of King David, when they governed themselves, no answering to some foreigners. They longed for a Messiah to save them from such tyranny. And though the light had come, he came to deliver from a different kind of darkness.
As we go about our Christmas celebrations, the darkness is never far, is it? The darkness of strained family relationships. The darkness of the stressful demands on our time. The darkness of a loneliness in this supposed happiest time of the year. The darkness of guilt looking back on a year full of mistakes. The darkness. The lurking knowledge that even though it seems like the rest of the world is all smiles and candy-canes, it’s a thin veneer that is easily shattered.
It was a dark time, in the Judean night, as the shepherds went about their business. Watching over the flocks, protecting them from predators and thieves, it was business as usual for those ancient sheep-herders. Until light broke into their night. “The glory of the Lord” shone, or shined, around the angels. And the light they could see was overshadowed by the light that they heard – the message of the angels, “Unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”.
But the greatest light the Shepherds saw that night was not the angelic choirs singing God’s praises. The greatest light was a baby wrapped up and lying in a manger. The light that had dawned on this world now in human form.
Light. Heavenly light. Light which would be seen more clearly by three disciples gathered on a mountaintop. There the Light of the World would pull back the veil on his true nature, and they would glimpse the glory hidden beneath. There Jesus was transfigured, and he shined like flashing lightning.
The Light the darkness sought to snuff out. In the dark of the night, in Dark Gethsemane, was the hour of the powers of darkness. They arrested him, brought him to illegal trial under cover of darkness, and at break of dawn he was already on the way to the cross. And as he hung, suffering, dying, even the sun itself stopped giving light. Then the darkness of death took hold.
But such light the darkness cannot contain. For at the dawn of Easter morn, the Light of the World broke forth from the darkness of death, shattering the powers of evil, sin and death itself. Much as his birth into the dark Judean night gave hope and peace, so also his resurrection took away the fear of all the darkness – even of death itself.
Those shepherds who had heard and seen and been so enlightened, they did what we all do when we see the light. They rejoiced. The praised God. And they shared the light. They went and told all who would hear what they saw and heard. So too, when disciples of Jesus saw him raised from the dead, they shared the light of his salvation – preaching, teaching, witnessing. So too, do we, his modern disciples, share the light as we have opportunity. We speak by word and by example to those still in the darkness, pointing to the light, the True Light, the Light of Lights, our Lord Jesus.
Tonight we light our candles, and pass the light from one to the other, in much the same way Christians share the light and love of Christ with each other and with the world. It will all start with the Christ candle, for he is always the source of our light. And though these candles will soon be extinguished as we go on our way, we know the true light can never be snuffed out. His light is eternal. His love never ends.
Light. In all the Christmas lights and candles we see this season, may we see reminders of the True Light, Jesus Christ, who has come to chase away the darkness of sin, and bring us into his light for eternity. And may we share that light until the day that we all shine like stars in his heavenly presence forever.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Our New Arrival
Born this morning, Morgan Faith Chryst
7 lbs, 10 oz. 19" long.
Mother and baby are both doing fine!
Thank God for his many blessings.
7 lbs, 10 oz. 19" long.
Mother and baby are both doing fine!
Thank God for his many blessings.
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