Sermon - The Day of Pentecost - John 7:37-39

In John 7, Jesus is attending one of the three great annual feasts at Jerusalem: the Feast of Tabernacles, or booths.  It’s important to understand the context as we consider what he said to the people then, and to us today, through John’s Gospel. 

The Feast of Tabernacles was one of three great feasts, or pilgrimage feasts, in which the ancient Jews would gather at Jerusalem.  It was a week-long event and served as a harvest festival as well as a remembrance of God’s provision for the people as they wandered in the wilderness after the Exodus.  For 7 days, the people would live in tents that they would construct, and observe various rituals and sacrifices.  It was a joyous occasion, unlike the more solemn Day of Passover. 

Now, one of those rituals associated with the feast was conducted each day by a priest.  Each morning, a priest would go down to the Pool of Siloam, and fill a golden pitcher with water.  Then a procession would follow him back to the temple area, and with much fanfare and singing of psalms.  The water was carried up the ramp toward the altar, and poured out into a special silver basin.  It was a ritual which gave thanks for the blessings God had poured out, and also asked for continued blessings, especially for the autumn rains. 

So Jesus stands up on the last day of this feast, presumably at the temple, and certainly before the crowds, and cries out (not just speaks, but cries out!) “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” 

It’s fairly clear here that Jesus is using the backdrop of this elaborate water ritual to not-so-subtly claim that he is the true source of blessing, and to invite all – everyone and anyone – to receive freely from him.  And that same drink that he provides, then becomes a river of living water flowing from our hearts.  So the blessings we receive, we also share. 

Here, as elsewhere, water is an important image in John’s Gospel.  Jesus had a fairly similar conversation in chapter 4 with the woman at the well, and he also told her about the living water he gives.  She, a Samaritan, a woman, and a wife of 5 husbands – might have no reason to think Jesus would give her anything.  But like his invitation here, the offer is generous and free. 

Now, John also tells us with a bit more specificity that Jesus was really talking about the outpouring of the Spirit, which had not yet been given, for he had not yet been glorified.  But we know that day was soon coming, and we celebrate it today as the Christian day of Pentecost. 

So the water Jesus gives is the Spirit.  You’ve heard, perhaps often, of the association of the Holy Spirit with wind or breath.  Like the wind, the Spirit moves when and where he wills.  You can’t see him, but you can see his effects.  Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, “receive the Holy Spirit”.  Even the word “spirit” is the same word as “wind” or “breath” in the Greek and Hebrew. 

And perhaps you’ve also associated the Spirit with fire – because of the tongues of fire that rested on the disciples at Pentecost, or because fire is a purifying agent, and the Spirit also purifies us, or sanctifies us.  Even my red stole, like many others, has the little flame symbols on it, along with the dove representing the Spirit. 

But maybe you think of the Spirit less in connection with water, even though John tells us that’s what Jesus meant here.  The Holy Spirit and Water?  It’s not unheard of in Scripture, after all the first mention of the Spirit has him hovering over the primeval waters of creation.  And in John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born again of water and the Spirit (that is, referring to Holy Baptism). 

And yes, water’s aspects of cleansing and giving life are right in the Holy Spirit’s wheelhouse, too.  That what baptism is all about – washing away your sins, giving you new life in Christ.  So Pentecost serves for us as another reminder that the Spirit is poured out on each Christian in our baptism. 

And look how Jesus talks about his Spirit here:   
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” 

Take note that he calls “anyone”.  His grace is universal.  His gifts are for all people.  Like water that is poured out generously and splashes here, there and everywhere, so is the Spirit that Christ lavishes upon – well – anyone.  There are no qualifiers of race, or background, wealth, fame or resume’.  There is no report card of good works or righteousness that we must bring.   

Only thirst.  Know your sin.  Know your need.  Confess freely and boldly that you are a spiritual goner without Jesus.  Examine yourself, and let the law of God do its work on your heart, crushing you with the weight of your twisted thoughts and words and deeds.  Embrace such truth.  Be honest about your need.  

And he will, again and again, pour out his Spirit upon you.  He will, again and again, refresh your soul in your baptism.  He will give you the sustenance of his word of absolution.  And he will set a table before you of richest fare – his own body and blood, given and shed for your forgiveness. 

His Spirit gives you this flood of blessings – all by faith.   

And that faith also flows.  Like a river that finds it source in Christ, and in his Spirit, the heart of the Christian pours forth even more – love as we have received love, grace as we have received grace.  All the fruits of the spirit, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.  All of these are the effects of the living water Christ provides. 

It’s far more than welcome rains to the farmer’s thirsty field.  It’s the quenching of the very soul.  And the gushing forth, the overflowing of what he has established in us – is for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor. 

So the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, and the church poured forth speech about the mighty works of God – certainly his Son’s death and resurrection.  And the Spirit called many to faith that day, from many nations.  And the Gospel of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Spirit, went with them as they returned to their homes, like a ripple in a pond the size of the world.  That same Gospel, and that same Spirit, is still poured out upon the church – and the church still overflows with those blessings into the world. 

May the Spirit always do thus for you, dear Christians, poured out upon you, and flowing from your heart, in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Sermon - Ascension Day - Ephesians 1:15-23

Who’s the most powerful person you know? Superman? Some billionaire?  Some politician?  Someone with fame and influence over many people?  Maybe the pope? There are, of course, different kinds of power and different ways to exercise it.  So maybe answers will vary here. 

For Christians, of course, we might answer “who’s the most powerful?” with  “Jesus himself, of course.”  And we would be right.  But the power of Jesus Christ is unlike the powers of this world.  It’s not just greater in scale or quality, but also in purpose. 

On this Ascension Day, let’s consider the “power of Christ” in light of our reading from Ephesians 1.  There we read that Paul wants the Ephesians to know: 

what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 

The Greek word for “power” here is mentioned twice – dynamos.  From which we get the word, “dynamic” or “dynamite”.  God worked his power, Paul mentions, in two ways:  1. in raising Christ from the dead, and 2. seating him at his right hand in the heavenly places. 

“At the right hand of God” is where Jesus ascended to, in the accounts of Luke and Acts.  But that’s less a physical place and more of a status or situation.  Christ resumes, as it were, his rightful place, on the throne of heaven.  His Ascension marks his return to the Father, from whom he came, after finishing his course on earth. 

While here, he largely set aside the power that was his by divine right.  He entered a state of humiliation, lowered himself, humbled himself, for the sake of his mission.  He submitted to the law, he even submitted to his earthly parents, and became like us in every way yet without sin.  He then submitted to the earthly powers of the Jews and of Pontius Pilate, and according to the will of the Father, became obedient unto death, even death on the cross. 

Stripped of all earthly powers, of his dignity, and even of his clothing, he died in naked shame for the sins of the world.  Here we see his power made perfect in weakness.   

But then, as Paul says in Ephesians 1, God worked his great might in Christ when he raised him from the dead.  Now here’s a power that no earthly source can imitate.  All his other signs and miracles pale in comparison to this power – to rise from the dead.  To predict it, plainly, many times – and then to rise from the dead just as he said.   

Now he leaves the humility behind and begins his work of exaltation for us.  Now, the risen Christ begins to take back and exert the power that is his from eternity, but now is also his on the basis of his work.  And after appearing to many witnesses for 40 days, he fully resumes his place as Lord of All, he ascends to his rightful throne in heaven, and God the Father seats him far above all other powers, rulers, authorities and dominions.  He is God of God, after all, equal to the Father in respect to his divinity. 

Christ Ascends on high to fully exert his divine power.  But his power, even then and there, is different than earthly powers.  And it’s not just that he has more power. 

You might have missed it, but Paul makes it clear, it is “power toward us”.  What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.  And later, he says, “he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church” 

You see, for many, God is a God of power and majesty and might – a sovereign and almighty God who rules in glory from on high.  But they miss the most important point of God’s power, of Christ’s power.  That he uses that power for us. 

Christ’s ascension to the throne of heaven is not just a reward for him doing a good job, a pat on the back from his Father.  It’s not even a simple recognition that he deserves the top spot, after all, he is the Son of God.  It is the truth and promise that our Lord Jesus who lived and died and rose for us, now also ascended into heaven for us, and reigns and rules over all things for us, for those who believe, for the church. 

His power has a purpose.  Unlike earthly power which corrupts, and absolute power which corrupts absolutely as they say, Christ’s power is not for himself, but for us.  He rules over all – but for the good of his people.  For our benefit and blessing. 

And so, in all things he works for our good.  Even in tragedy and calamity, he works for our good.  He uses his power to limit the reach of evil, to shorten and diminish the evil days, to chain the devil and keep him on a short leash.   

His power, you see, is not like earthly selfish powers, seeking their own ends and agendas.  He works for you.  For your good.  His power is your blessing. 

Perhaps you noticed that same word, “power” in the accounts of the Ascension that we heard from St. Luke, both in his Gospel, and in Acts 1.  In each case Jesus promises the apostles he will send them power from on high, or clothe them with power.  And so here is another aspect of Christ’s power – he shares it with his church. 

He sends his Spirit to call and gather, enlighten and sanctify his church.  His powerful gospel calls us to faith and forgives our sins.  He empowers the water of baptism with the Triune Name that is above all names, and a power to bring about new birth.  He empowers simple bread and wine by his real presence – his body and blood – for the forgiveness of sinners, and the strengthening of faith. 

Thus, the power of the church isn’t the power of the sword, to force our way upon others.  But it is Christ’s power, a gracious invitation.  The church’s power isn’t in great wealth or fame or worldly wisdom, but in service, in humility, in suffering, and patient endurance.  It is Christ’s power, a power made perfect in weakness. 

Thanks be to God for the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, a wonderful blessing for us in so many ways.  And praise be to God for the working of his great power, in raising Christ from the dead, and seating him again on his rightful throne, to exercise his power for the good of his people.  And all glory to the ascended Christ, who sends his Spirit to empower his church, even today, by the means of grace, and in humble faith.   

In Jesus’ Name.