YouTube -- Ascension of our Lord, transferred (June 1, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Sermon -- Ascension of our Lord, transferred (June 1, 2025)

LUKE 24:44-53

JESUS’ ASCENSION EXALTS HUMANITY.

In the name + of Jesus.

M: Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

C:  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!

     Very rarely are departures a happy experience.  Sometimes, people are embittered with each other and go their separate ways angry with each other.  Most times, parting is sad.  When a child heads off to college, a mother will watch with tears until the car disappears.  If a family moves to a new state, they must bid farewell to a familiar town and townsfolk.  The worst is death.  The college student will come home.  That family may return on vacation to visit.  But death is final.  Parting usually produces tears.  St. Luke recorded how the Lord Jesus parted from his disciples.  “While he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven” (Luke 24:51).  Over a period of forty days, Jesus had appeared to his disciples and then disappeared.  But this parting was different.  He was lifted up from the earth and hidden by a cloud.  They would not see him again.  So, their reaction seems strange.  “They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52). 

     Perhaps the best explanation for this comes earlier in our reading.  “He said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.’  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45).  The apostles had witnessed the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  They recorded the facts in the Gospels.  But Jesus enlightened them to understand that everything had happened according to plan.  All that was necessary to be done, Jesus accomplished.  The curse of sin has been removed.  Humanity can be spared damnation.  Jesus’ ascension means that humanity has been exalted.

     Jesus opened the minds of his apostles so that they could see how the entire Old Testament foreshadowed and foretold all that had to happen.  Everything points to Jesus.  Since sin has been taken away, the cherubim no longer prevent the way into Paradise.  Rather, at our last hour the angels come and deliver us into the Paradise of God.  The waters of the Flood had destroyed the whole wicked world, but now the waters of Holy Baptism lift us up from death and damnation and we are kept safe in the ark of the Holy Christian Church.  Just as the Lord had delivered Israel and drowned the Egyptians in the Red Sea, Jesus Christ has delivered us and has drowned our enemies in the waters of baptism.  Just as the Lord fed Israel in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land, so also our Lord feeds us bread from heaven on our way to our heavenly Promised Land.  Like David who went out to slay Goliath, the Son of David went out to slay the devil for us.  Like Hosea whose wife was unfaithful to him but was redeemed and restored to him, our heavenly Groom redeemed and restored his Church to him.  And on and on it goes.  Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to Jesus, and he has fulfilled all things.  Therefore, the Father has exalted Jesus and given him all authority over heaven and earth.  Jesus’ ascension means the exaltation of his humanity.

     Every week, we confess about Jesus, “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty” (Apostles’ Creed).  To sit at the right hand of God the Father is to possess all honor, glory, and power.  It is hardly a shock to confess that God rules over all things.  It would surprise many that we confess that a man is ruling over all things.  And yet, that is the case.  Jesus became a man to unite himself to humanity and to take up our cause.  He has never stopped being a human being—not when he rose, not when he ascended, and not when he took up his power to reign over all things.  In the same way, Jesus never stopped being God.  He did not make use of his divine powers and majesty except for the miracles he did.  Instead, he willingly suffered and died in weakness to secure our salvation. 

     No longer is Jesus living in weakness and humility.  Jesus’ ascension exalts his humanity.  The man, Jesus, now makes full use of his divine majesty.  What is true of God is true of the man Jesus.  This man possesses all power and majesty.  This man sees all things, knows all things, and is present in all places.  Shortly before he ascended into heaven, Jesus made this promise to his disciples, “Surely I am with you always until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).  He did not mean that he will be with us in our hearts or in our thoughts.  He is actually with us.  Even though the Christian Church covers the entire world, Jesus is with each and every Christian.  Because this man is omnipresent, Jesus’ body and blood are on the altars of every Christian church on earth.    Jesus’ ascension exalts his humanity.

     I suppose Jesus’ exaltation could be terrifying.  If he sees all things, he sees what you try to get away with.  If he knows all things, he knows the secret thoughts of your heart.  If he is present everywhere, there is no escape from his watchful eye.  If all judgment has been entrusted to him and he judges justly, then he has you dead to rights.  The Bible says, “Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—how much more human hearts” (Proverbs 15:11)!  You and I might try to defend our sins with clever arguments or appeals to emotion.  Jesus calls evil what it is, and he does not justify it.  Repent.

     Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  He has been entrusted with judging the living and the dead—the man who will either acquit or condemn each man or woman.  But let’s remember what has given this man the right to do so.  Jesus said, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day” (Luke 24:46).  Having fulfilled what his Father sent him to do, Jesus was exalted to the highest place.  Jesus’ ascension exalts his humanity.

     But Jesus’ ascension also exalts your humanity.  His death has taken away your sins.  His judgment upon you is nothing to be feared; for he has proclaimed a pardon for all who believe and are baptized into his name.  His continual presence is not something you need to escape.  For, if Jesus is always with you, then his mercy always rests upon you.  There is no place you can go where his righteousness fails to cover you.  There is no headline or tragedy or political action that cuts you off from Jesus’ gracious promises.  Jesus lives and reigns over all things, but he lives and reigns for you.

     Jesus’ ascension exalts your humanity.  That is why he became a man to begin with.  Mankind had fallen into sin which corrupts all things.  Sin corrupts hearts so that we desire what is evil.  Sin corrupts minds so that we are guided by fear or anxiety more than God’s promises.  Sin corrupts governments so that leaders use their power to fight against Jesus Christ and pass legislation that violates God’s word.  Sin corrupts this world so that an avalanche wiped out an entire town in Switzerland.  Sin corrupts our bodies so that the beauty and agility of youth become wrinkles and arthritis.

     Sin has caused people to seek contentment by perverting the body and life God has given us.  God created man with a special purpose and design.  Because of sin, we despise God’s purpose and pervert his design.  God gave us people to love and things to use, but we end up loving things and using people.  This despising of God’s creation has led many to think that God has made a gross mistake with the bodies he has created.  Men insist they are women and women insist they are men.  While this rejection of God and his creation is terrible, it is also particularly sad.  What kind of confusion and discontentment leads young, healthy people to reject their God-given bodies and think that happiness is found in hormone suppressors and mutilation?  What’s worse is that we have a government who supports this perversion and prosecutes those who want to offer correction and relief to confused and deceived people.

     But there is hope for those who are confused.  There is correction for those who have been deceived.  There is even forgiveness for those who have desecrated themselves.  The scars may not be reversed, but the people can be redeemed.  And in the end, even the bodies will be restored at the resurrection.  This is true for all bodies whether sin has affected us physically, mentally, or emotionally.  For, we are all corrupted by sin. 

     But Jesus’ ascension exalts our humanity.  At the resurrection, he will raise us up with bodies that will be perfected.  Our hearts and minds will be purified.  We will be content and happy when God makes all things new.  Our place will be the home of righteousness.  For the Son of Man, the Christ, has paved the way into Paradise.  This man has opened heaven to mankind.  Just as Jesus became man to dwell with us and to unite himself to us, so he will bring us to dwell with him in unity and purity.  He will make our bodies, our mouths, our minds, and our hearts what they were always intended to be.
     Jesus’ ascension exalts mankind.  And you are already being exalted.  You have been rescued from a life that is pointless and purposeless.  You do not need to turn to alcohol, drugs, carnal pleasure, greed, or self-glorification to cope with life.  You do not need some alternate identity or to be validated by social media.  Jesus’ ascension means your humanity has been exalted.  Your identity is found in him.  You are a child of the Most High God.  You are a special creation.  You are unique in your interests, talents, abilities, and goals.  God directs those so that you live for his glory and for the benefit of others.  He designed you for his glory, and he is improving the image of God in you.  It will be confirmed in perfection when you are taken up to dwell with your ascended Savior who redeemed you from sin and reconciled you to the Father.

     Until then, you get to declare the praises of God who exalts you.  This is the mission Jesus gave to his Church.  He told the apostles what must happen: “Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47).  This is what we are given to do.  Just as we bear the name of Jesus, so also we proclaim it to a world that needs it.  Jesus rescues people from the depravity and depression that come from sin, and he exalts mankind to what God intended us to be.  Jesus’ ascension exalts humanity.  Just as Jesus is with you to the very end of the age, so also you will be his in the age that never ends.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

YouTube -- Ascension Day, transferred (May 12, 2024)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, May 12, 2024.  It is the Ascension service transferred from Thursday, May 9--the actual day of Ascension, 40 days after Easter.

Sermon -- The Ascension of our Lord, transferred (May 12, 2024)

ACTS 1:1-11

OUR ASCENDED LORD ESTABLISHES AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM.

In the name + of Jesus.

M:       Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

C:        He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

      After Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus “presented himself alive to (his apostles) after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).  Just as Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai receiving the Law from God, so also Jesus spent 40 days with his apostles after his resurrection teaching them the word of God.  I don’t know if the apostles had any idea how long these appearances would last, but Jesus knew.  Since the time was short, Jesus was focused on what mattered.  Jesus spoke to them about the kingdom of God.  Our ascended Lord establishes an everlasting kingdom.

     Still, old ideas die hard deaths.  Israel had waited a long time for the Messiah and for the establishment of the Messianic kingdom.  In their minds, the Messianic kingdom was as much an earthly kingdom as it was a heavenly one.  I suppose some had no craving for a heavenly kingdom at all.  They envisioned the days of David and Solomon restored, and even greater.  This meant glory, prosperity, and peace in Jerusalem and the rest of Israel.  If God’s people were ruling over everything, then everything would be right with the world.

     The apostles were not immune to these ideas.  That’s why they asked Jesus, just before he ascended into heaven, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6)?  Jesus had done everything he had been sent to do.  The kingdom of God had been established, and Jesus held authority over all things.  The last thing to be done, in the apostles’ mind, was to reestablish the kingdom of Israel.  If Jesus is the king who lives and reigns over all things, it stood to reason that Israel would be the chief beneficiaries of his power.  Perhaps the apostles had visions of being princes in that new kingdom.  But Jesus gave no instructions about a political movement which would challenge the house of Herod for the rule in Jerusalem.  There were no plans drafted to subvert Roman rule.  Jesus focused them on the kingdom of God.

     Old ideas die hard deaths.  There are still people who envision a United States government ruled by Christians, as if that will cure all the problems in this world.  Now, on the one hand, having a Christian influence in the government might prevent laws that support or promote wickedness.  Jesus does not call us the salt of the earth for nothing.  The government is a gift of God which is established to promote righteousness and to punish wickedness.  How well any government does this is always a topic of debate.  No earthly government will ever be perfect because sinners are in it and sinners live under it.  People will always have different ideas about the righteousness which should be promoted and the wickedness that should be punished.  If there are more Christians in government, those moral standards are more likely to be in line with God’s word.  That would be a good thing.

     It is important for us to understand that we live under two kingdoms.  One is this worldly kingdom ruled by government.  But we also live under another kingdom—the kingdom of God.  That kingdom was established by Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Jesus entered his glory by fulfilling all that the Father had given him to do.  He was sent to atone for our unholy lives by his holy life.  And Jesus was sent to atone for our rebellious hearts and hands with his sacrificial death.  Jesus’ hands were nailed to the cross and his heart was run through with a spear to atone for us.  To affirm that Jesus’ life and death achieved all that Jesus was sent to do, he was raised from the dead.  The Father vindicated Jesus and validated his atoning work. 

     Our ascended Lord, who lives and reigns forever, established an everlasting kingdom.  This kingdom is ruled by grace.  In the kingdom of God, all sins are forgiven.  God’s love is poured out.  The devil is destroyed.  Death is overcome by eternal life.  And the shame of sin is covered by the glory of God.  You were baptized into this kingdom.  Through your baptism, Jesus has snatched you from the power of Satan and the terrors of death.  Jesus brought you into a kingdom of peace.  Our ascended Lord establishes an everlasting kingdom, and it is the only kingdom that will ever last.

     That is why Jesus responded to the apostles’ question as he did.  He told them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).  The apostles always had some interest in the earthly kingdoms that ruled over them.  They had to pay their taxes and to abide by laws, some of which were unjust and oppressive.  They had to live under these governments which were not kind to Christians.  Who wouldn’t want relief from that?  Nevertheless, Jesus told his apostles not to be concerned about it.  He had a greater kingdom for them to rejoice in and to proclaim.  Our ascended Lord establishes an everlasting kingdom.

     We live in two kingdoms—and earthly one and a heavenly one.  We often give more attention to the earthly kingdom than we ought.  I suppose because that is what is in front of us every day.  With a presidential election coming up in November, we may think about it even more.  Politicians make promises and present ideas to make the world a better place.  Who doesn’t want the world to be a better place?  But understand this: The kingdoms of this world are limited in power and duration.  Either the kingdom will pass away or you will.  But our ascended Lord establishes an everlasting kingdom.  The kingdom, the power, and the glory are his forever.

     The apostles and the early Christian Church did not live under a government in which governing officials were elected.  They had to live with the governor, king, or emperor they were stuck with.  We do have the privilege to elect our leaders.  When we support a particular candidate, we all have our own agendas we would like to see met.  It has been said that we vote with our wallets.  That is probably true for everyone.  We want to be sure that we have enough money to buy what we need and what we want.  Some want the environment to be pristine.  Some want health care to be more affordable or more accessible.  Some want to see an end to shootings, riots, crime, and wars.  Others simply want people to get along and their communities at peace.  What do you pray for and long for to make your life better?

     All of the blessings we pray for God grants to us according to his wisdom.  Sometimes God’s wisdom means he will let wicked, greedy men accumulate worldly gains at the expense of our wealth, our health, world peace, or the environment.  God often lets sinners freely act as sinners.  And lest you think it is inexcusable for God to do that, he lets you do it, too.  He does not seal up your mouth when you slander, sass, or curse.  He does not have you go blind or deaf when you look at or listen to things you should not.  But God does not let wicked men have total control.  Jesus Christ lives and reigns over all things.  He orchestrates world events so that kingdoms rise and fall and empires come and go.  Therefore, it is not our place to try to unravel what God is doing in world history.  And it is certainly not our place to declare on God’s behalf what God is doing.  He has not told us, so we can’t know.

     But we do know this: Our ascended Lord establishes an everlasting kingdom.  That means it will not pass away into the dustbins of history.  That means his blessings will always be given—forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation.  More than that, our ascended Lord will bless us with the world we long for and pray for.  It will not look like it in a world of sorrows.  Not even Jesus was spared from false accusations, charges of demon possession, and other insulting remarks.  Jesus endured watching loved ones die, and he did not raise them all from the dead.  Their graves are still full.  Jesus also endured his own death as wicked men insulted and slandered him.  But Jesus did not establish a kingdom for this world.  Jesus’ eternal kingdom is a heavenly kingdom.

     Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven to establish an everlasting kingdom.  What can we expect from this kingdom?  St. John gave us a glimpse of the eternal kingdom: “God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).  Money won’t matter; we will have everything we need.  Sorrows will be gone; there will be no pain or loss to grieve over.  Health care won’t be necessary because our bodies will be incorruptible.  Our resurrected bodies will be perfected for eternal life.  In other words, all the things we long for will be given to us in measures beyond our grasp.  What the world screams over, we simply wait for.  This is the glory of our ascended Lord’s everlasting kingdom.

     St. Luke wrote, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up” (Acts 1:1-2).  Did you catch that?  The Gospel of Luke recorded everything that Jesus began to do and teach.  He has ascended into heaven and is physically removed from our sight, but Jesus is still at work.  He worked through the apostles who performed the same miraculous signs Jesus did.  He worked through the apostles who passed on Jesus’ teachings in the words of the New Testament.

     While the miraculous signs ended with the apostles, the teaching did not.  To this day, the Church proclaims the kingdom of God to all people—people who long for peace, for hope, for a joyful future, for deliverance from death, and for relief from guilt and shame.  You have what they need.  So, when I say that the Church proclaims the kingdom of God to all people, understand that you are the Church.  You have friends who need to be rescued from the deceptions of the devil, from the terrors of death, and from a life without any real purpose.  If they are going to hear about the kingdom of God from “the Church,” no committee or board is going to find your friends.  You are the one to proclaim it.  And Jesus will work through you to snatch people from the power of the devil and to bring them into an everlasting kingdom of grace and glory.

     Jesus Christ lives and reigns over all things.  His kingdom is in good hands.  Jesus Christ lives and reigns forever.  Therefore, his kingdom cannot pass away.  Our ascended Savior establishes an everlasting kingdom, and he has established you in it.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

YouTube -- Ascension, transferred (May 21, 2023)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, May 21, 2023.  The Rite of Confirmation was also observed in this service.

Sermon -- Ascension, transferred (May 21, 2023)

The Rite of Confirmation was also observed in the service today.

EPHESIANS 1:15-23

THE ASCENDED SAVIOR IS HEAD OVER ALL THINGS FOR THE CHRUCH.

In the name + of Jesus.

M:    Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C:    He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

     There is a story told in the Apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees about a family of faithful Jews.  Seven brothers were being pressured to violate God’s Law and threatened with death if they did not comply.  They all refused.  One by one, they were brutally tortured and then put to death.  And over what?  They refused to eat unclean foods.  What many would consider trivial, these brothers believed to be a sin.  They would not turn from God’s word even on a minor point. 

     The mother of these seven brothers had to watch each one being brutally tortured and martyred until only the youngest remained.  She said to him, “My son, have pity on me.  I carried you nine months in my womb and nursed you for three years and have reared you and brought you up to this point in your life and have taken care of you.  I urge you, my child, … do not fear this butcher, but prove worthy of your brothers.  Accept death, so that in God’s mercy I may get you back again along with your brothers” (2 Maccabees 7:27-29).  The mother urged her last son to remain faithful to the word of God at all costs.  Finally, to complete the cruelty, the mother was killed. 

     As horrible as it was for this family to be tortured and martyred, they all recognized that there are things worse than dying.  They willingly suffered death rather than deny their Lord.  No matter how much it grieved this mother to lose her sons in this life, she watched them die in the confidence that she would get them all back at the resurrection of the dead.  This is the confidence of the Christian faith, based on promises made by God and confirmed by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.  And now, Jesus guarantees a place in the heavenly kingdom to all who are faithful to him even to the point of death.  The ascended Savior lives and reigns as head over all things for the church. 

     I doubt that this family had taken the same confirmation vow that you will make today, Peter, but they demonstrated the spirit of that vow.  Many here have been asked in the past, as you will be asked today: “Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?”  I suppose that question sounds a little dramatic, but the truth is that we will all suffer death at some time.  The point of the Christian faith is not to die comfortably, but to die in the faith.  There are things worse than dying, such as being without Jesus.  So, whether we die peacefully or violently, we yearn to remain steadfast in the Christian faith and to have Jesus as our refuge.

     The confirmation vow is relived to a certain extent every Sunday.  Every week God’s people confess the Christian faith, using one of the three ecumenical creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, or Athanasian).  We are taking a stand—both literally and figuratively—stating, “This is the truth.  This we believe.  We will live and die in this confession.”  We confess these truths confidently because Jesus Christ has taught these things to us in his word.  And his word will not be refuted.  It may be reviled.  It may be rejected.  But the word of the Lord endures forever because the ascended Savior is head over all things for the Church.

     When St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians he mentioned how he constantly prayed for them.  It was a prayer for specific blessings.  We do well to have this prayer upon our lips so that we continue to grow in the faith and hope which rest upon Jesus Christ.  St. Paul’s prayer was for three blessings: “that you may know (1) what is the hope to which he has called you, (2) what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and (3) what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19). 

     The hope to which the Lord has called you is that when you depart from this world, you will enjoy the peace and glory of life everlasting with the Lord.  The Christian hope is not a wish.  We don’t call it a hope because it is in question, like, “I hope the party goes well this afternoon.”  Rather, it is called a hope only because we have not received it yet.  But our hope is based on a promise made by Jesus.  Jesus promised, “Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).  Now, those are big words.  There is not a doctor on earth who could boast, “Take these pills.  And if they kill you, don’t worry.  I will bring you back to life.”  We would never take that doctor seriously.  But Jesus does claim this.  Why?  Because the ascended Savior is head over all things, including death and the grave.  He has conquered death.  Jesus lives and reigns for the Church.  Since Jesus has authority over death, he will follow through with his promise, and he will raise you up to live with him.  This is the hope to which he has called you. 

     The second part of our prayer is “that you may know … what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18).  That’s not to say the world won’t entice you with claims that its treasures and pleasures are more desirable.  Let’s go back to that faithful Jewish family from the days of the Maccabees.  After his six older brothers were tortured and slaughtered, the Greek king thought he could break the youngest brother.  He tried sweet-talking him.  “Antiochus not only appealed to him in words, but promised with oaths that he would make him rich and enviable if he would turn from the ways of his fathers and that he would take him for his friend and entrust him with [a prestigious office]” (2 Maccabees 7:24).  Oh, yes, there were riches waiting for this young man, but the cost was his place in the kingdom of God. 

     The ascended Savior is head over all things for the Church.  Jesus enriches you like no one else can.  You have a peace which the world does not know.  When you fall into sin, you know where to go to find forgiveness.  You know where to find strength to fight against temptations.  If you endure days of bitterness or loneliness and wonder if God has forsaken you, you have promises to cling to.  You know that God remains your good and merciful Father in heaven.  That does not change based on circumstances or feelings.  You can’t buy these riches, and the world cannot even offer them to you.  But Jesus guarantees them because he is head over all things.  He lives and reigns for you.

     The third part of the prayer is “that you may know … what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19).  The power of God is that he has delivered you out of the kingdom of the devil and that he preserves you from ever being taken captive again.  The devil will continue to hound you all your life.  He will try to seduce you out of the kingdom of God, and he makes his offers very attractive.  He will try to drive you to despair by tormenting you over your sins.  He will try to convince you that you don’t need God’s word, and that what you really need is more time for yourself, for entertainment, or for sleep. 

     Now, if your goal is a moment’s pleasure, the devil has great ideas.  But if your goal is eternal peace, joy, and glory, you need Jesus.  You will always need Jesus’ strength to preserve you in the true faith.  You will always need Jesus’ word to protect you from the devil’s lies and worldly wisdom.  You will always need Jesus’ body and blood to keep you in the true faith unto life everlasting.  You cannot stand against your enemies alone.  You and I are weak.  We still find temptations attractive.  Our sins prove that.  But Jesus is head over all things.  Nothing can overcome him.  The ascended Savior also sends you his Holy Spirit so that no unclean spirit will overtake you.  If you remain with Jesus Christ, if you cling to his word and sacraments, you are safe.  The ascended Savior is head over all things for you, for your good, and for your salvation.

     If there is a flaw in the Rite of Confirmation, it is that you may get the idea that you are done.  You’ve studied.  You have grown in the faith.  You memorized the Catechism.  You learned a lot about the Bible and its teachings.  And even if you have not gone through the Catechism in a long time, you still might think that you’ve mastered the Christian faith.  You know what happened at Christmas and Easter.  You might remember a lot of your Sunday School lessons.  It’s not like new chapters are being added to the Bible every year.

     But consider St. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Christians.  He wrote, “Because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him…” (Ephesians 1:15-17), and so on.  He did not say, “You know who Jesus is.  That’s good enough.  You’re set.”  He urged them to continue in what they learned and to grow in the faith.  He encouraged them to let the faith in their hearts and minds become evident in their words and actions.  If you keep reading through the letter to the Ephesians, you will see that St. Paul admonished them to fight against the very sins and temptations that affect us today.  To stand firm, you need Jesus.  And Jesus will not fail you; for, he is the ascended Savior who is the head over all things for the Church.

     Then who or what is there to fear?  The seven Jewish brothers and their mother did not fear the threats, the torture, or the martyrdom that came at the command of Antiochus Epiphanes—which is not to say they enjoyed it.  But their moments of torment were soon forgotten as they entered everlasting peace and joy.  Their bodies were mutilated and destroyed, but they would get them back in glorified perfection.  In the end, those faithful Jews lost nothing.  How could they?  For, Jesus Christ lives and reigns “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.  And (the Father) put all things under his feet” (Ephesians 1:21-22). 

     So also, we stand firm with Jesus, fearing neither threats nor loss nor shame nor death.  Our ascended Savior is head over all things for the Church.  We long to be with him in glory.  Therefore, we long to be with him now.  Here, he confirms our hope of the resurrection, enriches us with his grace, and strengthens us to live and die in the one true faith.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

WORSHIP NOTES: The Paschal Candle and the Festival of the Ascension of our Lord

            The Paschal (PASS-cal) Candle is lit for all Divine Services during the forty days from Easter Sunday to Ascension Day.  It reminds us how the Risen Savior, the Light of the World, dwelled with his apostles for forty days following his resurrection. 

            When we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord, we note Jesus’ departure from this world.  He has ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  NOTE: We will be transferring the Festival of Ascension from its proper date (Thursday, May 18 this year) to the Sunday that follows.

            Jesus’ departure is symbolized by the departure of the Paschal Candle from the nave as the gospel lesson is read.  Although it is carried out of our sight, its light is not extinguished.  For, though Jesus is no longer visible to his Church, the Light of the word has not been extinguished.  He is with us whenever we gather in his name to give us blessing and salvation.

Sermon -- The Ascension of our Lord, transferred (May 29, 2022)

ACTS 1:1-11

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON THE KINGDOM.

M:                   Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

Cong:              He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

In the name + of Jesus.

     After Jesus rose from the dead, he remained on earth in his physical presence for forty days.  Those forty days offered many opportunities to prove to his disciples that Jesus is the Lamb who was slain, but is now risen from the dead.  Jesus also used those forty days to teach his disciples about the kingdom of God.  Jesus encouraged them to keep their focus on the kingdom.

     Unfortunately, the disciples had not completely purged their minds of popular misconceptions about the Messianic kingdom.  Now, to be fair, the language can be misunderstood.  When Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she would give birth to the Messiah, Gabriel told her, “The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).  Similar phrases were used by the prophets.  So, many people came to believe that the Messianic kingdom would be like David’s kingdom.  The Messiah’s rule in Jerusalem would be greater, grander, and more glorious than all empires.  That is why the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6)?  They were eager for a kingdom on earth in which Christ’s people could live in glory.

     Disciples of Jesus still have such misconceptions today.  We are grieved to see the evils that fill the world today.  We are eager to see the evils come to an end.  We can achieve that to some extent with laws that punish evil and promote good.  But that is the role of the government, not the Church.  Now, if Christians want to pursue a career in government, that would be a noble vocation.  Having more Christians in government would be beneficial to society.  But it is not the role of the Church to pass laws or to enforce morality under penalty of law. 

     That’s not to say it has never been tried.  Perhaps the best example was Geneva, Switzerland under John Calvin.  Christianity was enforced.  Leaders tracked church attendance and scrutinized people’s behavior.  People were fined, imprisoned, and even executed if they rebelled against the Christian government.  Mercy and forgiveness were thrust aside.  Life was lived under a continual threat of punishment.  What was supposed to be a wonderful, moral society became an oppressive life under harsh laws.  This is what happens when the Church tries to become the government.

     Keep your focus on the kingdom.  Certainly, Christians will exercise their vocation as active citizens in society.  You are welcome to write your congressman to plead for better laws which curb wickedness and promote righteousness.  But our focus is especially to be on the kingdom of God.  So, when the disciples asked about Jesus restoring the kingdom to Israel, Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7).  Jesus told the disciples not to worry about empires or politics or worldly glory.  All these things will pass away eventually.  Besides, no one is saved by anything the government legislates.  Therefore, the kingdom of God is our focus, for only there do we find salvation.

     Keep your focus on the kingdom.  Perhaps we could use a better word than kingdom.  When we hear kingdom, we think of palaces, kings, and countries.  Better would be to think of the reign of Jesus Christ.  Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  He reigns with grace for the good of his people.  Rather than breathe out threats to force begrudging behavior, Jesus reveals his mercy to inspire a joyful response and willing obedience.  He is not eager to smite lawbreakers.  Instead, Jesus was convicted and condemned so that we would be pardoned for our disobedience.  He preserves us from sin so that we will not be ensnared by it and lost to it again.  He delivers us from death and the grave so that we will be delivered to goodness and glory in an everlasting, heavenly kingdom.  He defeated Satan so that no matter how much Satan taunts us, Jesus’ words of peace silence our fears and his words of comfort remove our doubts.  Jesus lives and reigns to assure us of our place in his kingdom. 

     Keep your focus on the kingdom.  For now, the glory of that kingdom is hidden.  You dwell in God’s kingdom now.  You benefit from his mercy already.  But your blessed status is not obvious to anyone—sometimes, not even to yourself.  By faith, you know that you are the children of God—not because you look or act like it, but because God says you are.  When the Last Day comes, you will be revealed as the glorious children of God.  The Bible says you will shine like stars (Daniel 12:3), that you will be raised with glorious, incorruptible bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44), and that you will be like Jesus (1 John 3:2).  This is what the reign of Jesus delivers to you.  This has been begun in you now; it will be perfected in you in the bliss of heaven.  Nothing else on earth can deliver this, so do not fool yourself into thinking that such glory can be achieved here—not in you, and certainly not in a corrupt world.  Keep your focus on God’s kingdom.

     Jesus commanded his disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  It is the mission of the Church to call sinners to repent and to declare that Jesus is the only source of forgiveness and eternal life.  This is how Jesus’ kingdom advances in this world.  By the preaching of the Gospel, the Lord strengthens our faith and our place in his kingdom.  By the Gospel, the Lord snatches sinners from death and expands his reign of mercy and grace.  Legislation might make people behave—although people always figure out how to get around such laws—but legislation will not convert a single heart.  Only the good news of Jesus does that. 

     Keep your focus on the kingdom.  The Ascended Savior not only converts our hearts so that we are children of God, but he is also transforms our minds so that we strive to live as children of God.  This is what the Lord says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit” (John 15:5).  It is not that you had better bear much fruit; it is that you will and you do.  Keep your focus on his kingdom.  Keep your attention on his word.  Keep on being fed by the body and blood of Christ.  Then the good works will flow from you. 

     I don’t know what makes a young person think that shooting people is a good idea.  We already have laws against that, but they are not stopping crimes from happening.  Laws will not convert hearts.  The Gospel of Jesus does.  If your desire is to see more and more people order their lives according to God’s word, then keep proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.  When people are brought into the kingdom of God, they are not only snatched from the power and influence of the devil, they also rejoice in the words of God who declares peace and eternal life.  They taste and see that the Lord is good and that living as a child of God in his kingdom is good.  They learn to honor other people with the honor God gives to human life.  They learn to love their neighbors as themselves.  The Holy Spirit works in them self-control of their sinful impulses and a yearning to do what is good and right.  This weekend we honor the men and women who were willing to be killed to defend and protect this nation.  That is good and noble.  There is nothing noble about killing others to satisfy whatever bitterness or selfishness lurks within.  Laws can curb wicked hearts, and sometimes they don’t.  The Gospel of Jesus can and does.  By his word, God is at work in the hearts of people “both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13), just as he has done in you.  Therefore, keep your focus on the kingdom of God.

     As far as worldly kingdoms and governments are concerned, Jesus said, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” (Acts 1:7).  Don’t worry about such things.  The Father has determined the course of history.  Nations will rise and fall.  Kingdoms will come and go.  Not long after Jesus said these words, the nation of Israel was scattered around the world by the Romans.  The Roman Empire lasted a while longer, but it has fallen too.  As far as the United States?  I don’t know what God’s plans are.  If history repeats itself, as it usually does, the USA will fade away too.  I don’t know.  God has not revealed it, and he has told us not to be focused on it.

     But you—keep your focus on the kingdom of God.  We don’t know what will happen in this world; God has not revealed that.  But we take great comfort in what God has revealed.  Jesus lives, victorious over death and having authority to raise us up from the dead on the Last Day.  Jesus reigns over all things.  Nothing happens apart from his will.  Even the evils that happen, Jesus will use for his purposes.  For, God has revealed this: Your ascended Savior reigns “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.  And (the Father) put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:21-23). 

     Jesus lives and reigns for you.  His word is supreme and guarantees you all his blessings.  By holy baptism has marked you as his own.  You know that your citizenship is in heaven and you eagerly await Jesus’ return from there.  You know that Jesus ascended into heaven and is preparing a place for there.  You know that he will return the same way as he has gone into heaven—descending from the clouds in glory to bring us into that glory.  You know that the kingdom of our Lord will still stand even after every empire lies in dust.  It is the only kingdom that endures forever and the only kingdom that bestows grace, mercy, and salvation.  God reveals all this for your comfort and your peace.  Therefore, keep your focus on his kingdom. 

     The risen Savior presented himself alive to the apostles for a period of forty days to teach about the kingdom of God, and then he ascended into heaven.  The ascended Savior lives forever and reigns over all things.  He has brought us into his kingdom so that we have unending peace and unshakable hope.  Keep your focus on that kingdom where Jesus lives and reigns so that you will finally live and reign with him.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Worship Note: The Paschal Candle at Ascension

THE PASCHAL CANDLE ON THE FESTIVAL OF THE ASCENSION

               The Paschal Candle is lit for all Divine Services during the forty days from Easter Sunday to Ascension Day.  It reminds us how the Risen Savior, the Light of the World, dwelled with his apostles for forty days following his resurrection. 

               On Sunday, May 29, as we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord (transferred from Thursday, May 26), we note Jesus’ departure from this world.  He has ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

               Jesus’ departure is symbolized by the departure of the Paschal Candle from the nave as the gospel lesson is read.  Although it is carried out of our sight, its light is not extinguished.  For, though Jesus is no longer visible to his Church, the Light of the word has not been extinguished.  He is with us whenever we gather in his name to give us blessing and salvation.

YouTube -- Ascension, transferred (May 16, 2021)

 Here is the service from Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Sermon -- The Ascension of our Lord, transferred (May 16, 2021)

PSALM 47

GOD HAS ASCENDED

WITH A JOYFUL SHOUT. 

M: Alleluia. Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia.

In the name + of Jesus.

     I want you to ponder something unimaginable: The Lions win the Super Bowl, and it goes down this way.  When the clock reads 0:00, the Lions have won by a convincing score.  The players high five and hug each other.  Fans all over Michigan scream with joy.  Then the players quietly dismiss themselves to the locker room to shower up and go home.  No one gets any championship gear.  Roger Goodell asks the head coach, “Don’t you want the Lombardi Trophy?”  He says, “No thanks.  We saw the final score.  We’re good.”  There’s no way that would happen.  Every coach, every player, and every fan would embrace the trophy celebration.  There would be a sea of Honolulu blue T-shirts all over Michigan.  Everyone would bask in the glory of being coronated as Super Bowl champs.

     This is what it is like if we celebrate Easter but give little attention to Jesus’ ascension to heaven.  Yes, sin, death, and the devil were crushed on Easter Sunday when Jesus rose from the dead.  But at the ascension, Jesus was coronated as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  All authority has been given to Jesus.  He lives and reigns over all things—earthly kingdoms and rulers, forces of nature, cells in your body, days of the year: ALL THINGS—for the benefit of his redeemed.  God has ascended with a joyful shout.

     When Psalm 47 was first written, the likely occasion was when David brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem.  The ark of the covenant was the place where the Lord said he would dwell among his people.  Nevertheless, the ark of the covenant did not have as glorious a history as you might think.  It moved about from place to place from Mount Sinai, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land.  Once it was in the Promised Land, it went from Shechem to Shiloh.  Later it was captured in battle by the Philistines.  When God’s wrath broke out against the Philistines, it was returned and kept without fanfare at a small town (Kiriath Jearim).  David was determined to give the ark a designated and dignified home.  While the temple was still some years away, the ark would at least be brought to the City of David.  There, the Lord would dwell with his people to bless them.

     King David had arranged great ceremony and celebration for bringing the ark to its resting place.  The director of music intoned Psalm 47.  “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!  For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.  He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.  He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.  God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet (Psalm 47:1-5). 

     After the Lord had subdued the nations around Israel through David’s sword, the people of Israel were finally granted rest and peace.  God was with Israel, as he promised and where he promised.  The Lord declared that he dwelt with Israel above the mercy seat, which is the top of the ark of the covenant.  It was there that the high priest made atonement for Israel’s sins.  It was before the ark that priests offered up the prayers of the people with incense.  It was in the name of the Lord that blessings were bestowed and salvation was declared. 

     This Psalm finds its ultimate fulfillment in the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God the Father.  Like the ark, Jesus had wandered through the land of Israel without having much of a home to speak of.  He is God who dwelt with his people.  He is the source of blessing and salvation.  Atonement was won by Jesus—not by blood spattered on the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, but by Jesus himself spilling out his holy, precious blood at the cross just outside Jerusalem.  Jesus’ death has paid for your sins.  Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that the payment is complete.  Now Jesus has ascended, not merely the victor over death, as if that weren’t enough, but as the King who sits in the highest place with a name greater than all others.  God has ascended with a joyful shout. 
     We are never comfortable with anyone having unlimited power.  No matter who the President is, half the country laments that he has too much power.  Currently, a large segment of our country believes that the police flaunt their power and get away with whatever they want.  People also fear that Google has too much power.  All this is just within our own country.  How would you feel if we talked about all power resting with China, Iran, North Korea, or Syria?  We are alarmed over such things because we know what people tend to do once they have unbridled power.

     If history has not taught you that, your own sinful nature does.  What would you do if you had unlimited power?  However you end up answering that question, you would ultimately use it to serve yourself.  You would order the world to be run the way you think is right, but the rules would always lean in your favor.  If you decreed that everything would be perfect, you would want everyone to know that you were the one who did it.  Even our best intentions end up serving ourselves.

     But now, all power and authority has been entrusted to Jesus.  That strikes fear because Jesus knows all things.  He knows your past.  He sees your jealousy and is aware of your schemes.  You may convince yourself that your sins are warranted, but Jesus does not buy your arguments.  If you think you can get away with anything, it is only because you do not see Jesus face to face right now.  But look what Adam and Eve did when God came to them.  He did not come breathing fire, but they still ran away from him. They knew they were guilty, and they did everything to avoid having to face that. 

     It does not matter if you love it or hate it; Jesus has been given all authority over heaven and earth, over life and death, over angels, demons, and people.  That fact stands.  If it doesn’t look like it right now, it will be made undeniably clear.  The Psalm declares, “God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet” (Psalm 47:5).  Just as trumpets were blown to announce the ark of the covenant going up to Jerusalem, so also the blast of a trumpet will announce Jesus’ descent on the Last Day.  On that day, what is proclaimed as a word to be believed will become a fact to be seen.  For, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).  It will not matter if a person rejoices at his coming or wants to flee from him.  Every knee will bow, that is, genuflect or kneel.  Every tongue will have to confess him Lord whether they want to or not.

     But now, dear Christians, none of this should strike in you the least bit of fear.  God has ascended with a joyful shout, and God’s people still have that same joy today. We do not kneel or genuflect at the name of Jesus under threat of punishment.  We do it to confess him our Lord and Savior.  No one forces us to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  We stand up willingly and proudly declare it every week.  It is our joy to make this confession.  Yes, the Lord Jesus has all authority and his kingdom endures forever.  But Jesus rules by grace.  By his sufferings and death, Jesus has taken away sins.  By his resurrection, Jesus has conquered death.  But his ascension, Jesus opens heaven and prepares a place for us. 

     Jesus’ kingdom is a kingdom of grace.  He does not force himself upon us.  Anyone who is determined to reject Jesus will be allowed to die apart from him.  He does not tax us for his own lavish tastes—as if he needs us to support his glory, or for world conquests—as if he needs us to maintain his power.  Jesus lives and reigns, but everything he does is for your benefit.  For you and for all who believe in him, Jesus lives and reigns to forgive sins, to save us from death and hell, to comfort the fearful, to encouraging those who suffer and struggle, and to bring you into eternal glory, endless, peace, and a perfect Paradise.  And while he does want you to know who delivers these things, it is not done for his ego, but so that you will know the only way you can receive them. 

     “God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.  Sing praises to God, sing praises!  Sing praises to our King, sing praises!  For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!  God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.  The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.  For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted” (Psalm 47:5-9)! 

     Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  And he reigns for our eternal good.  Of course, this is held by faith and not by sight.  Our eyes, our feelings, and our bodies experience a world that is chaotic.  The wicked seem to have control.  The violent and vicious seem to get rewarded.  Because of that, we may wonder if Jesus is in heaven and doesn’t pay attention anymore to what we are going through.  But faith trusts the word of the Lord.  We believe that Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.  Therefore, we believe that whatever Jesus has us go through, it is for our ultimate good—even if it is hard or painful, chaotic or confusing. 

     If the world seems chaotic, fear not.  Life is often like a tapestry.  The front of a tapestry is beautiful, but not the back side.  The back of a tapestry is a mess with threads going in all directions and colors mish-mashed together.  Our world looks like the back of a tapestry, causing us to think that Jesus does not know what he is doing at the right hand of God.  But from the other side of heaven, Jesus produces a beautiful image for our life.  It may not be until you enter heavenly glory that you will appreciate the goodness of our God.  But fear not.  God has ascended with a joyful shout.  Jesus is seated on his holy throne.  Therefore, God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.  Our prayer is that we are included in his will.  Thanks to Jesus, we are.

    God has ascended with a joyful shout.  He will return in glory with the joyful shouts of his redeemed who long for his coming and for his glorious kingdom.  And while we wait, the Church rejoices; for the Lord God Almighty reigns!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

YouTube -- Ascension of our Lord, transferred (May 24, 2020)

Here is the service from May 24, 2020.

Sermon - Ascension Day, transferred (May 24, 2020)

Some parts of this sermon were gleaned from a sermon by Rev. Jonathan Hein, director of the Commission on Congregational Counseling and the coordinator for Congregational Services of the WELS. 

EPHESIANS 1:16-23

JESUS LIVES AND REIGNS FOR THE CHURCH.

M: Alleluia!  Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

In the name + of Jesus.

      The Gospel reading and the history from the book of Acts focus on Jesus' ascension into heaven and the mission of his disciples until his return.  Our epistle has a slightly different focus.  While St. Luke highlights, “He ascended into heaven,” St. Paul teaches us: “He sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”  Both are significant.  And while both confess the glory of Jesus, both are for the benefit of you.
     Everything that Jesus was first sent to do and everything that Jesus continues to do are for the benefit of you.  For your benefit, God became a man.  He has bound himself to you by becoming a man.  As a man, Jesus is your perfect substitute.  For God has commanded man must keep his Commandments.  This man did.  And God said that man must suffer the curse for disobedience to the Commandments.  So, this man suffered in your place.  But since Jesus is also true God, his perfect life covers all sinners, and his sacrificial death pays for the sins of all sinners.  On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead.  He did not leave his humanity behind when he did this.  If he had, then we would have to believe that being a human being is a bad thing and God's desire is that we escape it.  Rather, Jesus became a man in order to restore humanity to what God intended it to be.  This man, Jesus, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, paving the way for the people he has saved.  Even more than that, this man, Jesus, has been given all authority over everything.  And since he is a man, he still remains bound to you.  Therefore, everything Jesus was first sent to do and everything that Jesus continues to do are for the benefit of you.  Jesus lives and reigns for the Church.
     This means that nothing goes on in this world apart from the authority of Jesus.  Jesus told this to his disciples after his resurrection: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)  This man reigns over all things.  St. Paul wrote that God “seated (Jesus) at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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.  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church...” (Ephesians 1:20-22) 
     Jesus lives and reigns for the Church.  Nothing goes on in this world apart from the authority of Jesus.  While this is intended to supply is with unending comfort, it usually results in confusion and questions.  If Jesus is in total control of all things, why do we have so many problems?  Why are there wicked people who are violent, abusive, heartless, and bullies?  Why must we contend with a virus and the harsh restrictions which take away so many joys from our lives?  Why do we see world-wide problems and endure personal tragedies?  The harder life gets, the more intense these questions get.  If Jesus has authority over all things, we would hope that our prayer, “Deliver us from evil,” means that we would actually be spared from all evils.
     The Bible gives us reasons why we endure the evils we do.  Go all the way back to the  Garden of Eden to learn about the consequences of sin in our world.  God told Adam, “In pain you shall eat of (the ground) all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)  Life is hard.  That should not surprise us, but it always does.  This hard life is the consequence of sin.  And even though Jesus has rescued us from the condemnation of our sins, it does not result in paradise on earth.  Jesus warned us, “See that no one leads you astray....  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  … And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:4,7,11-12)  When we see the evils in this world, it is not because Jesus is indifferent, inattentive, or incapable.  Never has Jesus lost control to the devil, to governments, or to anyone else.  Jesus lives and reigns, and what is even more remarkable—Jesus lives and reigns for the Church.
     But the devil warps our thinking.  He leads us to believe that we know better than our Lord.  If we had all power, we would simply wipe off the face of the earth everything that makes us sad or afraid.  That sounds simple enough, doesn't it?  But if you had the power to remove from your life everything that makes you sad or afraid, what would happen?  Consider the destructive floods suffered in mid-Michigan.  Many families have lost homes, possessions, and security.  As difficult as it is to see and know people who have to contend with this, I don't think this flood has made my wife cry.  But I have.  And I don't think the breaking of the dam in Edenville caused my wife to lose sleep.  But whenever they were sick, our children have.  So I and my children should never have been allowed to exist to ensure we would not cause my wife to cry and lose sleep.  No matter how great we think our plans are to fix everything, we would likely cause greater harm and heartache if they were carried out.  Repent; for you and I are not as wise as we think we are.   
     Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  His love for all things is greater than ours.  Jesus actually does provide deliverance from every evil for all people.  His pain and sorrows and torments were endured to deliver you from a world full of pain and sorrow and torment.  His resurrection from the dead shows you that there is a glorious life to come when you will be raised from the grave as Jesus was.  Jesus ascended into heaven to prepare a place in God's presence for you.  And when he comes again, he will take us to be with him where we will be forever free from sorrow, grief, and sadness.  Jesus indeed will deliver us from every evil, and that deliverance is everlasting.
     Jesus lives and reigns for the Church.  Jesus uses even the evils that we must suffer now for our eternal good.  In his wisdom, Jesus knows what is best for us.  In his mercy, Jesus knows what we need.  Why does he let evils go on?  Why does he allow sickness and disease to harm our bodies and our families?  Why does he send disaster?  And why does it seem like he is piling on in the year 2020?  It is because he is calling sinners to repent of their sins and to long for salvation.  C.S. Lewis once wrote that pain is God's megaphone.  It is what he uses to get people to realize that they are helpless and that they need a Savior.  So Jesus uses the evils in this world to call sinners to repent.
     Now you may wonder why Jesus is having you suffer and endure these hardships if you already confess his name.  Simple.  It is because you need to repent too.  You and I still have a love for this world that we need to cast off.  We want ease.  We want money.  We want to have a clean bill of health that won't get threatened by anything.  We want to life to be without stress, without pain, without sorrows, and without troubles.  The problem is we want it here.  We yearn for paradise on earth.  But that is not where Jesus promises we will find it.  Instead, he teaches us to long for the heavenly home he has prepared for us.  Until he chooses to bring us into that heavenly home, he wants us to rely on him, call on him, and hope in him.  We don't feel a great need to do that when life is easy, but we sure do when life gets hard.  The fact is, we don't need money or health or freedoms.  They are nice, but they are not to be trusted.  All that we need is Jesus; for he alone supplies forgiveness and salvation, comfort and peace, hope and life.
     Good news: Jesus lives and reigns for the good of the Church.  Whatever he has you enjoy or endure, he does for your eternal good.  He either blesses you with times of refreshing in which you give thanks, or he blesses you with times of difficulty in which he disciplines you for your good.  Do not despair over a world that seems to be unraveling.  You have a Savior who lives and reigns for you.  He has enlightened “the eyes of your hearts” so “that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19) 
     The Lord Jesus is in complete control of all things.  Even if you don't know how he works for your good, you have his word that he does.  He has redeemed you.  He will not forsake you.  He has bound himself to you and will come again for you.  He lived for you.  He died for you.  He rose for you.  Now he lives and reigns—for ever, and for you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Sermon -- The Ascension of our Lord, transferred (June 2, 2019)

LUKE 24:44-53

OUR ASCENDED KING RULES BY GRACE.

M: Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

Cong:  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

In the name + of Jesus.

     When Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, his apostles asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)  They had seen Jesus correct the evils of this world by bringing sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf.  He had cleansed lepers and even raised the dead.  It seemed that Jesus was going to make everything right.  Jesus is the Son of David.  So the apostles were hopeful that Jesus would take his place on the throne of David and rule the world.  Was this the time?  In other words, would Jesus bring order and sense to a corrupt and chaotic world?  Would Jesus make everything right? 
     It is an appetizing thought.  Many challenge the Christian faith with it: If God really is all powerful, then why doesn't he put an end to wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, and tornadoes?  If God really is love, then why doesn't he put a stop to broken homes and abusive fathers?  Why doesn't he empty cancer wards, cure Lou Gehrig's disease, and eliminate the need for children's hospitals?  If all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus and if he has established the kingdom of God, then why doesn't Jesus make everything right?  We, too, long for these things.  We pray for them, because we long to be free from sin and every evil.  So, will Jesus bring order and sense to a corrupt and chaotic world?
     In a word, Jesus answers, “No.”  Not as the apostles thought, and not as you might think.  Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8) 
     Much to our dismay, Jesus is not going to make this world Paradise.  Jesus has established a kingdom, but Jesus' rule is not based on finances, health, or diplomacy.  Jesus does not promise these things either.  These promises come from politicians and advertisers.  We vote for the politicians who offer the biggest prizes, and we throw money at the companies whose product features laughing people on sunny beaches.  Even though we know better, we still think that Paradise can be achieved.  So, our priorities and prayers are devoted to an easier life, a fatter wallet, better health, and a perfect world.  But no matter how many prizes the politicians deliver and no matter how slick the advertisements are, the world is still corrupt and chaotic.  The Scriptures give you this warning: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  … The world is passing away along with its desires...” (1 John 2:15,17)  God's grace is not given through finances, health, and diplomacy.  Those who trust in them will perish with them.
     Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told the Church what its mission is: “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48)  The apostles were to proclaim what they had witnessed concerning Jesus.  Jesus does establish a kingdom, and our ascended king rules by grace.
     So, what did the apostles witness?  What grace did they see?  They saw that God loved his creation enough to become man and dwell among us.  They saw Jesus fulfill all the promises God had made about the Christ, so that they could attest without doubt that Jesus is the Messiah-King.  They heard Jesus declare that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but shall be raised up on the Last Day for eternal life.  They had witnessed John the Baptist point to Jesus and declare, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)  They had witnessed the public slaying of that Lamb so that no one could deny he had died.  They saw his blood shed as the payment for the sin of the world.  They had witnessed Jesus' resurrection from the dead, just has he had foretold them, proving that all his claims and all his promises are true—particularly his promise that whoever believes in his name will receive forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation.
     Jesus, therefore, did not tell the apostles, “Go out and make the world a better place.”  He did not send them to be financial planners, to hand out prescriptions, or to negotiate treaties among kings.  Jesus commissioned them: “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in (Jesus') name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:47-48)  Our ascended king rules by grace.
     After Jesus ascended into heaven, his apostles would go forth to declare what they had seen and heard.  They would call people to repent and declare that forgiveness of sins is found in Jesus Christ alone.  They would make the death and resurrection of Jesus known so that people could believe in him, become part of his kingdom, and receive the benefits of his grace.  For, the kingdom of God is founded on Jesus—that he is the Messiah-King, that he is the Savior, that he is the sole source of forgiveness, that he alone is the way to the Father, and that he is the resurrection and the life.  Our ascended king rules by grace. 
     He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. (Apostles' Creed)  This man, Jesus of Nazareth, now rules heaven and earth.  He who became a man to unite himself to you in order to redeem you now dwells in the presence of God and rules over all things for your good.  He lives and reigns for the good of his Church.  Our ascended king rules by grace.  So no matter what you must face in this world, your ascended king is overseeing all of it.  Everything that happens he does for your eternal good.  For the moment, it may not feel good.  It may, in fact, seem to be the evils that you pray to be delivered from.  But if what you endure causes you to pray to the Lord, and if your prayer is that you would finally be delivered out of this world of sin and brought into the glories of heaven, then even the evils you suffer and serving your eternal good.  This is part of your ascended king's gracious rule.
     No matter what evils may come, they do not change that Jesus is in control, that Jesus is merciful, and that Jesus is doing all things for your good.  Once again, what we think of as good and what is actually good for us are often two different things.  Our Lord Jesus teaches you not to trust in wealth.  Riches are easily lost.  Sometimes Jesus has to prove that to you by draining your wealth with expenses.  Wealth cannot be trusted and it should not be loved.  The kingdom of our Lord, however, is unfailing and invaluable.  The Lord Jesus has shown you not to trust in your health.  All men are grass, and all their glory will pass away.  The grace of our Lord, however, endures forever.  And while we are all grateful for a peaceful world, we know that the promises of men are not reliable.  Treaties are often broken, and nations go to war.  But the peace that Jesus has secured cannot be nullified by anything.   Your forgiveness cannot be canceled.  Your new life cannot be killed.  Your salvation cannot be stolen.  These are all based on the death and resurrection or Jesus.  They are given by your ascended Savior who cannot be removed from his throne.  His kingdom endures forever, and the ascended king rules by grace which always brings forgiveness, always delivers from death, and always marks us for heaven. 
     He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. (Apostles' Creed)  Just as we have a man who has conquered death, giving mankind victory over the grave, so now we also have a man who dwells in the very presence of God.  Since he has united us to himself, we will also dwell with him.  There we will finally have our Paradise.  For, in the everlasting kingdom of God, there will be no more wars or rumors of war, no famines, no earthquakes, no tornadoes, no blind, no deaf, no temptation, no sin, and no death.  There, Jesus will make all things right, and will even make sense of whatever it is you had to endure in this world.  But until that day, do not fear.  For, your ascended king lives and reigns.  He rules by grace.  He lives and reigns forever.  For you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.