Bible Matters -- Spring Session begins April 23

           Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings.  We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions.  All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics. 

          Sessions will focus on the topic: The Resurrection Accounts in the Gospels.  The resurrection of our Lord is recorded in each of the four Gospels.  Each one gives an account with different details, as each account focuses on different emphases and had different initial audiences.  Each deserves to be considered in its own context.

April 23           According to the Gospel of St. Matthew

April 30           According to the Gospel of St. Mark

May 7              NO CLASS

May 14            According to the Gospel of St. Luke

May 21            According to the Gospel of St. John

May 28            Accounts from Acts and 1 Corinthians.

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

BIBLE BITS: Luke 18

In the Gospel according to St. Luke, he records an incident in which mothers bring their babies to Jesus so that he would bless them.  Luke, however, does not actually use the word "bless" in his account.  The blessing is implied.  St. Luke wrote: "Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them" (Luke 18:15).

The touch of Jesus is significant.  Jesus could certainly have spoken a word of blessing upon the children.  Or the mothers could have sung a psalm for their children which proclaims God's blessings upon his people.  But the touch of Jesus was important to them.  They made the effort to go to Jesus and to deliver their children to him.

This is significant for us today, too.  While we can take comfort in the word of God which delivers God's blessings to us (i.e., forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation), the Lord knows that we need his touch.  God did not merely declare from heaven that he loves us and forgives us.  He became a man to connect himself to us, in fact, to unite himself to us.  In doing so, he exalts our humanity and, by his death and resurrection, will restore us to what God had created us to be.  He does not merely save our souls.  He saves us completely--body and soul, which is what God has created us to be.

When Jesus wants to connect with us today, he goes beyond his bare word to do so.  He could have issued Bibles to everyone and told us to read his word and said, "That is sufficient.  You need nothing more."  Instead, he chooses to touch us in physical ways.

He established the office of the holy ministry and sends out pastors who proclaim God's blessings, preach God's word, absolve God's people, and touch their lives.  When he brings us into his kingdom, he tells us to use water in connection with God's word to cleanse us of all sin.  Through the waters of holy baptism, he gives us his Holy Spirit.  When he strengthens and keeps us in the one, true faith, he gives us his body and blood in, with, and under the bread and the wine in holy communion.  

And even more, he connects us with each other.  We are all flesh-and-blood, body-and-soul people who get to support one another.  We do so not only with prayers, but also with human touch.  God designed us to have fellowship with one another.  We greet one another with handshakes and hugs.  In the early church where the culture called for it, they greeted one another with a holy kiss.  

Like those mothers who loved their babies and wanted Jesus to touch them and bless them, we also want to make the effort to come where Jesus touches us with his blessing.  In this way, we don't have to rely on how well we hear and understand God's word for our comfort.  We can have Jesus apply his blessings to us through things we can touch, taste, see, and smell.  

The blessings of Jesus came through his touch.  They still do.  

NOTE: The picture above is a painting by Lucas Cranach, the elder (1472 - 1553), on display in Frankfurt, Germany. (Source: Christ Blessing the Children by CRANACH, Lucas the Elder (wga.hu))

Advent Vespers 2022

 2022 Advent Vespers 

“THAT YOU MAY BE 

 CERTAIN CONCERNING

THE THINGS YOU

HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.” 

Pondering the Gospel of St. Luke

November 30
Supper:  ________________

Certain that God means what he says
(Luke 1:5-25)

December 7
Supper:  ________________

Certain we have the Savior we need
(Luke 1:26-56)

December 14
Supper:  ________________

Certain that God is merciful
(Luke 1:57-80)

Services are Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.

Supper will be served at 6:00 PM.

YouTube -- Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist

 Here is the service from October 18, 2020.

Sermon -- Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist (October 18, 2020)

LUKE 1:1-4; LUKE 24:44-53

LUKE PROCLAIMS A REAL JESUS FOR REAL SINNERS.

In the name + of Jesus.

      The Greek poet, Aesop, wrote many fables which were designed to teach lessons.  One example: A crow, having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak.  A fox longed to possess the meat himself, and by a wily plan succeeded.  “How handsome is the crow,” he exclaimed, “in the beauty of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion!  Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of the Birds!”  The crow, eager to show off her singing voice, called out a loud caw and dropped the meat.  The fox quickly picked it up, and addressed the crow, “My good crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is lacking.”  The moral of the story is not to be deceived by flattery.  Aesop may have been good at fables and lessons, but no one will confuse Aesop's story with a historical event. 

     There are many who would reduce the Bible to a series of stories that are no different than Aesop's Fables.  But the Bible is not “Once upon a time in an enchanted kingdom.”  The Bible records historical events with real people who lived in particular places.  It is firmly planted in history.  Our faith is not based on fantasy, but on facts.  While there are many examples of the writers of the Bible pinpointing moments and places in history, there is probably no writer who is more of a historian that the doctor, Luke.

     Luke was closely associated with the apostle Paul, often traveling and serving the church with him.  While Paul was in prison awaiting his execution, Luke was there with him.  It is from the instruction which our Lord gave to St. Paul that Luke recorded his Gospel.  St. Paul, however, was not Luke's only source.  Twice St. Luke noted that, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19), so it is likely that Luke received details about Jesus' birth and youth from his mother.  As a faithful historian, entrusted with recording the life of Jesus, Luke was careful to get it right.  Luke proclaims a real Jesus.

     He says so in his introduction: “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4)  Although Luke mentions many who have written, the Lord chose to preserve only the writings of Matthew and Mark (John having written later).  Therefore, God guided Luke to record another account of Jesus' words and works.  Luke gives us the most detailed account of Jesus' birth and the only account of Jesus as a boy.  Luke gives us the most accurate starting date to mark John the Baptist's preaching, and therefore also Jesus' ministry.  Luke correctly identifies government titles, military officers, landmarks, weapons, and coinage.  No one who is trying to deceive you would ever be so precise.  One reason, of course, is that the Holy Spirit guided Luke in every word he used.  But another reason is because Luke, the historian, wants you to know that salvation is cemented in history.  Luke proclaims a real Jesus for real sinners.

     Luke, being a doctor, was trained to diagnose illnesses and to prescribe medicines and ointments to deal with them.  In his Gospel, Luke mentioned various diseases and ailments—leprosy, chronic bleeding, paralysis, a withered hand, blindness, and even demon-possession.  When it is claimed that simple-minded people of Jesus' day assumed that every disease and disorder was demon-possession, they fail to note Luke's careful designations.  Even though Luke could label these problems, that did not mean that Luke could heal them.  

     It is all the more true with sin.  It is not hard to see the symptoms of our sin.  They are behaviors which are harmful, hateful, or immoral.  Those symptoms are easier to see in others than in ourselves.  When we commit sins, we do it because we think they are beneficial, not harmful.  We do them because we like them and think we gain something by them.  If we cause pain to someone because we sinned against them, our apology is often, “I am sorry I hurt you.”  It is rare to hear the honest confession, “I was wrong.”  That's because we think we are good and our sins are justified.  But ask anyone you sin against if your sins are real.  The pain, the shame, and the bitterness that sins cause are real.  The diagnosis is obvious: We are all sinners, because sinners do sinful things.  Our offenses against God's Law are, indeed, wicked, but it is the root cause that damns us.  

     If someone had chronic headaches, they would be recognized as symptoms of a greater problem, perhaps a tumor.  A doctor could prescribe limitless supplies of Advil and that would mask the symptom, but it would do nothing for the disease.  The tumor is the real and lethal problem.  Likewise, our sins are symptoms.  We can try to improve our behavior so that we are more kind and more sensitive to others.  While that masks our sinfulness and others would appreciate it, it does not address our underlying problem.  Our real and lethal problem is our sinful condition.  We can label it, but we cannot cure it.  This is why Luke proclaims a real Jesus.  We need a real Savior because sin and death are real.  We are real sinners.  We need a real Savior.  St. Luke proclaims and assures you that you have one.  Jesus is a real Savior for real sinners.

     Shortly before Jesus ascended into heaven, he commissioned his apostles to proclaim to the world all that he taught and did for the salvation of the world.  Jesus told them, “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)  St. Luke has recorded the testimony of people who witnessed God in the flesh, who heard the testimony of angels, who saw Jesus perform miraculous signs, who were taught by Jesus about the kingdom of God, who saw him crucified, buried, and risen from the dead.  St. Luke proclaims a real Jesus.

     Luke recorded these things not just so you know your history, but so that you can know your salvation.  Yes, St. Luke proclaims a real Jesus, but he proclaims a real Jesus for real sinners.  Jesus said all of these things were done so that “the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in (Jesus') name to all nations.” (Luke 24:47)  This is the cure for sin and death.  Jesus has come to purify you of all sin and to deliver you out of your sinful condition.  He has taken up your infirmities and sorrows, your sin and your shame, your death and your damnation.  God has never overlooked your sins, instead he became a man to pay for them.  Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin before Caiaphas.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate and was executed by Romans.  He was crucified publicly and confirmed dead.  On the third day after his death, Jesus rose from the grave, producing a scandal and cover-up among his foes and great joy among his friends.  Luke proclaims a real Jesus for real sinners, as none of this was done in secret.

     Since Jesus has risen from the dead, you know that the payment is complete.  Jesus' resurrection proves that God the Father is pleased with Jesus' sacrifice on your behalf.  For this reason, Jesus wants forgiveness proclaimed to the world.  Every infraction against God's Law has been atoned for.  Every sinner who is baptized into Jesus has been covered with Jesus' innocence and purified of all unrighteousness.  St. Luke made a careful investigation in all that Jesus said and did and he has recorded it for you so that you can know with certainty that you have been saved by Jesus.  Luke proclaims a real Jesus for real sinners.

     I suppose some might consider Luke's Gospel redundant or even unnecessary.  As we considered earlier, Matthew and Mark had already written their Gospel accounts.  And much of what Luke recorded they had already covered.  What's more, in his introduction, Luke acknowledged that his friend, Theophilus, had already been taught about Jesus.  If all of these facts are true, why write a third Gospel?

     St. Luke answers: “It seemed good to me … to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:3-4)  We continue to gather together as the friends of God (for that is what “Theophilus” means) to hear the testimony about a real Jesus who brings a real salvation to real sinners.  Sin still plagues us.  Death still bothers us.  Fear and doubt still haunt us.  Our need for comfort and encouragement is constant and real.  God be praised—so are the mercies and promises of Jesus Christ.  

     Luke proclaims a real Jesus for real sinners.  And so, we sit before the pulpit to hear the words of Christ.  We come to the altar to partake in the body of Christ which bore our sins.  We drink the blood of Christ which atones for our guilt.  We are fed the body and blood which have overcome death so that we will receive an eternal life with a real, unending glory.  We come to the sacraments so that we maintain a real connection with Jesus and grow in certainty of his promises.

     For many, eternal life, everlasting peace, and endless glory are fantasies.  Not for you.  They are the promises of God.  They are received by faith, and they will be seen in their realities at the resurrection of the dead.  You have a real Savior who gives you real comfort, hope, and peace.  These are the facts.  St. Luke is your witness.  Jesus is your Savior.

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

Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist (October 18, 2020)

Lutheran worship is liturgical.  While that often refers to an order of worship, it can also refer to the calendar of the Church Year.  The Church Year includes major festivals, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, etc...  On Sunday, October 18, we will recognize a minor festival, the Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist.

St. Luke was a close companion of St. Paul.  St. Paul refers to Luke a number of times, particularly that Luke was with Paul in the final days of Paul’s life (2 Timothy 4:11).  Luke wrote the gospel that bears his name and the book of Acts (which also demonstrates his association with Paul in the portions that talk about what “we” did).  Not only was Luke a physician (Colossians 4:14), he was obviously a historian which is seen throughout Luke’s Gospel and the book of Acts where Luke is careful to date events and cite people and places.  We are especially grateful that, under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, Luke “carefully investigated everything ... so that (we) may know the certainty of the things (we) have been taught.” (Luke 1:3,4)

Sermon -- Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist and Doctor (October 18, 2015)

LUKE 4:38-41

LUKE, THE PHYSICIAN, TESTIFIES 

TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.  

In the name + of Jesus. 

     When we consider the writings of the Evangelist Luke in both his Gospel and in the book of Acts, we notice that Luke was a detailed historian.  Luke did not invent myths or write fairy tales.  He documented names and dates.  He used specific terminology and identified items with striking accuracy.  But if Luke is to be recognized as a scholar, it stands to reason: he was also a physician.
     The physician, Luke, recorded many of Jesus' miraculous healings.  Luke, the physician, testifies to the Great Physician.  Luke would have worked with herbs and other medicines.  Jesus worked with a touch of his hand and an authoritative word.  In our reading from Luke's gospel, we hear Jesus issue his authoritative word with a strange expression.  Jesus had gone to the house of Simon Peter in Capernaum.  There, he healed Simon's mother-in-law.  Luke recorded it this way: “He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her...” (Luke 4:39)  Jesus rebuked the fever.
     If we survey the gospels, we notice that Jesus made several rebukes.  Jesus rebuked the demons when he drove them out of those who were possessed.  Luke records one of those instances in his gospel.  “Demons also came out of many, crying, 'You are the Son of God!'  But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.” (Luke 4:41)  Jesus rebuked the demons because he did not want the testimony of demons.  Demons are not interested in preaching people toward Jesus, but rather away from him.  Therefore, Jesus rebuked them.  Jesus also rebuked Simon Peter.  After the disciples confessed that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus told them that this meant that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise again.  Peter rebuked Jesus and said, “Far be it from you, Lord!  This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22)  Jesus, in turn, rebuked Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23)  If Jesus did not go to the cross, there would be no salvation for sinners.  Jesus also rebuked the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus was not to die by drowning, but by crucifixion.  Whenever Jesus rebuked someone or something, the common theme seems to be that Jesus rebukes whatever would prevent him from winning our salvation.
     But then Luke records this: “He rebuked the fever, and it left her...” (Luke 4:39)  To see how this is consistent with preserving our salvation, we must understand that the woman's fever was the result of sin in this world.  Every fever, every ailment, every disease, every allergy, and finally every death is the result of sin.  It is not the result of one specific sin for which God is smiting you.  It is that we are sinners living in a sin-encrusted world.  This corruption means that our bodies break down.  We become frail, sick, and weak.  Genes mutate.  Immunity systems fail.  Eyesight fades.  Hearing goes.  Organs shut down.  And finally death comes to us all.
     It is no surprise that healthcare is such a popular topic.  Employees come to expect a generous healthcare package at their jobs.  Politicians make all kinds of promises to improve it, fix it, or guarantee it.  Healthcare is considered as much of a right as free speech and as necessary as food and water.  It is reported that 1/6 of the US economy is tied to health care.  For many, health has become a false god.  Even people who claim that they can never get out of their homes will not miss a doctor's appointment.  We all pray for longer, happier, and pain-free lives.  We trust doctors, hospitals, and medical prescriptions to be the answer to our prayers.  And yet, none of these will save anyone from the grave or improve the sinful condition.
     Although St. Luke was a doctor, I can assure you that the most important thing Luke ever wrote was not a prescription.  Luke, the physician, testifies to the Great Physician.  Jesus Christ is God who became man.  He was a flesh and blood man who dwelt among flesh and blood people in the midst of their various diseases, their disabilities, and death.  Jesus ministered to those who were hurting and ailing, bringing his healing touch to those who were brought to him.
     The gospel writer Matthew declared that Jesus fulfilled the words of Isaiah, “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” (Matthew 8:17)  And indeed, Jesus did everything to deliver us from sin and its consequences.  He took into his body every one of our infractions against the Law and the curse that comes with them.  He became sin for us, taking our guilt and all the consequences that comes with our broken condition.  Jesus gave his body into death to deliver our bodies from every consequence of sin—damnation, death, disease, and decay.
     Luke, the physician, testifies to the Great Physician.  For, the one who suffered and died for us in our sinful condition also rose from the grave in his body.  Jesus' body lives and reigns forever in glory and immortality.  He demonstrates that the bodies which God gave us will not be forever discarded, but rather that we will be raised up from the dead in glory, in immortality, without frailties and without failing.
     It is amazing to me how many people—even Christians—like the idea of reincarnation.  People want to come back with new bodies and live in this corrupt, disease-ridden, and death-filled world again and again in an on-going cycle.  If you have suffered at all from sickness, weakness, or disease, why would you want to come back to it?  In any case, that is not what Jesus promises you.  Jesus' resurrection is not some spiritual aspirin which is supposed to mask aches and pains for a little while.  The Great Physician gives you perfect and everlasting healing for all your sicknesses and diseases.  He gives you the resurrection of the body not to return to a broken world, but to dwell in a perfect Paradise.  Heaven knows no hospitals, prescriptions, healthcare plans, or even Kleenex.  Sin has been removed.  All things have been redeemed, restored, and made whole.
     Granted, we are not there yet.  We still live in a world where we are afflicted with disease or knocked out by sickness.  Hospitals continue to be built, and their beds continue to be filled.  The world still needs doctors and nurses to minister to the sick and dying.  It is right to show mercy to the sick, for they need it.  And we thank God for the gifts he has given us in tending to the needs of the ailing—doctors, nurses, paramedics, and technicians, medicine and therapy, and research for new treatments which can bring healing and comfort to us.  We are right to be grateful for these, just as we are grateful for the many gifts God gives us to sustain us in this world.
     But if you desire a long, healthy, happy, and pain free life, then listen to your doctor, St. Luke.  Luke, the physician, testifies to the Great Physician.  All your longings for health, healing, and wholeness find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  Your solution is not to run to the medicine cabinet, but to the altar.  Here, the body and blood which were given into death to win your salvation are given you to apply Jesus' salvation to you.  It results not merely in a few extra years of life, but life everlasting.  It produces not temporary relief from pain, but eternal rest and peace.  Here is your remedy for death.  This is the medicine of immortality which, if you eat and drink of it, you will live forever with your risen Savior.  And like your flesh and blood Jesus, you too will be saved from the grave with a body that is immortal, imperishable, incorruptible, glorious, and perfect.  For, Jesus will rebuke death and sin and raise you up to eternal life.  It is not something that you merely wish for; it is something you merely wait for.  The physician, Luke, testifies to the Great Physician who is your remedy for sin and death, and who will restore everything to glorious perfection.
 

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

Sermon -- 1st Sunday after Christmas (December 30, 2012)

LUKE 2:41-52

JESUS IS INTO HIS FATHER’S THINGS.

In the name + of Jesus.

     There has often been a lament that we hear next to nothing about Jesus’ childhood, his teen years, and his early adulthood from the Gospels.  It is not a new complaint.  The eagerness to hear such stories is one of the reasons Christians are curious about the Gnostic Gospels.  In the Gospel of Thomas, for example, we hear of some of the alleged miracles that Jesus performed as a child.  One of those miracles was that Jesus killed another child who had run into him while they were playing.  The early Church recognized that these writings were fraudulent.  While they did not suppress them, they did condemn them.  But that leaves us right where we were.  We have almost no information about Jesus from age 2 until age 30.  The twelve verses we heard in our Gospel are it. 

     St. John tells us that Jesus’ first miracle was the changing of water into wine at the wedding of Cana, so we should not expect any writer to uncover any infant miracles of Jesus.  The amazing thing about Jesus is not that he could do miracles.  (Moses and even Pharaoh’s priests did too.)  The amazing thing about Jesus is that he is God in the flesh.  Therefore, this one account of Jesus gives us much to marvel at and much to ponder on.  Already at twelve years old, Jesus testifies that he is into his Father’s things.

     It was at age 12 that Jesus was first under the obligation of the Law to journey to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.  Jews from all over the world traveled to Jerusalem to remember God’s mercy and God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt.  There, they rejoiced before God and praised him that, through the blood of an unblemished lamb, the Lord delivered the Israelites from death.  The Israelites ate of the lamb’s body and unleavened bread.  They drank wine from the cup.  They feasted.  Then they departed in peace.

     As they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:43)  As Jesus later explained to his parents, this was no act of rebellion.  Jesus knew what he was doing by staying in Jerusalem and by going to the temple.  He talked with the priests who presided over the sacrifices.  He plied with questions the scribes who had copied the sacred words for the new scrolls.  He studied the rabbis who taught in the synagogues.  What do the Scriptures say concerning the Christ?  How does he fulfill the Passover?  The sacrifices?  The priestly office?  Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms all testify of the Christ.  How will he fulfill these words?  What does the Father promise that his Son will be?  What does the Father say that his Son will do?  The boy Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem.  Jesus was into his Father’s things.

     Meanwhile, you can imagine the panic that filled Joseph and Mary when they could not find Jesus in their caravan.  When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.  After three days they found him in the temple…  And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so?  Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” (Luke 2:45-46,48)  You can just as easily imagine Jesus’ stunned innocence as he replies, “Why were you looking for me?  Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) 

     The phrase Jesus spoke is more literally “It is necessary that I be in the things of my Father.”  Yes, that means the Temple.  But it also means the sacrifices, the Scriptures, the priests, the prophets, the festivals, and the fulfillment.  It was necessary that Jesus would be here.  All things in Israel’s religion pointed to Jesus; and Jesus came to fulfill all these things.  That is still the way it is.  Everything in the Church is still about Jesus—whether Christmas, or hymns, or ceremonies, or architecture.  It all points to Jesus, because that is what reveals the Father’s mercy to us.  Jesus is into his Father’s things so that he can give us the Father’s things. 

     Mary and Joseph were frantically looking for Jesus.  Jesus chastised them.  They should have known where to find him.  He could only be in his Father’s things.  This is also the only place you will find the peace, hope, and security you long for.  Your life is filled with angst and worry and grief.  You continue to trust in things that are not trustworthy.  You lean on things that are not stable.  Your money can’t save you.  Your job gives you no guarantees.  Your friends can fail you.  Your family disappoints you.  You remember the security and peace of the good ol’ days and you wish you could have that back.  But as you get older, you realize more and more that all the traditions, all the customs, and even all the people you had enjoyed and relied upon are taken from you.  They change.  They die.  They are lost.  Everything in life is unstable and unreliable. 

     When Jesus went to the Passover, it was not to try to relive the good ol’ days when God paid attention to his people and acted for their good.  God had come to earth because he was mindful of your plight.  He came to act for your good.  The reason Jesus came was to be into his Father’s things.  It is the Father’s business to have mercy on sinners.  That is why he sent his Son for you. 

     The only peace and hope and security you are ever going to find is in Jesus Christ.  He is into his Father’s things and did his Father’s work.  He delivers peace to you by taking all guilt and torment and death and hell from you.  He is the Lamb slain for you.  His blood covers you.  Death passes over you.  God is merciful.  And Jesus grants you the security you crave.  His forgiveness is no momentary or fragile thing.  His compassion does not change.  Therefore, your salvation is not something that can be swept away by the next disaster.  God’s goodness which was revealed in Jesus long ago is delivered to you here and now through the word and sacraments.  You do not have to long for what was, because God delivers his mercy to you in what is here.

     That is the only place you will find Jesus.  He is in his Father’s house where the word is preached.  He is the sacrifice slain for sinners.  He is the body and the unleavened bread upon which you feast in the joy of forgiveness.  He is the curtain which was torn in half to grant you access to the Holy of Holies.  He is the one who made the good ol’ days good, granting you those blessings brought peace and security.  He is the one who makes your future eternally peaceful and secure.  And he is the one who will bless and sustain you in God’s mercy until you enter your heavenly home.

     St. Luke sums up Jesus’ early years rather succinctly: And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them….  And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:51-52)  Jesus was into his Father’s things.  This sums up Jesus’ life from infancy to when he began his public ministry at age 30.  He did not check in to be your Savior and substitute when he felt like it.  He lived for you from his conception through his crucifixion. 

     Jesus is into his Father’s things.  Where else would you expect him to be found?  Mary and Joseph needed that reminder that Jesus was not just God’s gift to them.  Jesus is the Son of God who has come to be the Savior of the world.  For, God so loved the world that he gave his Son for you.  Jesus devoted himself to his Father’s things, so that he could give the Father’s things to you.  Like Mary, we take all this to heart and ponder it.  That is our marvel.

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