YouTube -- 4th Sunday of End Times: Christ the King (November 20, 2022)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, November 20, 2022.

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of End Times: Christ the King (November 20, 2022)

JEREMIAH 23:2-6

JESUS IS OUR RIGHTEOUS KING.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Another election cycle is past.  Either you are happy with the results and excited about the future, or disappointed and grieved about what may be coming.  We believe that our leaders are going to make our world a better place or that they are going to destroy it.  That’s how the politicians sell it; and that’s how we buy it.

     King David served over Israel for forty years as king.  He understood the burdens of leadership—the expectations (usually unrealistic), the enemies (always vicious), and the limited power he actually had.  Regarding leaders and politicians, King David was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish” (Psalm 146:3-4).  Leaders come and go.  The world still has its problems.  They often get worse.  That is nothing new.

     Even among God’s chosen people, the kingdom went from bad to worse.  In the days of Jeremiah, the kingdom of Israel had spiraled down to the point where people rejected God and his word.  The kings were to be leaders who set the tone for a godly nation.  Each king was given a copy of the Law of Moses which would guide any agenda he set.  He would lead by example, ordering his life, his house, and his kingdom according to the world of the Lord.  For centuries, many of Israel’s kings did not pay attention to God’s word.  The people followed their lead; they ignored the word of the Lord as well. 

     The Lord judges leaders more harshly than others, whether they are politicians or pastors.  Those in authority can either promote righteousness or suppress it.  They can either curb wickedness or lead people into it.  Pastors can either lead people to God’s promises or deliver them into God’s curse.  To the faithless kings of Jerusalem, Jeremiah declared the Lord’s judgment: “Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: ‘You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them.  Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord’” (Jeremiah 23:2-3). 

     Because of the faithless leadership of these kings, the Lord had raised up enemy nations to afflict them.  The kings of Israel had caused many in Israel to face the sword and captivity.  Those who were supposed to be God’s people were taken captive by other people.  Those who were supposed to possess the Promised Land were scattered into strange lands.  The kingdom of David was cut off like a tree, down to a lifeless stump.

     While this is a history lesson about the nation of Israel, history tends to repeat itself.  Israel was God’s chosen nation.  The United States is not, as if we are special to God and other nations are not.  God’s chosen people are his Church which is not marked by borders, race, language, or even time.  Nevertheless, even Christians can be negligent about God’s word and ordering our lives according to it.  One way we do that is by judging our officials by our wallets.  Our highest good is often determined by prosperity.  We also confuse freedom for a license do to anything we want.  Freedom is not a free-for-all.  Yes, the Lord did set you free from your sins so that they will not condemn you.  But that does not mean sins don’t matter.  God’s word still directs us to what is good and holy.  If we receive God’s forgiveness only to go right back to the sins we said we repented of, we mock God.  St. Peter warned, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16).  Just because your government says that you are free to do something does not mean that God smiles upon it. 

     When God assessed the kings of Israel, his judgment was either “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” or “He did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.”  It was not about the economy or foreign policy or strong borders.  God’s judgment was always based on his word.  Whoever believed it and lived according to it pleased God; whoever neglected God’s word and demonstrated his unbelief in his life fell under God’s curse.  You may not be kings, but you are judged the same way.  We remain God’s people only by retaining God’s word.  Those who do not are captive to sin and will suffer a judgment far worse than death.

     The kings of Jeremiah’s day misled the people.  The prophets lied.  God’s judgment fell upon them hard.  For their part, the people were willingly deceived.  They wanted to believe that they could defy God and that he would still bless them for it.  They also fell under God’s judgment.  The Lord, however, offered hope to the faithful few who were left in Jerusalem.  He would not forsake them.  He would be faithful to his promises, and he would deliver a king who would finally serve and bless and save them.

     Jeremiah wrote: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). 

     Although the kingdom of David would be cut down to a stump, life would spring up from what appeared to be dead.  A branch would spring up.  A new king would arise.  But he would not be a faithless king like the days of Jeremiah.  This Righteous Branch would reign in the wisdom of the Lord.  He would delight in God’s word and order his life according to it.  In fact, he would be perfectly obedient to that word, and his joy would be in keeping it and proclaiming it for the benefit of all.

     Jeremiah foretold, “[He] shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jeremiah 23:5).  Justice meant that all guilt would be addressed according to the Law of God.  Old Testament justice is this: “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).  New Testament justice is the same: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  Therefore, when the righteous Branch executes justice, it means death.  In mercy, Jesus took up all guilt on our behalf.  And in justice, Jesus suffered and died bearing our guilt.

     Do you see the marvelous mercy of our righteous King?  He does not establish his kingdom by slaughtering people and destroying nations.  He established his kingdom by dying for the benefit of the very people he desires to rule.  He fought your enemies for you.  He saved you by being slain on your behalf.  But death could not keep him.  Just as the Righteous Branch sprang forth from the dead stump of David, so the Righteous Lord sprang up from death and the grave.  Jesus lives and reigns for you.  His kingdom endures forever, and his rule is governed by pardon for the guilty, release of those who were captive to their sins, and life to those who were marked for death.

     “[He] shall execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jeremiah 23:5).  Besides the justice of punishing the guilty, our righteous King must also vindicate the innocent.  He does this for you.  The devil will rant and rage and insist that you are not innocent.  Who could disagree?  The Psalms teach us to pray, “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions” (Psalm 25:7).  And, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment” (Psalm 51:4).  And even this: “Who can discern his errors?  Declare me innocent from hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12).  We claim no innocence of our own, not if we are honest.

     So, how does our King execute justice if we are not innocent?  Jeremiah tells us, “This is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness’” (Jeremiah 23:6).  He is our righteousness.  He became our sin and was punished for it.  But he bestows his righteousness upon us.  Through holy baptism, you have been purified of all unrighteousness.  Since you have been cleansed, justice demands that you be set free.  To punish the innocent would be unjust.  But our King judges justly.  The very one who will judge you has already rendered your innocent verdict.

     Every word from our Righteous King is righteous.  The people in Jeremiah’s day did not believe that, so they ignored what the Lord said.  They chose their own way and their own truth.  If it meant that they sinned against God and others, too bad.  But you have been set free from such wicked thinking.  You know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  His word has bestowed righteousness upon you.  His word also guides you into righteous living, and you rightly order your life according to it.

     Your righteous King lives and reigns for you.  The Lord had promised, “I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.  In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely” (Jeremiah 23:4,6).  Jesus is the true Shepherd who watches over his people.  He removes from you fear and anxiety, and he causes you to dwell in safety.

     Now, perhaps it does not feel like it.  The risen Savior had declared to his apostles on Easter evening, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me” (Matthew 18:28), but it does not seem like it.  The world is still broken.  People are disrespectful and violent.  Hospitals are filled with the sick and injured.  The battlefield sends home soldiers who are maimed and mentally scarred.  Death still lays claim to us all.  It seems we have good reason for fear, dismay, and insecurity. 

     If our righteous King had laid claim to an earthly kingdom, we would have reason to question his authority, ability, and love.  But Jesus has come to deliver you from this world and all its problems.  Sure, for a while you may have to endure pain and sorrow, but even that Jesus uses for your eternal good.  Everything Jesus does and allows serves one specific goal—to bring you to your heavenly home.  Is society going down the tubes?  Then cling to the kingdom of God.  Is the world getting more evil?  Then pray for Jesus’ return.  Is your body sick or sore or failing?  Then long for the resurrection.  The Righteous King will set you free from all evil.  He has already delivered you from your sin.  He will soon enough deliver you from all sorrows, stresses, and death.  For, Jesus lives and reigns over all things for your eternal good. 

     Jesus is your Righteous King.  He has saved you.  He causes you to dwell securely in his kingdom.  And he will soon deliver you into endless glory and peace.

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

YouTube -- 4th Sunday of End Times: Christ the King (November 22, 2020)

 Here is the service from Sunday, November 22, 2020.

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of End Times: Christ the King (November 22, 2020)

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-28

ALL THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHRIST THE KING.

In the name + of Jesus.

      There is a segment of Christendom that professes a doctrine called Millennialism.  While there are a number of variations on this doctrine, the short of it is this: Jesus will come again to establish an earthly kingdom where he will reign for 1,000 years, that is, for a millennium.  It is taught that in this earthly kingdom, wars will cease and everyone will live in peace.  Unbelievers will either be converted or destroyed.  Basically, it is the idea of heaven on earth.

     There are numerous problems with this teaching.  First, it dismisses Jesus' own testimony before Pilate when he states, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)  An earthly kingdom of 1,000 years cannot be an exception to that claim; it is a contradiction.  Millennialism is a misunderstanding of a passage in Revelation (20:4) which refers to a 1,000 year reign of Christ.  Since all other numbers in Revelation are symbolic, we recognize that the number 1,000 is symbolic in that verse, too.  Perhaps the most egregious error in teaching that Jesus will come again and begin to rule is that this doctrine denies that Jesus is ruling right now.  

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  We confess that in our weekly prayer which concludes, “through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”  We also confess in the Creed, “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” (Apostles' Creed)  If he is seated at God's right hand, he is ruling over all things.  All things are subject to Christ the King.

     If the doctrine of Millennialism sounds appealing, it is because we would like to have heaven on earth and all things peaceful.  If the doctrine of Millennialism sounds accurate, it is because it does not look like Jesus is reigning over all things yet.  We see a world that is vile and violent.  We are at the mercy of disease, natural disasters, and death; but they have no mercy.  As long as we are in this world, we need to keep on praying, “Lord, have mercy” and “Deliver us from evil.” 

     The Scriptures, however, are clear on the topic.  “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)  In other words, Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  Jesus gave a glimpse of his heavenly kingdom during his ministry.  By healing many, Jesus demonstrated that sickness and disease would not have a place in his kingdom.  When Jesus commanded the wind and the waves which had threatened to capsize the disciples' boat to cease, Jesus showed that natural disasters would not cause harm to people or damage to God's creation in his kingdom.  In our sinful world, these things afflict us and produce grief.  But they will come to an end because Jesus lives and reigns. 

     The most grievous consequence of sin that haunts and taunts us is death.  No one escapes it.  Medicine, diet, and exercise may extend your days on the earth, but death finally comes for all.  St. Paul tells us why.  “By a man came death...  In Adam all die...” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)  We are all children of Adam.  We have all descended from that one man, which binds us together with all people in the human race.  But it also means we are bound together as sinful people who are going to die.  Adam's rebellion corrupted his heart and mind and his very being.  That sinful nature infects us all.  Our very nature is corrupt, which leads to wicked motives and selfish moods.  You cannot improve your sinful condition anymore than you can eradicate the world of lightning strikes or the common cold.  Because of sin, we are marked for death and judgment.  We cannot fix our condition.  We cannot control our hearts and mouths.  And we cannot escape the consequences.  “By a man came death...  In Adam all die...” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)  

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  Jesus demonstrated this when he cured the blind, the deaf, and the lame of their disabilities.  Jesus corrected the ailments that are common in a sinful world.  He demonstrated the perfect healing which would be the norm in the kingdom of God.  But greater than bringing a cure for disease or disasters, Jesus produced the cure for death.  

     “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)  Jesus became a man to undo the curse that effects all mankind because of Adam's sin.  Unlike the first man and every person since, Jesus maintained his holiness and innocence throughout his life.  But Jesus exchanged his innocence for your guilt.  Jesus was convicted and condemned for your sins.  You, since your sins have been taken from you, are pardoned and set free.  Though he died, death could not hold Jesus.  Jesus rose from the dead.  A man has conquered death and will never die again.  And since he has united himself to all mankind, all mankind shall be made alive on the Last Day.  Jesus lives and reigns, and even the grave must submit to him.  So he not only has authority over disasters and disease, he even reigns over death.  All things are subject to Christ the King.

     Still, it appears that death has the upper hand.  Yes, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.  He was seen by his disciples who touched his body, inspected his wounds, and even ate with him.  His resurrection is undeniable.  The apostles willingly gave their lives up in confessing it to be so.  They died bloody and violent deaths for preaching about Jesus' resurrection.  Since then, many who were baptized and believed in Jesus have gone to their graves—some through disease, some through disasters, some peacefully, some martyred for the faith.  And even before death comes, we endure suffering, sorrow, stress, frustration, temptation, and so on.  Where is Jesus' reign in all this?

     Make no mistake: All things are subject to Christ the King.  The realities of living in a vile and violent world still vex us, but Jesus Christ lives and reigns.  And he will reign over all things until the last enemy is destroyed.  Death has, indeed, been conquered, but we will not partake in this victory until the Last Day.  This is what St. Paul wrote: “In Christ shall all be made alive.  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-26)  

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  Therefore the grave must give up what it has claimed because Jesus has authority over the grave.  Jesus proved his victory at his resurrection on Easter Sunday.  And we will be participants in that victory at the resurrection of the dead on the Last Day.  Just as all die because of Adam, so all shall be raised up from death because of Christ.  All who believe and are baptized will rise to live in glory just as Jesus did.  He lives and reigns, and we will live and reign with him.

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  It is true even now, though we don't see it.  We know what will be—no more death or mourning or crying or pain.  In heavenly glory, all things will look and feel and act right.  But now we do see and feel death, mourning, crying, and pain.  Nevertheless, it is still true: All things are subject to Christ the King.  Nothing happens apart from Jesus' reign.  He knows about COVID and car accidents.  He knows about broken hearts and skinned knees.  He even knows about the number of hairs on your head.  That is because all things are subject to Christ the King.  They have to be, or Jesus is not at God's right hand, not all-powerful, and not sovereign.  But he most certainly is, even when it does not appear to be so.

     All things are subject to Christ the King—whether we regard them as good days or bad days.  All things are subject to Christ the King—whether it results laughter, anguish, or tears.  How do we know this is true?  Because we have a promise: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  Did you catch that?  “All things work together for good.  All things.”  The only way all things work for your eternal good is if the Lord Jesus Christ is living and reigning for you.  And he is.  Even the evils that you suffer Jesus works for your eternal good.  The promise is not that Jesus will work all things out so that life will be fun or easy or prosperous.  The devil issues promises like that.  And even if he grants a moment of pleasure, it always disappoints.  Eventually it damns.

     But Jesus lives and reigns for you.  If he deems it best that you endure hardship so that you long all the more for the heavenly kingdom, then God be praised.  Those hardships will not last, but God's mercies will.  And when Jesus comes again, all enemies will finally be crushed underfoot.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  And then, Jesus will bring you into the glorious kingdom.  And then, all things will remain perfect and peaceful, not for a paltry millennium, but for a timeless eternity.  And then, the man Jesus will submit all things to the Triune God.  And then, the Son will live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  The Lord God Almighty reigns, and he reigns for your good to give you life and peace and glory forever and ever.

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

Something from ... Eusebius: On what it means that Jesus is the Christ

Jesus is the Christ.  He is anointed by the Spirit to serve as our prophet, high priest, and king.  He is the fulfillment of every prophet, high priest, and king.  The magnificence of Jesus as the Christ is highlighted by Eusebius (ca. 260 - ca. 340), who also notes that the effects of the Christ surpass any prophet, high priest, or king who has ever been.

From Eusebius:

Eusebius of Caesarea

"Proof of this is the fact that none of those symbolically anointed of old, whether priest, king, or prophet, ever obtained the sort of divine power our Savior and Lord, Jesus--the only real Christ--demonstrated.  None of them, however honored among their own people for so many generations, ever conferred the name Christian on their subjects from their symbolic title of Christ.  None was worshiped by his subjects or held in such esteem after his death as to be ready to die for the person honored.  None caused such a stir in all nations throughout the world, since the power of the symbol could not produce such an effect as the reality of our Savior.  He did not receive the symbols of high priesthood from anyone or trace his physical descent from priests.  Armed forces did not promote his rule, nor did he become a prophet like those of old.  Jews accorded him no rank or precedence whatever.  Yet he had been adorned with all these by the Father, not in symbols but in truth.  Although he did not obtain the honors cited, he is called Christ more than all of them, for he is himself the one true Christ of God who has filled the entire world with his Christians.  He no longer provides patterns or images for his followers but fully revealed truths, and he has received not material chrism but divine anointing by the Spirit of God through sharing in the unbegotten divinity of the Father." (pp 28-29, emphasis original, The Church History.  Eusebius.  Translated by Paul L. Maier.  Kregel Publications.  Grand Rapids, MI  (c) 2007)

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of End Times: Christ the King (November 20, 2016)

LUKE 23:35-43

YOUR KING REIGNS FOR YOU.

In the name + of Jesus.

      One of the emphases of the Lutheran faith is that we are saved by faith alone.  Usually, faith is put in contrast to works.  No one can do the works which God demands because all are sinners.  Therefore, it is faith in God's promises which saves us.  However, our Gospel lesson highlights that faith also stands in contrast to knowledge.  People know the difference between right and wrong, but that does not save them.  Many know the stories about Jesus, but merely knowing that Jesus walked on water or was crucified does not save them.  Some have already cracked out the Christmas music, listening to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World, and Silent Night.  But even if you know the lyrics and sing along, that does not save you.  The most popular part of Handel's Messiah is the Hallelujah chorus in which people belt out the confession of Jesus, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”  And while many people know that is the Christian confession of Jesus, many do not believe it.  We are not saved by knowledge.  The devil knows his Bible, but he is not saved.  We are saved by faith.
     We confess that Jesus is the King of heaven and earth, but for many people, Jesus is an underwhelming king.  We expect more from kings or rulers or presidents.  Kings demonstrate their authority by making laws and enforcing them.  Those who will not obey the king's decrees are arrested and imprisoned.  In harsher regimes, lawbreakers are executed.  Kings do not put up with dissenters.  Kings impose taxes.  Kings enjoy luxury and wealth at the expense of their subjects.  When kings want to show off their muscle, they have a military parade to demonstrate their strength to the world, to their country, and to themselves.  If the king deems it necessary, he will even order those soldiers to go into battle and die for him.
     But your King, Jesus Christ, does not live or act to demonstrate how powerful or how fearful he is.  Your King reigns for you.  Jesus came in humility to serve you and to seek your good.  He did not come to tax you or to confiscate things from you.  He has come to pour out his goods and gifts to you.  He has not come to declare new and harsher laws upon you so that you will behave better under the constant threat of death or revenge.  Instead, he delivers you from the curse of the Law which had stood over you.  And your King did not command you to go forth and die for him.  Instead, your King came to die for you.  He reigns for you.
     Now, this all seems backwards.  In fact, the people at the foot of the cross thought that it was all worthy of mockery.  They despised Jesus and laughed at him for being such a King.  The religious authorities scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (Luke 23:35)  Then the military powers also mocked him as king.  Their job was to show the world what happens to anyone who dares to claim authority over a worldly power like Caesar.  The soldiers also mocked him … saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luke 23:36,37)  Even a convicted felon joined in: “Are you not the Christ?  Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)  Now the irony in all of their mockery is this: Everything they said about Jesus was true.  They knew that Jesus had healed, cleansed, and saved others.  They knew that he had claimed to be the Christ.  Who knows?  They may have even heard the testimony that God the Father himself had declared, “This is my Son, my Chosen One.” (Luke 9:35)  They knew it, but they did not believe it.  Even though Jesus had also come for them, they rejected him.  Sadly, they perished apart from Jesus, apart from his forgiveness, his salvation, and his mercy—not because Jesus is a cruel King, but because they were stubborn, faithless rebels.
     But there was one who not only knew the facts about Jesus, he also believed them.  There was a criminal dying next to Jesus.  He did not pretend to be anything more than what he was.  He confessed his sin and acknowledged that he deserved to be put to death for his crimes.  He did not offer excuses, only confession.  He also knew that Jesus was not guilty of anything.  His words are much stronger than saying, “He is no felon.”  He stated that “this man has done nothing 'out of place.'” (Luke 23:41)  
     The repentant criminal was not offended by Jesus' humble appearance.  He was not even deceived by Jesus' bruised, bleeding, and dying body.  He knew that Jesus is the King who establishes an everlasting kingdom of glory.  And his prayer to Jesus was simple.  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)  Remember your mercy.  Remember that you have come to die not for sins of your own, but for sinners.  And the King promised he would remember his beloved subject: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)  
     You and I are not different from that criminal.  We, too, are lawbreakers.  We have not kept the Lord's Commandments.  And just as knowledge cannot save us, neither has it helped us in being obedient to God's Commandments.  We know what God declares to be good and what God declares to be evil.  God has not kept that a secret.  We even have our Catechism Class memorize the Commandments, and you do well to review them often..  But that does not mean we keep them.  We are guilty.  We have broken God's law.  We offer no excuses.  We are worthy of God's wrath.  We deserve death.  We can only make confession and plead for mercy from our King.
     The King is most merciful.  He does not destroy us because we have broken the law.  Rather, he has taken our place in the judgment.  Jesus Christ went to the cross to die as a lawbreaker on behalf of all lawbreakers.  In that humble, beaten, and bleeding body, Jesus bore the curse for all your sins.  Jesus was pleased to be counted among the lawbreakers to pay for your sins so that you would be counted among the innocent.  But his sufferings and death for you, Jesus pardons you of all guilt and drops all the charges.  His royal decree is forgiveness of your sins.  Your King reigns for you.
     And the King who has gone into death for you has also conquered death for you.  The body that was pierced to the cross, that bled, died, and was buried—that body is risen from the grave.  Jesus lives and reigns forever.  Therefore, his royal decree of salvation overrules every accusation against you and nullifies even the rule of the grave over you.  And he who set you free from your sins also sets you free from death and the grave.  He will raise up your body to live and reign with him forever.  For, Jesus remembers you.  He put his name on you when you were baptized, and he remembers that you are his.  He gives you the body and blood which were given into death for you and which conquered death for you, and as he feeds you he remembers you.  He strengthens your faith and forgives your sins.  And even when death should come to you, Jesus remembers you.  He assures you that not even death can sever you from his love.
     Your King reigns for you, and his promise stands: “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)  Paradise is a word which means garden.  Think of the Garden of Eden where all things were right—where there were no struggles or sorrows, no illness or pain, no rivalries or jealousies, no wars, and not even weeds.  Your King has done all things to make right all that went wrong with sin.  He has rescued you from your sins, and he will deliver you from a sinful world to a perfect Paradise in which Jesus will reign for your good.
     You are saved not by knowledge, but by faith.  Knowledge tells you that the King reigns.  Faith tells you that the King reigns for you.  Faith believes the promises, that Jesus is the King of glory, that he will give you all his gifts, and that he will make you partakers of his glory.

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

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of End Times -- Christ the King (November 22, 2015)

LUKE 23:35-43

YOUR KING IS THE CRUCIFIED.  

In the name + of Jesus. 

     It was a strange request, at a strange time.  It was made by a desperate, dying man to a man who looked even worse off.  A condemned criminal hung on a cross, and he turned to another man who hung naked, bleeding and dying from his cross, and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)  The people at the foot of the cross were already mocking Jesus, but this request must have produced quite a bit of laughter from them.  Jesus hardly looked like a man who was ushering in a kingdom.  The only thing about Jesus' appearance which even suggested “King” was the charge that was posted above his head, reading, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:38)  Perhaps he still had the crown of thorns, too.  Still, everything else about Jesus looked utterly pathetic.
     Dear Christians, this is your king.  Your King is the Crucified.  As Jesus hung from the cross, he appeared neither glorious nor glamorous.  His body was bruised from all the punches he received, and lacerated from the scourging he endured.  But do not be misled by appearances.  This is how God has revealed his glory to you.  The criminal recognized it, not by sight, but by faith.  And he sought mercy from his King, the Crucified.
     It is ironic how this criminal came to believe in Jesus.  It was by the spiteful, sarcastic words spewed out by Jesus' enemies at the foot of the cross.  The rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” (Luke 23:35)  The rulers did not make these things up.  They repeated the claims that Jesus had made about himself.  They retold the miracles that Jesus had done.  “He saved others”?  Yes, he had.  He made the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame walk.  He drove out demons and even raised the dead.  “If he is the Christ of God”?  Yes, that is exactly what Jesus had claimed.  In fact, it is what the Sanhedrin condemned him for.  Jesus' claim in this is no small matter.  By confessing that he is the Christ, Jesus claimed that he is the fulfillment of all of God's promises.  And he is.  “If he is God's Chosen One”?  In fact, God the Father had said exactly that when Jesus was baptized.  The soldiers also mocked him ... saying, “If you are the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:36-37)  In fact, Jesus is the Son of David.  His ancestry is well documented.  He came not to take his place on a throne in Jerusalem, but on a heavenly throne to rule over all things for all eternity.  Your King is the Crucified.
     Granted, your King does not look very impressive as he was at the mercy of his merciless enemies.  He did not look glorious as his life flowed out of his body, and as his body writhed in pain and torment.  But this is where God has demonstrated his glory to you.  For, this is the price which has been paid to save you from all of your sins.
     The criminal who prayed to Jesus was also right in his assessment.  He rebuked the hardened criminal, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” (Luke 23:40-41)  It is not even that Jesus was innocent of anything that deserved crucifixion.  The criminal declared that Jesus had done nothing out of place.  Jesus' life had been pure and perfect.
     We, on the other hand, share the confession of the criminal: “We indeed (are) justly (condemned), for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds.” (Luke 23:41)  That's not to say you and I deserve to be executed.  It is to say that we are guilty of breaking God's Commandments.  We deserve to have God's wrath poured out on us.  We not only fail to live up to the standard that God has set, we also mock God to his face when we come up with excuses why our sins are not so bad, why we are not as bad as others, or why God's word just does not apply to us the same as it does to others.  Beware of such reasoning.  For, if God's word does not apply to you regarding your sin, it surely cannot apply to you regarding salvation.  If God is not to be believed regarding our sins, how can he be believed regarding our forgiveness?  If we insist upon our innocence, what forgiveness can God give?  If we are not condemned, what need is there for a Savior?  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)  We are guilty.  We are indeed justly condemned, which is the due reward for our wicked deeds and designs.
     It is a good thing if you see yourself as desperate, dying people.  Even though we are not nailed to a cross, we are all dying.  No one escapes that.  And it would be good to be desperate; for, if we have no hope, then we have to turn to someone else for our hope.  And that is precisely what Jesus supplies.  He is your only hope, for he alone saves.  Your King is the Crucified.
     The Lord reveals his glory at the cross through a bleeding, dying Savior.  That is where God displays a love for sinners.  Jesus Christ is God in the flesh who has taken our sin and guilt.  He has put himself under judgment for our sins.  God does take sins seriously.  That is why Jesus died.  But in the weakness of Jesus' sufferings and death, we see the depth of God's love for us.  He has suffered the curse and endured the hellish torments so that we will never have to.  And though he was laid in a grave, he did not stay.  Jesus rose from the dead to enter his glory.  He is victorious over sin and death and the grave.  He has ascended to take his place on the throne in heaven to live and reign forever.  But he lives and reigns for you.  His curse means your forgiveness.  His death means your life.  His resurrection means you shall rise from the grave to receive eternal life.  His ascension means that you will be taken to live and reign with him.  That is where the glory will be seen.  But that glory does not come apart from the death which is the atoning sacrifice for sinners.  And that is why, even though Jesus is risen, your King is the Crucified.
     The prayer of the penitent criminal is still the prayer of the Church today: “Jesus, remember me.”  And just as Jesus promised to remember the criminal, so he remembers you.  He remembers you because he has redeemed you.  Even if you feel forsaken, forgotten, or alone, you are not.  The Lord Jesus Christ remembers you.  He remembers the covenant he made with you at your baptism.  He remembers the payment he has made for you through his death.  And when he summons you to the altar, saying, “Do this in remembrance of me,” he remembers and supplies the benefits of all his promises to you.  If Jesus has done that much to save you, he will certainly remember you and bring you into his kingdom.  Your King is the Crucified.  He was crucified for you, and he lives and reigns for you.
     Jesus did not look very impressive when he hung from the cross.  Yet, he still extended the promise of salvation to the penitent criminal.  Furthermore, he fulfilled it.  Jesus has entered his kingdom, and he did remember the one he redeemed.  You and I do not look very impressive as God's children.  The Christian Church does not look very impressive as the kingdom of God in this world.  But God's promises are not based on how grand or pathetic things look.  It all rests on God's word, and all of God's promises are “Yes” in Jesus Christ.  The Crucified is your King.  He lives and reigns forever.  He will remember you, and he will finally deliver you to his glorious, eternal kingdom.

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

Sermon -- End Times 4, Christ the King (November 25, 2012)

JOHN 18:33-37

OUR DIVINE KING REVEALS DIVINE TRUTH.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When Jesus stood trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33)  Pilate had a vested interest in this question.  If Jesus were a king, he could have been conspiring to lead a revolution, trying to overthrow the Romans and causing a good amount of bloodshed in Jerusalem.  Jesus assured Pilate that he did not have to fear about his governorship.  “My kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36), Jesus confessed. 

     But others had said Jesus was a king.  Pilate’s interrogation revealed that.  Pilate said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”  Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew?  Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me.” (John 18:33-35)  The Jews had charged that Jesus claimed to be a king.  That’s because Jesus had confessed that he is the Messiah.  The Messiah would be the King of the Jews.  He would even reign over the world.  Now, many Jews did not believe in him, but that is what it meant when Jesus confessed he is the Christ, the Son of God.

     A short time later when Jesus hung from the cross, people taunted Jesus again with his confession.  The chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “…He is the King of Israel….” (Matthew 27:41-42)  Their mockery only makes sense if they repeated the claims of Jesus himself.  And in fact, Jesus had testified before Pontius Pilate that he is a king and reigns over a kingdom.  But Jesus does not reign with armies or artillery.  His kingdom is not marked by borders.  In fact, his kingdom is not even visible.  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.  If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews.  But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36) 

     It is a strange kingdom, indeed, which cannot be seen or visited or marked on a map.  While his kingdom is invisible, Jesus does tell you where you will find it.  Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king.  For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)  Jesus Christ is our divine king, and our divine king reveals divine truth.  Jesus reigns through his holy word.  His servants do not fight; they preach.  Everyone who believes Jesus’ words dwells within his kingdom, as Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)  Our divine king reveals divine truth, and his people listen to it.

     There is another kingdom.  Satan is the prince of this world, and he rules over all people by his lies and deception.  He convinces people that they are good enough, that they should do whatever it takes to make themselves happy, that they are answerable to no one, and that they can determine for themselves what is good and evil.  You know his lies, because he tempts you with them, too.  And his lies are seductive because they appeal to your sinful nature.  You also want to do whatever you please, and you also want to believe that you do not have to answer to anyone for it, not even God.  You pit your selfishness against the selfishness of others, which leads to jealousy, bitterness, gossip, dissensions, and even hatred.  You even believe the lie that all of this is someone else’s fault.  Do not be deceived.  The devil wants to claim you for his kingdom.  Though he may promise pleasure for a while, the cost is eternal.  The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and the torment and shame and guilt of hell is unending and immeasurable.

     But our divine King reveals divine truth to set you free and to keep you free from Satan’s kingdom.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)  Jesus overcame the devil and established his kingdom by fulfilling all of God’s truth.  The devil’s claim on all mankind came when he got man to believe his lies and defy God’s words.  Therefore, Jesus came to rectify this.  Man once again came to fulfill God’s demands and be holy.  Jesus obeyed the truth and fulfilled all of God’s commands.  Jesus delivered you out of the devil’s kingdom and brought you into the kingdom of righteousness when covered you in his righteousness at your baptism.  The blood of Jesus purifies you of all sin.  Our divine King reveals divine truth – you have been snatched from the devil and are now claimed by Jesus.

     God also declares that nothing sinful can enter his holy presence.  Rather than tell you that your sins are not that big of a deal, Jesus upholds God’s truth.  Your sins have separated you from your God.  You had been cut off from mercy, blessing, peace, and heaven.  Jesus does not sugar coat the severity of sin and the consequences of sin.  God’s truth stands: The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)  Therefore, Jesus suffered and died for you.  In this way, Jesus fulfills God’s truth.  All your guilt has been taken away.   All your punishment has been consumed.  The wrath of God is done.  Jesus Christ rose from the dead to guarantee it and to proclaim it.  Our divine King reveals this divine truth: Your sins are removed from you.  Death is overcome for you.  God is pleased with you.  Heaven is yours. 

     Do not be deceived by the devil and his lies.  Right now, it appears that the devil rules.  Sin is rampant.  Wickedness abounds.  Death awaits all people.  And it seems like Jesus is just letting everyone do what they want without any real consequences.  That’s how it seems, but it is not the truth.  The King will appear, and the Judgment will come.  Answers must be given.  But you have a Savior who gives you your answer.  Rejoice in his saving truth.  He delivers you from death to life and from hell to heaven.

     There is a vast difference between those who are in the kingdom of God and those who are not.  Remember: Jesus lives and reigns among us by his holy word, not by miraculous acts or displays of glory.  His word has been planted in you.  Therefore, you receive his blessings.  Those who are outside the kingdom may seem to prosper.  Do not envy them.  They are marked for death and damnation.  They live in shame.  They are consumed by guilt.  They are plagued with doubts about the future and certainly about eternity.  Death scares them to death.  Why?  Because Satan lies to them.  They may or may not recognize that they have no truth to cling to.  But knowing that they have no answers is no comfort.  That just breeds more angst.

     Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)  Our divine king reveals divine truth.  He gives you all the answers you long for, and his word soothes your hearts.  You have been brought into the kingdom of God, and you have received all its benefits.  You have forgiveness for all your sins, blessing in place of your shame, consolation in your sorrows, peace which calms you in your stress, life in the midst of death, and eternal joys which will never cease. 

     The King who saved you from your sins is also the King who delivers you from death.  The King who endured your hell is the King who decrees that you have a place waiting for you in heaven.  He is the King who supplies all your needs and who conquers your enemies.  As you strive to be loyal subjects of your king and wonder if you have been good enough for him, Jesus speaks tenderly to you.  He reminds you of his royal decree: You are forgiven.  You are saints.  You are heirs of an eternal kingdom.  This is the divine truth he has revealed to you. 

     Jesus Christ is your divine King.  He lives and reigns for you.  And soon, you shall live and reign with him – for the victory over sin, death, and hell are yours.  The joys of the kingdom are yours.  You have God’s word on it.

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