Sermon -- Maundy Thursday (April 17, 2014)

JOHN 13:1-15,34

AS I HAVE LOVED YOU….

In the name + of Jesus.

     Jesus had told his disciples that he would be going to Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise.  They did not get it, not entirely.  They did not seem to grasp the rising from the dead part, as their fears on Easter Sunday testified.  Nor did they seem to understand why he had to die.  But they did get that he was going to die soon.  Now, if the rabbi dies, who takes over?  They had twelve candidates in mind.  Who would be Jesus’ successor?  For this reason, a dispute arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. (Luke 22:24)  And so, Jesus was not done teaching.

     It was standard etiquette at gatherings to have one’s feet washed.  It was a filthy, lowly job.  It was humbling for a person to have to scrub the layers of dirt, sweat, and stink off of each guest’s feet.  For that reason, it was given to the least slave in the household. 

     While Jesus’ disciples were debating amongst themselves who would be the greatest, and perhaps who would be Jesus’ successor, Jesus rose from supper.  He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:4-5)  The rabbi, the teacher—the Lord!—was the lowliest slave who got down to deal with the stench of his disciples’ feet.

     Simon Peter was offended by Jesus’ actions.  Peter would not allow his Lord to lower himself for his sake.  “Lord, do you wash MY feet?”  Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”  Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” (John 13:6-8, emphasis reflects the Greek)  Peter did not get this, either.  If you will have any place in the kingdom of God, if you are to have any hope of everlasting life and joy, there is no other way than through Jesus.  There is no one else who cleanses.  Peter was certain that he could hold his own.  He would not allow Jesus to go through any dishonor for his sake.  But here it is: Unless Jesus lowers himself for you, unless Jesus endures shame for you, unless Jesus is the lowliest slave for you, then you have no part with him.  Then there is no forgiveness, no salvation, no peace.  But Jesus does take the lowest place.  He becomes the lowliest slave.  This is what Jesus means when he sais, “As I have loved you….”

     The disciples had been arguing about who would be greatest.  You know how we assess greatness.  Greatness is the CEO who sets company policy.  Greatness is the military commander to orders other men to go into battle and die.  Greatness is the senator who makes the laws, or the judge who punishes the lawbreaker.  Greatness is even the spouse who wins the argument and puts the other one in his or her place.  Chances are you despise the one who has such power and authority.  Why?  Because YOU want to be the one who calls the shots.  You want things run your way, at your direction, and without anyone questioning your choices or motives or production.  We all want to be God, and we all want other people to agree that we are.

     But our Lord does not allow for other gods in his universe.  He does not even allow for gentlemanly disagreements with his commandments.  You are not permitted to love yourself above any others.  There is no excuse for having that debate within yourself why you are, or should be, greater than others.  It is both selfishness and idolatry.  Repent.

     When (Jesus) had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:12-15,34) 

     Jesus commands that we love, “As I have loved you….”  Jesus’ love his seen in how he gave himself completely for us.  He willingly lowered himself to the lowest place.  He submitted to the shameful death of crucifixion so that we would not perish in our sins.  He suffered as the worst of sinners—in fact as the only sinner, for he took the sins of the world upon himself—so that we would be reconciled to God the Father.  Jesus’ interest was not how great he would be, but that we would be redeemed from sin and death, and that we would be restored to the kingdom of God, and that we would have the hope of everlasting life.  Therefore, he gave his body into death.  He shed his blood as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  “As I have loved you,” he said, “you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

     Jesus had given the new command.  He orders you to give yourself up for the sake of your neighbor, to seek his well-being and to strive for his eternal good.  Jesus tells you to humble yourself for the sake of your fellow man, whether friend or foe.  There is no room here for establishing your greatness, for demanding your respect, or for boasting of your service.  The lowliest of slaves had nothing to brag about when he washed feet.  He was only faithful if the feet were clean when his task was complete.  Likewise, when you have served your fellow man at what God has given you to do—whether at work, at home, in the community, or at church—your confession is that you are only an unworthy servant; you have only done your duty.

     But as it is with all commandments, Jesus’ words and example only show us how we fall short.  For, we do not live up to Jesus in either actions or attitudes.  We resent our fellow man because he needs to be served at all.  We despise our fellow man when he does not praise us.  We still argue for our greatness.  We do not love according to Jesus’ words: “As I have loved you….”

     That is why the Church is not saved or sustained by a new commandment, but rather by a new testament.  On the night Jesus was showing the disciples the full extent of his love, he poured it out in the sacred meal.  The body and blood Jesus would give into death for the forgiveness of their sins, he would give them that night—the fulfillment of the Passover.  The body of the Lamb which was slain on their behalf would be given to them for their highest good.  The blood of the Lamb would be given to them so that they would be marked and death would have to pass over them.  Jesus would consume death for them, and they would consume the body and blood of the new testament to be delivered from death.  “As I have loved you,” Jesus said.  Jesus loved them to death, and that meant their eternal life.

     And so it is for you.  From this altar, you partake in the new testament in Jesus’ blood.  This is what marks you as children of God and heirs of everlasting life.  This is what fills you with a love for your fellow man so that you would even consider loving him as Jesus has loved you and forgiving him as Jesus has forgiven you.  So you strive to live up to the new command, for your neighbor needs your love and mercy, your patience and your prayers.  But remember: Your life comes to you only in the new covenant.  This is the lifeblood of the Church.  This is what covers you in Jesus’ love, in Jesus’ righteousness, and in Jesus’ mercy.  For, he loves you to death.  As we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.  As we eat this bread and drink this cup, Jesus supplies the Church’s life.  For, here, the Lord’s love is given in visible, tangible form.  Here, forgiveness is consumed.  And here, the greatness of the Lord is yours.

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

INTRODUCTION TO THE TRIDUUM

                The enormous significance of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection has always been the central focus of Christian worship.  Prior to the fourth century, Easter Day itself included all three emphases, but thereafter they were distributed over three days of special observance, which Augustine called “the most holy Triduum of the crucified, buried, and risen Lord.”  These days have long been understood as the climax of the Church’s year.
                Since the last half of the 20^th century, Lutherans have been rediscovering the richness of the ancient Triduum (pronounced TRIH-doo-um) and adapting the traditional services associated with it for use in Evangelical-Lutheran worship.  In keeping with their origins, the Triduum services are closely connected with one another.   We observe the Triduum as a single service that extends over the “three holy days.”

MAUNDY THURSDAY

                 The theme of Maundy Thursday, best expressed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. John, is the novum mandatum or “new command” of Jesus that his disciples “love one another.”  The institution of the Lord’s Supper sets forth the depth of Jesus’ love and gives power to the Church to live out his command.  For the Triduum, Maundy Thursday marks the end of Lent proper.  The service begins with the sermon and an exhortation regarding the end of Lent.  This unusual arrangement allows the minister to explain the meaning of the Sacrament and the liturgical actions that are to take place so that they may proceed uninterruptedly and vividly from this evening through Good Friday to the Easter Vigil.  The action of ceremonially stripping the altar prepares the chancel and the congregation for Good Friday.

GOOD FRIDAY:

THE SERVICE OF THE SEVEN WORDS

                As the middle service of the Triduum, Good Friday is prepared for by Maundy Thursday.  In turn, it leads into the Easter Vigil.  The absence of a benediction the previous evening and again on Good Friday underscores the connectedness of the Triduum service.  Good Friday is not a “funeral” for Jesus, but an austere celebration of the Lamb and his sacrifice.  The bare altar, symbolic of Christ, is the focus along with a large, rough finished wood cross. 

                The Service of the Seven Words is a service that reviews the seven times in which Jesus spoke at his crucifixion.  Each reading is interspersed with silence for meditation, prayers, and hymns.  The Service of the Seven Words is intended as the primary Good Friday service and his historically been observed sometime during the “hours of the cross,” between noon and three o’clock.  It may also be used in place of the Service of Darkness (Tenebrae) as an evening service, as is the case at Good Shepherd.

EASTER VIGIL

                The climax of the Triduum comes in the Vigil of Easter, a service of watching and waiting which utilizes prayer, Scripture, and hymns.  The Vigil is composed of four parts.

I.                     The Service of Light focuses on the Paschal Candle, the representation of the unconquered life of

                       Christ.

       II.                   The Service of Lessons uses Old Testament texts that foreshadowed our deliverance and rescue by
                               Jesus.

III.                 The Service of Holy Baptism emphasizes our baptismal connection to the crucified and risen Christ.

IV.                The Service of Holy Communion proclaims the risen Savior and our blessed reconciliation to God.

                In the ancient Church, the Vigil began on Saturday and continued through to Easter Dawn.  It was at dawn that the cry rang out: “Alleluia!  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!”  We honor the spirit of the Vigil, beginning our Easter Vigil at an early hour on Easter Sunday.  With the service of Easter Dawn, we conclude the Triduum.  Our Festival celebration is held at our regular hour of Divine Service, at 10:00 AM.

May the Lord bless us as we observe these “three holy days,” the Triduum.

Holy Week -- A Preview of the Hymns

We are just days away from the highest high point of the Christian Church year, the Triduum, that is, the Three Days, and Easter Sunday.  The Three Days are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.  Usually, the Easter Vigil is observed late on Saturday.  At Good Shepherd, we transfer it to Easter Dawn.  At 10:00 AM on Easter Sunday, we will have our Easter Festival Service.

While there is much at which to wonder and on which to ponder in all of these services, this entry is a preview of some the hymns we will be singing over these days of Holy Week.  With so many hymns making the good confession, it was hard to have to limit them.

Come and join in the Church's song to our gracious Redeemer.  A sampling of the hymns we will be singing follows...

MAUNDY THURSDAY (April 17, 7:00 PM)
He blotted out with his own blood
   The judgment that against us stood;
He full atonement for us made,
   And all our debt he fully paid.

His Word proclaims and we believe
   That in this supper we receive
His very body, as he said,
   His very blood for sinners shed.  (The Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, CW 135:2,4)

Thou hast borne the smiting only
   That my wounds might all be whole;
      Thou hast suffered, sad and lonely,
         Rest to give my weary soul;
Yea, the curse of God enduring,
   Blessing unto me securing.
      Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
         Dearest Jesus, unto thee. (Christ, the Life of All the Living, CW 114:3)

GOOD FRIDAY (April 18, 7:00 PM)
Lord, be my consolation
   My shield when I must die;
Remind me of your passion
   When my last hour draws nigh.
My eyes will then behold you,
   Upon your cross will dwell;
My heart will then enfold you--
   Who dies in faith dies well.  (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, CW 105:7)

In perfect love he dies; For me he dies, for me!
   O all-atoning sacrifice, You died to make me free!

In ev'ry time of need, Before the judgment throne,
   Your works, O Lamb of God, I'll plead, Your merits, not my own.
                                                  (Oh, Perfect Life of Love, CW 138:5,6)

EASTER VIGIL (April 20, 7:30 AM)
Death's mightiest pow'rs have done their worst,
   And Jesus has his foes dispersed;
      Let shouts of praise and joy outburst.  Alleluia! (The Strife is O'er, the Battle Done, CW 148:2)

All who believe and are baptized Shall see the Lord's salvation;
   Baptized into the death of Christ, They are a new creation.
Through Christ's redemption they shall stand
   Among the glorious, heav'nly band
      Of ev'ry tribe and nation.  (All Who Believe and Are Baptized, CW 299:1)

EASTER FESTIVAL (April 20, 10:00 AM)
Here the true Paschal Lamb we see, Whom God so freely gave us;
   He died on the accursed tree--So strong his love--to save us.
See, his blood now marks our door;
   Faith points to it; death passes o'er,
      And Satan cannot harm us.  Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
                                  (Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands; CWS, 720:3)

The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
   The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan's domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
   For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.

But short was their triumph; the Savior arose,
   And death, hell, ad Satan he vanquished, his foes.
The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high;
   He lives, yes, he lives, and will nevermore die.

Oh, where is your sting, death?  We fear you no more;
   Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden's door.
For all our transgressions his blood does atone.
   Redeemed and forgiven, we now are his own. (He's Risen, He's Risen; CW 143:2-4)

Sermon -- Palm Sunday (April 13, 2014)

MATTHEW 21:1-11 / PSALM 24

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Jesus came into Jerusalem.  Many had come to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover—to celebrate, to feast, to rejoice.  Jesus had come not to vacation, but in his vocation.  He had come to do work.  It was the work that the Lord had assigned him to do.  The Lord’s work.  In the Lord’s name.

     Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he… (Zechariah 9:9)  And as it was foretold, so it occurred.  Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. (Psalm 24:7)  The gates of Jerusalem were opened.  Zion was ready to welcome her king.  Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, receiving a royal welcome, hearing cries of Hosanna, fulfilling the words of the prophets, and accepting the praises of the people.  “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) 

     While Jesus’ welcome was glorious and triumphant, the motives and hopes of the crowd were not entirely pure or consistent.  St. Luke wrote, “The whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.” (Luke 19:37)  Some remembered the miracles; others were in the dark.  When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”  And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11)  They weren’t wrong, but they weren’t entirely right, either.  Yes, this was Jesus of Nazareth.  But truly he was more than just a resident of Nazareth, and truly he was more than just a prophet.

     To this day, people do not recognize Jesus.  It is no surprise that, as we arrive at Holy Week, the stories are once again going to print about who Jesus really was.  Apparently, some so-called scholars are even beginning to question again if Jesus were a real person.  And if they will accept that Jesus were a real person, the latest story gaining ground comes from a fragment of parchment which was dated some 800 years after Jesus.  The sentence fragments are apparently supposed to prove that Jesus had a wife.  I guess if you are determined to believe that, you can also make the logic jumps that the sentence fragments force you to make.  Sadly, there will be some who are deceived by such nonsense, but they will have no one to blame but themselves.  The Bible, written by Jesus’ own apostles, tells us all we need to know about Jesus.  And those who learn their Scriptures will not be deceived by such lies. 

     But you ought to take warning that you also do not worship the Jesus of your choosing.  There are many people who like Jesus well enough, just so long as Jesus is who they believe he is, stands for what they say he stands for, and preaches what they want to hear.  That Jesus is very popular, just as he was with the crowds in Jerusalem.  But this Jesus is a false image and a false god.

     Who is the Jesus you want?  Is he the one who grants you permission to do the very things that God condemns because you had some pretty good reasons for doing it?  Many young Christians are eager to start living together—wanting to usurp the blessings of marriage apart from actually being married.  Other Christians knowingly and willingly defraud their clients and customers because it means a larger paycheck.  Still others will defend the perversions of other people and the false teachings of other religions for the sake of diversity and peace.  But, dear Christians, if you do this, do not invoke the name of Jesus because he will not defend these things.  There is no peace for those who practice such things, even if the world will go to war to defend such liberties.  A Jesus who accepts people who love their sins does not exist. 

     Nor does a Jesus exist who ignores your sins.  He does not overlook your greed, your lust, your jealousies, your grudges, your warped sense of fairness, or your stinginess in the time you give to other people.  A god who does not exist will ignore these things.  But such a god is not to be taken seriously.  If God does not keep his own word, then who cares what he thinks?  But this is what the Lord says: Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?  And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3-4)  The Lord does demand holiness.  The Lord does inspect the heart to see if it is pure.  The Lord does test the mouth to see if it is deceitful.  He does not ignore you; he sees and he knows.  And if you fail the test, you cannot stand before him.  Repent!

     Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  For, Jesus does not ignore your sinful state.  He comes to reveal the Lord’s mercy to you.  Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion.  Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.  Who is this King of glory?  The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! (Psalm 24:7-8) 

     Yes, the Lord has come to Zion, and he came to do battle.  Though he is the Lord of hosts, Jesus fought alone.  Even eleven of his twelve apostles would only be bystanders, mostly in the shadows.  Jesus did not employ them.  They could not help any more than you can.  They were sinners like you.  Like you, they needed to be set free from sins and faults, and failings.  For them and for you, Jesus came.  For them, for you, for all, Jesus came to do battle.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

     Who is this King of glory?  The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! (Psalm 24:8)  Though mighty in battle, Jesus won his victory by laying down his life.  He conquered by being slain.  Jesus met the enemy head on so that the enemy turned on Jesus instead of you.  Jesus let sin, death, and Satan have their way with him, doing the worst to him that they could possibly do.  In doing so, they took the bait.  They swallowed up Jesus and hoped to take the entire world along with him.  But Jesus overcame them.  In dying, Jesus absorbed the sting of sin.  He endured its curse so that your sins cannot kill you.  In rising from the grave, Jesus took away the power of death.  Jesus defeated the grave and makes you heirs of the resurrection to eternal life.  In all of it, Jesus crushed Satan underfoot and destroyed his kingdom forever.  Who is this King of glory?  The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! (Psalm 24:8)  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

     To this day, the Church sings, “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!”  That is because we still need his salvation.  We still partake in the victory.  We do not worship a fabricated Jesus.  Rather, we have our Jesus come to us again in the Holy Supper where we receive the body and blood given into death for our sins.  For, Jesus does not ignore your sins.  Instead, he takes them away.  He acquits you of all your guilt.  He sets you free from a life of sin and shame.  He calls you saints, cleansing your hearts and sanctifying your mouths so that they believe and confess Jesus of Nazareth, the Lord God of hosts, the Savior of the world, and the Redeemer of you.  Therefore, when God tests you, he sees what is clean and pure so that you will stand and dwell in his holy place.  Jesus has saved you and set you apart to live a godly life.  It is a joyous and victorious life that does not have to look for excuses.  It is a life in which God himself calls you blessed, for Jesus has poured out his blessed salvation on you, just as he will do again from this altar.  Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  For, he has come to do the Lord’s work—to deliver sinners from death to life and from shame to joy.  Hosanna in the highest!

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

Sermon -- Lenten Vespers (April 9, 2014)

MATTHEW 27:54

UNWITTING CONFESSORS OF CHRIST – The Centurion

In the name + of Jesus.

     The centurion had a gruesome, yet simple, job—make sure the prisoners under his charge were properly executed.  Three were sentenced to die by crucifixion.  Under normal circumstances, this job could last for days while the condemned men hung in torment.  But the Jews did not want the bodies of anyone hanging on their crosses during the Sabbath.  So, all things considered, it looked like it would be a short assignment.

     Pontius Pilate had caved to the demands of the Jewish leaders.  He sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion.  St. Matthew wrote, “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him.” (Matthew 27:27)  It was then that the centurion would have likely first have had contact with Jesus.  Matthew goes on to describe the mockery that Jesus had to endure at the hands of the Roman soldiers.  Following the mockery was the scourging.  Following the grotesque and bloody scourging, the soldiers assigned Jesus the task of carrying his own cross beam outside the city walls.  And there at a hill called the Skull, in Latin calvaria, they nailed Jesus to the cross. 

     The centurion supervised the whole project.  He saw a man accused who did not defend himself.  He saw a man mocked who did not spew out curses at his abusers.  He saw a man scourged who submitted to the brutality.  He saw a man who, while he was being nailed to his cross, finally said something.  “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)  This was no hardened criminal.  This was no vicious thug.  This man was different.

     From the nine o’clock hour until the noon hour, the centurion stood watch.  He heard the priests, the rabbis, and the scribes hurl cruel invectives at Jesus.  It would not haven been unusual for the crucified victims to have abuse heaped on them.  After all, those who were crucified earned their death sentence.  But the taunting must have sounded unusual to the centurion.  It was not, “You murdered my father,” or “You raped my sister!”  It was, “He saved others” (Matthew 27:42), and, “He trusts in God; let God deliver him if he still desires him.  For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Matthew 27:43)  The centurion may have thought these insults were stupid.  These are not the insults that should be directed at a violent criminal.  This man was different.

     At about high noon, the sun stopped shining and darkness covered the land.  This was not an eclipse.  Nor was it a storm rolling in.  Those things could be explained.  This was different, and it was eerie.

    Then at about the three o’clock hour, the centurion heard Jesus cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)  No doubt, Jesus looked God-forsaken—stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)  And finally came the moment of Jesus’ death.  Rather than offer up the last gasp of a dying man, Jesus uttered a prayer in confidence.  Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, in your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46)  This one who seemed cursed by God still called God, “Father.”  Jesus had been the dutiful Son.  He commended all things into his Father’s care.  And with that, Jesus gave up his life.  This was not a bitter man.  He was not even a defeated man.  This man was different.

     The centurion was there for all of it.  He stood guard over Jesus.  He heard the words of both Jesus and his enemies.  He witnessed Jesus’ demeanor.  He had a front row seat for it all.  And then, when Jesus died, he saw more.  The earth shook, and the rocks were split.  The tombs also were opened.  And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.  When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:51-54)

     It is hard to say whether this was an unwitting confession of Christ or if this centurion made a faithful confession of Christ.  Either way, he was right. Truly this was the Son of God.  The Son of God willingly gave himself up for the sins of the world.  For, if he really is the Son of God, then he could have put a stop to this at any time.  He could have called on legions of angels to defend him.  He could have slain all of his enemies merely by the breath of his mouth.  He could have.  He did not.  This man was no criminal.  This man was different.  Truly, this was the Son of God!

     The Son of God, Jesus Christ, willingly went to death for people who accused him, who plotted against him, who mocked him, who denied him, who betrayed him, and who did not care at all. 

     He willingly went to death for people who try to serve him but fail, for people who succumb to temptations again and again, for people who know better but still give in to sinful cravings. 

     He willingly went to death for people who do not pray like they should, who give their eyes to images they should not be looking at, who give their ears to stories they should not be listening to, and who give their mouths to words that should never have been said. 

     He willingly went to death for people who sinned against others, for people who have sinned against him, and for people who daily sin.

     He willingly went and suffered and died—for you.  The Son of God pays the price for you.  As the Son of God, he could have put an end to his sufferings, pain, and death.  He could have.  He did not.  He endured all the curse, the shame, the pain, and the death willingly; for, Jesus Christ is eager for you to be relieved of your guilt.  He wants to cover over all your shame.  He wants to soothe your fears in the face of the grave and the judgment.  “Father, forgive them,” he prayed.  And then he paid the price so that the Father does.

     The centurion had a front row seat for all of it.  He witnessed the earth quaking, as it yearned to be set free from its bondage to sin and decay.  He witnessed saints who were raised from the dead—foreshadowing of the resurrection of all the dead—a resurrection gained by a Savior who goes into death for us to render it powerless.  These things did not happen at other crucifixions.  All of these startling activities did not accompany other criminals.  This man was different.  So, when the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54)

     There is one more thing that the centurion would have witnessed that Matthew does not record.  St. John does.  The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first (criminal), and of the other who had been crucified with him.  But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.  But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. (John 19:32-34)  Since the centurion was accountable to Pilate regarding the execution of the criminals, he is likely the one who pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing forth a sudden flow of blood and water.  It is by these that the Savior gives life to his Church.  It is by the waters of Holy Baptism that Jesus has given you new life and made you clean.  It is by the blood of Christ in Holy Communion that Jesus sustains your new life and holy status.  Jesus was no ordinary criminal.  Jesus was also no ordinary man.  This man was different.  Truly this man was the Son of God.  And if he is the Son of God, then truly Jesus has made you children of the heavenly Father, and truly you are saved.

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

Sermon -- 5th Sunday in Lent (April 6, 2014)

JOHN 8:46-59

GREAT GLORY SHALL COME FOR GOD’S PEOPLE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     As we advance to the most intense parts of our Lord’s Passion, we notice that the opposition to our Lord was getting more intense too.  The Pharisees never did care for Jesus, but for a while they kept their opinions to themselves.  After all, how can you condemn someone for healing so many people?  But eventually, they decided it was necessary to oppose Jesus, both publicly and viciously.  So the lines were drawn between Jesus and his enemies.  In that respect, the Pharisees had it right.  You are either with Jesus, or you are opposed to him.  There is no in between.  There was never meant to be.

     Jesus responded to their criticisms and accusations.  He cut right to the heart of the matter.  “Which one of you convicts me of sin?  If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?  Whoever is of God hears the words of God.  The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (John 8:46-47) 

     Of course, they could not convict Jesus of sin.  Nor could the Pharisees not find fault with Jesus’ words.  He spoke the truth, and they could not refute it.  So instead of refute Jesus’ words, they rejected Jesus.  They would not believe that he is the Christ.  They would not believe that he is God in the flesh.  They would not believe it because they were not God’s people.  The Pharisees were intent on establishing and defending their own glory, and Jesus was getting in the way of that.  But there is no glory for those who are not God’s people.

     All sinners want their glory.  Some will threaten or even kill people who do not give them the respect they seem to think they are owed.  Most do not sink to levels of felony.  Yet, divorces happen when husbands and wives do not feel they have been recognized or appreciated enough.  Friendships can fall apart because the gesture of one wasn’t nice enough or the honor didn’t come soon enough.  We regard these as slights that we do not deserve.  We believe we are worthy of greater glory than that.

     But mostly, people want to be praised just for being good people.  Family and friends feed that desire.  They will love you and defend you.  They will take your side even when you are wrong.  But beware.  Do not be deceived.  Your judgment is not based on the opinions of people who like you and agree with you.  The Pharisees could do that much.  The Pharisees all agreed that they were good and right.  They huddled together to vote, and they determined that they were right and that Jesus was dead wrong—in fact, so wrong that he should be dead.

     So if you cannot establish your own glory and if your friends don’t determine your judgment, what is your hope that you are saved?  How do you know you are among God’s people?  Jesus asks two questions, and we ought to ponder the answer to each.  First: “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46)  If you cannot be convicted of sin, then you are truly one of God’s people.  For, God calls us to live a holy and blameless life.  The one who keeps on sinning is of the devil, for he does the devil’s works.  If you can claim that you have been obedient to God’s commandments, then you are truly a child of God.  But no one can boast that.  King Solomon asked: “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin’?” (Proverbs 20:9)  And even if others might foolishly claim that being nice and helpful makes them good enough, you know better.  These do not make you blameless.  Do not claim to be a child of God based on your deeds.  There is no glory to be found in our hearts or in our habits. 

     You and I would be foolish to ask what Jesus did: “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46)  But Jesus did ask it.  And Jesus got no response.  They could not convict Jesus of sin.  Not in the temple where he was teaching.  Not on trial before Caiaphas.  Not even when false witnesses were paid off to find fault with him.  Nonetheless, Jesus, in his innocence, was sent to the cross.  He was sent to the cross at the hands of evil men, but he did not go because they demanded it.  He went because your salvation demanded it.  Jesus made himself the perfect sacrifice on your behalf.  He who was holy was slain for you—the righteous on behalf of the unrighteous.  And he who was holy has delivered you from your sins.  You have been cleansed by the holy blood of Jesus.  You have been bathed in your baptism and are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness.  And if you are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, then no one can convict you of sin.  Jesus covers you.  Jesus forgives you.  Jesus makes you children of God.  He is your glory, and great glory shall come for God’s people.

     So now, we come to the second question Jesus asked the Pharisees.  “If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?  Whoever is of God hears the words of God.  The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (John 8:46-47)  The Pharisees did not believe Jesus’ words because he made claims that they refused to believe were true.  But for you, Jesus’ words are your salvation.  What else can soothe a troubled conscience?  What else could convince you that you are a child of God and that you are an heir of eternal glory?  It has to rest entirely on Jesus’ words.  Whoever is of God hears God’s words because it is the word of God which has made you God’s people! 

     Jesus’ words admonish you so that you do not cling to your sins, but rather repent of them.  Jesus’ words reveal God’s mercy, love, and peace for sinners.  These put to flight all doubts and fears.  It is Jesus who assures you that you are, indeed, children of God.  Jesus can make such claims because he has paid for your sins; he has removed your curse; he has conquered death; and he lives and reigns in glory now. 

     Jesus promises: Great glory shall come for God’s people.  Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (John 8:51)  The Pharisees considered these the words of a man possessed by a demon.  Who could say such a thing?  Jesus did not merely say that there would be a resurrection from the dead.  Even the Pharisees believed that.  But Jesus stated that HE is the resurrection.  He delivers from death.  In fact, if you believe in him, you will not even taste death!

     Dear Christians, this is part of the great glory that he has in store for God’s people.  Consider Abraham.  His body has been buried in the cave of Machpelah, and it has turned to dust.  But his soul did not perish.  Abraham to this day dwells in God’s kingdom, awaiting the joyous resurrection of the dead.  And so it is for you.  The day will come when you bid farewell to this world, but you do not bid farewell to life.  Your life is hidden with Jesus, and your soul goes to dwell with him in glory.  With Jesus, there is not death, but life.  In Jesus, there is a resurrection from the grave where body and soul are reunited, where you will be transformed to immortality, and where you will live in glorious peace and joy.  Great glory shall come to God’s people, and that glory will never be marred by sin or shame.  God’s glory is everlasting.

     Until that day, you will strive to live to be what Jesus says you are—God’s people, holy and blameless and set apart for godliness.  And whenever you recognize that you do not match this glorious description, flee to Jesus.  Your glory, your place as God’s child, and your forgiveness come from Jesus.  He has given his body and blood to redeem you, and he gives these to you to keep you as his redeemed.  It is Jesus who soothes your hearts, who covers your sins, and who defeats your death for you.  That is why he who is of God hears God’s words.  It is the word of God which makes you God’s people.  And it is your God who has marked you for great glory.

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

Passiontide

PASSIONTIDE

            Two weeks before Easter we begin Passtiontide, the height and depth of our Lord’s Passion.  As we get closer to our Lord’s most intense sufferings, our Lenten fast becomes more intense as well.

            The sights and sounds of the service have been muted.  All art-work and icons have been removed or are veiled.  Even the crucifix is veiled, for we are not worthy to gaze upon our Lord.  The silence in the service is increased as well.  We bade farewell to the Alleluias and the Gloria in Excelsis weeks ago, and now we have also omitted the Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) from the Psalms.  The organ also will remain silent except to support congregational singing. 

            These practices make the service more austere, and that is the point.  We fast from sights and sounds so that, when they return on Easter morning, they stand out and more greatly accentuate our joy and celebration of a Savior who was slain and is now risen, forever living and reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.