Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (He 10:23). Amen.
It happens. All too quickly and all too easily it seems. We lose focus.
We fire up the laptop. We want to get at that special project or that certain paper. But first, a stop at msn.com or espn.com on the internet. Just a headline or two—what’s happening in the world or with my team?
Or we whip out the cell phone. We want to reach out to a close friend or a family member. But after a glance at Facebook or Instagram. Just a photo or two—what is there to look at or comment on?
And all of a sudden minutes can become hours. That’s not only me, is it? It doesn’t take much and we are clicking with a mouse or swiping with a finger. Or it’s something else. You name it. And we find ourselves miles away from where we started—drawn in by the peripheral and drawn away from the plan. It is a wonder with all of these time-saving gadgets that we get anything done.
And then someone brings us back to reality with a “What are you doing?” or “how is it going?” We shoot back a generic, “nothing” or “fine.” The unnamed author of the book of Hebrews does that. He has us give careful attention to Jesus Christ. Just concentrate on him. He is similar to Moses. He is superior to Moses. We read from …
Hebrews 3:1-6
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ, our Savior who speaks to us,
There are critical times when our eyes need to be in the right place.
On our daily commute. Eyes out the front of the windshield (especially when there is a major snowstorm like this past Monday). But there is a ring, ding, or bing on a mobile device in your pocket or purse. Who could it be?
On our weekly worship. Eyes in the front of the church. But someone is restless, helpless, or careless in the seat next to you. What is it now?
It doesn’t take much, does it? And we are not aware of our surroundings.
And there are crucial times when our eyes need to be on the right person.
On your teacher, not on your classmate. What is he doing?
On your Savior, not on yourself. What has he done.
That is where the unknown writer to the Hebrew Christians directs our eyes.
Just Concentrate on Jesus Christ
1. He is similar to Moses (1,2)
2. He is superior to Moses (3-6)
1. He is similar to Moses (1,2)
It probably doesn’t matter. You are sleeping soundly. Someone throws open the shades or turns on a lamp. The light from both of those sources is pretty shocking to your eyes. You have to squint. At first glance, the ones on the receiving end of this epistle could see a likeness between two individuals. But the author centers on the one. Jesus Christ is similar to Moses. But just concentrate on Jesus.
The writer begins by reminding his readers who were enduring some sort of persecution who they were. (And who we are!) “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling” (He 3:1).
“holy” (He 3:1). They were cleansed from sin and consecrated for service.
“brothers” (He 3:1). And sisters, of course. They belonged to the same family of faith—dear children of a devoted Father (1 Jn 3:1).
“who share in the heavenly calling” (He 3:1). Together they were partners in this invitation from God—summoned to faith. It comes from heaven and it leads to heaven.
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (He 3:1). He was the One who was to get their careful, constant concentration. Jesus—the One who saves us from our sins (Mt 1:21).
“the apostle” (He 3:1). That might seem a bit strange. There is the apostle Paul. Or the apostle Peter. But the apostle Jesus? It fits him just fine when we recall the meaning behind the word. An “apostle” is one who is “sent out.” He is dispatched on a mission and with a commission from the Father (ex. Mt 10:40; Jn 5:30). There is a purpose for him and power behind him. And there we found Jesus in the synagogue, explaining Scripture. “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority” (Mk 1:22). He came from God and communicated for God.
“and high priest” (He 3:1). The recipients were extremely familiar with the function of that man from their training. He represented the people before God. He sacrificed animals for people—bulls, goats, and lambs. Jesus offered himself once and for all—body given and blood shed on the cross to pay for our sins.
Based on who they were and who Jesus was the command is in place. “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (He 3:1).
And we join them. In short order, we will profess our faith in our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today we use the Apostles’ Creed. When it comes to the second person, we will state the same thing as fellow believers of old and around the globe with such sentiments as that Jesus is God’s Son, our Lord—conceived, born, suffered, died, rose, ascended, sits, and will return (CW p. 41). That is all part of his rescue operation.
And therein lies the comparison to an Old Testament great—Moses. He was certainly a key character from the past. “He [that is, Jesus] was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house” (He 3:2). To be faithful depicts one who is dependable. That unquestionably describes Moses (Nu 12:7). Faithful.
He went to Pharaoh of Egypt and walked out with the nation of Israel.
He spoke to God face-to-face, whether on top of Mt. Sinai or in the first five books of the Bible.
He led the chosen nation for 40 years through the wilderness up to the Promised Land.
He did what the Lord asked of him. And he did it well. Faithful.
That also defines Jesus. Reliable. He brought glory to God by completing the work that God gave him to do (Jn 17:4). He lived perfectly. He instructed thoroughly. Even in the midst of an interruption that one Saturday in Capernaum from the demon-possessed man. “‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mk 1:24). Yes. That is correct. Jesus was there to do away with the devil and his gang. And he did. He died innocently. And he rose triumphantly. Faithful. And worthy of consideration. “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (He 3:1). Just concentrate on Jesus Christ. He is similar to Moses. Faithful to his task. Jesus’ assignment was to remove our guilt. And he did.
2. He is superior to Moses (3-6)
Go back to the rude awaking when you are trying to get some shuteye. Between the two, the sun is so much bigger and brighter than a lamp. While there is a similarity with faithfulness, upon further review, Jesus Christ is superior to Moses. Just concentrate on Christ.
If you were to put Jesus and Moses on one of those old-fashioned balance scales, it would tip in favor of Jesus. “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses” (He 3:3). To drive the point home, the writer employs an illustration: “just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself” (He 3:3). You more than likely cannot name too many of his 532 completed buildings—some of them houses (in all, he designed over 1000 structures), but you perhaps have heard of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He is more famous than anything that he created. As admirable as Moses is/was, Jesus is deserving of more praise. They are not on the same level. That is clear as the author references creation: “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything” (He 3:4). Jesus as God fashioned all things.
It comes down to position. “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future” (He 3:5). The term “servant” suggests one who serves, not because he has to, but because he wants to—not forced, but freely. It was Jesus himself who once mentioned about Moses to the Jews of his day: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me” (Jn 5:46). As Moses the prophet said his goodbyes to his people, he spoke of another—THE Prophet: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him” (Dt 18:15).
We give him our ears as he tells of God anger over our sin, but also as he talks of God’s forgiveness of our sin. Like the psalmist had us sing, we can be like the person whose “delight is in the law of the LORD [that is, God’s teaching and instruction], and on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:2). Not just on Sunday—that is a given. But Monday through Saturday.
But therein lies the difference. Moses was in God’s house. “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house” (He 3:6). He is the Messiah, the Christ—anointed to be prophet, priest, and king. As such, he rules over all creation—over us.
And we have an important status: “And we are his house” (He 3:6). We are built into that spiritual house (1 Pe 2:5), of which Christ is the cornerstone (Eph 2:20). He is solid and we are sure. And there is a definite blessing: “if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast” (He 3:6).
We have courage. Words flow without fear because we are confident that God hears and helps.
We have hope. Heaven is our home. And that is not in doubt, but in truth.
We have a boast. Jesus Christ is One through him all of this is possible.
Just concentrate on Jesus Christ. He is superior to Moses because he is above Moses in rank. And that is good for us who are under him.
There are all kinds of things that can distract us from technology to each other. The reminder is in order. Just concentrate on Jesus Christ. He is similar to Moses in faithfulness. They both carried out God’s goal for them. But he is superior to Moses. He is not in God’s house, but over it, reigning for our benefit. That makes it hard to look away from him. Happy Epiphany. Amen.
Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.
January 28, 2018
St. John Lutheran Church Sermons
Monday, January 29, 2018
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Third Sunday after the Epiphany (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Co 1:3). Amen.
Here is a little exercise. It is mental, not physical. But it still may make you sweat. On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at relationships—ranging from poor to perfect? A low number means not so good and a higher one is much better than average. I am going to ask that you avoid the number 5. I know that it is there—right in the middle. It is not like a skyscraper in downtown St. Paul which may omit a digit. The 13th floor may not show up on the elevator panel or in the stairwell, but it still exists. The reason is that I want you to fall on either side—1-4 or 6-10 of the scale. Go with what is reality and not fantasy—what you have to answer rather than what you want to.
If we are honest, we might not put ourselves in the category of an expert—landing on the lower side rather than the higher end. We can use help in getting wiser. And we have it. From the Lord through the apostle. Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships—regarding our spouses, our sentiments, and our stuff. We read from …
I Corinthians 7:29-31
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who brings light to life,
When I inquire about relationships, what comes to mind first? I am guessing with people. And that is true. But I am going to suggest others. We have relationships in marriage, but also with our mindsets and our means, in other words with our thoughts and with our things.
There is probably room for improvement in all three categories (going back to that 1-10 gauge)—moving from a 2 to a 3 or even from an 8 to an 8.1. (Did anyone rate themselves that high?) I am not poking at a new year’s resolution that may have already gone south: “This year I was going to be better with my relationships.” And we are hardly halfway through January and no transformation. Even if that is the case, we turn to God’s Word through the apostle Paul.
And it fits with the season of the church year that we are in—Epiphany. Recall that it means to “shine forth” or “show forth.” And that is what Paul does. He makes known and makes clear.
Paul Reveals Epiphany Wisdom about Relationships
1. Regarding our spouses (29,31)
3. Regarding our sentiments (30a)
2. Regarding our stuff (30b,31)
1. Regarding our spouses (29,31)
It is a word problem. I am sorry if that brings back bad memories of algebra. When it comes to a man and a woman who have promised to live together for a lifetime (as God has designed [Ge 2:24]), what does 1+1 equal. Again, it is a trick question. 1 + 1 = marriage. And it is God’s institution and God’s idea. So we listen to him and learn from him. Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our spouses.
Perhaps an important disclaimer (or two).
This discussion is for those who are married and those who are not. It is like the 6th Commandment. Remember the explanation? You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions (That is for the unmarried and married.), and that husband and wife love and honor each other (That is for the married.). We want to grow in our knowledge no matter what station of life we are in.
Paul was a bachelor. But he was not a woman-hater. Nor is he against God’s arrangement as if he is bitter or belligerent. He is God’s representative as he writes (1 Co 1:1).
Marriage is a blessing. It goes back to the perfection of the Garden of Eden. God had declared: “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Ge 2:18). [That does not imply that an individual is lesser or lower if they are single. Or incomplete or inadequate. We are all entirely God’s child whether or not we have a ring on a particular finger (Ga 3:26).] That is when God built Eve out of a rib and brought her to Adam. That plan is still in place for society.
There is no closer relationship in all the world than between a husband and wife. Let that sink in. None comes close—not the one between parent and child, not even the one between boyfriend and girlfriend. The two are “one flesh” (Ge 2:24). It is not surprising that God uses that connection as a picture of him and the Church. In fact, it was Paul, who in another letter, links a husband’s love to Christ’s love. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy … and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Eph 5:25-27). Just as a girl is most beautiful on her wedding, that is how God sees us, his Church, as his bride. Soon Lent begins and we will see Jesus demonstrate his love as he delivers himself up to his enemies and dies on a cross—for us. So then why the strange statement? “From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none” (1 Co 7:29).
There was confusion in Corinth about a number of things. But Paul writes to them; he does not write them off. “What I mean, brothers” (1 Co 1:29). “Brothers.” That is critical. He scratches this epistle to fellow believers—those who had the same faith in the same Father (1 Jn 3:1). It is crucial to look at two sentences that bookend this section. (It is true of how we view, not just our spouses, but also our sentiments and stuff.)
“What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short” (1 Co 7:29). It is like closing one of those Ziploc sandwich bags with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in it (Mt 24:22). The world is slowly and steadily coming to an end. God had determined a definite time which no one knows (Mk 13:32). We are to be ready and waiting for this event of special significance when what is now will suddenly cease to be. And nothing on earth or of earth will be essential.
“For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Co 7:31). The structure of this world will not last forever (1 Jn 2:17). When Jesus comes again on the last day, there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Re 21:1). It will be perfect—no more problems and pain. It will be spectacular—no more difficulty or death (Re 21:4).
So now: “From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none” (1 Co 7:29). That is not an excuse for sinful carousing. As good and God-pleasing as marriage is (and it is), it is not to get in the way of Jesus’ return. It comes down to a First Commandment issue. You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love and trust in God above all things. A husband loves his wife (and vise versa), but that does not replace one’s loyalty to the Lord. The focus is to be on him as the top priority. A husband still treasures his wife, but he turns his attention to God. Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom regarding spouses. God first and others follow.
3. Regarding our sentiments (30a)
It is a worldwide problem. That is because we all have them—feelings. Sometimes they are out of control. Other times they are in a row. It is like a rollercoaster. (I am not a fan of those.) How do we cope? Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our sentiments.
Again, it appears as if it is a paradox. “those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not” (1 Co 7:30).
How does that look?
“those who mourn, as if they did not” (1 Co 7:30). There are occasions, often even, when tears run down our faces. That is normal and natural. God made us that way to express what is inside—sadness or sorrow. We all have those things that cause waterworks. And the hardships and the heartaches are real. And it also seems as if we sob while the world celebrates.
But Jesus instructs: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4). That happens now when we call to mind God’s pardon of us (Mt 9:2) and his presence with us (He 13:5). And then we can rejoice in the Lord always (Php 4:4).
But we also look forward to the day when Jesus appears on the Last Day. Then he will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Re 21:4). The hurt or harm is short-lived like the discomfort of riding many hours on the way to Disneyland. All is forgotten when you see Mickey’s big ears. Heaven will be greater and grander than that.
“those who are happy, as if they were not” (1 Co 7:30). Happiness is a gift from God. Life is not all about gloom. There is gladness. Enjoy that. But there also is a recognition of our guilt. That is what Jesus proclaimed: “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk 1:15). There is a change of mind. We do not state: “I want to go against God. Instead “I want to I want to go with God.” While there is a realization of our sin, there is a reliance on our Savior. God sends our wrongs away because he set them on Jesus. We imitate the Ninevites when Jonah preached. They “believed God” (Jonah 3:5). Like them, we say, “Amen.” We are free from sin. God says so; it is so. As the psalmist had us sing: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him” (Ps 62:1).
And so we number our days correctly so that we gain a wise heart (Ps 90:12). Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom regarding our sentiments. We keep our emotions in check as we check the skies for Jesus.
2. Regarding our stuff (30b,31)
It is a worldly problem. The various ads on TV announce it. The Valentine sales in stores scream it. “You need more, more, more.” And we buy into that materialism. “This or that will finally make me content.” Will it? Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our stuff.
It comes down to our attitude, or our approach. It is not just accumulating, but appreciating. Once again, there are two considerations:
“those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep” (1 Co 7:30). Whether it is with paper or plastic, we purchase different items—from computers to cars to clothes. Those are gifts from the Lord who owns everything (Ps 24:1,2; Ja 1:17). He hands them to us to hold on to for a while. We would do well to consider them on loan. We only have them for a short time. We utilize them on earth to provide for the well-being of our families or the work of the church, to pay taxes and help others, understanding that God entrusts them to us, but we don’t put our trust in them (Ps 62:10). They quickly fall apart like a toy or quietly fade away like a banana. We worship the Creator of things, not created things. And just like Simon and Andrew, James and John, we follow Jesus (Jn 1:16-20). Everything else—business, wealth, even family—all comes second.
“those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them” (1 Co 7:31). And so we use, not abuse, our resources—our incomes and our assets—for our advantage, not staring at them constantly like some do with their phones, not looking up or away (even while walking). This is not the be all and end all because all will be at an end.
Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom regarding our stuff. It is temporary. Heaven is permanent. That is our ultimate possession.
Do you remember that number on the relationship scale? You don’t have to tell anyone. Or it is fine if you forget. I am going to suggest that it go up and not down—to progress rather than regress. Thankfully Paul reveals epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our spouses, our sentiments, and our stuff. Those are earthly benefits from the Lord. To be with the Lord has eternal blessings. Happy Epiphany. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
January 21, 2018
Here is a little exercise. It is mental, not physical. But it still may make you sweat. On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at relationships—ranging from poor to perfect? A low number means not so good and a higher one is much better than average. I am going to ask that you avoid the number 5. I know that it is there—right in the middle. It is not like a skyscraper in downtown St. Paul which may omit a digit. The 13th floor may not show up on the elevator panel or in the stairwell, but it still exists. The reason is that I want you to fall on either side—1-4 or 6-10 of the scale. Go with what is reality and not fantasy—what you have to answer rather than what you want to.
If we are honest, we might not put ourselves in the category of an expert—landing on the lower side rather than the higher end. We can use help in getting wiser. And we have it. From the Lord through the apostle. Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships—regarding our spouses, our sentiments, and our stuff. We read from …
I Corinthians 7:29-31
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who brings light to life,
When I inquire about relationships, what comes to mind first? I am guessing with people. And that is true. But I am going to suggest others. We have relationships in marriage, but also with our mindsets and our means, in other words with our thoughts and with our things.
There is probably room for improvement in all three categories (going back to that 1-10 gauge)—moving from a 2 to a 3 or even from an 8 to an 8.1. (Did anyone rate themselves that high?) I am not poking at a new year’s resolution that may have already gone south: “This year I was going to be better with my relationships.” And we are hardly halfway through January and no transformation. Even if that is the case, we turn to God’s Word through the apostle Paul.
And it fits with the season of the church year that we are in—Epiphany. Recall that it means to “shine forth” or “show forth.” And that is what Paul does. He makes known and makes clear.
Paul Reveals Epiphany Wisdom about Relationships
1. Regarding our spouses (29,31)
3. Regarding our sentiments (30a)
2. Regarding our stuff (30b,31)
1. Regarding our spouses (29,31)
It is a word problem. I am sorry if that brings back bad memories of algebra. When it comes to a man and a woman who have promised to live together for a lifetime (as God has designed [Ge 2:24]), what does 1+1 equal. Again, it is a trick question. 1 + 1 = marriage. And it is God’s institution and God’s idea. So we listen to him and learn from him. Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our spouses.
Perhaps an important disclaimer (or two).
This discussion is for those who are married and those who are not. It is like the 6th Commandment. Remember the explanation? You shall not commit adultery. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions (That is for the unmarried and married.), and that husband and wife love and honor each other (That is for the married.). We want to grow in our knowledge no matter what station of life we are in.
Paul was a bachelor. But he was not a woman-hater. Nor is he against God’s arrangement as if he is bitter or belligerent. He is God’s representative as he writes (1 Co 1:1).
Marriage is a blessing. It goes back to the perfection of the Garden of Eden. God had declared: “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Ge 2:18). [That does not imply that an individual is lesser or lower if they are single. Or incomplete or inadequate. We are all entirely God’s child whether or not we have a ring on a particular finger (Ga 3:26).] That is when God built Eve out of a rib and brought her to Adam. That plan is still in place for society.
There is no closer relationship in all the world than between a husband and wife. Let that sink in. None comes close—not the one between parent and child, not even the one between boyfriend and girlfriend. The two are “one flesh” (Ge 2:24). It is not surprising that God uses that connection as a picture of him and the Church. In fact, it was Paul, who in another letter, links a husband’s love to Christ’s love. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy … and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Eph 5:25-27). Just as a girl is most beautiful on her wedding, that is how God sees us, his Church, as his bride. Soon Lent begins and we will see Jesus demonstrate his love as he delivers himself up to his enemies and dies on a cross—for us. So then why the strange statement? “From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none” (1 Co 7:29).
There was confusion in Corinth about a number of things. But Paul writes to them; he does not write them off. “What I mean, brothers” (1 Co 1:29). “Brothers.” That is critical. He scratches this epistle to fellow believers—those who had the same faith in the same Father (1 Jn 3:1). It is crucial to look at two sentences that bookend this section. (It is true of how we view, not just our spouses, but also our sentiments and stuff.)
“What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short” (1 Co 7:29). It is like closing one of those Ziploc sandwich bags with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in it (Mt 24:22). The world is slowly and steadily coming to an end. God had determined a definite time which no one knows (Mk 13:32). We are to be ready and waiting for this event of special significance when what is now will suddenly cease to be. And nothing on earth or of earth will be essential.
“For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Co 7:31). The structure of this world will not last forever (1 Jn 2:17). When Jesus comes again on the last day, there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Re 21:1). It will be perfect—no more problems and pain. It will be spectacular—no more difficulty or death (Re 21:4).
So now: “From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none” (1 Co 7:29). That is not an excuse for sinful carousing. As good and God-pleasing as marriage is (and it is), it is not to get in the way of Jesus’ return. It comes down to a First Commandment issue. You shall have no other gods. What does this mean? We should fear, love and trust in God above all things. A husband loves his wife (and vise versa), but that does not replace one’s loyalty to the Lord. The focus is to be on him as the top priority. A husband still treasures his wife, but he turns his attention to God. Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom regarding spouses. God first and others follow.
3. Regarding our sentiments (30a)
It is a worldwide problem. That is because we all have them—feelings. Sometimes they are out of control. Other times they are in a row. It is like a rollercoaster. (I am not a fan of those.) How do we cope? Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our sentiments.
Again, it appears as if it is a paradox. “those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not” (1 Co 7:30).
How does that look?
“those who mourn, as if they did not” (1 Co 7:30). There are occasions, often even, when tears run down our faces. That is normal and natural. God made us that way to express what is inside—sadness or sorrow. We all have those things that cause waterworks. And the hardships and the heartaches are real. And it also seems as if we sob while the world celebrates.
But Jesus instructs: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4). That happens now when we call to mind God’s pardon of us (Mt 9:2) and his presence with us (He 13:5). And then we can rejoice in the Lord always (Php 4:4).
But we also look forward to the day when Jesus appears on the Last Day. Then he will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Re 21:4). The hurt or harm is short-lived like the discomfort of riding many hours on the way to Disneyland. All is forgotten when you see Mickey’s big ears. Heaven will be greater and grander than that.
“those who are happy, as if they were not” (1 Co 7:30). Happiness is a gift from God. Life is not all about gloom. There is gladness. Enjoy that. But there also is a recognition of our guilt. That is what Jesus proclaimed: “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk 1:15). There is a change of mind. We do not state: “I want to go against God. Instead “I want to I want to go with God.” While there is a realization of our sin, there is a reliance on our Savior. God sends our wrongs away because he set them on Jesus. We imitate the Ninevites when Jonah preached. They “believed God” (Jonah 3:5). Like them, we say, “Amen.” We are free from sin. God says so; it is so. As the psalmist had us sing: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him” (Ps 62:1).
And so we number our days correctly so that we gain a wise heart (Ps 90:12). Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom regarding our sentiments. We keep our emotions in check as we check the skies for Jesus.
2. Regarding our stuff (30b,31)
It is a worldly problem. The various ads on TV announce it. The Valentine sales in stores scream it. “You need more, more, more.” And we buy into that materialism. “This or that will finally make me content.” Will it? Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our stuff.
It comes down to our attitude, or our approach. It is not just accumulating, but appreciating. Once again, there are two considerations:
“those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep” (1 Co 7:30). Whether it is with paper or plastic, we purchase different items—from computers to cars to clothes. Those are gifts from the Lord who owns everything (Ps 24:1,2; Ja 1:17). He hands them to us to hold on to for a while. We would do well to consider them on loan. We only have them for a short time. We utilize them on earth to provide for the well-being of our families or the work of the church, to pay taxes and help others, understanding that God entrusts them to us, but we don’t put our trust in them (Ps 62:10). They quickly fall apart like a toy or quietly fade away like a banana. We worship the Creator of things, not created things. And just like Simon and Andrew, James and John, we follow Jesus (Jn 1:16-20). Everything else—business, wealth, even family—all comes second.
“those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them” (1 Co 7:31). And so we use, not abuse, our resources—our incomes and our assets—for our advantage, not staring at them constantly like some do with their phones, not looking up or away (even while walking). This is not the be all and end all because all will be at an end.
Paul reveals Epiphany wisdom regarding our stuff. It is temporary. Heaven is permanent. That is our ultimate possession.
Do you remember that number on the relationship scale? You don’t have to tell anyone. Or it is fine if you forget. I am going to suggest that it go up and not down—to progress rather than regress. Thankfully Paul reveals epiphany wisdom about relationships regarding our spouses, our sentiments, and our stuff. Those are earthly benefits from the Lord. To be with the Lord has eternal blessings. Happy Epiphany. Amen.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you (1 Co 16:23). Amen.
January 21, 2018
Monday, January 15, 2018
Second Sunday after the Epiphany (John 1:43-51)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Co 1:3). Amen.
“Come and see.” That is an invitation that is pretty easy.
Let’s take a simple example. Snow returned to Minnesota and the Metro this past week. If a child wants his mother to look outside, all he has to do is say, “Come and see. Roads and rooftops coated and covered in white.” He doesn’t have to know at what temperature precipitation is no longer in the form of raindrops but snowflakes. Or even the difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius. (Does anyone?) If it is a result of high pressure or low pressure in the atmosphere. What is the definition of a bomb cyclone or a polar vortex. Leave that to the experts. “Come and see.”
It wasn’t snow that Philip wanted Nathaniel to see, but the Savior. Come and see. Come and see Jesus who locates us and Jesus who links us. We read from …
John 1:43-51
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who calls to us and connects us to God,
“Come and see.” That is an invitation that is very effective. Those three words can get a mommy to move away from the stove to peer out of the window. In my house, there may or may not be excitement about flurries or blizzards.
But Phillip was thrilled. He had met Jesus. He wanted the same for his friend, Nathaniel. It was easy and effective.
Come and See …
1. Jesus who locates us (43-49)
2. Jesus who links us (50,51)
1. Jesus who locates us (43-49)
We have so much information at our fingertips—on a laptop or a cell phone. You can check a website or a weather app to find out if the accumulation is going to range from 4 to 71 inches. That comes as a result of a search. It is Jesus who finds us and we then find others. Come and see Jesus who locates us.
It had been an eventful few days. John the Baptizer had pointed to Jesus and proclaimed about him: “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29). Jesus had spent another day with two disciples (Jn 1:35-39). One of them was Andrew who went to track down his brother, Peter. He wanted to introduce him to Jesus. And he did.
It was then that Jesus made some travel plans. “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee” (Jn 1:43). There was a wedding in Cana. But there was some unfinished business as far as a companion along the way. “Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me’” (Jn 1:43). That was more than just to be a tagalong, but to be a disciple—one who would listen to and learn from Jesus. It is important for us to realize who found whom. It was Jesus who located Philip—as well as his friends from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter (Jn 1:44).
It is the same with us. We were dead in sin (Eph 2:1). But Jesus did not leave us there. He found us. He had to because we couldn’t. Just like if your shovel is buried under a pile of snow. You have to uncover it. It is Jesus who summons us, “Follow me” (Jn 1:43). It may have been at the baptismal font. Or it could have been through his spoken Word. And we go after him (Mt 16:24). And as we do, we no longer walk in the darkness of sin, but in the light of salvation (Jn 8:12). Come and see Jesus who locates us to go with him and to hear about him. And we trail after him with the same prayer as that young man, Samuel: “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Sa 3:10). But Phillip turned away from Jesus, not because he turned Jesus down. There was someone who needed to know about this. Someone compared sharing good news to water in our hands. We can’t hold it, it just naturally runs out. Whether or not Philip ran, he did remark when he found Nathaniel, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (Jn 1:44). The wait was over. The Messiah was here. It wasn’t a certain feeling in his gut, but the sure fulfillment of God’s promise. He was confident because Scripture confirmed it.
The Lord answers our willing prayer that we are giving him our ear. And when we come to his Word, we see the One whom Moses promised would be the Serpent-Crusher, pulverizing the devil’s head for good (Ge 3:15). Or the Prophet, preaching words of eternal life from town to town and village to village (Dt 18:15; Lk 8:1; Jn 6:68). The many prophets also make plain that the Spirit of the Lord was on him to preach good news to all (Is 61:1). He is Immanuel, God with us, born of the virgin (Is 7:14; Mt 1:22). He is the very one who would be pierced for our transgression so that he could provide peace (Is 53:5), Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We are right with God because of “The LORD Our Righteousness” (Je 23:6). Come and see Jesus who locates us to save us from our sin (Mt 1:21).
But Nathaniel wasn’t convinced. Yet. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (Jn 1:46). He knew from the prophet Micah that the Christ would be born in the little town of Bethlehem, not the backwoods town in Galilee (Mi 5:2). Philip didn’t make an argument, he just made an appeal: “Come and see” (Jn 1:46).
That is a good model to imitate. We might not be able to answer every objection. That shouldn’t stop us any more than telling someone the time even though we don’t know how to build a clock. We can still encourage without making excuses. “Come and see Jesus.” He located us and locates others through us—no matter how extensive our Bible knowledge is or how much of a Bible expert we are. We will let the Holy Spirit create faith and continue it—no matter who it is or where they are. We join the prayer of the psalmist: “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you” (Ps 67:3).
Despite some initial hesitation, Nathaniel hurried after Philip. “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false” (Jn 1:47). Jesus read his heart and realized that he was really a believer—no deceit or dishonesty, eagerly and earnestly anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, not letting his doubt get in the way of seeking the Messiah. There was no hiding his sin like you put a worm on a hook to catch a fish, but a holding on to his Savior. That kind of a person is blessed because the Lord doesn’t count his sin against him (Ps 32:2).
When God scans our hearts, he spots our sin (Ps 139:1,2). But he uses that knowledge for our good. He is aware of how he can remove our guilt. He does it by placing it on Jesus. At the cross our sin is forgiven, sent away forever.
Jesus’ identification shocked Nathaniel. The two of them had never met. “How do you know me?” (Jn 1:48). Once again Jesus demonstrated that he knows all things. “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you” (Jn 1:48). What Nathaniel was thinking about or meditating on in the cool shade Jesus was aware of. And that was enough for Nathaniel. “Rabbi [that is, Teacher], you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (Jn 1:49). When he came, he saw Jesus:
“the Son of God” (Jn 1:49)—true God, sent by the Father.
“the King of Israel” (Jn 1:49)—the One from David’s line to sit on David’s throne forever (2 Sa 7:12-16; Lk 1:33). The Magi worshipped him, the “King of the Jews” early on (Mt 2:2,11). Later on Pilate attached that sign above his head: “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Mt 27:37). He wrote it as a joke; we understand the truth in joy.
That concise confession can be on our lips too. When Jesus locates us, we come to see him for who he is: He is God’s Son with whom the Father is pleased because Jesus has established a spiritual kingdom of which we are members (Ps 2:6,7; Mt 3:17). He rules over all for our good (Eph 1:22). Come and see Jesus who locates us to give us life with him right now and forever (Jn 20:31).
2. Jesus who links us (50,51)
Perhaps you are perusing an article about the weather on the internet. There is a word in a different color than the rest of the text. If you click on it, it takes you to another place on the World Wide Web. You could be reading about a coming storm and there are some words in blue: “what is the worst winter hazard?” You hit that and it sends you to something else. The term for that is a link. In a way, that is what Jesus does. Come and see Jesus who links us.
Jesus had more to relate to Nathaniel: “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that” (Jn 1:50). Soon Jesus would change some water in wine. Jesus would reveal his glory with that and the disciples would put their faith in him (Jn 1:14; 2:11). That, along with all of the other miracles—the blind seeing, the lame walking, even the dead rising—all would confirm who Jesus is—the Christ. Add to that all the time he taught and preached. They would also witness Jesus’ suffering and dying, resurrection and ascension.
We come to see that Jesus is true God and true man. His words and works confirm that he is our Savior. And then like those early disciples, we continue to grow in our faith and in our knowledge of Jesus, discovering more and more about him (2 Pe 3:18).
And then Jesus addresses the whole crowd with one of his authoritative statements that he stresses as valid and vital: “I tell you the truth [that is, this is definite coming from the One who is the truth (Jn 14:6)], you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (Jn 1:51). Jesus references that time when Jacob was running away from home (Ge 28:10ff.). He had tricked his father into giving him the birthright. His brother Esau planned to kill him. That was enough to convince him to head out. A few days into the trip at Bethel, the Lord appeared to him in a dream to assure him that he was still with him and that he still loved him. God had removed the wrong and restored the relationship. In that vision, he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and down—bringing his needs to God and God’s help to him.
Jesus is the One who has bridged the gap between earth and heaven perfectly and completely. He is the only link between us and God. That is why the “Son of Man” came (Da 7:13,14). God himself became one of us—with flesh and blood—to seek us and save us (Lk 19:10). And now heaven stands open to us and stays open for us. Come and see Jesus who links us to his Father (Jn 1:14). Jesus bought us with a price, the price of his blood, to be his own (1 Co 6:20). And we are.
Come and see. That is an invite that is effortless and efficient—especially when it comes from a little one. It can get a person to stop what they are doing and stare even at snow. It is what Philip shared with Nathaniel. Jesus found Philip and Philip found Nathaniel. Come and see Jesus who locates us. We were lost but now are found. Come and see Jesus who links us to God. He brings us and all to him. Yes, come and see Jesus. Happy Epiphany. Amen.
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (Ps 67:1). Amen.
January 14, 2018
“Come and see.” That is an invitation that is pretty easy.
Let’s take a simple example. Snow returned to Minnesota and the Metro this past week. If a child wants his mother to look outside, all he has to do is say, “Come and see. Roads and rooftops coated and covered in white.” He doesn’t have to know at what temperature precipitation is no longer in the form of raindrops but snowflakes. Or even the difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius. (Does anyone?) If it is a result of high pressure or low pressure in the atmosphere. What is the definition of a bomb cyclone or a polar vortex. Leave that to the experts. “Come and see.”
It wasn’t snow that Philip wanted Nathaniel to see, but the Savior. Come and see. Come and see Jesus who locates us and Jesus who links us. We read from …
John 1:43-51
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, who calls to us and connects us to God,
“Come and see.” That is an invitation that is very effective. Those three words can get a mommy to move away from the stove to peer out of the window. In my house, there may or may not be excitement about flurries or blizzards.
But Phillip was thrilled. He had met Jesus. He wanted the same for his friend, Nathaniel. It was easy and effective.
Come and See …
1. Jesus who locates us (43-49)
2. Jesus who links us (50,51)
1. Jesus who locates us (43-49)
We have so much information at our fingertips—on a laptop or a cell phone. You can check a website or a weather app to find out if the accumulation is going to range from 4 to 71 inches. That comes as a result of a search. It is Jesus who finds us and we then find others. Come and see Jesus who locates us.
It had been an eventful few days. John the Baptizer had pointed to Jesus and proclaimed about him: “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29). Jesus had spent another day with two disciples (Jn 1:35-39). One of them was Andrew who went to track down his brother, Peter. He wanted to introduce him to Jesus. And he did.
It was then that Jesus made some travel plans. “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee” (Jn 1:43). There was a wedding in Cana. But there was some unfinished business as far as a companion along the way. “Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me’” (Jn 1:43). That was more than just to be a tagalong, but to be a disciple—one who would listen to and learn from Jesus. It is important for us to realize who found whom. It was Jesus who located Philip—as well as his friends from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter (Jn 1:44).
It is the same with us. We were dead in sin (Eph 2:1). But Jesus did not leave us there. He found us. He had to because we couldn’t. Just like if your shovel is buried under a pile of snow. You have to uncover it. It is Jesus who summons us, “Follow me” (Jn 1:43). It may have been at the baptismal font. Or it could have been through his spoken Word. And we go after him (Mt 16:24). And as we do, we no longer walk in the darkness of sin, but in the light of salvation (Jn 8:12). Come and see Jesus who locates us to go with him and to hear about him. And we trail after him with the same prayer as that young man, Samuel: “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Sa 3:10). But Phillip turned away from Jesus, not because he turned Jesus down. There was someone who needed to know about this. Someone compared sharing good news to water in our hands. We can’t hold it, it just naturally runs out. Whether or not Philip ran, he did remark when he found Nathaniel, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (Jn 1:44). The wait was over. The Messiah was here. It wasn’t a certain feeling in his gut, but the sure fulfillment of God’s promise. He was confident because Scripture confirmed it.
The Lord answers our willing prayer that we are giving him our ear. And when we come to his Word, we see the One whom Moses promised would be the Serpent-Crusher, pulverizing the devil’s head for good (Ge 3:15). Or the Prophet, preaching words of eternal life from town to town and village to village (Dt 18:15; Lk 8:1; Jn 6:68). The many prophets also make plain that the Spirit of the Lord was on him to preach good news to all (Is 61:1). He is Immanuel, God with us, born of the virgin (Is 7:14; Mt 1:22). He is the very one who would be pierced for our transgression so that he could provide peace (Is 53:5), Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We are right with God because of “The LORD Our Righteousness” (Je 23:6). Come and see Jesus who locates us to save us from our sin (Mt 1:21).
But Nathaniel wasn’t convinced. Yet. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (Jn 1:46). He knew from the prophet Micah that the Christ would be born in the little town of Bethlehem, not the backwoods town in Galilee (Mi 5:2). Philip didn’t make an argument, he just made an appeal: “Come and see” (Jn 1:46).
That is a good model to imitate. We might not be able to answer every objection. That shouldn’t stop us any more than telling someone the time even though we don’t know how to build a clock. We can still encourage without making excuses. “Come and see Jesus.” He located us and locates others through us—no matter how extensive our Bible knowledge is or how much of a Bible expert we are. We will let the Holy Spirit create faith and continue it—no matter who it is or where they are. We join the prayer of the psalmist: “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you” (Ps 67:3).
Despite some initial hesitation, Nathaniel hurried after Philip. “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false” (Jn 1:47). Jesus read his heart and realized that he was really a believer—no deceit or dishonesty, eagerly and earnestly anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, not letting his doubt get in the way of seeking the Messiah. There was no hiding his sin like you put a worm on a hook to catch a fish, but a holding on to his Savior. That kind of a person is blessed because the Lord doesn’t count his sin against him (Ps 32:2).
When God scans our hearts, he spots our sin (Ps 139:1,2). But he uses that knowledge for our good. He is aware of how he can remove our guilt. He does it by placing it on Jesus. At the cross our sin is forgiven, sent away forever.
Jesus’ identification shocked Nathaniel. The two of them had never met. “How do you know me?” (Jn 1:48). Once again Jesus demonstrated that he knows all things. “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you” (Jn 1:48). What Nathaniel was thinking about or meditating on in the cool shade Jesus was aware of. And that was enough for Nathaniel. “Rabbi [that is, Teacher], you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (Jn 1:49). When he came, he saw Jesus:
“the Son of God” (Jn 1:49)—true God, sent by the Father.
“the King of Israel” (Jn 1:49)—the One from David’s line to sit on David’s throne forever (2 Sa 7:12-16; Lk 1:33). The Magi worshipped him, the “King of the Jews” early on (Mt 2:2,11). Later on Pilate attached that sign above his head: “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Mt 27:37). He wrote it as a joke; we understand the truth in joy.
That concise confession can be on our lips too. When Jesus locates us, we come to see him for who he is: He is God’s Son with whom the Father is pleased because Jesus has established a spiritual kingdom of which we are members (Ps 2:6,7; Mt 3:17). He rules over all for our good (Eph 1:22). Come and see Jesus who locates us to give us life with him right now and forever (Jn 20:31).
2. Jesus who links us (50,51)
Perhaps you are perusing an article about the weather on the internet. There is a word in a different color than the rest of the text. If you click on it, it takes you to another place on the World Wide Web. You could be reading about a coming storm and there are some words in blue: “what is the worst winter hazard?” You hit that and it sends you to something else. The term for that is a link. In a way, that is what Jesus does. Come and see Jesus who links us.
Jesus had more to relate to Nathaniel: “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that” (Jn 1:50). Soon Jesus would change some water in wine. Jesus would reveal his glory with that and the disciples would put their faith in him (Jn 1:14; 2:11). That, along with all of the other miracles—the blind seeing, the lame walking, even the dead rising—all would confirm who Jesus is—the Christ. Add to that all the time he taught and preached. They would also witness Jesus’ suffering and dying, resurrection and ascension.
We come to see that Jesus is true God and true man. His words and works confirm that he is our Savior. And then like those early disciples, we continue to grow in our faith and in our knowledge of Jesus, discovering more and more about him (2 Pe 3:18).
And then Jesus addresses the whole crowd with one of his authoritative statements that he stresses as valid and vital: “I tell you the truth [that is, this is definite coming from the One who is the truth (Jn 14:6)], you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (Jn 1:51). Jesus references that time when Jacob was running away from home (Ge 28:10ff.). He had tricked his father into giving him the birthright. His brother Esau planned to kill him. That was enough to convince him to head out. A few days into the trip at Bethel, the Lord appeared to him in a dream to assure him that he was still with him and that he still loved him. God had removed the wrong and restored the relationship. In that vision, he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and down—bringing his needs to God and God’s help to him.
Jesus is the One who has bridged the gap between earth and heaven perfectly and completely. He is the only link between us and God. That is why the “Son of Man” came (Da 7:13,14). God himself became one of us—with flesh and blood—to seek us and save us (Lk 19:10). And now heaven stands open to us and stays open for us. Come and see Jesus who links us to his Father (Jn 1:14). Jesus bought us with a price, the price of his blood, to be his own (1 Co 6:20). And we are.
Come and see. That is an invite that is effortless and efficient—especially when it comes from a little one. It can get a person to stop what they are doing and stare even at snow. It is what Philip shared with Nathaniel. Jesus found Philip and Philip found Nathaniel. Come and see Jesus who locates us. We were lost but now are found. Come and see Jesus who links us to God. He brings us and all to him. Yes, come and see Jesus. Happy Epiphany. Amen.
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (Ps 67:1). Amen.
January 14, 2018
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Epiphany (Ephesians 3:2-12)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:2). Amen.
There is this handy feature in Microsoft Word. (That is not a commercial. It is just what I have on my computer for when I write something.) You can search an entire document for a particular word. You just hit “find” on this bar along the top of the page. There is even a pair of binoculars to help if you can’t spell. (There is another feature for that.) A box comes up along the side of the page. You type what you are looking for. All the times that the word appears in the text is highlighted in yellow.
If we keyed in the word “mystery” in this section of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus, it would show up four times. That must mean that it is important. And it is.
But we have to familiarize ourselves with the meaning. It is not like a style of literature. Like a Sherlock Holmes or an Agatha Christie novel. They follow clues to solve a crime. Don’t forget the Hardy Boys—Frank and Joe. They always came through in the nick of time. Nor is it like the cartoon series where some meddling kids and their dog, Scooby Doo, figure out who the bad guy is through a series of twists and turns (even though they drive a mystery machine).
When Paul uses the word “mystery,” it is something that we would not know, or we could not know, unless God reveals it to us. And he has. It comes down to this: Jesus is the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. Marvel at the mystery in ministry—as a result of the revelation from God and with the result of a relationship with God. We read from …
Ephesians 3:2-12
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our Epiphany Lord,
Happy Belated Epiphany. We missed the actual date by one day. It was yesterday. Every year it falls on January 6. It doesn’t move like Easter. But even if you miss a person’s birthday by 24 hours, you insert “belated” in the wish. So Happy Belated Epiphany. But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the significance of this holiday.
We now are entering the Epiphany season. There is another curious term. Epiphany. It signifies “to shine forth” or “to show forth.” During this stretch, we concentrate on how Jesus, the Son of God, born of Mary, is the Savior of the world, born for all. Jews and Gentiles. The apostle and the Ephesians. You and me.
That was Paul’s mission, his ministry—to proclaim Jesus to all. He wanted all to be clear—when he spoke to them or wrote to them. We have the same work as we serve people with the Savior.
Marvel at the Mystery in Ministry
1. As a result of the revelation from God (2-11)
2. With the result of a relationship with God (12)
1. As a result of the revelation from God (2-11)
They knew stars. They were astronomers and astrologers. And this one was different. The Magi connected it to God’s revealed promise that the Messiah would come from the nation of Israel (Nu 24:17). So the wise men from the east made the long journey to Jerusalem and wound up in Bethlehem. Because they had to worship the “king of the Jews” (Mt 2:2). The good news is for all. And God wants all people to be saved (1 Ti 2:4). Marvel at the mystery in ministry as a result of the revelation from God.
Paul had spent three years in Ephesus. He had plenty of opportunities to share his history with them. So he could contend as he jogs their memory: “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you” (Eph 3:2). He compares himself to a faithful manager of a house who was responsible for taking care of those in the home. Paul didn’t hand out food, but held out God’s grace—his undeserved kindness for all people. But note that this assignment was not self-appointed. He did not take it on himself. It was God-given. God had called Paul to be a messenger to them. And not for Paul’s benefit, but for the Ephesians’.
It was God who also supplied the message: “the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly” (Eph 3:3). God had uncovered it for Paul like when someone opens a present by ripping off the wrapping paper. They reveal what is in a bag or a box. It is no longer hidden. Paul had reminded them of that earlier in his epistle (Eph 2:15). And now again: “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:4). The Ephesians could appreciate that Paul had put two and two together with the Lord’s help to preach to them “the mystery of Christ.”
It wasn’t that the Gentiles were ever left out of God’s plan. Isaiah instructed all to look at the light. He mentioned, “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Is 60:3). People would stream in from all over. But Paul’s point is that the mystery is much clearer now: “which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Eph 3:5). The veil has been pulled back like for the opening act of a play. The stage is wide open. Think of how Simeon sang that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32).
Paul has expressed the word “mystery” twice. Now he explains it. There is an equality between Jews and Gentiles. Those are the two categories of people that the Jews lumped everyone into. It was them and then everyone else. But there was no distinction, no barrier between the two groups. In a sense, it is like a co-worker—one you work with. You are alike, the same. But the good news of Jesus changes everything. “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are …”
“heirs together with Israel” (Eph 3:6). Jews and Gentiles receive the same inheritance. There is not one bloodline or birthright. And this heritage is free. And it includes forgiveness of sins (any kind of any time) and life with God on earth and for eternity.
“members together of one body” (Eph 3:6). Jews and Gentiles form the church. And like fingers and toes, eyes and ears, work together, the body of believers perform their particular task for the good of God’s people—whether they stand behind a pulpit or sit in a pew (1 Co 12:).
“and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Eph 3:6). The angel announced it to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10,11). “All the people” equals Jews and Gentiles. A Savior—that is what the name “Jesus” means. He is Christ—the One whom God anointed to speak God’s Word, sacrifice himself, and sit on his throne forever.
That good news is for us. We are co-heirs, co-members, and co-sharers. Jesus is our Savior. Marvel at the mystery in ministry. Paul adds us to the mix of the Church. What was unknown is not unfamiliar anymore. We are not on the outside looking in at others. We are on the inside looking around at each other.
Paul never forgot how unlikely of a candidate he was for the ministry. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power” (Eph 3:7). He wasn’t groomed for that position by his peers. He was graced with it by his God. Only God could do that with his might. Paul never lost sight of how he once was an ardent persecutor (Acts 9:4). But God made him a passionate apostle. It was on the way to Damascus that God knocked him down only to build him up. The Lord had big plans for this self-righteous Pharisee. Paul was to be “his chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15). He would open the eyes of the Gentiles to turn them from the darkness to the light, from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). Paul was tireless in his task. He also stated it this way: “Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me” (Eph 3:8). It is not as obvious in English, but Paul actually coins a word. He says that he is the “leaster”—lower than the least. But God takes such individuals, us as well, and makes us communicators. It is not complex. It goes like this: “Jesus is your Savior too.”
And that was Paul’s commission and ours: “to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8). The picture is of trying to track a child running around as he plays in the snow. You would begin to follow the footprints and then they would head off into all directions or in circles. It is that way with God. You start to consider one thing and then another comes to mind—like his virgin birth in Mary’s womb, his perfect life in our place, his innocent death in our stead, his magnificent resurrection from the grave, his glorious ascension into heaven. All of that to make us rich (2 Co 8:9).
Or Paul conveys it in another way just like when you turn on a huge floodlight on your garage to illuminate the whole driveway: “and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things” (Eph 3:9). He brought to light that the One who started the universe from nothing also saved it in Jesus. And all according to plan: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph 3:10,11). God’s intelligence is many-sided like a diamond. You can turn it in different directions and marvel at its various facets.
Who would have thought of a plan to take away our guilt by putting it on his Son? God did.
Who would have thought of a way to make those dead in sin alive in Christ? God did.
Who would have thought of using us to communicate peace with God and a place with God. God did.
The angels longed to look into those things as God unfolded his rescue mission in Jesus (1 Pe 1:12). They praised the Lord for it on Christmas night: “Glory to God in the highest” (Lk 2:14). And they smile every time a person turns from his sin to his Savior or from her shame to her salvation (Lk 15:7). And that is in, and only in, Christ Jesus our Lord. Marvel at the mystery in ministry as a result of the revelation from God. We are part of God’s church.
2. With the result of a relationship with God (12)
Can you imagine it? Grown men on their faces before a baby (Mt 2:11). But not just any baby. Jesus. The psalmist Solomon sang about that: “All kings will bow down to him” (Ps 72:11). And then out of gratitude, they offered him gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. So happy they were to adore the Christ-child. Not just the Messiah, but their Messiah. Marvel at the mystery in ministry with the result of a relationship with God.
Paul ends with a reminder that trust in Jesus leads to a privilege with God. “In him [that is, in Jesus] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Eph 3:12). We are free to speak to God and tell him anything in our hearts and everything on our minds. We can march right up to his throne of grace and request whatever we want as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father (Luther’s Explanation to the Address of the Lord’s Prayer). It is similar to a son not hesitating to hound his dad for a certain Christmas gift. God doesn’t see it as a bother when we draw on that blessing. And he will hear and he will help. Marvel at the mystery in ministry with the result of a relationship with God. We are part of God’s family.
If you do a word search in Scripture, you will find that “mystery” comes up more than in the verses before us. But it is always the same. It is not something to guess at, but something to be grateful for. Marvel at the mystery in ministry as a result of the revelation from God. And marvel at the mystery in ministry with the result of a relationship with God. All people can call God Father and call on their Father in Christ Jesus. Happy Belated Epiphany. Amen.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Eph 6:24). Amen.
January 7, 2018
There is this handy feature in Microsoft Word. (That is not a commercial. It is just what I have on my computer for when I write something.) You can search an entire document for a particular word. You just hit “find” on this bar along the top of the page. There is even a pair of binoculars to help if you can’t spell. (There is another feature for that.) A box comes up along the side of the page. You type what you are looking for. All the times that the word appears in the text is highlighted in yellow.
If we keyed in the word “mystery” in this section of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus, it would show up four times. That must mean that it is important. And it is.
But we have to familiarize ourselves with the meaning. It is not like a style of literature. Like a Sherlock Holmes or an Agatha Christie novel. They follow clues to solve a crime. Don’t forget the Hardy Boys—Frank and Joe. They always came through in the nick of time. Nor is it like the cartoon series where some meddling kids and their dog, Scooby Doo, figure out who the bad guy is through a series of twists and turns (even though they drive a mystery machine).
When Paul uses the word “mystery,” it is something that we would not know, or we could not know, unless God reveals it to us. And he has. It comes down to this: Jesus is the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. Marvel at the mystery in ministry—as a result of the revelation from God and with the result of a relationship with God. We read from …
Ephesians 3:2-12
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our Epiphany Lord,
Happy Belated Epiphany. We missed the actual date by one day. It was yesterday. Every year it falls on January 6. It doesn’t move like Easter. But even if you miss a person’s birthday by 24 hours, you insert “belated” in the wish. So Happy Belated Epiphany. But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the significance of this holiday.
We now are entering the Epiphany season. There is another curious term. Epiphany. It signifies “to shine forth” or “to show forth.” During this stretch, we concentrate on how Jesus, the Son of God, born of Mary, is the Savior of the world, born for all. Jews and Gentiles. The apostle and the Ephesians. You and me.
That was Paul’s mission, his ministry—to proclaim Jesus to all. He wanted all to be clear—when he spoke to them or wrote to them. We have the same work as we serve people with the Savior.
Marvel at the Mystery in Ministry
1. As a result of the revelation from God (2-11)
2. With the result of a relationship with God (12)
1. As a result of the revelation from God (2-11)
They knew stars. They were astronomers and astrologers. And this one was different. The Magi connected it to God’s revealed promise that the Messiah would come from the nation of Israel (Nu 24:17). So the wise men from the east made the long journey to Jerusalem and wound up in Bethlehem. Because they had to worship the “king of the Jews” (Mt 2:2). The good news is for all. And God wants all people to be saved (1 Ti 2:4). Marvel at the mystery in ministry as a result of the revelation from God.
Paul had spent three years in Ephesus. He had plenty of opportunities to share his history with them. So he could contend as he jogs their memory: “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you” (Eph 3:2). He compares himself to a faithful manager of a house who was responsible for taking care of those in the home. Paul didn’t hand out food, but held out God’s grace—his undeserved kindness for all people. But note that this assignment was not self-appointed. He did not take it on himself. It was God-given. God had called Paul to be a messenger to them. And not for Paul’s benefit, but for the Ephesians’.
It was God who also supplied the message: “the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly” (Eph 3:3). God had uncovered it for Paul like when someone opens a present by ripping off the wrapping paper. They reveal what is in a bag or a box. It is no longer hidden. Paul had reminded them of that earlier in his epistle (Eph 2:15). And now again: “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:4). The Ephesians could appreciate that Paul had put two and two together with the Lord’s help to preach to them “the mystery of Christ.”
It wasn’t that the Gentiles were ever left out of God’s plan. Isaiah instructed all to look at the light. He mentioned, “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Is 60:3). People would stream in from all over. But Paul’s point is that the mystery is much clearer now: “which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Eph 3:5). The veil has been pulled back like for the opening act of a play. The stage is wide open. Think of how Simeon sang that Jesus would be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32).
Paul has expressed the word “mystery” twice. Now he explains it. There is an equality between Jews and Gentiles. Those are the two categories of people that the Jews lumped everyone into. It was them and then everyone else. But there was no distinction, no barrier between the two groups. In a sense, it is like a co-worker—one you work with. You are alike, the same. But the good news of Jesus changes everything. “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are …”
“heirs together with Israel” (Eph 3:6). Jews and Gentiles receive the same inheritance. There is not one bloodline or birthright. And this heritage is free. And it includes forgiveness of sins (any kind of any time) and life with God on earth and for eternity.
“members together of one body” (Eph 3:6). Jews and Gentiles form the church. And like fingers and toes, eyes and ears, work together, the body of believers perform their particular task for the good of God’s people—whether they stand behind a pulpit or sit in a pew (1 Co 12:).
“and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Eph 3:6). The angel announced it to the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10,11). “All the people” equals Jews and Gentiles. A Savior—that is what the name “Jesus” means. He is Christ—the One whom God anointed to speak God’s Word, sacrifice himself, and sit on his throne forever.
That good news is for us. We are co-heirs, co-members, and co-sharers. Jesus is our Savior. Marvel at the mystery in ministry. Paul adds us to the mix of the Church. What was unknown is not unfamiliar anymore. We are not on the outside looking in at others. We are on the inside looking around at each other.
Paul never forgot how unlikely of a candidate he was for the ministry. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power” (Eph 3:7). He wasn’t groomed for that position by his peers. He was graced with it by his God. Only God could do that with his might. Paul never lost sight of how he once was an ardent persecutor (Acts 9:4). But God made him a passionate apostle. It was on the way to Damascus that God knocked him down only to build him up. The Lord had big plans for this self-righteous Pharisee. Paul was to be “his chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15). He would open the eyes of the Gentiles to turn them from the darkness to the light, from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18). Paul was tireless in his task. He also stated it this way: “Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me” (Eph 3:8). It is not as obvious in English, but Paul actually coins a word. He says that he is the “leaster”—lower than the least. But God takes such individuals, us as well, and makes us communicators. It is not complex. It goes like this: “Jesus is your Savior too.”
And that was Paul’s commission and ours: “to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8). The picture is of trying to track a child running around as he plays in the snow. You would begin to follow the footprints and then they would head off into all directions or in circles. It is that way with God. You start to consider one thing and then another comes to mind—like his virgin birth in Mary’s womb, his perfect life in our place, his innocent death in our stead, his magnificent resurrection from the grave, his glorious ascension into heaven. All of that to make us rich (2 Co 8:9).
Or Paul conveys it in another way just like when you turn on a huge floodlight on your garage to illuminate the whole driveway: “and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things” (Eph 3:9). He brought to light that the One who started the universe from nothing also saved it in Jesus. And all according to plan: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph 3:10,11). God’s intelligence is many-sided like a diamond. You can turn it in different directions and marvel at its various facets.
Who would have thought of a plan to take away our guilt by putting it on his Son? God did.
Who would have thought of a way to make those dead in sin alive in Christ? God did.
Who would have thought of using us to communicate peace with God and a place with God. God did.
The angels longed to look into those things as God unfolded his rescue mission in Jesus (1 Pe 1:12). They praised the Lord for it on Christmas night: “Glory to God in the highest” (Lk 2:14). And they smile every time a person turns from his sin to his Savior or from her shame to her salvation (Lk 15:7). And that is in, and only in, Christ Jesus our Lord. Marvel at the mystery in ministry as a result of the revelation from God. We are part of God’s church.
2. With the result of a relationship with God (12)
Can you imagine it? Grown men on their faces before a baby (Mt 2:11). But not just any baby. Jesus. The psalmist Solomon sang about that: “All kings will bow down to him” (Ps 72:11). And then out of gratitude, they offered him gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. So happy they were to adore the Christ-child. Not just the Messiah, but their Messiah. Marvel at the mystery in ministry with the result of a relationship with God.
Paul ends with a reminder that trust in Jesus leads to a privilege with God. “In him [that is, in Jesus] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Eph 3:12). We are free to speak to God and tell him anything in our hearts and everything on our minds. We can march right up to his throne of grace and request whatever we want as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father (Luther’s Explanation to the Address of the Lord’s Prayer). It is similar to a son not hesitating to hound his dad for a certain Christmas gift. God doesn’t see it as a bother when we draw on that blessing. And he will hear and he will help. Marvel at the mystery in ministry with the result of a relationship with God. We are part of God’s family.
If you do a word search in Scripture, you will find that “mystery” comes up more than in the verses before us. But it is always the same. It is not something to guess at, but something to be grateful for. Marvel at the mystery in ministry as a result of the revelation from God. And marvel at the mystery in ministry with the result of a relationship with God. All people can call God Father and call on their Father in Christ Jesus. Happy Belated Epiphany. Amen.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Eph 6:24). Amen.
January 7, 2018
Sunday, December 31, 2017
First Sunday after Christmas (Luke 2:25-35)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father (Col 1:2). Amen.
Tomorrow it will be 2018. That gives many the opportunity to mark the occasion by making some resolutions—what they are going to do to live healthier or happier in the next twelve months. The mantra might be: “New Year, New You.” (I may have stolen that from somewhere.) Maybe you have some in mind.
It seems as if many of those goals have to do with the scale or the diet in some way—to weigh less and to eat right. That is fine. Those are worthwhile objectives any time.
A stumbled across an article online that listed 50 suggestions. I already mentioned #1 and #2. #24 was “learn a new language.” I doubt if they were thinking of Latin. It is not going to help you out much if you plan to travel to some exotic vacation destination in the next calendar year.
But it can be helpful because we actually sprinkle in some words in the order of services that we use. One of those is the song of Simeon. It is the Nunc Dimittis (CW pp. 24,61). In that way, we follow what the apostle Paul encouraged: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16).
Simeon spoke as he got to hold Jesus in his arms and see him with his eyes. As we continue to celebrate Christmas and get ready to change calendars, enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the present and in the future. We read from …
Luke 2:25-35
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus, the Christchild, who delivers peace so we can depart in peace,
You have to be realistic with resolutions. You are not going to be fluent in another language by January 2nd. I am not trying to discourage you or downplay your intelligence. It takes work and it takes time. At first, when you hear people speaking in a foreign tongue, it sounds like one big word. Then slowly you pick out phrases or sentences. You know who the subject is and what is the verb. That is exciting. And finally you begin to communicate.
You have to understand that as you embark on the process. Some say it this way: “You have to have your eyes wide open. The advice from a link was to learn a “word a day.” And then use it—up to 150 times. If I do the math on that though, you will only have a vocabulary of 365 years. That hardly makes you bilingual. (I would suggest starting with “hamburger” and “pizza.” You don’t want to starve before you become an expert. But that is just me.)
We can be overachievers today and learn two words: Nunc Dimittis. It translates as “Now you dismiss.” Simeon saw Jesus clearly and spoke confidently. As we transition from the old year, …
Enter the New Year with Open Eyes
1. To see the Child in the present (25-32)
2. To see Child in the future (33-35)
1. To see the Child in the present (25-32)
When determining a new year’s resolution, you have to be honest. Where am I today? How did I get here? There were events that led up to right now. It was that way with Simeon as he beheld Jesus as a baby. Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the present.
Luke draws our attention to this man—where he was and who he was. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon” (Lk 2:25). Instead of speculating at what we don’t know—like his age (Was he young or old?), we can appreciate what we do. He is described as …
“righteous” (Lk 2:25). Like Abraham of old, Simeon trusted in the Lord, believed in the guarantee of the Messiah to come, and God counted Simeon as being right with him (Ge 15:6).
“devout” (Lk 2:25). He lived his faith in how he thought and how he acted. He was pious and conscientious—God-fearing, devoted.
“He was waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25). That is code for “he was expecting the comfort that the Messiah would bring.” He was anticipating a Savior who would free him from his sin (cf. Is 40:2) because he was mindful that “the LORD is gracious and compassionate” (Ps 111:4).
Don’t miss the activity of the Holy Spirit in this account.
“The Holy Spirit was upon him [that is, upon Simeon]” (Lk 2:25). He had worked the sure and certain hope in the coming Christ (He 11:1).
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Lk 2:26). There was the Spirit’s special assurance that he would not taste death until he saw Jesus—the One whom the Lord promised to send. It is unimportant how that happened, but that it would happen—sometime during his lifetime.
One day became that day. The time of waiting and watching was over. “Moved by the Spirit [that is the third time we hear of the Holy Spirit being in action], he went into the temple courts” (Lk 2:27). This was not because of guessing, but because of guidance. It was 40 days after the first Christmas Day. Mary and Joseph, in keeping with Old Testament law (Lk 2:27), came for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ presentation (Lv 12; Ex 13:2,13). Simeon walked up to the parents and “took him in his arms and praised God” (Lk 2:28). Mommies are pretty protective of their babies. They get a little nervous when strangers grab their children. But Mary didn’t stop Simeon as he started his hymn of thanksgiving.
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace” (Lk 2:29). He opens with an admission. The Lord was his master; he was the servant. Not a bad thing to keep in mind for us either. The Lord is over us; we are under him. And that is a good place to be as he uses his power and position to help us and not hurt us. It was as if Simeon was now free to die because all was in order between him and God. It was the same message from the heavenly messengers to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:14). Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” who procured peace. We can go in peace. That doesn’t mean that Simeon died right after this encounter. Or that we will either. But we are ready—this day or this year.
Why? We have seen Jesus. Like Simeon sings: “For my eyes have seen your salvation” (Lk 2:30). Simeon with his own eyes. And we with our faith eyes. We look at a Baby and understand he is more than just an infant a little over a month plus. He is Jesus, Savior. He has come to rescue us from the impossible situation of being captive to sin and Satan. And he saves us (Mt 1:21). That is why we got excited about Christmas again last week: a Savior has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord (Lk 2:11).
And he is the Savior, not of some, but of all. “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people” (Lk 2:30,31). You have no idea what I got for Christmas. We opened presents at home after church on Monday. God doesn’t keep the gift of Jesus for a select few (Lk 2:10). It is in the full view of all. Isaiah issued that invite from the Lord: “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other” (Is 45:22). He extends to them righteousness and strength (Is 45:24).
God leaves no one out. Simeon is clear on that:
“a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32). Those who walk in the darkness of sin, staggering in unbelief (Is 9:2; 42:6; 49:6; 60:1-5), now witness the light of salvation, strutting in faith. We live in Christ as we look at Christ. It is like ripping off wrapping paper. The gift is obvious. We know what it is. But in this case, we know who it is—Jesus.
“and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk 2:32). Jesus was a Jew. God had singled out that nation to be his covenant people and to give us a Savior from them (Jn 4:22). He is for them too.
Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the present. Simeon recognized him and rejoiced over the Baby. And so do we. This is the One who has come for us according to God’s plan. We don’t want to shut our eyes to that.
2. To see Child in the future (33-35)
When deciding on a new year’s resolution, you have to figure out where you want to be. What will this mean on December 31st? There is a cliché that goes something like this: “You will be glad next year of a change this day.” Does that make me a motivational speaker? Simeon looked ahead for Mary, for Jesus, and for us. Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the future.
It had not been a dull ten months or so for Mary and Joseph. Think about it: an announcement from an angel to Mary, a dream from an angel to Joseph—those had quite a bit of information from a virgin birth to faithful fiancée, and a trip to Bethlehem, a birth in a stable, a visit from some shepherds. And now this with Simeon. “The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him” (Lk 2:33). There was a sense of awe as they took this all in. They were stunned, more so than those who stay up every year to watch a crystal ball descend in Times Square at 11:00 PM our time.
But there was more. “Then Simeon blessed them” (Lk 2:34). He asked that God would continue to shower his favor on them. Next Simeon turned to Mary because there was a special note for her: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against” (Lk 2:34). Sometimes a mother leans over the crib and wonders: “What will my child be like when he is older? What will he do when he is grown up?” Simeon was making that plain as if to state: “Listen up, Mary.” There would be a dividing line between two opposite reactions.
“the falling … of many in Israel” (Lk 2:34). There would be rejection (Jn 1:11). Not all, but for the most part, there were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the experts in the law. Those religious leaders should have been looking for him, but they laughed at him. People would trip on and over Jesus. He was not the Messiah they had expected.
Jesus is still a disappointment to some—“foolishness” (1 Co 1:18). They refuse him and tumble because of him like when we fall over a rock because it is in the way (1 Pe 2:8).
“the rising of many in Israel” (Lk 2:34). There would be acceptance. There were those like Nicodemus, or Elizabeth, the disciples, and others.
We would include ourselves in that number. It is Jesus who lifts off our sin and lifts us to our God. We go from spiritual death to life.
Add to that: “and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” (Lk 2:34,35). What one thinks about Jesus will be brought to light—either he is a lunatic or the Lord. We confess him as Lord (1 Co 12:3).
There was another detail for Mary. “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Lk 2:35). No mommy likes to see her child suffer. She feels it too. It would be hard for Mary and it would hurt her as people mocked and made fun of her Son. But nothing like the excruciating pain when she stood at the cross—her innocent Son condemned to death (Jn 19:25).
This growing Baby of Mary would become the suffering Servant of the Lord (Is 53). In a month and a half, Lent is here. We will again journey to Jerusalem with Jesus as he carries his cross to Calvary—what he came to do. There he will endure the wrath of God against our sin. There he will bring out why he was born—to overcome death and to open heaven for us. Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the future. He will be executed on Good Friday, but he will be raised on Easter Sunday. We don’t want to close our eyes to that.
I don’t know what the over or under is on how long a New Year’s resolution lasts. Perhaps not past the first month of the new year or the first day. I don’t make them. It is ok if you do. I have studied enough languages so that one may be out. I have even had a few years of Latin. You don’t need that because you probably are aware of the meaning of Nunc Dimittis. “Now you dismiss.” As we head from one year and head to another, enter it with open eyes to see the Child in the present. Simeon holds your Savior from sin. And enter it with open eyes to see the Child in the future. There will be a Roman cross, but an empty tomb. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Amen.
Grace be with you (Col 4:18). Amen.
December 31, 2017
Tomorrow it will be 2018. That gives many the opportunity to mark the occasion by making some resolutions—what they are going to do to live healthier or happier in the next twelve months. The mantra might be: “New Year, New You.” (I may have stolen that from somewhere.) Maybe you have some in mind.
It seems as if many of those goals have to do with the scale or the diet in some way—to weigh less and to eat right. That is fine. Those are worthwhile objectives any time.
A stumbled across an article online that listed 50 suggestions. I already mentioned #1 and #2. #24 was “learn a new language.” I doubt if they were thinking of Latin. It is not going to help you out much if you plan to travel to some exotic vacation destination in the next calendar year.
But it can be helpful because we actually sprinkle in some words in the order of services that we use. One of those is the song of Simeon. It is the Nunc Dimittis (CW pp. 24,61). In that way, we follow what the apostle Paul encouraged: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16).
Simeon spoke as he got to hold Jesus in his arms and see him with his eyes. As we continue to celebrate Christmas and get ready to change calendars, enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the present and in the future. We read from …
Luke 2:25-35
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus, the Christchild, who delivers peace so we can depart in peace,
You have to be realistic with resolutions. You are not going to be fluent in another language by January 2nd. I am not trying to discourage you or downplay your intelligence. It takes work and it takes time. At first, when you hear people speaking in a foreign tongue, it sounds like one big word. Then slowly you pick out phrases or sentences. You know who the subject is and what is the verb. That is exciting. And finally you begin to communicate.
You have to understand that as you embark on the process. Some say it this way: “You have to have your eyes wide open. The advice from a link was to learn a “word a day.” And then use it—up to 150 times. If I do the math on that though, you will only have a vocabulary of 365 years. That hardly makes you bilingual. (I would suggest starting with “hamburger” and “pizza.” You don’t want to starve before you become an expert. But that is just me.)
We can be overachievers today and learn two words: Nunc Dimittis. It translates as “Now you dismiss.” Simeon saw Jesus clearly and spoke confidently. As we transition from the old year, …
Enter the New Year with Open Eyes
1. To see the Child in the present (25-32)
2. To see Child in the future (33-35)
1. To see the Child in the present (25-32)
When determining a new year’s resolution, you have to be honest. Where am I today? How did I get here? There were events that led up to right now. It was that way with Simeon as he beheld Jesus as a baby. Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the present.
Luke draws our attention to this man—where he was and who he was. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon” (Lk 2:25). Instead of speculating at what we don’t know—like his age (Was he young or old?), we can appreciate what we do. He is described as …
“righteous” (Lk 2:25). Like Abraham of old, Simeon trusted in the Lord, believed in the guarantee of the Messiah to come, and God counted Simeon as being right with him (Ge 15:6).
“devout” (Lk 2:25). He lived his faith in how he thought and how he acted. He was pious and conscientious—God-fearing, devoted.
“He was waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25). That is code for “he was expecting the comfort that the Messiah would bring.” He was anticipating a Savior who would free him from his sin (cf. Is 40:2) because he was mindful that “the LORD is gracious and compassionate” (Ps 111:4).
Don’t miss the activity of the Holy Spirit in this account.
“The Holy Spirit was upon him [that is, upon Simeon]” (Lk 2:25). He had worked the sure and certain hope in the coming Christ (He 11:1).
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Lk 2:26). There was the Spirit’s special assurance that he would not taste death until he saw Jesus—the One whom the Lord promised to send. It is unimportant how that happened, but that it would happen—sometime during his lifetime.
One day became that day. The time of waiting and watching was over. “Moved by the Spirit [that is the third time we hear of the Holy Spirit being in action], he went into the temple courts” (Lk 2:27). This was not because of guessing, but because of guidance. It was 40 days after the first Christmas Day. Mary and Joseph, in keeping with Old Testament law (Lk 2:27), came for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ presentation (Lv 12; Ex 13:2,13). Simeon walked up to the parents and “took him in his arms and praised God” (Lk 2:28). Mommies are pretty protective of their babies. They get a little nervous when strangers grab their children. But Mary didn’t stop Simeon as he started his hymn of thanksgiving.
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace” (Lk 2:29). He opens with an admission. The Lord was his master; he was the servant. Not a bad thing to keep in mind for us either. The Lord is over us; we are under him. And that is a good place to be as he uses his power and position to help us and not hurt us. It was as if Simeon was now free to die because all was in order between him and God. It was the same message from the heavenly messengers to the shepherds: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Lk 2:14). Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” who procured peace. We can go in peace. That doesn’t mean that Simeon died right after this encounter. Or that we will either. But we are ready—this day or this year.
Why? We have seen Jesus. Like Simeon sings: “For my eyes have seen your salvation” (Lk 2:30). Simeon with his own eyes. And we with our faith eyes. We look at a Baby and understand he is more than just an infant a little over a month plus. He is Jesus, Savior. He has come to rescue us from the impossible situation of being captive to sin and Satan. And he saves us (Mt 1:21). That is why we got excited about Christmas again last week: a Savior has been born to us; he is Christ the Lord (Lk 2:11).
And he is the Savior, not of some, but of all. “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people” (Lk 2:30,31). You have no idea what I got for Christmas. We opened presents at home after church on Monday. God doesn’t keep the gift of Jesus for a select few (Lk 2:10). It is in the full view of all. Isaiah issued that invite from the Lord: “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other” (Is 45:22). He extends to them righteousness and strength (Is 45:24).
God leaves no one out. Simeon is clear on that:
“a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32). Those who walk in the darkness of sin, staggering in unbelief (Is 9:2; 42:6; 49:6; 60:1-5), now witness the light of salvation, strutting in faith. We live in Christ as we look at Christ. It is like ripping off wrapping paper. The gift is obvious. We know what it is. But in this case, we know who it is—Jesus.
“and for glory to your people Israel” (Lk 2:32). Jesus was a Jew. God had singled out that nation to be his covenant people and to give us a Savior from them (Jn 4:22). He is for them too.
Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the present. Simeon recognized him and rejoiced over the Baby. And so do we. This is the One who has come for us according to God’s plan. We don’t want to shut our eyes to that.
2. To see Child in the future (33-35)
When deciding on a new year’s resolution, you have to figure out where you want to be. What will this mean on December 31st? There is a cliché that goes something like this: “You will be glad next year of a change this day.” Does that make me a motivational speaker? Simeon looked ahead for Mary, for Jesus, and for us. Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the future.
It had not been a dull ten months or so for Mary and Joseph. Think about it: an announcement from an angel to Mary, a dream from an angel to Joseph—those had quite a bit of information from a virgin birth to faithful fiancée, and a trip to Bethlehem, a birth in a stable, a visit from some shepherds. And now this with Simeon. “The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him” (Lk 2:33). There was a sense of awe as they took this all in. They were stunned, more so than those who stay up every year to watch a crystal ball descend in Times Square at 11:00 PM our time.
But there was more. “Then Simeon blessed them” (Lk 2:34). He asked that God would continue to shower his favor on them. Next Simeon turned to Mary because there was a special note for her: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against” (Lk 2:34). Sometimes a mother leans over the crib and wonders: “What will my child be like when he is older? What will he do when he is grown up?” Simeon was making that plain as if to state: “Listen up, Mary.” There would be a dividing line between two opposite reactions.
“the falling … of many in Israel” (Lk 2:34). There would be rejection (Jn 1:11). Not all, but for the most part, there were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the experts in the law. Those religious leaders should have been looking for him, but they laughed at him. People would trip on and over Jesus. He was not the Messiah they had expected.
Jesus is still a disappointment to some—“foolishness” (1 Co 1:18). They refuse him and tumble because of him like when we fall over a rock because it is in the way (1 Pe 2:8).
“the rising of many in Israel” (Lk 2:34). There would be acceptance. There were those like Nicodemus, or Elizabeth, the disciples, and others.
We would include ourselves in that number. It is Jesus who lifts off our sin and lifts us to our God. We go from spiritual death to life.
Add to that: “and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed” (Lk 2:34,35). What one thinks about Jesus will be brought to light—either he is a lunatic or the Lord. We confess him as Lord (1 Co 12:3).
There was another detail for Mary. “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Lk 2:35). No mommy likes to see her child suffer. She feels it too. It would be hard for Mary and it would hurt her as people mocked and made fun of her Son. But nothing like the excruciating pain when she stood at the cross—her innocent Son condemned to death (Jn 19:25).
This growing Baby of Mary would become the suffering Servant of the Lord (Is 53). In a month and a half, Lent is here. We will again journey to Jerusalem with Jesus as he carries his cross to Calvary—what he came to do. There he will endure the wrath of God against our sin. There he will bring out why he was born—to overcome death and to open heaven for us. Enter the new year with open eyes to see the Child in the future. He will be executed on Good Friday, but he will be raised on Easter Sunday. We don’t want to close our eyes to that.
I don’t know what the over or under is on how long a New Year’s resolution lasts. Perhaps not past the first month of the new year or the first day. I don’t make them. It is ok if you do. I have studied enough languages so that one may be out. I have even had a few years of Latin. You don’t need that because you probably are aware of the meaning of Nunc Dimittis. “Now you dismiss.” As we head from one year and head to another, enter it with open eyes to see the Child in the present. Simeon holds your Savior from sin. And enter it with open eyes to see the Child in the future. There will be a Roman cross, but an empty tomb. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Amen.
Grace be with you (Col 4:18). Amen.
December 31, 2017
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Christmas Day
The Light
It was last Thursday—December 21. At 10:28 AM Central Standard Time. The winter solstice. That is code for the shortest day of the year. Welcome to the bleak winter. But every day gets it is lighter longer.
Someone at the Y asked me on Friday: “So what are you going to do with the extra 20 seconds of daylight today?” (Apparently he has calculated the exact time.) My two thoughts were:
I am here to get in shape not to get into conversation.
It is still going to be dark a lot.
I am not as nice that early as I am the rest of the day.
Today is Christmas Day—December 25. A much bigger and better observance. The Christ has come. True God from eternity became true man on earth (Jn 1:1). He came to be one of us and to dwell among us (Jn 1:14).
It is during this stretch of the calendar that two things are in short supply—life and light. There are no leaves on the trees. It seems as if there are only 10 minutes in between sunrise and sunset with gray and gloom in between. With that contrast, the reminder from John and the reality of Jesus stand out even more.
And so we go once more to Bethlehem, that little town. But it was an important town. The Lord had picked it and promised it to be the birthplace of the Messiah (Mi 5:2). And God never goes back on what he guarantees.
And then it happened. A still night that became a significant night. There in the town of David, a Savior had been born (Lk 2:11). That was good news of great joy—for Mary and Joseph, for the shepherds, and for us.
The Gospel-writer John points out why: “In him [that is, Jesus] was life” (Jn 1:4)—from John’s day all the way back to eternity. There is more to life than hearts beating and lungs breathing (although that comes from God too [Jn 1:2.3]). In Jesus, and only in Jesus, is life (cf. Jn 10:10). From him comes life without end. Our sin cuts us off from God. That is death. Our Savior connects us to God. That is life. We have life right now. We have life forever. Think of how Jesus made that clear:
To Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
To Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25,26).
To disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6).
John connects life and light. That is not a difficult concept to grasp because the two go hand-in-hand. Where there is life there is light. Where there is light there is life. Simply put, all life—from plants to people—needs light to survive. A lack of Jesus as the Light leads not just to seasonal depression, but eternal death. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (Jn 1:4). That certainly doesn’t mean that Jesus shined. The angel directed the shepherd not to look for a glow emanating from a newborn, but a baby wrapped in strips of cloth (Lk 2:12). And yet Jesus is “the light of the world” (Jn 8:12). As we follow him, he has removed the darkness of sin and destruction and replaced that with the light of salvation and deliverance.
As long as we have life and no matter how much light there is today, at Christmas we celebrate eternal life that is in Jesus and we see the everlasting Light who is Jesus (CW 65:1). Merry Christmas.
We read from John 1:4:
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The King
It is hard to miss. At least we don’t. It is right in the name of this day. The word “Christ” is in “Christmas.” That was part of the angel’s message to the men who were out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night (Lk 2:8): He proclaimed the holy birth this way: “A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11). The Christ was born of Mary (CW 65:2).
Whenever we recite that, we recall Jesus’ title—the Christ. It means “the Anointed One.” Jesus was appointed to be our prophet, priest, and king. The angel highlighted that last one—king—with the term “the Lord.”
Jesus is above everyone and over everything. King of kings and Lord of lords (Re 19:16). That is true right now and forever. That has been at the center of our Advent preparation for Christmas Day. Jesus is coming—as a baby in a manger of a stable and as a Judge on the clouds of heaven. We looked forward to this day and now to that day. For that reason we make it a regular request: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10). He rules in our hearts with his Word. He will reign on his throne into all eternity.
John allows us to hear the loud refrain of the many singers in heaven. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Re 11:15). The Baby in the feed box will be the Redeemer on a wooden cross. There on Good Friday he would defeat the devil who could not harm him. Three days later on Easter Sunday, he would demonstrate that death could not hold him. We have peace with God through Jesus (Lk 2:14; CW 65:2). All is right between us and him.
On the Last Day, Jesus’ power will be evident to all. “And he will reign for ever and ever” (Re 11:15). No wonder we end the Lord’s Prayer with “for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever and ever” (CW p. 20).
That always brings to mind when I was in high school. Every year for the Christmas concert, the final song would be The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. My buddies and I joked that if we got lost, we just had to repeat, “And he will reign forever and ever.” That is a common sentence in that lengthy tune. But ultimately it did end. But not Christ’s kingdom. Merry Christmas.
We read from Revelation 11:15:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
The Gift
My parents never made a big deal about when they placed the presents under the tree. It seemed as if they just appeared (of course, more for my siblings than for me—but that didn’t ever bother me).
The shepherds worshipped the baby Jesus and then they went, “glorifying and praising God for the things that they had heard and seen” (Lk 2:20). That was a very eventful night. But that appears to be the extent of the fanfare. There were no streams of visitors getting off of tour camels with someone sketching a portrait of them with the infant. (It had to be that way before selfies and snaps.)
All of this is much more than a great story for us, but a special gift to us. And just like when someone hands us a package covered with beautiful paper, we hold on to Jesus in faith. We are the ones “who received him … who believe in his name” (Jn 1:12). It is a huge blessing to know all that Jesus reveals about himself, the One who saves us from our sins (Mt 1:21).
And then this follows: “He gave the right to become children of God” (Jn 1:12). We are part of God’s family—a child. That is a term of endearment. God gladly declares: “You are mine.” He oversees our everyday needs as he offers an eternal inheritance in heaven (CW 65:3). We have the power through the Holy Spirit to claim that (1 Co 12:3).
And that is all from him—“born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will” (Jn 1:13). There was no biological cause of being a child of God—no certain bloodline, no fleshly urge, no person’s desire. Just like we didn’t choose our mommies and daddies, we didn’t pick our heavenly Father. He selected us. We are “born of God” (Jn 1:13). God the Father’s love is great as he gives the gift of family (1 Jn 3:1). No present this year surpasses that. Merry Christmas.
We read from John 1:12,13:
Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Prayer
Tomorrow Christmas will be over. There will be cardboard boxes smashed in the recycle bin by the side of the house and evergreen trees stuck in the white snow at the edge of the street. Another holiday come and gone.
Or will it be done? Or has it past? Can Christmas continue on? I am not thinking about some vague Christmas spirit. Or even Christmas giving. I am talking about Christmas living.
There in the barn Jesus is born of Mary. And there in our soul we are born of God. Jesus is our life and our light, our King, who is ours by the gift of faith. The holy Child of Bethlehem makes us holy ones (CW 65:4). We are separate from sin and set apart from it. He has gotten rid of our guilt and has given us his holiness. We now live who we are—beloved children of God.
It would be strange to take a new toy at Christmas and break it. It would be odd to take a new shirt at Christmas and rip it. All on purpose. In a sense, that is John’s point. “No one who is born of God will continue to sin” (1 Jn 3:9). We don’t keep on doing what misses what God wants. Why? “Because God’s seed remains in him [that is, in us]” (1 Jn 3:9). We have a new life in Christ.
John goes on: “He cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God” (1 Jn 3:9). We could copy the cliché: “Like father like son.” A boy exhibits the parent’s character because he shares the parent’s nature. We are children of God. Or to state it another way: We live in the Light. We grow toward the light; we do not gravitate to the darkness. Who we are will show in what we do. Instead of making excuses about sin—why it is right for us, we will move away from sin—since it is wrong for us. We are aware of our own personal struggles.
And so when we fall, we pray: “Cast our sin” (CW 65:4). And the Lord “hurls all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Mi 7:19). They are nowhere to be found ever again. And then we plead: “Strengthen us” (CW 65:4). And our Lord Immanuel answers that by abiding with us. He is with us (Mt 1:23). Nothing will ever disconnect us from his love—not in the present and not in the future (Ro 8:37-39). Merry Christmas.
We read from 1 John 3:9:
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
December 25, 2017
It was last Thursday—December 21. At 10:28 AM Central Standard Time. The winter solstice. That is code for the shortest day of the year. Welcome to the bleak winter. But every day gets it is lighter longer.
Someone at the Y asked me on Friday: “So what are you going to do with the extra 20 seconds of daylight today?” (Apparently he has calculated the exact time.) My two thoughts were:
I am here to get in shape not to get into conversation.
It is still going to be dark a lot.
I am not as nice that early as I am the rest of the day.
Today is Christmas Day—December 25. A much bigger and better observance. The Christ has come. True God from eternity became true man on earth (Jn 1:1). He came to be one of us and to dwell among us (Jn 1:14).
It is during this stretch of the calendar that two things are in short supply—life and light. There are no leaves on the trees. It seems as if there are only 10 minutes in between sunrise and sunset with gray and gloom in between. With that contrast, the reminder from John and the reality of Jesus stand out even more.
And so we go once more to Bethlehem, that little town. But it was an important town. The Lord had picked it and promised it to be the birthplace of the Messiah (Mi 5:2). And God never goes back on what he guarantees.
And then it happened. A still night that became a significant night. There in the town of David, a Savior had been born (Lk 2:11). That was good news of great joy—for Mary and Joseph, for the shepherds, and for us.
The Gospel-writer John points out why: “In him [that is, Jesus] was life” (Jn 1:4)—from John’s day all the way back to eternity. There is more to life than hearts beating and lungs breathing (although that comes from God too [Jn 1:2.3]). In Jesus, and only in Jesus, is life (cf. Jn 10:10). From him comes life without end. Our sin cuts us off from God. That is death. Our Savior connects us to God. That is life. We have life right now. We have life forever. Think of how Jesus made that clear:
To Nicodemus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
To Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (Jn 11:25,26).
To disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6).
John connects life and light. That is not a difficult concept to grasp because the two go hand-in-hand. Where there is life there is light. Where there is light there is life. Simply put, all life—from plants to people—needs light to survive. A lack of Jesus as the Light leads not just to seasonal depression, but eternal death. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (Jn 1:4). That certainly doesn’t mean that Jesus shined. The angel directed the shepherd not to look for a glow emanating from a newborn, but a baby wrapped in strips of cloth (Lk 2:12). And yet Jesus is “the light of the world” (Jn 8:12). As we follow him, he has removed the darkness of sin and destruction and replaced that with the light of salvation and deliverance.
As long as we have life and no matter how much light there is today, at Christmas we celebrate eternal life that is in Jesus and we see the everlasting Light who is Jesus (CW 65:1). Merry Christmas.
We read from John 1:4:
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The King
It is hard to miss. At least we don’t. It is right in the name of this day. The word “Christ” is in “Christmas.” That was part of the angel’s message to the men who were out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night (Lk 2:8): He proclaimed the holy birth this way: “A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:11). The Christ was born of Mary (CW 65:2).
Whenever we recite that, we recall Jesus’ title—the Christ. It means “the Anointed One.” Jesus was appointed to be our prophet, priest, and king. The angel highlighted that last one—king—with the term “the Lord.”
Jesus is above everyone and over everything. King of kings and Lord of lords (Re 19:16). That is true right now and forever. That has been at the center of our Advent preparation for Christmas Day. Jesus is coming—as a baby in a manger of a stable and as a Judge on the clouds of heaven. We looked forward to this day and now to that day. For that reason we make it a regular request: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10). He rules in our hearts with his Word. He will reign on his throne into all eternity.
John allows us to hear the loud refrain of the many singers in heaven. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ” (Re 11:15). The Baby in the feed box will be the Redeemer on a wooden cross. There on Good Friday he would defeat the devil who could not harm him. Three days later on Easter Sunday, he would demonstrate that death could not hold him. We have peace with God through Jesus (Lk 2:14; CW 65:2). All is right between us and him.
On the Last Day, Jesus’ power will be evident to all. “And he will reign for ever and ever” (Re 11:15). No wonder we end the Lord’s Prayer with “for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever and ever” (CW p. 20).
That always brings to mind when I was in high school. Every year for the Christmas concert, the final song would be The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. My buddies and I joked that if we got lost, we just had to repeat, “And he will reign forever and ever.” That is a common sentence in that lengthy tune. But ultimately it did end. But not Christ’s kingdom. Merry Christmas.
We read from Revelation 11:15:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
The Gift
My parents never made a big deal about when they placed the presents under the tree. It seemed as if they just appeared (of course, more for my siblings than for me—but that didn’t ever bother me).
The shepherds worshipped the baby Jesus and then they went, “glorifying and praising God for the things that they had heard and seen” (Lk 2:20). That was a very eventful night. But that appears to be the extent of the fanfare. There were no streams of visitors getting off of tour camels with someone sketching a portrait of them with the infant. (It had to be that way before selfies and snaps.)
All of this is much more than a great story for us, but a special gift to us. And just like when someone hands us a package covered with beautiful paper, we hold on to Jesus in faith. We are the ones “who received him … who believe in his name” (Jn 1:12). It is a huge blessing to know all that Jesus reveals about himself, the One who saves us from our sins (Mt 1:21).
And then this follows: “He gave the right to become children of God” (Jn 1:12). We are part of God’s family—a child. That is a term of endearment. God gladly declares: “You are mine.” He oversees our everyday needs as he offers an eternal inheritance in heaven (CW 65:3). We have the power through the Holy Spirit to claim that (1 Co 12:3).
And that is all from him—“born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will” (Jn 1:13). There was no biological cause of being a child of God—no certain bloodline, no fleshly urge, no person’s desire. Just like we didn’t choose our mommies and daddies, we didn’t pick our heavenly Father. He selected us. We are “born of God” (Jn 1:13). God the Father’s love is great as he gives the gift of family (1 Jn 3:1). No present this year surpasses that. Merry Christmas.
We read from John 1:12,13:
Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Prayer
Tomorrow Christmas will be over. There will be cardboard boxes smashed in the recycle bin by the side of the house and evergreen trees stuck in the white snow at the edge of the street. Another holiday come and gone.
Or will it be done? Or has it past? Can Christmas continue on? I am not thinking about some vague Christmas spirit. Or even Christmas giving. I am talking about Christmas living.
There in the barn Jesus is born of Mary. And there in our soul we are born of God. Jesus is our life and our light, our King, who is ours by the gift of faith. The holy Child of Bethlehem makes us holy ones (CW 65:4). We are separate from sin and set apart from it. He has gotten rid of our guilt and has given us his holiness. We now live who we are—beloved children of God.
It would be strange to take a new toy at Christmas and break it. It would be odd to take a new shirt at Christmas and rip it. All on purpose. In a sense, that is John’s point. “No one who is born of God will continue to sin” (1 Jn 3:9). We don’t keep on doing what misses what God wants. Why? “Because God’s seed remains in him [that is, in us]” (1 Jn 3:9). We have a new life in Christ.
John goes on: “He cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God” (1 Jn 3:9). We could copy the cliché: “Like father like son.” A boy exhibits the parent’s character because he shares the parent’s nature. We are children of God. Or to state it another way: We live in the Light. We grow toward the light; we do not gravitate to the darkness. Who we are will show in what we do. Instead of making excuses about sin—why it is right for us, we will move away from sin—since it is wrong for us. We are aware of our own personal struggles.
And so when we fall, we pray: “Cast our sin” (CW 65:4). And the Lord “hurls all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Mi 7:19). They are nowhere to be found ever again. And then we plead: “Strengthen us” (CW 65:4). And our Lord Immanuel answers that by abiding with us. He is with us (Mt 1:23). Nothing will ever disconnect us from his love—not in the present and not in the future (Ro 8:37-39). Merry Christmas.
We read from 1 John 3:9:
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
December 25, 2017
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Fourth Sunday in Advent/Christmas Eve (Luke 1:26-38)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Ro 1:7). Amen.
I am going to suggest two changes to a familiar Christmas hymn. Before you get too excited, it is actually one of my favorites. Maybe yours too. The one that I am altering is What Child Is This (CW 67).
I am not tampering with it because I am so talented. I haven’t written too many hymns in my lifetime. To be honest—zero. And this song has been around much longer than I have.
I get what the author is asking us to do. As we stand in the stable and stare at the newborn, we are to reflect and remember why the babe, the Son of Mary, came at Christmas. The King would endure nails, spear, and cross for me, for you (CW 67:2). That is looking ahead 33 years from a shed for animals to a place of execution.
But this morning we look back nine months—to Gabriel’s announcement and Mary’s acceptance.
Here is what I am proposing:
Adding a tiny word. It really is only one letter. “A.” What a Child is this.”
Switching a punctuation mark—from a question to an exclamation. What a Child is this!
We consider this as we read from …
Luke 1:26-38
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our Savior and King,
The one the Holy Spirit used to author the third Gospel was a doctor (Col 4:14). That was Luke’s profession. He understood where babies come from—probably much better than we do, even if we have had one or two. I could give a one sentence description. More likely would be a phrase. Someone in the medical field could go into a bit more detail with a paragraph. Possibly a book.
It makes me wonder what he was mulling over when he documented this account. I realize that makes us dive into the pool of speculation. And the only thing we get as a result is wet.
No matter what was going through his mind, we know what comes out of our mouth …
What a Child Is This!
1. Because of the messenger’s announcement (26-33)
2. Because of the mother’s acceptance (35-38)
1. Because of the messenger’s announcement (26-33)
Timewise it is after the baby is born that the official notification goes out—whether a phone call or mailed letter, or the extremely personal touch of a text or tweet. But this one comes in person. And nine months early. What a child is this because of the messenger’s announcement.
This was the second time God dispatched Gabriel with baby news. Sixth months earlier (Lk 1:26), he appeared to a priest on duty in the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, despite their old age, were going to be parents (Lk 1:18). The boy would be John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Jesus. Certainly that was a remarkable birth.
But nothing like this. Instead of heading to the capital city, the angel went to a quiet village in the north, to Nazareth (Lk 1:26). That was not a hot spot of activity, let alone a vacation destination in Israel. But that was where Mary was living. We learn that she was “pledged to be married to a man named Joseph” (Lk 1:27). That was more than just our engagement. Those two had made their plans and spoken their vows. Things seemed to in order and on track.
But that all shifted when Gabriel came calling. The salutation was nothing special (except, that it was an angel, of course): “Greetings” (Lk 1:28). It was like the “Good Morning” that you wished people before church.
But that is where familiar stopped and phenomenal started. “Greetings, you who are highly favored!” (Lk 1:28). She is the one to whom the Lord had been and continued to be gracious. It is good for us to remind ourselves that Mary is on the receiving end of grace, not the giving side. The emphasis is on God did/was doing; the focus is not on what Mary had done/would do.
Add to that “The Lord is with you” (Lk 1:28). That would be critical, especially in light of what would follow—both from the angel and in life. This was not what she was expecting. But now she was going to be expecting. What next? The grief of a frustrated fiancée and the gossip of nosy neighbors? Not out of the question. But God doesn’t forget his own (Is 41:10). Us either. He is with us no matter what difficulty or decision that we face.
Do you blame her? “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:29). This was uncommon, but also unclear. It is not every day that Mary had a visit from one of God’s holy ones. It kept going through her head, “What is going on here?”
Gabriel was going to clear up the confusion. But first the comfort: “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God” (Lk 1:30). There was anxiety—not so still and serene as often pictured, worse than not having your Christmas shopping done. But she could stop it. God was giving her grace—underserved kindness. Why? Why would she have the honor that only one woman in the world could have? Because. Again, not her doing, but God’s. It wasn’t that Mary was being groomed by the greats in Israel, pampered and primed. Grace. God offers that to us at Christmas too. Why us? Because. Because of grace, not our goodness like our stellar church attendance or our strenuous efforts. Grace forgives sins and opens heaven. Thank God for that favor. That is a great Christmas gift.
Grace—whether it is to her or to us, it is all because of the next sentence. He grabs her attention and goes on with emphasis: “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” (Lk 1:31). That pronouncement is packed with information.
“You will be with child” (Lk 1:31). There would be some jumping and jostling in her womb very soon.
“You will … give birth to a son” (Lk 1:31). No ultrasound was necessary so Mary knew what color to paint the nursery or what clothes to buy the infant. A boy.
“You are to give him the name Jesus” (Lk 1:31). She didn’t have to sift through any baby books to come up with a clever or cute name. Not even shake the family tree for possibilities. Jesus. And the meaning of that was not lost on her. “The Lord saves.” Mary captures that concept in her song, the Magnificat. “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk 1:47). We sing the same thing. Our joy is because of Jesus, our Savior.
If that wasn’t enough, Gabriel mentions more mind-blowing things:
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Lk 1:32). Mary’s son. And God’s Son. True God.
“The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end” (Lk 1:32,33). And also David’s Son. God sent Nathan because he was overruling David’s building plans with his own. It wasn’t about a physical dwelling—David wanted to construct the temple, but physical descendants—God wanted to continue his line. “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom [That is Solomon] … Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” [That is the Savior.] (1 Sa 7:12,16). God assured David that the Messiah would come from his bloodline. And Gabriel was making known that it was about to happen in Mary’s belly. And this King was unlike any other in history. His rule in hearts of faith, our hearts too, is unending, eternal—on earth and in heaven. Our King conquered death for us. He crushed the devil for us (Ge 3:15). And now he reigns and will rule. All authority is his to care for his own (Mt 28:18; Eph 1:20-22). Once again we gaze into the manger to see a promise made is a promise kept.
We step back in amazement as we get ready to celebrate Christmas tomorrow. Any birth is exciting. Even more so this one that we commemorate year after year. What a child is this because of the messenger’s announcement. (Remember that is what an angel is—a messenger.) And we got to eavesdrop. But it is more about what he said than who said it. Jesus is born of Mary. But he is Jesus, Savior, Son of the Most High and from David’s line. He is King. We worship him as we exclaim because of the angel’s announcement: “What a child is this!” That is a marvel at Christmas.
2. Because of the mother’s acceptance (35-38)
I know when one of my buddies sends out the family Christmas card. He will call before it hits the post office because he saves himself the foolish conversation. He will alert me that the girl in the picture is his daughter. My contention every year was that since I have never seen her, she doesn’t exist. (You can question my logic, or just me, later.) The angel’s announcement was incredible. But there is more. What a child is this because of the mother’s acceptance.
Can you sympathize with her? This was a lot to take in. The angel. The announcement. She was not a doctor like Luke. But she wasn’t dumb either. There were certain facts of life even if she didn’t have 10th-grade biology. “How will this be … since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1:34; cf. Is 7:14). She had not had the experience of being with a man. [Luke had mentioned that already twice in connection with Mary (Lk 1:27).]
The response was more of absolute truth rather than a technical answer. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Lk 1:35). That is more information than clarification, isn’t it? It was just going to be. And the Holy Spirit would be involved. We leave it at that. And so did Mary. Is it so well-known that our head doesn’t spin? Let it sink in one more time before tomorrow.
But the angel included more that fits under the category of astonishing. “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month” (Lk 1:36). The formerly sterile family member just hit her second trimester.
And then there is the reinforcement. “For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). A double negative—“nothing” and “impossible”—highlights the positive. “Every last thing is possible as far as God is concerned.” Postmenopausal birth: “For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). Virgin birth: “For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). No matter is outside of God’s ability or capability. For Elizabeth. For Mary. For us. We would do well to imitate Mary’s acceptance. “I am the Lord’s servant. … May it be to me as you have said” (Lk 1:38). Did she grasp the full significance of those sounds? She was willing to serve as the Lord asked her—no matter what the outcome or aftermath. Instead of complaining about what we have in front of us, we go with the Lord beside us—to do whatever he directs us. We are the Lord’s servants.
We confess it often—perhaps without blinking or thinking as the words roll off our tongues: “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary” (CW p. 41). Jesus had to be true man—to put himself under the law for us and to die for us. But he had to be free of the taint of the sin that you and I are born with—passed to us from our mommies and daddies ever since Adam and Eve.
That is why Jesus didn’t have a human father. So the angel could assert: “The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Lk 1:35). Jesus came into the world far from sin and free from sin. And the Son of God kept the law in our place and his innocent death counts for us. We are holy ones—saints. The psalmist sums it up nicely when he inquires: “O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?” (Ps 89:8). And then he instructs: “You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you” (Ps 89:8). Like the mother’s acceptance, we believe it and belt it out: “What a child is this!” That is a miracle of Christmas.
I am not so full of myself that I assume that my two modifications are going to catch on. We might have to include another musical note to chant “What a child is this.” (And now that is way beyond my skill level.) There also has to be that punctuation shift—instead of a curved line for a question mark, it has to be a straight line for an exclamation mark. There is also the matter of fighting over a hundred years of tradition and even a copyright. So we will leave it since the problems are piling up. But at the same time, we don’t have to sing it. We can say it: What a child is this because of the messenger’s announcement and because of the mother’s acceptance. We hear it—a son to be born of Mary, the Savior—and we hold on to it—faith trusts that it is so—our Saivor. And it is. Happy Advent. Happy Christmas Eve. Amen.
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen (Ro 16:27).
December 24, 2017
I am going to suggest two changes to a familiar Christmas hymn. Before you get too excited, it is actually one of my favorites. Maybe yours too. The one that I am altering is What Child Is This (CW 67).
I am not tampering with it because I am so talented. I haven’t written too many hymns in my lifetime. To be honest—zero. And this song has been around much longer than I have.
I get what the author is asking us to do. As we stand in the stable and stare at the newborn, we are to reflect and remember why the babe, the Son of Mary, came at Christmas. The King would endure nails, spear, and cross for me, for you (CW 67:2). That is looking ahead 33 years from a shed for animals to a place of execution.
But this morning we look back nine months—to Gabriel’s announcement and Mary’s acceptance.
Here is what I am proposing:
Adding a tiny word. It really is only one letter. “A.” What a Child is this.”
Switching a punctuation mark—from a question to an exclamation. What a Child is this!
We consider this as we read from …
Luke 1:26-38
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, our Savior and King,
The one the Holy Spirit used to author the third Gospel was a doctor (Col 4:14). That was Luke’s profession. He understood where babies come from—probably much better than we do, even if we have had one or two. I could give a one sentence description. More likely would be a phrase. Someone in the medical field could go into a bit more detail with a paragraph. Possibly a book.
It makes me wonder what he was mulling over when he documented this account. I realize that makes us dive into the pool of speculation. And the only thing we get as a result is wet.
No matter what was going through his mind, we know what comes out of our mouth …
What a Child Is This!
1. Because of the messenger’s announcement (26-33)
2. Because of the mother’s acceptance (35-38)
1. Because of the messenger’s announcement (26-33)
Timewise it is after the baby is born that the official notification goes out—whether a phone call or mailed letter, or the extremely personal touch of a text or tweet. But this one comes in person. And nine months early. What a child is this because of the messenger’s announcement.
This was the second time God dispatched Gabriel with baby news. Sixth months earlier (Lk 1:26), he appeared to a priest on duty in the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, despite their old age, were going to be parents (Lk 1:18). The boy would be John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Jesus. Certainly that was a remarkable birth.
But nothing like this. Instead of heading to the capital city, the angel went to a quiet village in the north, to Nazareth (Lk 1:26). That was not a hot spot of activity, let alone a vacation destination in Israel. But that was where Mary was living. We learn that she was “pledged to be married to a man named Joseph” (Lk 1:27). That was more than just our engagement. Those two had made their plans and spoken their vows. Things seemed to in order and on track.
But that all shifted when Gabriel came calling. The salutation was nothing special (except, that it was an angel, of course): “Greetings” (Lk 1:28). It was like the “Good Morning” that you wished people before church.
But that is where familiar stopped and phenomenal started. “Greetings, you who are highly favored!” (Lk 1:28). She is the one to whom the Lord had been and continued to be gracious. It is good for us to remind ourselves that Mary is on the receiving end of grace, not the giving side. The emphasis is on God did/was doing; the focus is not on what Mary had done/would do.
Add to that “The Lord is with you” (Lk 1:28). That would be critical, especially in light of what would follow—both from the angel and in life. This was not what she was expecting. But now she was going to be expecting. What next? The grief of a frustrated fiancée and the gossip of nosy neighbors? Not out of the question. But God doesn’t forget his own (Is 41:10). Us either. He is with us no matter what difficulty or decision that we face.
Do you blame her? “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (Lk 1:29). This was uncommon, but also unclear. It is not every day that Mary had a visit from one of God’s holy ones. It kept going through her head, “What is going on here?”
Gabriel was going to clear up the confusion. But first the comfort: “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God” (Lk 1:30). There was anxiety—not so still and serene as often pictured, worse than not having your Christmas shopping done. But she could stop it. God was giving her grace—underserved kindness. Why? Why would she have the honor that only one woman in the world could have? Because. Again, not her doing, but God’s. It wasn’t that Mary was being groomed by the greats in Israel, pampered and primed. Grace. God offers that to us at Christmas too. Why us? Because. Because of grace, not our goodness like our stellar church attendance or our strenuous efforts. Grace forgives sins and opens heaven. Thank God for that favor. That is a great Christmas gift.
Grace—whether it is to her or to us, it is all because of the next sentence. He grabs her attention and goes on with emphasis: “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus” (Lk 1:31). That pronouncement is packed with information.
“You will be with child” (Lk 1:31). There would be some jumping and jostling in her womb very soon.
“You will … give birth to a son” (Lk 1:31). No ultrasound was necessary so Mary knew what color to paint the nursery or what clothes to buy the infant. A boy.
“You are to give him the name Jesus” (Lk 1:31). She didn’t have to sift through any baby books to come up with a clever or cute name. Not even shake the family tree for possibilities. Jesus. And the meaning of that was not lost on her. “The Lord saves.” Mary captures that concept in her song, the Magnificat. “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk 1:47). We sing the same thing. Our joy is because of Jesus, our Savior.
If that wasn’t enough, Gabriel mentions more mind-blowing things:
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Lk 1:32). Mary’s son. And God’s Son. True God.
“The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end” (Lk 1:32,33). And also David’s Son. God sent Nathan because he was overruling David’s building plans with his own. It wasn’t about a physical dwelling—David wanted to construct the temple, but physical descendants—God wanted to continue his line. “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom [That is Solomon] … Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” [That is the Savior.] (1 Sa 7:12,16). God assured David that the Messiah would come from his bloodline. And Gabriel was making known that it was about to happen in Mary’s belly. And this King was unlike any other in history. His rule in hearts of faith, our hearts too, is unending, eternal—on earth and in heaven. Our King conquered death for us. He crushed the devil for us (Ge 3:15). And now he reigns and will rule. All authority is his to care for his own (Mt 28:18; Eph 1:20-22). Once again we gaze into the manger to see a promise made is a promise kept.
We step back in amazement as we get ready to celebrate Christmas tomorrow. Any birth is exciting. Even more so this one that we commemorate year after year. What a child is this because of the messenger’s announcement. (Remember that is what an angel is—a messenger.) And we got to eavesdrop. But it is more about what he said than who said it. Jesus is born of Mary. But he is Jesus, Savior, Son of the Most High and from David’s line. He is King. We worship him as we exclaim because of the angel’s announcement: “What a child is this!” That is a marvel at Christmas.
2. Because of the mother’s acceptance (35-38)
I know when one of my buddies sends out the family Christmas card. He will call before it hits the post office because he saves himself the foolish conversation. He will alert me that the girl in the picture is his daughter. My contention every year was that since I have never seen her, she doesn’t exist. (You can question my logic, or just me, later.) The angel’s announcement was incredible. But there is more. What a child is this because of the mother’s acceptance.
Can you sympathize with her? This was a lot to take in. The angel. The announcement. She was not a doctor like Luke. But she wasn’t dumb either. There were certain facts of life even if she didn’t have 10th-grade biology. “How will this be … since I am a virgin?” (Lk 1:34; cf. Is 7:14). She had not had the experience of being with a man. [Luke had mentioned that already twice in connection with Mary (Lk 1:27).]
The response was more of absolute truth rather than a technical answer. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Lk 1:35). That is more information than clarification, isn’t it? It was just going to be. And the Holy Spirit would be involved. We leave it at that. And so did Mary. Is it so well-known that our head doesn’t spin? Let it sink in one more time before tomorrow.
But the angel included more that fits under the category of astonishing. “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month” (Lk 1:36). The formerly sterile family member just hit her second trimester.
And then there is the reinforcement. “For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). A double negative—“nothing” and “impossible”—highlights the positive. “Every last thing is possible as far as God is concerned.” Postmenopausal birth: “For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). Virgin birth: “For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). No matter is outside of God’s ability or capability. For Elizabeth. For Mary. For us. We would do well to imitate Mary’s acceptance. “I am the Lord’s servant. … May it be to me as you have said” (Lk 1:38). Did she grasp the full significance of those sounds? She was willing to serve as the Lord asked her—no matter what the outcome or aftermath. Instead of complaining about what we have in front of us, we go with the Lord beside us—to do whatever he directs us. We are the Lord’s servants.
We confess it often—perhaps without blinking or thinking as the words roll off our tongues: “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary” (CW p. 41). Jesus had to be true man—to put himself under the law for us and to die for us. But he had to be free of the taint of the sin that you and I are born with—passed to us from our mommies and daddies ever since Adam and Eve.
That is why Jesus didn’t have a human father. So the angel could assert: “The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Lk 1:35). Jesus came into the world far from sin and free from sin. And the Son of God kept the law in our place and his innocent death counts for us. We are holy ones—saints. The psalmist sums it up nicely when he inquires: “O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?” (Ps 89:8). And then he instructs: “You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you” (Ps 89:8). Like the mother’s acceptance, we believe it and belt it out: “What a child is this!” That is a miracle of Christmas.
I am not so full of myself that I assume that my two modifications are going to catch on. We might have to include another musical note to chant “What a child is this.” (And now that is way beyond my skill level.) There also has to be that punctuation shift—instead of a curved line for a question mark, it has to be a straight line for an exclamation mark. There is also the matter of fighting over a hundred years of tradition and even a copyright. So we will leave it since the problems are piling up. But at the same time, we don’t have to sing it. We can say it: What a child is this because of the messenger’s announcement and because of the mother’s acceptance. We hear it—a son to be born of Mary, the Savior—and we hold on to it—faith trusts that it is so—our Saivor. And it is. Happy Advent. Happy Christmas Eve. Amen.
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen (Ro 16:27).
December 24, 2017
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