G Friday

G. Friday

30 March 2018

John 19:30

The Death of Christ our Savior

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

O God, creator of heaven and earth, grant that as the crucified body of Your dear Son, was laid in the tomb and rested on the Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life. 1

We are Easter people! Even on a night as this! You can be confident in this – In the midst of death, you possess life. Death is not a topic many wish to engage. Most try to avoid the topic. Many are fearful as they think about the death of other as well as their own death. But tonight death cannot be avoided. Tonight we are brought face to face with an awesome fact – Jesus died! What happened on the first Good Friday is incredible.

The incredible death of Jesus Christ

1. His death was real.

A. We cannot fathom how the God-man, Jesus Christ could die. Yet His spirit left His body.

B. His body hung lifeless. His lips no longer spoke. His eyes no longer saw. His ears no longer heard.

2. His death was voluntary.

A. Death comes to us become of something – illness, accident, bodily deterioration.

B. But Jesus came to death, giving up His spirit only when He was ready. With full possession of His faculties. In full control. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:18)

1. He died only when He had accomplished all things. Jesus prayed in His High Priestly prayer, “(Father,) I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do.” (John 17:4) 

2. He died only when He had finished the atonement. Only when He had paid for every sin did He yield up His life for you.

3. His death was the death of death itself.

A. Jesus took on Himself the penalty for your sin. This is what caused His death. “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, [a] He condemned sin in the flesh.” (Romans 8:3)

B. Death could not hold Him. He was sinless. He has made perfect atonement for sin.“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.” (Romans 6:9)

4. His death means life.

A. Death is now but a “shadow.” Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,(Psalm 23:4) 

1. It’s a former menacing power. 

2. It is not a step into the unknown.

a. “I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.” (Psalm 118:17)

b. “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

B. Death is now the avenue to God’s presence. It is eternal bliss. “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 15:54c,57)

What an incredible death! Because Jesus died, “It is not death to die.” The sting of death has been removed. We can live well – and die well.

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1.– Collect for Holy Saturday, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

M Thursday

M. Thursday

29 March 2018

John 13:1-17

He loved them to the end

Jesus kept loving His disciples. He loved them to the end. Despite their self-seeking ways. Even though He knew one of when would betray Him. Even though He was conscious of soon entering the glory from which He had come. He performed for His disciples, even for His betrayer, the menial service of foot washing. In that selfless act. He showed His love in all the beauty of its perfection.

He loved them to the end.

1. It is a love that makes us clean.

The foot washing portrayed Christ’s loving work of spiritual cleaning. Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you. (v.10)

Peter did not understand the real significance of this act of love. “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” (Vv.6-8a.)

Though justified by faith and thus purified from sin, we still daily sin much.
We are still living outside of Eden.
Flesh and blood led us into evil.
We need daily cleansing from daily defilement.

If our feet are not washed, we have no part in Jesus. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”(v.8b)

We confess we need to have our feet washed when we pray. But how do we so often pray?

Lord, Thee I love with half my heart
The world has claimed the other part.
I pray, Thy name, be hallowed Lord,
But want my name to be adored.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy reign extend,
And reign on me wealth without end.
Thy will be done my lips shall pray,
And curse when I don’t get my way.
I thank Thee for my daily bread,
But cakes and steaks I crave instead.
My million sins forgive, forget.
While I collect a one-cent debt.
From tempting evils keep us free,
Unless I find they pleasure me.
Lord, Thee I love with half my heart,
Destroy, reclaim, the other part. 1

Christ is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us. (1 John 1:9)

We have a part in all that Jesus earned for us by His suffering and death.

We are daily made clean all over. The love Jesus showed in washing His disciples’ feet does not fail us either.

2. It is a love that makes us humble.

The foot washing provides us a pattern for humble service. “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (Vv.12-15)

Christ’s act is a picture of His voluntary humiliation whereby He stooped to save. “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[a] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”(Philippians 2:6-8)

But literally washing one another’s feet will not bring us any nearer to the mind of Christ. Christ comes to us. Bearing our sin. Feeding us with His body and blood.

We follow Christ’s example when we bear one another’s burdens. “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

We are concerned for their physical comfort. We have been intentional in our outreach into the community. The weekend before Holy Week we partner with Pack Away Hunger. This year we packed 64,125 meals. 75% remained in Adams and Wells County. In the past nine years we have packed 600,000 meals. We do this as we love God and serve our neighbor. We begin Holy Week by reaching out to our neighbor in his need.

We aim to secure their spiritual and moral cleansing. This is our primary task. As we reach out to our neighbor with the message of Christ.

The love of Jesus enables us to “wash one another’s feet.”

That love transforms our hearts so that we get rid of arrogance, envy, and anger.

That love guides us in a spirit of lowliness and helpfulness.

Blessed are we when the unfailing love of Jesus move us to imitate Him. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (v.17)

The love of Jesus will not fail. He who washed His disciples’ feet will cleanse us daily and empower us to humble service.

650 Words
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[1] Poem by Chad Bird © 2018

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

March 25, 2018

Mark 11:1-10; 15:1-39

The Way of the Cross Gives an Opportunity to Decide

"Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord..."

We come to the last of our Lenten meditations on the way of the cross. This morning we see that the way of the cross gives an opportunity to decide.  Pilate’s question, “What then shall I do with Jesus?” makes everyone responsible to give an answer. How you answer depicts your faith in Jesus and determines your destiny. In the Passion story there are various answers given to Pilate’s question. Today, as when they were first asked, the same answers are possible.

What will you do with Jesus?

I.        You can Praise Him? – 11:1-10

A.     A new section in the Gospel of Mark begins. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. The rest of His ministry will take place within the confines of the Holy City of Jerusalem.

B.     Nothing is left to chance. Throughout His Passion Jesus is in charge. Beginning with His triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem Passion Week has begun. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is a deliberate Messianic action – He offers Himself as the people’s Savior knowing full well that this will provoke the leaders of the ruling Council to take action against Him.

C.     And yet, the people praise Him. They shout, Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  This is a direct quote from Psalm 118:25. The people understand what they are saying. Their praises are a prayer – a prayer for the Lord to continue to save and sustain His people.

Transition: One option is to praise Him. Another is to mock Him.

II.     Mock Him? – 15:16-20

A.     At the headquarters of the Roman Governor the soldiers place a purple robe upon Him. On His head a crown of thorns. The robe was probably an old military cloak, whose color suggested royalty. The crown of thorns was made of briers which grew in the region. Both the robe and the crown were parts of the mock royal attire placed upon Jesus.

B.     While under the care of Pilate the soldiers mock Jesus. They cry out “Hail, king of the Jews!” which is nothing more than a mocking salutation. Similar to the Roman salute, “Hail Caesar!”

C.     Finally, they struck Him with their fists. They beat Him with a staff.  It was customary in the Near East that when in the presence of royalty one was to offer a kiss. The homage Jesus received? They spat in His face!

Transition:  Some will praise Him. Others will mock Him. Still others condemn Him.

III.   Condemn Him? – They crowd shouted in one accord “Crucify Him!”15:13

A.     A Romans means of execution was that of crucifixion. Heavy wrought-iron nails were driven through the wrists and the heel. If the life of the victim lingered too long, death was hastened, by breaking the victim’s legs.

B.     Only slaves, the lowest of criminals, and offenders - who were not Roman citizens - were executed in this manner. Yet Jesus. An innocent victim. Dies in a tartar’s stead.

Transition: There are plenty of options the world may choose to consider when asked what one should do with this Jesus. For the believer. There is but one choice to consider.

IV. Confess Him. With the Centurion we say; “Surely this man was the Son of God!” - 15:39

A.     The Centurion was a commander of 100 men in the Roman army. Mark specifically mentions that he “saw how Jesus died.” The strength of Jesus’ cry indicates that Jesus did not die the ordinary death. Normally, one suffering crucifixion suffered long periods of complete agony, exhaustion and finally unconsciousness before dying. Not so with Jesus – Within three hours He was dead! He willingly gave up His spirit.

B.     Pilate announced to the chief priests as well as to the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man!” What would be a similar circumstance in our world? It would be almost as if a grand jury announced in the press, “there is insufficient evidence to go to trial…” to which, the Governor, expedites an order for an execution! Is this a miscarriage of justice? Possibly so. Yet, in these events of Christ’s Passion we find such a miscarriage of justice brings forgiveness and restoration. Jesus’ death produces life.

What will you do with Jesus? Will you mock Him? Will you condemn Him? Will you praise Him? Or, will you hail Him? Now, let you be the judge.

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mid-week Lenten homily

Psalm 23:6

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

The good Shepherd shares the secrets of a happy eternity

21 March 2018 

King David in this much-loved Psalm gives us an insight to a life lived well. He gives us the secret to happy life, a happy death and now a happy eternity. David concludes our Psalm for this Lenten season by reminding us: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” -Psalm 23:6 (KJV) How can we be assured of a happy eternity?  By this verse David gives two directions of thought; the preservation of our life and a place of eternal security.

I. David assures us of the Preservation of our life – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”

A. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me...” Goodness – God’s goodness consists of righteousness, holiness, justice, kindness, grace and love. Goodness is also one of the fruits of the Spirit which characterizes Christian behavior. {Galatians 5:22}  Christians are called to goodness even as God the Father is perfect and good. Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew: "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

There is a problem, however; you know the problem. It’s a problem found in all of us. It’s a problem with sin. Because of our sinful nature our goodness fails to measure up to the Father’s standard of perfection. What are we to do?

B. We trust in the mercy of Almighty God. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me...” What is the mercy of God? Mercy is that aspect of God’s love, which causes Him to help those who are miserable. Those who are miserable may be so either because they have broken God’s law or because they find themselves in circumstances beyond their control.

What are we to do when we find ourselves to be in such circumstances? We rely and fall upon the Savior’s amazing grace, which, of course, is that aspect of God’s love that moves Him to forgive those who are guilty.

God shows mercy on those who have broken His law. Daniel 9:9 reminds us: “To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him”

God’s mercy is given to us although it is undeserved. Paul reminds us in Romans 9:16: “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  No wonder we cry out to god when we pray the Kyrie: “Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.”

Especially when we poor sinners find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control the Savior reaches down to us with His mercy. Jesus had mercy when He healed the blind men {Matthew 9:27-31; 20:29-34} and when He cleansed the lepers. {Luke 17:11-19}   Because God is merciful, He expects us, His children to be merciful. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” Jesus says in Matthew 5:7 In James 1:27 we are reminded: “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of god our Father; to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world”

Transition:  Not only will the Good Shepherd provide for the preservation of our lives; He will also bring us to a place where we will live and reign with Him.

II.     The Good Shepherd gives us a place of eternal security.

A.     David reminds us: “...and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

United by God’s election and salvation through Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd we are included in the Father’s household of faith. St. Paul explains it this way: “So them, while we have opportunity let us do good to all men – especially those of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10) “We will dwell with God in heaven, the dwelling place of God; the dwelling place of the righteous” (Ephesians 2:19)

This is how the Good Shepherd shares the secrets of a happy eternity; in goodness, mercy, and security.

Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of Your Church, You give us new birth in the waters of baptism, You anoint us with oil, and call us to salvation at Your table. Dispel the terrors of death and the darkness of error. Lead Your people along safe paths, that they may rest securely in You and dwell in the house of the Lord now and forever, for Your name's’ sake. Amen

Words –795
Passive Sentences – 5%
Readability – 72.3%
Reading Level – 6.6
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Lent 5

Lent 5

22 March 2018

Series B

Mark 10: (32–34) 35–45

Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your People that that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus catechizes His disciples. Instructing them. In the way of the cross. Revealing that He will be condemned and put to death “and after three days he will rise.” ^{Mark 10:33–34}

But the Twelve do not understand. Instead, they argue among themselves about who will be the greatest, with James and John requesting the places of honor on either side of Jesus in His glory.

Jesus has come to make Himself the “slave of all” and “give his life as a ransom for many.” He shares the true glory of His cross. With all who are baptized with His Baptism and with those who drink His cup of salvation; the New Testament in His blood. By these Holy Sacraments, the Lord makes Himself known to all His people, forgiving their sins “from the least of them to the greatest.” [1]Though He is the very Son of God, “he learned obedience through what he suffered”[2] and so became our great High Priest, that we may enter His glory by the way of His sacrifice.

Jesus predicts His death for the third time...

And they were on the road; going up to Jerusalem. And Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed. And those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to him. - ^{Mark 10:32}

Jesus is leading them to Jerusalem. Remember, throughout Jesus’ passion He's always in charge. As for the disciples, they follow begrudgingly. There is fear and confusion in the ranks. They know what is happening...He's leading them to their death. He's talking about it. They, at least, are willing to die with Him.  This is the message of the cross.

Jesus reminds them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. - ^{Mark 10:33}

These disciples. They don't need to reset their gaze. “Look, right now.” Says Jesus, “It’s happening!”      

“And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise." - ^{Mark 10:34} This is how Jesus replaces fear with faith.

Jesus is being specific with the spitting and scourging. He's said it already before - “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.” - ^{Mark 8:31}

The request of James and John

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." - ^{Mark 10:35}

We request of You to do for us. They are taking Jesus at His word, "whatever you ask in My name I will grant it."  To wag our finger at James and John places us with the ten. Their request is sincere. Even if they don’t know exactly what they are asking. They are being honest and truthful. But not fully cognizant of what they are asking. 

Jesus was going the way of the cross. But not by means of glory. This kingdom is won by loosing. The leader goes ahead as the troops desert. Abandon. Abscond and flee. Jesus points to glory by doing it backwards.

The world says, "Come back with your shield or on it!" This was supposed to be the parting cry of mothers to their sons as the Spartans went off to war. Mothers whose sons died in battle openly rejoiced, mothers whose sons survived hung their heads in shame.[3] James and John desire to sit in glory. They desire their best life now. They covet glorious living.  Jesus defines glory. Glory is gained through the cross and suffering.

  And He said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" - ^{Mark 10:36}

Jesus gives the unexpected answer, 'what do you want?' Jesus responds to this request spoken in faith.

And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." - ^{Mark 10:37}

Was this an ongoing discussion? Certainly it was. Earlier, Mark reminds us, “And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.” - ^{Mark 9:33-34}

Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" - ^{Mark 10:38}

Jesus shows us the character of His kingdom. “Wait until you see what I'm talking about.” He alone will drink the cup and be baptized. So, no, they can't be granted a glorious reign. But yes, they will reign in glory. But first they must enter the valley of suffering. 

Notice the Sacramental overtones of drinking and baptism. You participate also with Jesus. James would remind us, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,”[4] while St. Paul will explain, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.[5]

“That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” [6]

And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,” - ^{Mark 10:39}

Jesus’ words will be fulfilled in the lives of these sons of Zebedee. James will be the first of the twelve to be granted martyrdom.  John will be the last disciple standing – exiled on an island.

As for you. Yes, you! You will suffer these things also. This suffering. These crosses. Will come to you. It will happen. As you have been baptized into Christ you were buried with Him in His death. In baptism you were raised to life. And you also glory in your current sufferings. They may only last for a season. Yet you will experience these tests and trials. The way of the cross is a time of testing, trials and suffering.

 As a fellow partaker of Christ's suffering, Peter would encourage us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”- ^{1 Peter 5:6-10}

Remember who you are and whose you are. As children we can come to our Father and ask, "Why?" As children ask their parents, “why is this happening to me?” so you too can come to your heavenly Father asking Him.  Read the Psalms. They are replete with such cries of lament. If you have been taught to put on a happy face, to let a smile be your umbrella, to keep your complaints to yourself, then the Psalms offers a welcome corrective. It’s worth noting that the book of Psalms contain more psalms of lament than any other form. So cry out to your heavenly Father. Ask. Seek. Knock. This is also the battle within each of us.

“…but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." [7] - ^{Mark 10:40}

Remember – the Father is the director of Christ’s Passion. He is the invisible hand behind the scene. Yet, He sustains your life. He orders your days. He directs your path.

The response of the ten. 

Jesus will yell at the rest of the disciples for being indignant. But not John and James.

“And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.” - ^{Mark 10:41} 

The ten are indignant but Jesus answers positively. The ten have false humility. Which is pernicious pride.

The ten are indignant of James and John.  It's the same response as Farris Bueller’s sister. “Why should he get to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants? Why should everything work out for him? What makes him so special?”[8]  The ten are angry because James and John dared to ask of Jesus in faith.

Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. - ^{Mark 10:42}

The one's considered chief lord it. “This is how you are acting,” warns Jesus - wanting to exercise and achieve authority. “But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” - ^{Mark 10:43-44}

“Not thus among you” warn Jesus. Whoever wants to be great shall be your deacon. The great ones among us must be slave of all.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - ^{Mark 10:45}

The Psalmist reminds us, “And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” - ^{Psalm 130:8} Search the Scriptures. They speak of a suffering servant - One who will die for the sins of men.

Christ came to be an atoning sacrifice for men. His death is payment for your sin. You are joined with Christ. Thus you can say with St. Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.”  ^{– Galatians 2:20}

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[1] Jeremiah 31:33–34

[2] Hebrews 5:8–10

[3]Plutarch, Mor.241   http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/background/8c_p1.html

[4] James 1:2

[5] Romans 5:3-4

[6] 2 Corinthians 12:10

[7] the word “prepared” is passive

[8]  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/quotes

mid-week Lenten homily

Psalm 23:5
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoitest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." -KJV

The Good Shepherd sets the table

14 March 2018

“Let’s run the table!” That’s a phrase used in sports, which would suggest to us “Let’s get out there and win!”  “Let’s run the table” Go for it all, and win the ultimate prize!  As we are  now in the beginning of March Madness and the NCAA men’s and women’s national tournament there are many wondering which team will run the table. Which team will pull out all the stops and emerge as champions.

Regardless, if you interested in sports or not our Lord and Savior has “run the table” for us. He has offered for us salvation and life on a table of sacrifice, namely the cross. In the fifth verse of Psalm 23, our Psalm for this year’s Lenten observance, David speaks of a table set before us by the Good Shepherd Himself. Here we might recall a banquet hall where a feast, fit for a king has been spread before us. This evening we see how the Good Shepherd has set a table before us.

Participation – “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.”

Notice how highly David magnifies the Lord. He recalls how gracious God has been. Consider what the Lord has bestowed on him (v. 5): "Thou preparest a table before me;”

David says in essence: “Lord, You have provided me with everything pertaining both to life and godliness.” All things needed for both the body as well as the soul are given by the Shepherd’s caring hand.  His benefits are not only for this life they spread well into eternity.  Such a bountiful benefactor is God to all His people; and because these blessings come from God David is called upon to utter thanks for His great goodness.  David acknowledges two realities:

That he had food conveniently given to him; a table spread, a cup filled, meat for his hunger, drink for his thirst. What is it that Christ has given to you? Luther explains in the explanation to the 1st Article of the Apostles Creed: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason, and all my senses, and still preserves them; also, clothing and shoes, meat and drink, house and home, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my goods; that He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life, that He protects me from all danger, and guards  and preserves me from all evil; and all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I owe it to Him to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.”

David acknowledges that the Shepherd had this table carefully and readily provided for him. His table was not spread with any thing that came haphazardly; rather God prepared everything for him. The Shepherd provided for all of his needs and prepared it before him. 

Under the heading “daily bread” Luther lists just some of the gifts and blessings the Good Shepherd provides for us each and every day: "What is meant by daily bread? —Everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as meat, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like”

Preparation – “Thou anoitest my head with oil.”

Samuel anointed David to be the king over all of Israel. To be anointed was an outward sign not only of God’s acceptance but more than that; it gave recognition that he alone was to be ruler and king over Israel. Jesus was anointed at His baptism when He was recognized as being the one sent by the Father to begin the work of redeeming the world. On the Mt of Transfiguration the Father spoke His word of approval once again. As the Savior descended from that mountain to the valley of the cross the Father had only one strategy which was to run the table for us on the table-board of sacrifice at the cross.

We are anointed in our own baptism. In the waters of baptism we are buried with Christ into His death and raised to a new life in His resurrection. In baptism we are marked to be included at the dinner table with Christ. In baptism we are anointed to receive an inheritance which leads to eternal life.

This is how the children of God are looked after. Plentiful provisions are made for their bodies, for their souls, for the life that now is and for that life which is to come.  The Good Shepherd has seen to it that we have been blessed and anointed.

He provides for our daily wants and needs and has seen to it that our spiritual provisions are met also.

Plenty – My cup runneth over.

  

Having thought of all the Good Shepherd provided him, David must concluded that he was blessed beyond measure. Not one restriction was placed upon him.  Not once was David placed into a crisis wondering if God would provide for Him. Never was he in want but rather he had abundance poured into his lap: "My cup runs over,” David reminds us there is more than enough for my friends and myself too.

Jesus has set a table before us filled with abundance and life. That table has been set before us for us to enjoy every single day. As our Lord and Savior has “run the table” for us, He has offered for us salvation and life on a table of sacrifice, at the cross and empty tomb. What more can we do but to thank and praise serve and obey Him?     

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt His name!
When in distress to Him I cried, 
He to my rescue came.

O Magnify the Lord with Me; The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

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Readability – 74%
Reading Level – 6.7
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Lent 4

Lent 4
March 11, 2018
John 3:14-21
The Way of the cross Calls for Faith in Christ who hangs on the Cross

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

We begin to see the cross in the distance and learn of its healing power of salvation by grace. As Moses raised a bronze serpent Jesus must be raised up on a cross. The upraised serpent brought healing through the forgiving love of God. This took place simply by looking to the upraised serpent. The cross brings eternal life to those who look to the cross with the eyes of faith. The way of the cross calls for faith in Christ who hangs upon the cross.

Look and know that God loves you –

I.        Look beyond the cross – the source of God’s love – “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.” -John 3:16

     A.  The Father offered up His only Son although it was done through the sinful acts of others.

The 30 pieces of silver Judas received is quite a cheap price for God’s only Son. Equivalent  to 120 days work – that’s 24 weeks - about ½ a year’s pay.

The cash spent to betray Jesus was recognized as blood money. It was currency which had been compromised – so it couldn’t be placed back into the treasury.      

It was the price of betrayal.

At what price would we sell out a friend? Taking a life over a pair of shoes or a cell  phone of as we read in the news this past week, - a handbag - may be an extreme act of violence. Yet, betraying a friend by revealing secret to  win another’s attention or admiration? Refusing to help because we didn’t want to get our  hands dirty? Can we be charged with similar crimes against humanity?

Sin simply causes life to be cheapened and our integrity to be compromised.

     B.     The purpose of the Father offering His Son was the reconciliation of the world. Sin only cheapens life – Christ restores it to its original value. You have worth – real worth not based on what we see or value in ourselves but on what the Father determines to be of real worth.

Transition: We look to the one on the cross to see the source of God’s love. Look to the one on the cross who is giving you this worth!

II.     Look to the One on the cross –“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of                 Man must be lifted up,” -John 3:14

     A. Sin produces nothing but sickness, and death. Israel rebelled only to have deadly snakes devour the people. Where could they go? What could they do? They were trapped – only the Great Physician could heal them. By placing serpent on a pole and lifting it up the people were drawn to it for restoration and life.

     B. Likewise Jesus was lifted up on a cross. The cross was the supreme exaltation of Jesus – in being lifted up Christ draws all sorts of people to Himself - without any regard for nationality, ethnic affiliation or status.

Transition: We look to the one on the cross to see the source of God’s love. We look to the one on the cross who is giving you this worth. We look at the cross where there is a sacrifice of life for you!

III.   Look at the cross – sacrifice for you – “that everyone who believes in him may have eternal                life.” John 3:15

     A. The sacrifice of Christ on a cross was a sacrifice for a purpose that people might believe in Him. John will use the word “believe” 98 times in his gospel. John’s purpose was that his readers might believe and continue to believe in Christ and Him alone. 

People are not to believe in John the Baptizer or their preacher or anyone else. People are called to believe in Christ. Through the testimony and the message of the cross.

     B. The purpose of such believing is to have eternal life. This life which Jesus offers is an infinitely high quality of life in living fellowship with God both now and forever. It is a life  which has no end. It is life – a life with purpose, and power. Salvation comes simply in a look – a look at the cross and a look in faith. Certainly the  way of the cross calls for faith in Christ who hangs upon the cross.

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mid-week Lenten homily

Psalm 23:4
The Good Shepherd prepares us for a Happy Death

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (KJVB)

7 March, 2018

We are now half way through our pilgrimage of Lent. The Good Shepherd shares His life with us. He also prepares us for a happy death. David now directs our attention to the tomb. The Scriptures remind us: “It is appointed for men once to die and after that comes judgment.” {Hebrews 9:27} How can we be assured of a happy death? David reminds us the assurance we have as we look at verse 4 of our Psalm for tonight. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

1. Death brings about parting and separation – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”

There are numerous definitions of death. Some may suggest that death is the absence of specific functions of the body; such as no pulse, or that the person isn’t breathing, or that there isn’t any heart beat. Still other may say that the definition of death is the absence of brain waves.

Yet the Scriptures give us a concise definition of death. In the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 12 reminds us that the definition of death for the believer is the separation of the soul from the body.  “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7 NASB)  When the body and soul are separated the Christian can safely assume that death has occurred.

Parting is also a part of the entire dying process. It has been observed that especially when an elderly person, who had been married for some fifty, fifty-five, or sixty years looses a spouse often they quite frankly loose the will to live. The Lord commenting on the marriage union tells us in Genesis 2:24: “For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” (NAS)  The bond of marriage grows stronger over the years. When death occurs after a half century of memories are made there is a parting that brings immense sorrow. 

David is correct, when death draws near, though it is a shadow, it casts a long silhouette and we walk through a deep valley filled with loneliness and sorrow. Even we Christians grieve at death. St. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” (NASV) Paul acknowledges that we grieve and sorrow at the point of death. We face separation and parting yet we grieve differently than those who have no Christian hope. We mourn our dead differently. We have a hope in the resurrection.

2. Yet, there is peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ – David reminds us: “I fear no evil”

The evil which men experience as death draws near is the prospect of facing God. It is amazing what men have said as they realized the certainty of their own demise. Consider what men have said on their deathbed.

      Francis Voltaire, A French unbeliever said to his doctor: "I am abandoned by God and men! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months' life. Then I will go to Hell; and you will go with me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!"

      Thomas Paine, An American author and unbeliever: "I would give worlds, if I had them, that 'The Age Of Reason' had never been published. O God, what have I done to suffer so much? But there is no God! But if there should be, what will become of me hereafter? Stay with me, for God's sake! Send even a child to stay with me, for it is Hell to be alone. If ever the Devil had an agent, I have been that one."

      Edward Gibbon, author of "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire": "All is dark and doubtful!"

      Dwight L. Moody: American Evangelist said: "Earth is receding, Heaven opens before me. God is calling...”

      Paul the Apostle. -- AD 66: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." (II Timothy 4:7, 8).

      John A. Lyth: "Can this be death?”Why, it is better than living! "Tell them I die happy in Jesus!" [1]

3. David reminds us. We are protected, even in death – “For Thou art with me”

We do not walk alone. We walk through the valley of death with the Good Shepherd who took on death at the cross and defeated death and the grave once and for all. Jesus has promised: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) We are never alone. The Good Shepherd has promised us “I will never, no never leave thee, nor ever forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5) Here are no fewer than five negatives heaped together. They confirm a great promise. The believer in Christ shall have the gracious presence of God with him in life, at death, and forever!

4. Life is but a pilgrimage. In death we take a walk from one end of the kingdom to the other; from the kingdom of grace to the kingdom of glory – As we take this walk we are comforted by our Good Shepherd: “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”

The shepherd’s rod was an effective tool. At times it was used to prod the sheep and keep them moving. At other times the shepherd used it as a hook to bring them back into the fold. Never was it used to strike the sheep. Only the Good Shepherd would be struck down.  On the night of His betrayal Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 26:31-32: “You will all fall away because of Me this night for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Thus our Good Shepherd comforts us.  He was struck down on Good Friday but raised to life on Easter Sunday. The Good Shepherd, hours before His own death, promised them His Easter! When we anticipate our own death we place our hope in the resurrection!

Death is so limited...
It has not crippled love,
it has not shattered hope,
it has not corroded faith,

it has not eaten away peace,
nor destroyed confidence.
It has not killed friendship,

it has not shut out memories,
it has not silenced courage,
it has not invaded the soul,
nor reduced eternal life.

It has not quenched the Spirit,
it cannot, has not,
nor will not lessen the power of the resurrection!

1. Quotations from "Knight's Master Book of New Illustrations" © 1956  Wm. B. Eardmens  Company

Words-1,245
Passive Sentences – 11%
Readability – 79.1%
Reading Level-5.7
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