Lent 2-Feb. 28-St. Luke 13:31-35

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Ps. 19:14) Amen.

‘Grace, mercy and peace will be with you, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.’ (2 John 3) Amen.

‘At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”’ (V. 31)

All of you here, who are parents, or for that matter have owned a pet, know what is going on here. This scene is one of impenitence in the group of the Pharisees. Parents know about what is happening here. You have all had children refuse to do something, or not do, that you know is bad for them.

You have warned them and warned them against whatever the behavior is, but finally, the child needs to learn on his own. That child, though it may hurt, needs to learn the hard way. This happened for Rachel and I just a few weeks ago.

In our case it was a minor thing. John had licked one of the iron railings on the front of our house. With the cold temperatures, his tongue and his lips stuck. We had warned him several times not to lick things. He did it anyway. While we got the water needed to release his tongue easily, all the while warning him not to pull away. You all know what he did. He pulled away on his own.

We tried and tried telling him not to do this but he had to learn the hard way.

Even today, in the same way, God warns you and me and all men just as He did all those years ago with the Pharisees and other unrepentant people. Yet, they had to learn the hard way. The problem for them was, and for you and me is, the hard way is permanent. It is eternal death, from this consequence; there is no turning back.

So, Jesus warns them. ‘At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”’ (V. 31)

This warning of the Pharisees is two-faced. Though they may warn Jesus of other’s plots to kill him they are all the while planning to do the same. It does appear to be a new role for these men, but in actual fact, it is no different in the end. This warning was a real warning and not made up. Herod did want Jesus dead because Herod had earlier put John the Baptist to death and feared that Jesus was John come back to haunt him. Yet, we see our Savior and God’s boundless love for all men. Even as they plot to kill Jesus themselves, He is one more time trying to bring them to repentance.

‘“Yea, Father, yea, most willingly
I’ll bear what Thou commandest;
My will conforms to Thy decree,
I do what Thou demandest.”
O wondrous Love, what hast Thou done!
The Father offers up His Son!
The Son, content, descendeth!
O Love, how strong Thou art to save!
Thou beddest Him within the grave
Whose word the mountains rendeth.’ (TLH 142:3)

‘And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away form Jerusalem.’’ (Vv. 32-33)

Jesus in these verses tells the Pharisees what is about to happen. In this veiled way, tells His enemies that he knows of their plot and they are doing exactly as is needed. Yet, Jesus reaches out to those who would kill Him with the Gospel of free forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus still does the same thing for the unbelievers of this world. He even does this for me and you.

Jesus does this for you when, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He brings you to repentance. Whether that is through your own conscience or through the words of the liturgy as we just confessed or through other means. Jesus through His preachers and His Church is still calling a sinful dying world to repentance and faith.

In Jesus’ words to the fox Herod we are told that Jesus goes willingly to His death on the cross. Jesus is telling Herod in the phrase, “today and tomorrow and on the third day” that His work would continue for a certain period of time. Jesus would go willingly to His death, but it would be on the Father’s schedule. That death would not occur when Herod decided, or incidentally, when the Pharisees decided. This response to the warning that Herod sought to kill Jesus would have hit the Pharisees just as hard.

These men were being told, in no uncertain terms, they are not in charge. The Father, Who had sent the Son, Jesus, to preach His message of peace and repentance and the forgiveness of sins is in charge. He determines when things occur and no one else. No sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge (see Saint Matthew 6:25, 26), and thus allowance.

Jesus is not compelled to this end of His journey nor is Jesus somehow caught out and forced to die because He was outwitted. Rather, Jesus is pointing out to the Pharisees here that He as the final prophet and the Messiah is above and independent of the plots and schemes of both the Pharisees and of Herod.

‘Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away form Jerusalem.’’ (V. 33)

What the Greek means and is not always carried over in translation is not just that it cannot be for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem. This is a proverbial saying. What is really meant is that the idea that Jesus would die outside of Jerusalem is not accepted. It is inadmissible. A severe indictment of Jerusalem, after all, this is a city whose name means “city of peace”. God sent His message of peace by the prophets.

‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often I would have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”’ (Vv. 34-35)

The city of peace kills those sent to it by the true God, the God that is worshipped in Jerusalem! We see a reference here to what the Gospel of John tells us all about. There we are told of multiple visits by Jesus to Jerusalem during His years of ministry. Even as is true today, Jesus urgently desired the salvation of His wayward children. Jesus tried repeatedly to bring these hardened people to faith. Today Jesus reaches out to a lost and dying world through the work of His Church to bring that same old gospel message of rescue and salvation to a world that is ignorant of its need for such rescue. Today Jesus reaches out to you and me to sustain us in the faith and keep us returning to Him for that forgiveness that we daily need.

We are sent on this rescue mission that we may not arrive too late.

‘Of death I am no more afraid,
New life from Thee is flowing;
Thy cross affords me cooling shade
When noonday’s sun is glowing.
When by my grief I am opprest,
On Thee my weary soul shall rest
Serenely as on pillows.
Thou art my Anchor when by woe
My bark is driven to and fro
On trouble’s surging billows.’ (TLH 142:5)

In this lament of Jesus here, He is comparing His actions, both during His ministry but also previously through the prophets, to those of a hen who protects the chicks beneath her wings. There is a hawk set to destroy the chicks and she would gather them so as to protect them. So also, God has been acting the part of the hen seeking to protect the chicks from certain destruction. The devil is the hawk seeking to destroy us. Jesus would gather us under His wings that we might be protected by His life. Contrary to expectation, some of the chicks refuse to be gathered in by Jesus and willingly wait for their destruction.

Even the Israelites, Jesus’ own nation, did not want this. He wanted this people to be his own, even as they belonged to him. Yet, they would not. The words of Jesus are of the most tragic order. He states, ‘and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken.’(Vv. 34-35) These people willingly allow themselves to be destroyed, and strangely, this is done not unknowingly. Their own prophets and Jesus had many times warned them of this. Yet, they would not. Instead, they seek to and succeed in destroying the One sent to rescue them from their sins.

But, then, it is the hardest thing of all for the human mind to admit to this. And so it is that faith is a miracle created in us by the Holy Spirit. It seems like pure madness to admit that something like forgiveness and rescue is what any of us need. Yet, all of us are here. The real miracle is that anyone is in this church at all! The greatest miracle is that faith exists in the world at all. By all rights, we should be no different in our response to the Gospel as these Pharisees. The Christian message of faith in Christ for the free forgiveness of sins and rescue for sin death and the devil along with the rewards of everlasting life and the forgiveness of sins is the most contrary to reason message of all (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9). Praise God that you believe this! Praise God that He creates faith in each of you.

Praise the Christ with those on Palm Sunday, ‘“‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”’ (V. 35; see also Psalm 118:26)

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

Feb. 24-Lent 1 Midweek-St.Luke 23:39-43

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Ps. 19:14) Amen.

‘Grace, mercy and peace will be with you, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.’ (2 John 3) Amen.

We have probably all heard of such an episode as this before. There was a group of college boys on their way home for Easter vacation. They were driving along at the posted speed limit when they topped a hill and met a pair of cars, one passing the other. Everyone tried to stop in time. There was the screeching of brakes the attempt to dodge each other. They met head on anyway. Each of the cars was destroyed and three people were killed. One of the boys sitting in the back seat flew through the windshield and past the oncoming car by several feet.

There wasn’t a scratch on him. He was entirely unhurt. A few days later the boy was sitting speaking with his pastor, concluding with the remark, “It is a miracle of God that I am still alive.” “You were mighty close to eternity,” agreed the pastor, and added: “If you had died at that moment, where would you be today?” Without hesitation or doubt, the boy responded with, “Well, heaven of course.” This speaks of the most important of all doctrines (Augsburg Confession IV) from the Bible which some now no longer believe. Even some so-called Christian churches now reject this. That is, we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

‘And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”’ (V. 43)

In these words of Jesus, we find that this man was justified by faith in Jesus Christ and for no other reason. After all, what was this man, but the worst of unregenerate sinners? He was a hardened criminal there is no doubt. He had spent his entire life doing evil. He was so rotten that the government had found it necessary to sentence him to the worst of deaths. He admitted even, that he was getting what he deserved by being hung on his cross.

At first, this man joined in with the crowds and the other criminal in the bragging and false boldness, he also mocked Jesus. When the others cursed the Savior, he also cursed and blasphemed. This man was obviously not saved by what he did! What he did was nonstop evil. Yet, this evil man was being worked on by the Holy Spirit. What saved him were not his works or words, but rather the grace of God. It was by his repentance and faith that this man received the reward Jesus speaks of.

This man may have heard from his mother about the coming Messiah when he was still small. He surely heard of Jesus those past three years of teaching ministry. It may even have been an early Christian who spoke to this man about the folly of his sins and the joy of salvation in Jesus Christ. What ever it was, death brings upon us all earnest and serious thoughts, thoughts about God and where we will end up. This man new his life was slipping away.

What must have been this man’s reaction when the Roman soldiers came with three scrolls and nailed one to the top of each cross? He could look up and not be at all surprised with the list of his crimes. He must have been truly amazed at the statement put above Jesus; “This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. This after Jesus prayed for those who cursed and mocked Him. He did not curse back.

God by His grace was taking hold of this man’s heart and changing it from stone to living flesh. How much remorse must have washed over him? He surely could not speak for a moment. Then when he did speak he rebuked the other criminal. ‘“We are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”’ (V. 41) What Christian courage and faith! Everyone else was cursing and mocking Jesus and this man alone spoke in Jesus’ defense. All the so-called “righteous” rejected the Messiah, only an evil criminal would speak for Him! Have you ever done as much?

So, having made his confession of sin and faith, this man turned to Jesus and begged, ‘“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”’ (V. 42) This man alone calls Jesus Lord in this scene. Jesus responds to him by stating, ‘And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”’ (V. 43) How these words of Jesus must have thrilled this sinner, how they thrill and comfort you and me as well!

To be sure, none of us has gone to such length in our wickedness as this man. Yet, you too have your sins. We easily could have turned out like him. Sinfulness is frequently a matter of degree. Only, even the smallest so-called “small” sin is equal to the worst before God. This man’s greatest sin consisted in this, almost all of his life he trusted in himself and not in Jesus. Sound familiar? We often find ourselves thinking the same way! (Small Catechism 1: 1st) You too have your sins. You too need a Savior. Thank God, in Jesus we have forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus forgives this man, just as he also forgives you and me. Your assurance consists in this ‘Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.’ (Rom. 3:28) And, again ‘By grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.’ (Eph. 2:8, 9)

Do not let the devil or anyone else ever create doubt in your mind about this, it is as sure and certain as the nose on your face. This most glorious of all Christian doctrines found in God’s precious Word: A man is justified by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. This mean’s you. Your peace, your hope, your salvation depend on it.

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

February 21-Lent 1-St. Luke 4:1-13

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Ps. 19:14) Amen.

‘Grace, mercy and peace will be with you, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.’ (2 John 3) Amen.

‘And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.’ (Vv. 1, 2)

As we read the several accounts in the Gospels of the temptation of Jesus, we learn something about the devil, our adversary. This is nothing new; we know this about the devil from our own experience. The difference in this case is how Jesus responds to the tempter’s working against Him.

Our adversary, the devil, is a clever debater. If you grant him one false premise, he will then run with that opening. He will draw thousands of false deductions, that is conclusions, from it[1]. Notice what Jesus does here. He does not seek to argue with the devil.

Instead, Jesus simply quotes from the fifth book of Moses each time, Deuteronomy. That is Jesus only and always combats the devil with Scripture. He gives you a picture here of how you should combat the attacks of Satan.

Luther gives the same advice. He tells us when the devil comes around and tries to tempt us to doubt our Savior or fall away from the faith, we are told not to disagree or argue. Dr. Luther’s advice is very simple. He instructs you to respond in this way. “Yes, devil, you are right. I am a poor miserable sinner. However, I am baptized my heavenly Father has granted me forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. I now belong to Jesus and you cannot snatch me away (St. John 10:28-29). Now be gone!”

Notice that this advice does not say argue with Satan? It is good advice. Luther is simply telling you the same thing that Jesus your Savior tells you in this account from Luke’s Gospel. When the devil comes and tells the very hungry Jesus to command some of the stones to turn into bread, this was a very real temptation. In His human-ness, Jesus would have been sorely tempted to do exactly this. He had eaten nothing for forty days. This was a real temptation.

Again, the devil tempts Jesus to fall down and worship the devil in order to gain power and prestige in this world. These are temptations that we can all relate to. This is probably why the Holy Spirit picks out these three as a sort of summing up of all the temptations that Jesus was attacked with. These are very familiar temptation for all of us.

Even if you have never been tempted with world domination, you can relate. It would be nice to be in charge. We all like to act as arm-chair politicians and criticize those in power, whatever their political party may be. We tend to assume that the grass is greener over in some other yard than it is in ours. We all have been hungry in our lives. Each of you has been hungry in your lives. Very likely we have all had opportunity to be tempted to take food that is not ours in order to satisfy that hunger.

Yet, that first temptation is not simply one of satisfying physical hunger. Though that surely would have been in the mix. No. There is more involved in Satan’s temptation. Jesus, during that time of fasting, was focused on prayer and communion with His heavenly Father. Jesus was doing what we can all do. In your case or mine, we read a devotion and some Scripture passages, we pray for ourselves for others and for all the world. This is what Jesus was doing when the devil comes and interrupts Him. So it makes sense that Jesus answers the way that He does. ‘The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”’ (Vv. 3, 4)

The devil is seeking to tempt Jesus away from trust in the Father. It is the same temptation that you face. The devil says to Jesus, “If…” It is that “if” which is the catch. It carries with it all the freight of doubt that it did when the devil tempted Eve. He is trying to sow that little seed of doubt in Jesus’ mind. The devil is actually doing here the same thing that the Pharisees and the people of Nazareth (see St. Luke 4:23) and others would later also try. The devil is saying, “If, you are really God’s son, perform for me! Perform a miracle and then I will believe”.

In Jesus’ response, from Deuteronomy 8:3, we are reminded of the Manna that the Israelites were given. The words that Jesus quotes are the teaching of the Israelites that the bread from heaven was given by the power of God’s word. The Israelites in the form of manna were really being fed on the word of God. This response reminds us of the words of Dr. Luther’s great hymn: ‘one little word can fell him’ (TLH 262).

It is this way of responding to temptation that you also can use to combat the devil and your own sinful flesh. We can all respond to temptation with God’s word. ‘And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I will give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”’ (Vv. 5-8)

As if the devil had not already done this, in this temptation the devil clearly reveals what he really is. This temptation reveals the devil as the liar that he is (St. John 8:44). This is like a second of time or a single tick of the clock. The panorama that the devil shows Jesus is a moment a great feat of imagination, a mental satanic “movie” performance[2]. As we know, God has allowed to the devil a “little season” to tempt and be in control of this earth. Yet, it is not as the devil would have us believe. This power is not his by right. It is his because the Father has allowed it for this time (St. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). This power and authority that he tries to say to Jesus, and you, that he has are false. The devil does not really have the power to give control of the kingdoms of the world to whom he will. That power has always and will only belong to God. What the devil is trying to do here is a bald and obvious lie. What he tries to claim he has authority to give to Jesus is not his to give. Again, this is a real temptation for Jesus. After all, this triumph and rule of all the world would have provided an easier route than the way which led to the cross and sufferings. It would not have been a real victory or triumph though. Jesus would have been the slave of Satan by this so-called “easy” route. It would have been a lie.

The devil tries to do this with you and me. He may not take you to a high mountain and show you all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil will try to draw you into a pact with him. He will try to get you to put your trust in him, or in money, or in ambition, or in some one or thing other than the Triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He will try to get you to break the first commandment: ‘ “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”[see Deut. 6:3]’ (V. 8)

‘And he took him to Jerusalem and set him up on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down form here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”’ (Vv. 9-12)

Again, the devil puts Jesus’ trust in the Father to the test. In the first temptation, he had called Jesus’ trust into question. Here he puts that trust to the test. As we saw from the Introit, this Psalm has to do with trust in God’s loving care. Satan misapplies this Psalm and twists it to mean presumptuous trust and reliance on God[3]. The devil wants Jesus to put that trust to the test, but Jesus in His answer points out, again from Deuteronomy (6:13), that testing is not trusting.

Often times, when we are trusting in God to care for our needs and provide for us, it does not happen on the timetable we have. We often are tempted to demand of God that He care for us rather than patiently waiting on His promise (see Exodus 17:7). It may be an illness, the raising of children, work, or just one season of life or other that is dragging on beyond what you or I think it should[4].

So, you and I are tempted not to trust our heavenly Father to provide what it is that we need. We demand as the Israelites did when they demanded water of God rather than waiting patently for Him to provide according to His promise. Again, when we find ourselves demanding something from God. Remind yourself that you are baptized. Because of that your Father will provide what you need. May it be comfort. May it be food and shelter. May it be whatever.

‘And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.’ (V. 13) The final words from Luke’s account of the temptation of our Lord are very instructive. Here the Holy Spirit points out that this temptation did not end here, rather it became more subtle. It is the same way for you and me. We may go through a season of great temptation, but it never ends as long as we are in this life. The devil and his angels only go away and watch for an opportune time. In Jesus’ case, we know of at least one other opportune time the Garden of Gethsemane. At the arrest of your Savior, at that most trying of times, the devil returns.

When the devil returns to tempt you it is still true that you now belong to your Father in heaven through the promise of your baptism. You have now been made a son of God (Galatians 4:4-7) and nothing can snatch you from the Father’s hand (St. John 10:28-29). Amen.

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations, p. 60, entry #246.
[2] Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. II, p. 50.
[3] Word Pictures in the New Testament, vol. II p. 52.
[4] Sermon Studies on the Gospels, Series C, NPH. p. 126.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord-St. Luke 9:28-36-St. Valentine's Day

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Ps. 19:14) Amen.

‘Grace, mercy and peace will be with you, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.’ (2 John 3) Amen.

‘Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face altered, and his clothing became dazzlingly white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah’. (Vv. 28-30)

This event occurred in the middle of the night. Jesus did not want, as He tells these men elsewhere, anyone to notice this or know about this event. In the event of the transfiguration, we get to see something of what happened when Jesus went off to pray by Himself. Luke often tells us of these pauses in Jesus’ ministry. It is a note that was peculiar to Luke’s Gospel.

This dazzlingly white appearance of Jesus as He prayed was then all the more dramatic for the contrast. Jesus also brought these three of His disciples along because He wished to show the true reality about Himself to them and if this happened during the day it would not have the desired effect. During the day, the light of the sun would have washed out Jesus’ transfiguration. Also, if this happened during the day, there would have been the ever present crowds.

So, it is as Paul tells us, ‘For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ’ (2 Corinthians 4:6). So this is not really just about this physical transformation. Jesus’ transfiguration is about your faith. Jesus is trying to teach you and me something about the faith we have been given in Him.

Your faith is rooted in the words of the Old Testament.

We see this in what Luke writes. ‘And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah’. (Vv. 28-30) Moses is used in Scripture for the entirety of the Law of God. Moses was the Lawgiver of greatest excellence. Elijah is seen as the representation of the prophets of God. He was seen as the most excellent of the prophets. In this the Holy Spirit points us forward to the later statement Jesus makes, in chapter twenty-four (vv. 44-45), to the disciples after His resurrection that the Law and the Prophets find their fulfillment in Him. If Jesus had used names He would have said instead, “Moses and Elijah find their fulfillment in Me”.

With Peter and John and James, we see in this glorified appearance of our Savior a small bit of the glory that we have now in Jesus. We do not see this yet until we reach heaven but it is already yours. ‘And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.’ (Vv. 30-33)

We see this glory of ours pictured in Moses and Elijah as they stand speaking with Jesus about His coming Exodus. That is what the word means here. It is translated for us as “departure”, but the Greek is exodon, that is exodus. What this refers to is Jesus’ going away from earth to heaven. We all know when that happens.

So we are again pointed forward to what Jesus’ mission really is. Jesus was not in the world to rescue people from a government that they did not happen to like or from one that was oppressive. Rather, Jesus came to rescue you from eternal death as the judgement you have received because of your sins.

This as we can tell from the Gospel and from our opening hymn that this is not what Peter was thinking about. After all, we sang ‘’Tis good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain; But since Thou bidst us leave the mount, Come with us to the plain.”’ (The Lutheran Hymnal 135:5) Peter did not have in his head thoughts of eternal salvation. When we have a mountain top experience in our own lives we are often the same way. You and I do not want that time to end. We do not want to go back to our regular life.

Yet, we cannot stay. We cannot make tents for ourselves and for our Lord. We must return to the plain. That is, you must return to your regular life and the troubles and trials that are daily with you. So, we pray with the hymn writer ‘“Come with us to the plain.”’ If we cannot stay on the mountain, we need our Savior to come with us. And He does. Jesus does return to the plain with us. You have Him always with you. He guides and protects you as you go through your individual trials and troubles.

So, it seems that heaven is far off. It seems often times that not only is heaven far off, but Jesus is too! Yet, Jesus tells us where heaven is at the opening of the Gospels when He begins His preaching ministry. After all, Jesus starts that ministry by proclaiming, ‘“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is upon you!”’ (St. Mark 1:14-15) There is a reason that is a remarkable statement. As Luke teaches, what Jesus is really saying is, “I am here among you. Heaven is right here in this place. Heaven is no longer in the temple because that is no longer where God has made His dwelling among men.” What is being said is where Jesus is; there is heaven.

Heaven is here! Heaven is here because Jesus is here giving out His gifts of His Word read and preached and the gift of His Sacrament.

So now we have a pointing backward. ‘As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” and when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.’ (Vv. 34-36)

We are reminded here of Jesus’ Baptism (St. Luke 3:21-22). At that point, the Father spoke as well and made a similar statement about Jesus. Except this time there is a new exhortation for the disciples. ‘“Listen to him!”’ we are told. For remember, you also are a disciple of Jesus. This statement is not simply for these three or for the Twelve, it is a command from the Father for all believers in Christ. As Jesus Himself teaches, no man knows God the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son reveals him (see Hebrews 1:2).

This cloud is also familiar to you and me. There was a cloud at the Exodus out of Egypt (Exodus 40:34-38). That cloud led the people of Israel just as this cloud also leads this the earliest of the New Testament church. This command to listen to Jesus is not listen, except. There is no exception given. We are to listen to all that is contained in God’s holy word. You are not allowed to make exceptions. You are not allowed to pick and chose those things that you agree with or that you like.

This is how you and I follow our heavenly Father’s command given here. We listen to what is said in the Bible. So, we will now listen to what the Bible tells us about our Savior’s suffering and death and resurrection in the coming weeks. You and I will hear again what Paul meant when he wrote. ‘We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.’ (2 Corinthians 5:20b-21)

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

February 7-Epiphany 5-St. Luke 5:1-11

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Ps. 19:14) Amen.

‘Grace, mercy and peace will be with you, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.’ (2 John 3) Amen.

‘But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart form me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”’ (V. 8)

Our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s first president gives a fitting summary of this verse for us. C. F. W. Walther, in his well-known Law and Gospel, says: “Unless a Christian clearly understands this fact, he ceases to be a Christian. What constitutes a person a Christian is this believing knowledge that he is a miserable, accursed sinner, who would be lost forever if Christ had not died for him.”[1]

Dr. Walther makes this statement to you. He makes this statement to me. This theologian directs this statement of his to each Christian. It is only the trusting faith planted by the Holy Spirit. That faith watered by the word of God and grown into a flourishing tree full of fruit by the third member of our Trinitarian God (Small Catechism II: 3rd). This it is which allows us to be and remain a saint and child of God who knows he is at the same time (Romans 7) a miserable, accursed sinner knowing we are lost forever without Christ.

Dr. Luther phrased an answer to a similar question in this way. Dr. Luther was asked what was the first step in religion. His reply, “Humility.” What is the second? That faithful Doctor stated, “Humility.” What is the third? Again, “Humility.”[2]

It is this same attitude that the Apostle Peter assumed when he was first called as a disciple of Jesus. That great sinner took the same attitude you and I take each Sunday as we confess our sins to begin the service. Peter tells Jesus, ‘“Depart form me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”’ (V. 8) He declared himself to be ‘a miserable, accursed sinner, who would be lost forever’ without Christ.

However, though Peter says all this in his declaration for the group of being a sinful man, he does not yet understand what he asks. At this point, Peter wants Jesus to go away. We know that to ask this would be the worst thing. For you and me to be without Jesus would leave us a poor miserable sinner, condemned to eternal death for our sins.

Peter and the others felt this way because they knew where the fish should have been. Yet those fish had not been where Jesus told them to go for the entire previous night of fishing. These men were experienced professional fishermen so they knew this. Those of you who are fishermen, you know where and when the fish will be biting on Long Lake or Artichoke Lake or Big Stone Lake; wherever you do your fishing.

If you went out and fished all day at the best spots for each time of day and caught nothing then I arrived as you where loading up your boat and equipment. If I then told you to go out and fish one of those spots just one more time, you would think I was crazy. You would probably tell me as much very bluntly. I of course, would have no ability or power to cause the fish to bit anymore than you, but this set up is exactly what Luke tells us happened to Peter and James and John and whoever else went fishing with them that day.

These men probably reacted in much the same way with Jesus. Peter and the others could have told Jesus He was crazy. They could have told Him to do the work Himself. Or, that if Jesus would have preached a shorter sermon, He could have sent the crowds home before it became necessary to use a boat. Yet, they don't. Peter shows that he, at least, had a willing heart. He had been instructed in the faith from the time that he was in the womb through adulthood. Peter trusted in his daily work, as in all of life, that God would see him through. Even if the fish were no where to be found.

After all, this was the age-old struggle for daily bread and such a struggle can create sin and doubts, making us feel distant from God[3]. Peter for one does not seem to be such a person. He seems, from this account of Luke, that he trusted God to provide his daily bread (see, St. Mt. 6:9-15). So, these men were a bit more polite about it because they knew Jesus was a respected teacher and so they humored Him. ‘And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”’ (V. 5)

Jesus may have stepped up the miracle in this case. It is entirely possible that when Jesus told these men to put out to fish, it was to some random spot out in the deep water. When He was in the middle of preaching to the crowds because of the press of those hearers, standing in a boat made sense. It allowed Jesus freedom of space from the crowds and it allowed the crowds to hear Him better. So, instead of Jesus telling them to fish in one of the likely spots, when He was done preaching, Jesus may have just pointed to a random spot out in the deep water.

This would have been understandable for the hearers of Jesus’ sermon and especially to those fishermen Peter and Andrew, James and John. Everyone in this scene, including Jesus, regardless of whether they were professional fishermen or not, understood enough of that occupation from conversation and observation. In other words, they had an idea of a good spot from talking with Peter or John or the others.

So, why then is Peter willing to do this? Jesus’ request of him contradicted everything Peter had learned over his career as a fisherman. In Peter’s experience, the best time to fish on the Sea of Galilee, here called Gennesaret, was at night. Jesus was telling him to try in broad daylight. Peter knew from experience that the fish would be along the shoals on the water’s edge. So he went there for the best fishing. Jesus was saying, “Go out in deep water.” Again, the opposite of what Peter knew to be true.

This connects with you and me. After all, when we are told to trust in God it is often that we are to do something that goes against everything we know to be true. The Word of God at times flies in the face of all human reason. So, you and I go on in faith. ‘Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.’ (Psalm 112:4) We trust our Savior that He understands what is going on and will guide us through even when it makes no sense.

‘And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”’ (V. 5) Peter is essentially telling Jesus and you, there is no way there are any fish out there right now. Peter and the others were cutting their losses and going home. That is why they are on shore cleaning their nets when Jesus finds them. Peter could have said, “what do you know about fishing anyway Jesus, you’re a carpenter!” We see that teachable heart again in this statement of Peter. Peter complains as one who has worked hard and seen nothing for his effort.

This is different though. Peter is tired and dejected, but he goes anyway. Logic and reason and common sense all would have told him to turn Jesus away, but not faith. Peter’s faith as an Old Testament Christian, one of that faithful remnant (ex. 1 Kings 19:1-18) we always hear about throughout the Old Testament, tells him different. That faith tells him this is the guy to take at His word. So, Peter finally says, “Okay, Jesus. I will go because you say so.”

These are tests of faith we are seeing in Luke. Are they tests to show Jesus if these men are up to the task He has for them? Or are they tasks that are primarily for those who would become four of the Twelve. Leaders among equals.

Jesus still tests you and me. Are we the ones who hear Luther and agree with him? Are we the ones who understand that the first three steps of faith are the same? They are humility, humility, and humility. Do we serve the least of these? Do you wash the feet of others? Do you share a cup of water with one who is in need? Do you forgive that person who tests your patience and needs a bit more grace and forgiveness than most? It is truly a powerful trust given to us through faith when a Christ-follower responds with, “It might be hard, but because You say so, Jesus, I will do it!” Even if the miserable sinner who is still part of each of us says, I don’t want to. Or, I don’t like that person. Or, that is inconvenient. The faith given by the Holy Spirit says to Jesus, “Yes, I will! I will do so with the joy I have been given in Christ.”

‘And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” They left everything and followed him.’ (Vv. 10-11) This is in response to Peter’s desperate cry that he is a sinful man and unworthy to remain in Jesus’ presence. When you get home, read Isaiah 6 for a similar response. Jesus does not brush off this cry for mercy. Rather, Jesus tells this sinner what He has in store for him. Jesus has a greater vision for Peter than catching fish and cleaning nets. We see in Jesus’ words the fulfillment of 1 Chronicles 29:12, which states: ‘Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.’ Jesus is agreeing with what Peter points out. This miracle had nothing to do with any of these fishermen and Peter knew it. This had everything to do with God’s work. So, God always gets the credit.

Jesus is telling Peter to look at a higher expectation for his own life. Jesus is showing him what a life catching fish had prepared him to do now. The same is true for you and me today.

We also are called not simply to be a neighbor or a student or an employee or a club member or even a churchgoer. Each of us has a “sphere of influence”. Yours is different than mine and likely includes people who I will either never meet or who would never listen to what I have to say. Each of us in our personal “sphere of influence” is a disciple and servant of Jesus Christ. Your love for Christ changes everything about you and about your value system. So, we are called to leave it all behind.

In Peter’s case, this actually meant the abandoning of family, house, friends; the life he had known before. For you and me, it has not been that drastic. Yet, because of our love for Christ and because Christ now lives in you (Galatians 2:20), there are certain people you may have dealings with, but they do not make your close circle of friends. What the Holy Spirit, through Luke, is telling you with this final verse is that you will be called out of you “comfort zone”. There are times when you are expected to share the gospel at a time or with a person you do not especially care for. The same is true for me.

When we are called to this as Christians, do we know where we are going? Not generally. Do we know what the future will bring because of our actions and love for Christ? Most often, no. All each of us knows when we are sent to share the gospel is that Jesus is who He says He is. He is Lord. He is God. He has redeemed you and made you a child of your heavenly Father (Galatians 4:4-7). For you and me, that is all we need to know.[4]

With trusting hearts, each of you has turned your backs on any other life and has followed your Savior. By God’s grace, you have comforted those in need and given them faith (grieving/sickness and hard times of life). You have taught others the faith and led them to Christ (Sunday School/child raising). It is this amazing love of Jesus Christ who died for your sins that you will ‘dwell in the house of the Lord forever’ (Psalm 23:6) rather than be lost forever.

And so it is as we prayed in the Introit Psalm:
‘Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commandments! …
Wealth and riches are in his house,
and His righteousness endures forever. …
He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
he has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his horn is exalted in honor.’ (Psalm 112:1, 3, 7-9)

All is yours because in faith, you are that righteous man. Your are the one the Psalmist refers to and praises the Lord for. This is all true for you because of the great and amazing love of God in Christ Jesus our Savior. You and I have left our selfish life behind and now live for Christ and His kingdom. ‘Praise the LORD!’ Jesus, because you say so, I will!

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations, p. 47. Entry #169.
[2] Ibid, p. 105. Entry #474.
[3] The Lutheran Study Bible, p. 1716 note on 5:1-11.
[4] See Lutheran Hour Ministries website for their sermon on this text http://www.lhm.org/.