Sermon for Christmas 1 / Commemoration of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

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Jesu Juva

“Move on from Christmas? Never!”

Text: John 21:20-25; Revelation 1:1-6; 1 John 1:1-2:2

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The gifts have all been opened. The lights are starting to be turned off. I saw a tree out for the trash already. The music on the radio has gone back to the usual fare. Valentines candy is out in the stores. And all the talk now is on New Years - what celebrations will be taking place, how, and the hope the next year will be better than this year. 

The world can’t wait for Christmas to get here, but once it does, it moves on quickly to the next thing. Which is too bad.

But not so the Church. And not only because our Christmas celebration lasts for the twelve days of the Christmas season, but because the Church never moves on from Christmas. Because the Word who became flesh, as we heard and rejoiced in two days ago, still is. And always will be. For the Word of God, the Son of God, didn’t just wear our flesh for a while and then cast it off once He was done with it, like a costume or some dirty clothes - He became flesh. He became this - one of us. This is who Jesus, our Saviour, now is - God and man in one person, united for eternity.

Which is good news for us! That there is hope for us. That our human flesh will live for eternity as well. That as John preached in the reading from Revelation this morning, Jesus is the firstborn of the dead - not the only, but the first. The first of many more. Of all who have been freed from our sins by his blood. His blood not only shed on the cross, but born into this world at Christmas. 

So while December 25 comes at the end of a calendar year, it is the start of eternity for us. Jesus’ birth into this world for our birth into the next.

So the Church never moves on from Christmas. It’s simply too important. It’s why Luther called the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper the manger in which Jesus lies for us today - His Christmas Body and Blood, once dead but now risen, now here for us. But the same Body and Blood. Do this, Jesus said, in remembrance of that, of Me. 

But while the Church never moves on from Christmas, we do hear the rest of the story which Christmas begins. We do move onto Epiphany and Lent and Easter - but building on the story, not leaving anything behind. Not moving onto the next big thing, but unfolding, unpacking the story. And the Apostle and Evangelist John, who we are commemorating today, helps us do that uniquely. He is the only New Testament writer with three kinds of writings for us. Luke has two - a Gospel named for him and the history told us in the book of Acts. Paul wrote the most letters, or Epistles. But only John has a Gospel, three Epistles, and the apocalyptic book of Revelation. So we heard from John three times today - the only time in the Church year that ever happens. And from John we hear many things we would not know had John not included them. There was certainly no shortage of things to write about Jesus’ life! As John told us, if one were to write everything Jesus did, the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. And we would not have the time to read them all.

So what is included, must be important. Must have something to tell us, teach us. 

So what to learn today, from the verses we heard from John - especially these verses we heard about the saying that spread among the disciples that John (called here the disciple whom Jesus loved) was not going to die? What can we possibly learn from an intra-disciple misunderstanding, and perhaps even jealousy?

Jealousy, I say, because right before these verses that we heard today, Jesus tells Peter how he was going to die; by what kind of death he was to glorify God (John 21:19). That is, how he would be martyred; killed for his preaching Christ. Which, quite frankly, shouldn’t have been a surprise. Jesus had told them before that they would be thrown out of the synagogues and killed by those who thought that by such actions they were serving God (John 16:2).

But still, it is a shock to us. To hear of death. Like Peter, we all know we’re going to die. But we do not know the when, or the where, or the how. Imagine you were told that - how you were going to die, but not the when or the where. Would you like to know that? Or, that you were going to die a martyr’s death and so glorify God by your death? Or would you, like Peter, say to Jesus: Uh, Lord, I’d like to return my gift? I’d like his gift - of not dying! Yes, I think that’d be better for me!

But as John correctly points out, Jesus didn’t say he wasn’t going to die. But God has different plans for each of us. He doesn’t treat us all the same. Because while He loves us all the same, we’re all different, and love takes that into account. What’s good for you might not be good for me. What I can handle you might not be able to handle. What you need isn’t what I need. And so God, in His perfect wisdom and love, doesn’t give us all the same things. We don’t have all the exact same presents under the tree, all wrapped exactly the same way, all identical! That’s not love. That’s indifference. That’s uncaring. That’s . . . whatever. And so that’s not God. God is never whatever, indifferent, or uncaring. And so to each of us, what is exactly right for us.

To which we might object, like Peter, and say: not fair! Which, maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s better. Better than fair. Maybe it’s good - like how God created all things in the beginning before we messed it all up with our sin! Maybe it’s love - like how God is restoring the creation that we messed up. And still do.

So Jesus treated John differently than Peter. And John and Peter differently than you. And you differently than me. And that’s good. 

But while there are some gifts that Jesus distributes differently, there are some He gives to us all. John wants you to know that, too. And chief among those is the forgiveness of sins. He does not withhold that from anyone! 

We heard some familiar words about that this morning; words that we use in our liturgy at times. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And then this too: if anyone does sin, - Anyone! No limitation on that. Anyone! - we have an advocate with the Father, - someone who will stand up for us, and stand in for us - Jesus Christ the righteous. That is, Jesus the Christ, the Word made flesh. He is the propitiation - the atoning sacrifice - for our sins, and not for ours only - for only a few - but also for the sins of the whole world. So there is one Christmas gift for all the same. The one we all need. 

And so just as the Church never moves past Christmas, we never move past this gift either - like we don’t need it anymore. John says that too: If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. So if we ever show up one Sunday and say or think: I didn’t sin this week . . . we’re in trouble! It’s not a small thing to call God a liar. But the opposite error is just as bad. If we show up and say or think: I sinned too much this week - there isn’t forgiveness for me. There is. When John said that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, he didn’t say: oh, except you! Except that one! Whole world means whole world, and each and every one of your sins. No matter how big or how little. That baby in the manger grew up to bear them all on His cross. 

Which is why we don’t move on from Christmas or this gift, but every week the Divine Service begins with the Confession and Absolution, and then most often we sing the song the angels sang at Jesus’ birth - the Gloria in Excelsis!For the gift we need, is the gift given, and the gift received. That whenever we die, wherever we die, and however we die - whether like Peter, a martyrs death, or like John, after a long life - our flesh will live eternally. The glory of Christmas that the world moves so quickly past will be ours without end.

And with such a gift, John says, we have something special here; a fellowship here. Which we call the Church. And fellowship means much more than that we simply like each other and hang out together. You may not, in fact, “like” everyone in our church or in the church. But we have this fellowship with each other, in Christ, that transcends that. For the word for fellowship there is the same word that we say in the Creed for the communion of saints, and the communion we have here together. It is to be bonded together in a common thing - a common ONE. In Jesus. In His Christmas flesh. That flesh that we’re baptized into. That flesh that we receive in the Lord’s Supper. That flesh that gifts us the forgiveness of sins. United to Christ like that unites us to one another in a very special way. That whether I “like” you or not, you are my brother, my sister. And so I will love you like that. I will care for you like that. For I will live with you like that forever. Yet another reason why the Church does not, can not, move past Christmas. 

For while Christmas happened at a particular moment in time, when the Word became flesh, it encompasses all of time. For the Word who became flesh is the one, again as John told us today (I told you he says a LOT!), who is and who was and who is to come. The infinite one in finite flesh and blood. 

Or, as John also put it: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands . . . That is, the one who was in the beginning, the Word who was with God and was God, we’ve now heard Him, seen Him, and touched him! No one ever did that before! But Christmas changed everything. Now God has flesh and blood. Which, really, you can’t make this up! It’s too fantastic. Too wonderful. Yet, John says, it’s true. We are the eye witnesses, ear witnesses. And we want you and all the world to know it.

But to know especially this: not to be jealous of us - as perhaps Peter was jealous of the one who didn’t have to die a martyr’s death like he would! - but rather to know that you have something even greater. For while maybe you didn’t get to touch Jesus, He has touched you. He baptized you and made you His own, His child. He puts His Body and Blood into your mouth to holy you with His forgiveness. He washes you with the blood of His forgiveness. And because He has, you have life. A life without end. A gift that neither martyrdom, or old age, or Covid can take away.

So let the world move on from Christmas. We’ll keep it. Because our Lord took our flesh and keeps it, and keeps us. He’s not ashamed of us, or to become one of us. Not at all! Rather, as John tells us, this is His glory (John 1:14). And when we see Jesus - whether it’s in the manger, in the Jordan, or on the cross - we see the glory of God. 

So yes, thank you, we’ll keep Christmas. But even better: our Christmas God will keep us. Forever.

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sermon for the Nativity of our Lord

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Jesu Juva

“The Light that Cannot Be Overcome”

Text: John 1:1-14; Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6

These are familiar words that we just heard. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

These are precious words. 

Words that teach us who Jesus really is - no mere baby and no mere man, but the Almighty, All-knowing, Eternal, Creator God in the flesh. And not just any flesh - our flesh. God become one of us, to save us all.

These are important words.

For as John will say later in His Gospel, there is no other one by which we can be saved. No mere man can save himself, and there is no other God. Only this God, this God-made-flesh for us, to die for us, to die for our sins, can save us from sin and death and give us what only He is and has - eternal life. 

So these are the most important words in all the world. That all need to hear. That God wants all to hear. That all believe in this Saviour come to us and through that faith become children of God. Children born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

So the Christmas story is not just the story of Jesus’ birth, but of our birth - that the Son of God was born a son of man, that we sons of men might be born again as children of God. And so it is a story that takes place not just in Bethlehem, but here, and wherever this word is proclaimed and believed. This Word of God through which the Holy Spirit worked and conceived Jesus in the womb of Mary, and the Word of God through which the Holy Spirit works now to conceive faith in our hearts. The faith of children of God.

So within these words so familiar, so precious, and so important, are other words . . . that maybe get glossed over because of the magnitude of these others. The words about John, who came as a witness. But John is important, because if Jesus was born, lived, died, rose, and ascended, but no one knew about it, it would all be in vain. It would be like Christmas morning with all the gifts under the tree, wrapped just right, but no one opens them. The gifts there, but not received. So, too, an unproclaimed Jesus. Come as God’s gift, but not received.

Which is, in fact, what we heard from John this morning. Jesus, the Word made flesh, was in the world, this world made through Him, His creation, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. 

We need not ask why. We know why. The darkness and blindness of sin. Sin which has devastated us and our world more than we can fathom. It’s what we’re used to. It’s all we know. And so it seems normal, even right. But it’s anything but. And it’s done such a number on us that many look at creation and see not a Creator but an accident that just happened. That many think what God calls good is not good, what God call right is wrong, and what God calls wrong is right. That we fight for and hold onto what doesn’t last, and we let go what does. And that now has many even believing that death is just a part of life. Which is just crazy. 

And so the one in whom is perfection and life came into this world of sin and death. To shine the light of God’s love and forgiveness in this dark, unloving, unforgiving place. And John was sent to bear witness about this light, that all might believe. Which is strange, for you usually don’t need someone to tell you about light - you see it. It’s what enables you to see. Except if you’re blind. Then light doesn’t help you at all. And sin has blinded us.

So John speaks. Bears witness. Words that enter not the eyes but the ears. That we believe what we cannot see. That this baby that looks like any other baby is not like any other, but is the Son of God. That this man that looks like any other man is not like any other, but is the promised Saviour. That this condemned and dead criminal on a cross that looks like any other condemned criminal dead on a cross is not like any other, but the one who was condemned and died for you. That you live. And that while it looked like the darkness overcame the light when Jesus died on the cross, it did not. John was right. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus’ resurrection conquered death and the darkness once and for all.

And so in Jesus, the darkness cannot overcome you either. Maybe at times it feels like it is, looks like it is, seems like it is. But believe the word that enters not the eyes but the ears. The Word that spoke in the beginning and all things came into being. The Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. And the Word that still speaks to you today, making you children of God. A gift that not even death can take away. Even then, the darkness of the grave will not overcome you - you who are in the light.

John speaks this word. Bears witness. The word for that actually is martureo - John martyrs it. Or becomes a martyr for it. For the darkness hates this Word that defeats it, and rages against it. And so it attacks John and kills him. But because of Jesus, with each attack and each death, the darkness doesn’t deepen, but actually becomes less. The darkness cannot destroy the Church of Christ, but is only hastening its own end. Each martyr another light of truth in the darkness. 

Which you are as well. When you answer hate with love, sin with forgiveness, hurt with kindness, evil with good, wrong with right, lies with truth. Wen all this comes upon you, the darkness is not overcoming, not winning - the darkness cannot overcome the light. The light of Christ that lives in you. And so each of you, too, a martureo - a witness to the light.

And so each of you beautiful - reflecting the beauty of Christ and His love and forgiveness. That’s what Isaiah said today:

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation,

who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.

And what better news than the news we proclaim today! The good news that yes, our God reigns. Not just far, far away in heaven, or a long, long time ago in Bethlehem. But here. Now. For all people. For His love and forgiveness is here for all people. Here for you. Here in the Word, the good news, proclaimed. Here in the washing and forgiveness of Baptism. Here in the life and salvation given us in the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Supper. Yes, here, our God reigns against all the raging of the darkness, sin, and death. And the darkness cannot overcome Him.

And so as we also heard from the book of Hebrews this happy morning: Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. His Son speaking to you words of life and love. And you need no others. All you need is in this Word. For if you have this, you have Him. And if you have Him, you have life. No matter what else you have - or not! - in this world, no matter how much or how little, how high or how low you are, you have the greatest gift of all. 

So I made it through this Christmas sermon without mentioning Covid! Oops. Well, almost. But really, it’s just one more thing the darkness is using to try to overcome the light - but it won’t. It can’t. And whatever else comes next, it won’t. It can’t. Because today the light has come into the darkness. The light shines in the darkness. And we rejoice. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we see His glory. And will see it forever. So really and truly, Joy to the World!

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sermon for Christmas Eve

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Jesu Juva

“In Her Heart, In Our Hearts, In God’s Heart”

Text: Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14

Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

What things? All these things. All that had happened over the past nine months. And that was quite a lot! Things that had changed this young woman’s life forever. For which all generations would called her blessed (Luke 1:48b). 

It started when the angel Gabriel came to her and told her that she was going to be a mother. Good news of great joy, certainly! But . . . not after she was married, but before. And . . . not because of her unfaithfulness, but because of her faithfulness. And . . . she was not just going to have a son, but God’s Son, who would not just be her son, but her Saviour. And the Saviour of the world. That’s all something to ponder! That God would do that. And that God would choose her.

Then there was her time with her relative Elizabeth, who was also miraculously with child. She was part of the plan, too. Her son would prepare the way for Mary’s son. And so these two women and their two sons would be forever linked. And she pondered that . . . God’s plan and purpose, all coming together, in them.

After those three months with Elizabeth, she returned home only to find out that her betrothed, Joseph, was planning on divorcing her. Who could blame him? But what would become of her? Wedding dreams turned nightmare. Until the angel came to Joseph, too, and told him of the plan. He, too, was needed. He, too, was important. He would be the guardian of God’s Son, his own Saviour. And so Joseph remained faithful to his pledge. He cared for Mary. He cared for her son as his own. And Mary pondered . . . God had planned for this, too.

Then came the news that Caesar Augustus decided a tax would be a good thing, and everyone would have to go to the city of their family’s origin to be enrolled and pay this tax. By this time, Mary was very pregnant. It would not be an easy trip. And they weren’t wealthy. But they had no choice. So off they went, to Bethlehem - a trip that would not soon leave her mind! That she would ponder again and again. At least there would be family there they could stay with . . . right? 

Well, turns out, no. All the guest rooms were already filled. But there was a spot, with the animals. It wasn’t much, but they could have it if they wanted it. Not the delivery room Mary expected nine months ago, but beggars can’t be choosers. At least it would be warm there, with the animals. And so her son was born, and she laid him in the manger that was there. A tough way to start a life! But nothing about her son’s life would be easy, she would learn . . . and pondered in her heart.

But still Mary had more to ponder, for God wasn’t done yet. Still had more up His divine sleeve. For the angels had come back again, this time to shepherds, to announce to them the birth of their Saviour. And they came to see Him. Today, with all of our security, they wouldn’t have gotten near Him! But then, they did. And they marveled. Not just at a baby, but at their Lord, like this! Come for them. Come to save them. And Mary pondered this - not just the shepherds, but all that God was doing. Nine months that all led up to this day, this moment. 

But more than nine months, actually. Thousands of years of prophets, priests, and kings, all leading to this day, this moment. This moment that not only changed her life forever, but would change the world forever.

That’s a lot to think about! To ponder!

So how about you? What are all the things you are keeping and pondering in your hearts? 

Christmas brings many memories, many thoughts, old and new. Maybe for you there are lots of old memories, of Christmases past. Maybe you are pondering a loved one who isn’t with you this Christmas. Or maybe a loved one who is with you for the first time this year. Perhaps you are pondering an uncertain future, or rejoicing in the blessings and gifts you have received. Like Mary, there is certainly no shortage of things for us to ponder - of the past, present, and future. Of joys and sorrows. Of hopes and disappointments.

But Mary didn’t just remember or just think about these things - she pondered them. The Greek word there is things thrown together. Which could either be things thrown together randomly, or things thrown together like following a recipe, making something greater and more delicious than the sum of its parts. Mary knew that’s what it was - the work of God, working something far greater than she knew. Nothing by accident, nothing left to chance. All according to God’s Word and promise. All things working together for good (Romans 8:28), no matter how they might have seemed at the time. Mary pondered that, and marveled at that.

Marveled, because what all this teaches us is that it is not only Mary and you and I who ponder - it is also God. Our Lord pondering us in His heart. That you are always in His heart and on His mind. That what He is doing is not random, but always for you and your salvation. We may not always understand it, how God’s recipe works. It may not make sense to you, how all these ingredients, all these things happening in your life can possibly come together into something good . . . And yet, we see tonight that they do, indeed. That after nine months of mixing and stirring up, after thousands of years of prophecies and actions, to us a child is born, to us a son is given. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The darkness of sin, of confusion, of unbelief, has been lightened by this child, that we see the hand of God, the plan of God, and the mercy and love of God. The recipe just right, and doing something far greater than we could imagine, or which we could hope for.

And so amidst all our ponderings this night, we ponder this, too: the love of God for us this night. The love of God that would cause Him to send His Son into the world like this. The love of God that would cause Him to send His Son to the cross, God and sinners to reconcile, the innocent to die for the guilty, and then rise to give life to the dead. The love of God that would cause Him to send His Son to us still, tonight, as we receive that same Body and Blood born of the virgin Mary, held in her arms, and laid in the manger - now placed into our mouths for the forgiveness of our sins. The forgiveness He won on the cross and the life that sprung forth in His resurrection, now given to you, to each of us. For a life which cannot end.

And ponder how this recipe of God is still happening today. How it has brought you here, to this place, tonight. A random series of events? No. God coming for you, working for you. For always you are in His heart and on His mind. That you receive the greatest gift of all - His Son - by grace through faith. 

That’s a lot to ponder! And marvel at. Just as Mary had so much to ponder, too.

But let me give you one more thing to ponder, and that is how God is now throwing you into the mix, using you in His recipe for others. Just as He blessed Mary and used Mary, just as He blessed Joseph and used Joseph, as we heard from Paul’s letter to Titus tonight, so He also blesses and uses you. A people zealous for good works. For you have pondered God’s recipe in the past, and are zealous to see it in the future. How God is still working all things for good, and using you in that. Maybe you’re just as unlikely as an unmarried virgin to have a baby. Maybe you’re just as unlikely as shepherds to be the first to set eyes on their Saviour. But this night, ponder that as well. With Mary. How the mercy and love of God is still working in you, for you, and through you.

That’s a lot to ponder! To throw together in your heart and mind. But what joy and confidence it brings. To know that God can and is doing all this. For you. And one day, maybe soon, you will get to taste what the Lord has been preparing for you all along; the recipe all this has been leading to - the feast of heaven, which will have no end. We gather for this meal, this night, but knowing that as great as this is, the greater is still waiting for us. 

Ponder that, too! And then whatever else Christmas is for you this year - joy or sorrow, hope or disappointment, alone or with others - it is a night of wonder. The wonder of God born for you. 

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

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Jesu Juva

“Unlikely”

Text: Luke 1:26-38; 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Romans 16:25-27

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let it be to me according to your word. 

Mary said that. In response to the word spoken to her by the angel Gabriel. But Gabriel’s word was really God’s Word. And God’s Word not just spoken then and there, but the Word that had been spoken from the beginning. The Word that promised Adam and Eve a Saviour. The Word that promised Abraham that in his son all the world would be blessed. The Word spoken to David that we heard today, that God would build him a house, and one that would last forever. The Word of all the prophets. The Word of all the psalms. All the Word of God, spoken to so many for so long, now coming together and focused like a laser beam on this one moment in time. All was now being fulfilled. Here. In this most unlikely place, Nazareth, with this most unlikely person, Mary, a virgin, and in this most unlikely way. But nothing is impossible with God. And so it is.

Let it be to me according to your word. 

It didn’t always seem like that Word was going to be fulfilled. After Adam and Eve, things got so bad God had to destroy the world with a flood. Only 8 believers remained. Abraham thought God was taking too long and so decided to “help” by having a son with one of his servants. But that didn’t work out too good. And not long after God spoke that wonderful promise to David that we heard today, that the Lord would build him a house, and his throne would be established forever, David’s house and life crumbled to the ground. David’s sin corrupting it from within, and his son’s attacking it from without. And that’s not to mention the slavery in Egypt, the wandering in the wilderness, the battles with the Philistines, Syrians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, their exile and scattering . . .

You know what it’s like. This sin-filled world. Lots of people give you their word and . . . well, what happens is not according to their word. Spouses break their marriage vows to each other. Friends reveal secrets they promised they wouldn’t. Children promise to do their chores . . . parents promise to be there, but something came up . . . I know you’ve been the victim of broken words. I also know you’ve been the one to break your word. 

But so it will be in families filled with sinners. They’re going to sin and let us down. So it will be in churches filled with sinners, and friendships with sinners, and with neighbors who are sinners - they’re going to act like sinners. We wish it would be to me according to your word, but we know there’s a good chance it won’t. And maybe that’s happened to you so much, that’s what you now expect. And it’s hard for you to trust anyone anymore. Maybe even God.

Because don’t you wonder sometimes . . . God promised to hear your prayers, to provide, to protect, to bless . . . but it doesn’t seem to be happening! There’s still Covid. There’s still death. There’s still sin, and disappointment, and troubles, and hurt, and pain . . . So maybe God’s words are just that - just words. That’s what the devil wants you to think, and believe. That the Word of God is just like any other word in this world, and that God’s like any other person in this world - sooner or later, He’s going to let you down.

So there’s something Gabriel said that’s pretty important, and it’s the last thing he said: For nothing will be impossible with God. Which is certainly true! But if you translate the words he spoke there rather woodenly from the Greek, you get this: For not impossible, or not without power, is every word that comes from God, that has its origin in God. That’s a bit stronger. Or in other words, God’s Word is not like any other word. The words we speak are just words that we hope to back up and put power behind and fulfill, but often don’t or can’t or won’t. But the Word of God is not like that. The Word of God carries within it the power of God, the Spirit of God. So when God speaks, there is power at work. When God’s speaks, it is impossible for what He speaks not to happen.

Now, if our words had that kind of power, that would be scary! For how often do we speak words we need to take back? But that God’s Word has that power is not scary, but comforting. That here, finally, is a word we can count on. A word that is utterly reliable. A word that will not let us down, like so many others do.

And then when that Word becomes flesh at Christmas, here is one who will be the same; who is the embodiment of that - someone we can count on, who is utterly reliable, who will not let us down. And Jesus doesn’t let us down. He fulfills every Word of Scripture, including going to the cross. Just as was promised to Adam and Eve, Abraham, David, and now promised to Mary. To be the Saviour of Adam, Eve, Abraham, David, Mary . . . and you. That the Word of God happen for you.

That Word of God happened for Mary, which is why she could say what she said. Let it be to me according to your word didn’t come from her - she could say that because every word that comes from God has power. And so the Word that Gabriel spoke worked its power in Mary’s heart, and gave her the faith to speak. To believe that in this unlikely place, with this unlikely person, and in this unlikely way, God’s was fulfilling His promise to the world.

Unlikely. But that’s the way of it with God, isn’t it? Using unlikely people in unlikely ways to do His extraordinary work. Which makes it clear that it’s His work. In you, for you, and through you for others. And using unlikely things as well - like water and bread and wine . . . and a virgin to bear a son. His powerful Word making these the means of His grace. The means through which His Son comes to a world beaten down and beaten up by sin, death, and the devil, to redeem and save that world. To redeem and save you.

Because that’s also the way of it with God. In the Scriptures there is occasionally the big, mass event - like the Feeding of the 5,000 or the Day of Pentecost. But more often than not, God works one person at a time. Coming to a Moses in a burning bush. Coming to a Paul on his way to Damascus. Coming to a centurion in his house. Coming to you through the water and Word of Baptism. The Word and promises the same, but each person different, and important. To hear His Word of forgiveness and life, the gifts He has for you. The gifts provided for you by the cross of your Saviour, who there took responsibility for your sins to set you free. That you get not what you deserve, but instead the gifts and promises of God.

That when you break your word, He keeps His - and forgives. When others break their word, He keeps His - and cares for you. Maybe if we think He’s not, it’s because we’re looking in the wrong place, not in a Nazareth. Or we’re looking for the wrong people, not a virgin. Or we’re looking for the wrong way, looking for the likely . . . from a God unlike any others.

For what could be more unlikely than the God of all creation dwelling with His people in a tent? Yet that’s where He was. More unlikely than the Almighty God growing in the womb of a virgin? Yet’s that’s where He was. More unlikely than the flesh and blood of God in bread and wine and in your mouth as food and drink. Yet that’s where He is. More unlikely than using persecutors and sinners to proclaim His Word? Yet that, too, His way.

Some people don’t like that. Don’t like an unlikely God. Want a God more like them, doing things their way. The world is full of such gods. Which is exactly the problem! For our ways are sinful ways, selfish ways. We need an unlikely God, different than us, doing His extraordinary work in unlikely ways, with unlikely people, in unlikely places, and with unlikely things.But who has revealed the mystery of His ways to us, that we know it; that we know Him. And through that Word proclaimed and poured and put into your mouths, to work powerfully in you the forgiveness and faith you need. 

So in this year that was so unlike any other in recent memory . . . maybe this was a year perfect for God to do His unlikely work in unlikely ways. Again. For nothing is impossible with God. For not without power is every word that has its origin in God. That like Mary, that Word be what we rely on. That Word be our strength. That Word be our truth, no matter how unlikely it may seem. For if that Word can cause a virgin to conceive and bear a son, it can work its work in you, too. That we say with Mary, Let it be to me according to your word. Let it be . . . Your forgiveness for my sin, Your life for my death, and Your salvation for my condemnation. These are yours, by faith, according to His Word. Through the Word made flesh, the Son of God, born for you, who died for you, and is returning for you. An most unlikely God, doing most unlikely things, for most unlikely you. 

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Advent 3 Midweek Sermon

No audio (sorry!)

Jesu Juva

“Ageless Advent Questions: For Me?”

Text: Isaiah 62:1-12; Luke 2:8-16

For me?

That is a question that will be heard a lot next week as gifts are given and received. For me?

Somewhere along the line, though, many Christians, even churches, stopped asking that question. God was no longer seen as a gift giver, and we as the recipients of His gifts. God became a demanding God; a God who demanded gifts from us.

But gifts can’t be demanded, can they? If they are, they aren’t gifts anymore - but payments. And so it began to be with God. Many viewed what they did as payments to God. Payments for their sins. And so the whole Bible, all of Scripture, was turned upside down.

Because that’s not how the true God is. That’s how false gods are. The Baals of the Old Testament, and the false gods today. False gods today like riches and success, two of the more popular ones, which demand such sacrifice, leave people always striving for more, and for which people often pay with health, family, and happiness. It’s no wonder so many have strayed from the church. If their false gods are making such demands on them, who needs another God making even more! 

But the Scriptures paint quite a different picture. Of a God who gives. And is always giving. Even when He commands, it is so that He can give! Repentance is to give forgiveness. Sacrifices are to give atonement. The Divine Service is to give us Himself. 

Christmas is the time many people wake-up to that - at least a little. For here is a gift that is clearly a gift - the gift of God’s Son, born into the world. That we did nothing for. That we could do nothing for. But a gift from God is only half the picture. The other half is our Ageless Advent Question for tonight: is this gift for me?

So tonight we heard the story of the Bethlehem shepherds, to whom the angels came and said: for you. Fear not, for behold, I bring you - you shepherds! - good news of great joy that will be for all the people. But not just for all people. For unto you - for you shepherds! - is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

You’ve undoubtedly heard those words many times. And familiar words we have a tendency to skip over, because we know them so well. Don’t. Notice that the angel is not only announcing the gift, but that yes, the gift is for you, shepherds. 

Now, I don’t know what you think of shepherds, but throughout the Bible, to be a shepherd was not a job people aspired to. It was looked down on. It was hard, dirty, often lonely work. Shepherds were generally not people you wanted to hang out with. If a shepherd were to ask for me? the answer usually would be a resounding NO!

Except this night. Tonight there was a gift for them. For lowly shepherds. One who would turn out to be a shepherd Himself - the good one, in fact. And who wanted to be one! And had it not been told by angels, the shepherds probably wouldn’t have believed it. Nobody gives gifts to shepherds! Except God. He does. For with God the last are first, the low are high, the poor are rich, the unwanted are wanted, and shepherds are honored. These are the ones perfect for His gifts. The empty that He fills with His gifts of grace and love.

That baby lying in the manger is no demanding God, but a God who - as the angels proclaimed - had come to give . . . to give peace on earth. Peace between God and man. Peace that we throw away with sin, but which forgiveness will restore.

But is this gift really for all people? For me? For after all, didn’t the angels say: and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased? So, not for all people - only those with whom God is pleased?

But that is our old, upside-down thinking creeping back in . . . that we have to do something for this gift. No. The old King James translation of this verse says it this way: and on earth peace, good will toward men. That’s better. Because God’s gifts, God’s peace, is not limited to only a few, but is for all. For me. God’s good will is for all people. For all people to be His children.

And so in the reading from Isaiah tonight we heard that the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth. There is no one He does not want to hear this Word. And what were the words Isaiah proclaimed? He is the prophet of the word of the virgin birth (ch 7), the word of a light in this dark world of sin (ch 9), the word of a branch that would grow from the stump of Jesse (ch 11), the word of God’s servant who comes and suffers the punishment our sins deserved (ch 53). And this word, too, as we heard tonight: that as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. 

Let those words soak in for a moment. God is not disappointed in you or mad at you or demanding from you, but rejoices over you like a bridegroom over his bride! How can that be? It must be a gift.

Those shepherds that night near Bethlehem got that. They heard the for you of the angels. We hear it, too. And need to keep hearing it! For when you sin, when you fall again, when you fail, when you aren’t the person you know you should be, satan will be right there, whispering in your ear, that this is not for you! You don’t deserve it. 

And maybe you’ve turned to God and asked: is this really for me? If so, you’re not the first, and you won’t be the last. But during this Advent season, the answer to that question is a resounding YES! For you. Who else? For Jesus is a Saviour not for those who do not need a Saviour, but exactly for those who do. For you. For shepherds, for fishermen, for tax collectors, for adulterers, for prostitutes, for lepers, for the weak, for the low, for the outcast, for the forgotten, for the ignored, for the homeless, for the hungry, for the cold, for the unloved, for the deplorables, for the struggling, for the hopeless, for the left behind, for the fatherless, for the widow, for the downtrodden . . . for you. 

So when you hear that question asked this year - For me? - smile. A smile of faith. And know that whatever gifts you do or do not receive, this gift of God is for you. From the one who came to be your shepherd. To do that job no one else would do - to die for you. Which is the best gift of all. Or as they angels put it: For unto you - yes, you! - is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent

LISTEN

Jesu Juva

“The Prophet of Joy”

Text: John 1:6-8, 19-28; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

John the Baptist, the prophet of  . . . joy!

Bet you didn’t see that coming. Joy is not what we often associate with John. He is the fiery preacher of repentance. Most pictures of John show him very serious and stern.

Well, I’m sticking to my guns. John is the prophet of joy.

For even though his father Zechariah at first doubted the message of the angel Gabriel that he and Elizabeth were going to have a son, when John finally came, he and Elizabeth were filled with joy.

The first time we meet John in the Scriptures, what is he doing? He leaps for joy in his mother’s womb at hearing the voice of the mother of his Lord.

When later John points to Jesus and proclaims Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), how do you think he said that? All serious and somber, or with all the joy of finding something you’ve been looking for and waiting for for a long time? Jumping up and down with joy! Look! Everyone! There He is! The Lamb of God! He’s here! Finally!

And even when he preached repentance, can’t that be joyful, too? We say that very thing, actually, in a couple of our liturgies, that with repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by Jesus (Divine Service Settings 1 and 2, LSB, p. 161, 178). Not that the repenting itself is joyful, confessing your sin and that you’re a dirty rotten sinner. But that you repent in order to hear the word spoken by the Lamb of God to you: I forgive you all your sin! Words that should fill us with joy.

And they do. When spoken by your pastor here, from one spouse to another, between a parent and child, or between friends - I forgive you means that what was between us, what divided us, is no longer. We’re good. Joyful words. Both to the guilty, the one who caused the problem, and the one able to speak those words. Gift words, really. 

Because without those words, how exhausting would life be? Always having to make up for your mistakes. Always trying to get on someones good side. Always having to prove yourself. And always afraid to mess up again (which we always do, right?), and then having to start all over again! And not only with one another, but all this also with God? 

So what joy, what relief, these words bring! I forgive you. 

That is why John was baptizing. To give this joy. We heard that last week, that his was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). That’s why the priests and Levites from Jerusalem came out to him and confronted him, as we heard today. If he was just getting people to confess their sins and then pouring a little water over them . . . well, that’s no big deal. But a baptism for the forgiveness of sins? Just who do you think you are, John?

Because you can’t just forgive people, John! Everybody knows that! Everybody knows that sinners have to prove themselves first, clean themselves up first, stop sinning first, and get better. Then they can be forgiven. But for you, John, all they do is repent? It doesn’t work that way!

Well, somebody forgot to give God that memo, because that’s exactly how forgiveness works! That’s exactly why it brings such great joy. Because it is a gift. Undeserved and unearned. Because of the one - the one greater than John - who came and earned it for us. The Lamb of God, the Son of God, who laid down His perfect, sinless life for all of our imperfect, sinful lives, took the punishment and wrath we deserve, and in return said: Father, forgive them (Luke 23:34). 

Now if there was any joyless place on earth, it would be the cross, right? But forgiveness even changes the cross, for in the book of Hebrews (12:2) we hear that Jesus for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. Not that hanging on the cross was a joyful thing! But why He was there and what He was accomplishing, was. And because of that joy, the joy of forgiving your sins, He hung there and endured that. For you. For you to receive that gift and joy from Him.

And that that’s what Jesus is all about is why there’s always joy around Jesus. Did you ever notice that? Angels, shepherds, and wise men rejoice at His birth. Simeon and Anna rejoice when He is brought to the Temple. Sinners, outcasts, lepers, tax collectors, all rejoice in Him and His forgiveness. And so, too, John the Baptist. His is a most joyous task. Making straight the way of the Lord. For the way of the Lord is the joy of forgiveness.

And it’s been that way from the very beginning. For after the very first sin, what did God do? He promised a Saviour. And do you think there might have been just a little bit of joy that day for Adam and Eve when God did not utterly reject them or destroy them, but instead promised them one who would undo what they did? Now, there were consequences for their sin, to be sure. They messed up. We mess up. But to make it right is not on you, but on another. They’d have to wait a long time for Him to come, trusting the promise of God that He would . . . and then they time came. Just the right time. And the joy of announcing that, proclaiming that, and preparing the way for Him was given to John.

So when those priests and Levites who came to him that day, challenging him and asking him just who he thought he was . . . well, I love John’s answer! He could have said: I am the son of Zechariah the priest, and Elizabeth, a daughter of Aaron, and so a priest and Levite just like you guys. But he didn’t. Instead, he said who the Word of God said he was: the prophet of joy. The one who came to announce that the long-awaited Saviour is here! And to prepare His way.

And what John did, you now do, too. No, not baptize! But know that who you are is who the Word of God says you are. Yes, when people ask you who you are you tell them your name, and your last name tells a lot about you, and maybe your profession is who you are too. I am a pastor, an attorney, a service member. Or maybe you think you are who other people say you are - whether you’re worth anything or not. But truly who you are and who you will be forever is what the Word of God said to you when you were baptized - you are a forgiven child of God. 

And that’s why Saint Paul could advise us today, as we heard in his letter to the Thessalonian Christians, to rejoice always. And I’m sure you’ve wondered: how exactly does one do that? How do you rejoice when life is tough, when difficulties seem overwhelming, when the plans you made for your life aren’t working out, when the doctor gives you bad news, when the world seems to keep plunging deeper and deeper into sin and against God, when the future is uncertain, when . . . you fill in the blank. At just such times, rejoice always seems like such a irrelevant and silly - and even maddening! - platitude. Like someone telling you to just “Smile, be happy!” when that’s the last thing on earth you feel like doing!

No, you cannot always rejoice at what is happening in the world and what is happening in your life, but you can always rejoice in who you are: a forgiven child of God. And rejoice that that’s true in good times, bad times, and all times. That the gifts and promises God gives He does not take back. They’re yours. It is His joy to give them, to give you joy. A joy that can get you through all those other times. For as Saint Paul also said there: He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. And that faithfulness is something to rejoice in.

And so we lit the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath today - the joy candle. Because while Advent is a season of repentance, it is also a season of joy. The joy of the coming Saviour. On this Third Sunday of Advent, we recognize that our remembrance of His birth is close now. And great will be our joy on that day! Christmas Day. But we also recognize that His second coming is also closer - and even greater will be our joy on that day as well. When the promises made to us in baptism are finally and fully fulfilled, when we rise to that new life, freed from all sin, to live in holiness and righteousness forever. 

That’s why Christmas, after all. Jesus was born into our life here, so that we might be born again into His life there. That was John’s joy. That is our joy. And so we rejoice, always. We rejoice when we repent, to hear of that gift, that word of forgiveness. We rejoice when we forgive, to give the gift we ourselves have been given. And we rejoice when we come to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus - from the manger to the cross to your mouth and mine - and pray that what goes in may also come out: the forgiveness and joy of the Lord. 

So next time you think of John, don’t think of him as that strict, somber, serious guy who never smiled, who just called people out, who just made people feel bad and behave better - but rather, John as the prophet of joy. Who brought the joy of the Lord and His forgiveness to so many . . . even to us today, so many centuries later. Every Advent season, announcing to us, proclaiming to us the great joy that our Saviour is here! That His forgiveness is here, for you. 

So that wherever you are, even if it’s out in a wilderness like John - your life in a pretty rough place or a pretty rough time right now - you remember who you are, who your baptism made you - a forgiven child of God. And rejoice in that. And not just one day a year, but every day. Because it’s true everyday. The Lord’s Christmas gift to you.

In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.