Sermon for Lent 5 Midweek Vespers

LISTEN

Jesu Juva

“Angels of the Passion: Just One Little Word”

Text: 2 Kings 6:8-23; Hebrews 9:11-22; Matthew 26:47-56

 

You humans are always panicking! It seems like you’re always upset or in a tizzy about something. Don’t you know there’s nothing in your world that is greater than our Father? Don’t you know there’s nothing in your world that our Father can’t handle? Oh, I know you know that. Up here [pointing to head], but maybe not always down here [pointing to heart]. You know what the Scriptures say, but your sinful nature makes it hard for you to believe. So you panic. 

Like Elisha’s servant did. You heard that story tonight. Our Father was protecting Israel from the Syrian army. Every time they came out to strike Israel, our Father would tell Elisha, and Elisha would tell the king, and the king would avoid where the Syrian army was. But the one time when the Syrian army comes out in force and surrounds the city where Elisha is, his servant panics! What are we gonna do? Look at all the horses and chariots and how many soldiers are around us! 

But Elisha didn’t panic. He knew we were there. We, the army of angels that our Father always uses to protect you. Just ‘cause you can’t see us doesn't mean we’re not there! And then our Father opened the eyes of the servant and let him see us - that while the Syrian army was large and had the city surrounded, we were an even larger force and had them surrounded! They were nothing compared to us. All our Father had to do is speak just one little word and we would have swooped down and wiped them out faster than you could say boo-yah! We’re always ready to fight. We’re warriors, after all. 

But our Father didn’t need us to. He did something even more wonderful than that. He had Elisha makes friends with the Syrian army! He got them into the city of Samaria and instead of destroying them, slaughtering them, he fed them a great feast. And they stopped raiding Israel. Our Father knows exactly what to do! And what is best. And though I wasn’t there at the end because our Father had already reassigned me, I’ll bet Elisha turned to his servant and asked, Why were you so afraid?

Which is the same question I would have asked Peter when he panicked and started swinging his sword all over the place when Judas came out with the soldiers and officers to arrest Jesus. It was kind of the same situation that Elisha and his servant had been in. This great crowd with swords and clubs came out to the Garden of Gethsemane and surrounded Jesus and the eleven disciples. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and then the soldiers laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And Peter panicked. Now, the words you heard tonight from Matthew didn’t finger the disciple who did that as Peter, but John (who was there) says in his Gospel that it was Peter. And he drew blood, cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest. 

But then Jesus said: STOP! And for two reasons. First, because just like in the days of Elisha, there may have been a great crowd with swords and clubs surrounding Jesus and His disciples, but there was an even greater army of angels surrounding them! Jesus knew it. And all He had to do was say just one little word . . . 

But He wouldn’t. And this is the second reason, kind of in three parts. He didn’t call on us because He didn’t want to destroy that great crowd that came out to arrest Him, He came to save them. He loved them, even if they didn’t love Him. And He didn’t call on us because He came to fulfill the Scriptures, which said it must go down like this. That Jesus would be treated as a criminal and crucified. But most of all, and what Peter didn’t understand, was that He didn’t call on us because if any blood was going to be shed this night, it was going to be Jesus’ blood. For that’s the blood that needed to be shed, for the life of the world. So Jesus tells Peter to put his puny little sword away, and then Jesus healed the servant’s ear (Luke wrote about that).

Now, I’ll admit, I didn’t like standing by and watching this happen. Me and twelve legions of my brother angels, filling the area all around Gethsemane! But just like at the time of Elisha, our Father always knows exactly what to do and what is best. And as you all know, He had something even more wonderful in mind than wiping out that crowd. It might not have seemed like it at the time, having His Son arrested, abused, and then crucified! But how else would He defeat sin and death? How else would you be saved from sin and death? It had to be. Because as you heard tonight from the Scriptures, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. 

And not just any blood. The blood of God. The death of the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. 

For that’s what that phrase, the shedding of blood, really means. It doesn’t mean just bleeding, like Jesus could have cut himself open, bled a bit, and then healed back up. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). There has to be death to pay for sin. A death for every sin. And Jesus came to do that. His death for every sin. Only He could do that.

Under the Old Covenant, there was the blood of goats and calves and bulls and lambs - sometimes thousands at a time! Oh, the Tabernacle and the Temple were bloody places! But it never ended. There were always more sins, so always more sacrifices. And it was only in mercy that our Father allowed all those goats and calves and bulls and lambs to be substitutes for the people. They were the ones that should have died! But as one of the prophets said, our Father has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live (Ezekiel 33:11). So He provided these substitutes.

But they were only temporary! They weren’t the real thing. Jesus was. He had to shed His blood and die to fulfill the Old Covenant, to fulfill what all those goats and calves and bulls and lambs couldn’t do, and to bring into effect, to inaugurate, the New Testament, with His blood. And with His blood there is an eternal redemption - the price paid for all eternity; and so also an eternal inheritance - Jesus giving His kingdom and life and sonship to you. 

It’s pretty remarkable! That the eternal Son of God would do that for you, and for you, and for you - for all of you! And it’s what made the traitor, my evil former brother, so mad! God shouldn’t do that for you dirtlings! (Pardon my French! But remember, that’s what he calls you.) He thinks you’re not worth it. You’re just . . . dirt! And, I sadly have to admit, from what I’ve seen, you often act like it! But still, he’s wrong, my evil former brother. You are worth it to our Father. He loves you so much! He loves all that He has created, but especially you because you are the crown of His creation. 

So we were there, at the ready, all twelve legions of us, and more! But Jesus wouldn’t ask for us. Wouldn’t say just one little word. He would do this. He would fulfill the Scriptures, He would save these lost people who came out against Him, and He would die. So the Son of God allows Himself to be arrested. You think they could have if He didn’t let them? Right! And He allows them to beat Him, and mock Him, and spit on Him, and put Him on trial, and then abuse Him, whip Him, and crucify Him. And then remember what He said on the cross? He wouldn’t utter just one little word to help Himself, but He would for you! Father, forgive them (Luke 23:34) is what He said. And that “them” includes you. Really! That’s Jesus. 

So whatever is going on in your life, if it seems like devils all the world should fill, scowling at you, and all eager to devour you (LSB #656) - tremble not, don’t panic. Your victory has been won! You belong to our Father. You have been redeemed by the Son. And He has given you His Spirit. Your life is eternal, and so is your inheritance. The cross is your reality now, and from what I’ve seen, it can get pretty heavy! But the day of resurrection is coming. The glory is coming. So don’t lose hope and don’t give in! The days got pretty dark for the disciples, too. That Friday night, Jesus dead and buried. That looong Saturday, sad, hiding, wondering, second-guessing, guilt-ridden, afraid. But then Sunday came . . . and, well, you know! Everything changed! You’re going to celebrate that soon, I know. So, I’ll be back to talk to you then, for I was there! It was awesome.

So until then, don’t panic. You’re in good hands. Nail-pierced hands. The hands of God, your Saviour.

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

Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

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Jesu Juva

“The Story Continues . . .”

Text: Luke 20:9-20; Isaiah 43:16–21; Philippians 3:4b-14

 

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

Last week, we heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son. A parable which ends unfinished. We are left wondering whether the older son ever came in to celebrate his younger brother’s return. So this week, I want to finish that story, that Parable, if I may, using today’s Parable, which I think will help us gain a new appreciation for today’s parable . . .

So as you remember from last week’s Parable, the younger son returns to his father, and in his joy, the father throws a lavish party. Which makes the older son mad. Mad and jealous. And the father says to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. Which is, in fact, true. He had two sons. The younger already got his portion of the inheritance, so now all that’s left belongs by right to the older son. So he’s apparently not just mad and jealous, but greedy, too. Don’t go wasting my inheritance with a lavish party for your son, my now-disowned brother.

Now, a few years go by. The father is getting older, can’t do as much, getting tired, so the older son begins to take on more and more responsibility. He’s really pretty much running things now, and time hasn’t healed all wounds - he’s still estranged from his brother, though he lives on his land. He can’t throw him out until the old man dies. So as long as his father has what he needs, the old codger is giving him a long rope, letting him run things as he sees fit. And he is . . . and taking advantage of it. 

So . . . things begin to slip a bit. He taking those young goats he accused his father of not letting him have and partying a little too much with his friends. And not just goats, but fatted calves, and good wine . . . living the good life he criticized his younger brother for. The inheritance really isn’t his yet, but, you know, just about. The old man’s gonna kick the bucket soon. 

But much to his surprise - and consternation - his father begins noticing this. So the father sends one of his faithful servants to his older son for some of the harvest, and an accounting of things. But the older son tells him to shove off! So he sends another trusted servant - servants, remember, that are loyal and faithful to him because he has treated them so well all these years - and the older son not only sends him back empty-handed, but with a few bruises as well. Then when yet another servant shows up from the father, the older son has just about had it with the old coot’s meddling! So he abuses that one even worse. You know, as a warning: Stay in your lane, old man!

Well, the father, of course, is upset. This is not how he raised his son! So finally, he sends the younger son, thinking: he will respect my son. But, of course, he doesn’t! So when the younger son shows up, his older brother is done with all this nonsense and does what he wanted to do all along - gets rid of that pest, that thorn in his flesh, that leech, that will-never-amount-to-anything brother of his! He kills him. Now, when the old man goes, no worries! Freedom! It’s all his.

Now at this point, Jesus asks a question: What then will the owner of the vineyard do? And then He answers His own question: He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others. That’s the logical thing. The chief priests and scribes and elders are horrified, because they know Jesus is telling this parable against them, so they respond: Surely not! But it’s the logical thing. And then Jesus uncorks the punchline: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the new thing Isaiah had prophesied about. So here’s how to think of that . . . back to my story . . . 

The older son finally got rid of his brother. Everything’s falling into place. It won’t be long now . . . except something unexpected happens . . . something he didn’t plan for . . . something no one could have guessed . . . his younger brother comes back to life. And unbeknownst to the older brother, the younger brother had been doing quite well. In fact, buying up his older brother’s land! It really belonged to him! So when the younger brother shows up and shows his murderous older brother the deed to all his property . . . after getting over the shock of seeing his younger brother alive, the older brother knows he’s sunk! Time for revenge! What goes around, comes around.

But instead of revenge, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Instead of revenge, the younger brother forgives! 

Now, the older brother has a choice to make: receive the forgiveness and love and generosity of his brother and live on his land. OR, stay stubborn, reject his brother’s love, and in the end, incur his wrath. Or in other words, to put it in Jesus’ words that we heard today, fall over this stone, be broken, swallow his pride, and live. OR, stay unrepentant and have this stone crush him. And as you heard, the chief priests and scribes chose the latter. They sought to lay hands on him at that very hour . . . they watched him and sent spies . . . and tried to catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 

Now, I wanted to fuse these two parables together like this so that you’d understand just how mind-blowing and utterly surprising this parable we heard today is. I think we hear about Jesus’ forgiveness so much that we maybe take it for granted. But that the Son of God, who was not just slain, but crucified because of our sins, would then rise from the dead and forgive! No revenge, just love and care and forgiveness . . . I mean, really? Can you wrap your mind around that? Is that not mind-blowing? 

It is so much to some people that they cannot believe it. It cannot be true. The apostle Paul was one of those people. He started out down the path of the older brother, of the chief priests and scribes. He was going to make it on his own! He was doing everything right, and more than right - he was the best of the best! Until he tripped over the cornerstone . . . until Jesus showed him it was all rubbish, his accomplishments worthless in God’s sight. So what would he do? Continue to resist? Double down? Stick to his guns? And be crushed in the end? OR be broken, swallow his pride, repent, and live in the joy of Christ’s forgiveness? Well, you know the answer. And he went on to be used by God in great and wonderful ways.

But now the same question is for you and me. What will you do? How will you be? Trip and fall, be broken, swallow your pride, and repent? OR resist and end in the be crushed? The choice seems easy, you’re here after all! Confessing and repenting, like we all did once again at the beginning of the service. But did you do that more in word than in deed? Was it more of the mind but not so much of the heart? And when the service is over, do you continue in your old sin and rebellion? Impure thoughts and desires, damaging words, hurtful deeds? Mad at your brother or sister in Christ? Selfishly insisting your way or the highway? Judging, spiteful, jealous, unforgiving? 

If you see any of that older brother in yourself, as I see it in myself, good. Face plant here once again in repentance, and receive again the forgiveness of your brother and Saviour. And as the Father embraced His Son and the Son embraces you, be built - in your thoughts, desires, words, and deeds - in the kingdom of your Father, on the cornerstone of Jesus. A living stone in His Church (1 Peter 2:5). A member of His Body, with His Body and Blood in you, changing you and conforming you into His image. That the old sinner in you grow weaker, and the new Christ-man in you grow stronger. 

And then, as Paul said and did, forgetting what lies behind - forgetting the past sins you committed, for they have been forgiven, and forgetting the sins committed against you, not dredging them up to use them as weapons and re-igniting that bitterness and rage in your heart - forgetting what lies behind, all that, look forward to what lies ahead, the goal, the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Or in other words, don’t let the past ruin the present and make you miss the future. Rather, as we’ve been singing this whole Lenten season, fix your eyes on Jesus (Gradual). On Christ crucified for you. Who endured the cross for you. Who despised the shame for you. And who, risen from the dead, is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, for you. To rule all things for your good and for your salvation. 

Next week, we’re going to hear how the chief priests and scribes did what they wanted and delivered Jesus over to the governor. How they killed the Son of the Father, but how in that very death and resurrection, He became the cornerstone of the Church, accomplishing the salvation of the world. And if God can do that, can He not also do that in your life? Give life. Work good, even in difficulty. Raise you up. Accomplish your salvation. Whatever is going on. Whatever you are facing. We not only know that He can, but He has promised to do so! 

So come now and receive the Body and Blood of the Son, the Body and Blood that was crucified for you, then raised for you, and now lives in you with His forgiveness and life. The inheritance is yours! The love of the Father is yours! And then go and live - at home, at work, wherever you are - with His peace and joy. Freely giving as you have freely received.

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

The Congregation at Prayer

For the Week of Lent 5 (April 7-12, 2025)

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

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Deuteronomy 32:36a – “The Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #442 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”

Hymns for Sunday: 442, 422, 438, 454 (vs. 1-4 ONLY), 619, 444, 441, 440

Readings for the Week: [The readings for Thursday-Saturday are the Scriptures for this coming Sunday.]

Monday: Psalm 118:19–29

Jesus is our salvation, cornerstone, light, sacrifice – what else? How is He all these things? What is our response to this?

Tuesday: Zechariah 9:9-12

What kind of king is Jesus – a king or war or a king of peace? Does Jesus demand or give? How? Why? How much?!

Wednesday: Luke 19:28-40

The colt knew, the people knew, even the stones would know (!) who Jesus is. Who didn’t know? (Or refused to know!) Why?

Thursday: Deuteronomy 32:36–39

What does it mean that the Lord will “vindicate” His people? What does God wants us and all the world to know? Why?

Friday: Philippians 2:5–11

What kind of mind do you usually have? Why is having the mind of Christ better? What is the mind of Christ? How do you get it?

Saturday: Luke 22:1—23:56

The Passion according to Saint Luke. Read this with “fresh” eyes. What details do you notice that you maybe didn’t see before?

The Catechism - The Creed: The First Article [Part 1]: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; the He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.  . . .

Collect for the Week: Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross. Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

The Prayers:  Please pray for . . .

+ yourself and for all in need (remembering especially those on our prayer list).

+ God’s blessing, wisdom, and guidance for our congregation’s Commission on Mercy.

+ the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augsburg Confession (Czech Republic), for God’s wisdom, 

   blessing, guidance, and provision.

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for our Synod’s Board for International Mission.

Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer and Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer from the Catechism.

Now joyfully go about your day (or to bed) in good cheer, child of God!

Collect for the Week © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.

Lutheran Service Book Hymn License: 110019268

Sermon for Lent 4 Midweek Vespers

LISTEN

Jesu Juva

“Angels of the Passion: A Mission of Mercy, Part 2”

Text: Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Hebrews 1:1-14; Luke 22:39-46

 

I’ve seen some of the pictures your artists have created showing Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Everything looks so calm and peaceful. Jesus looks so calm and peaceful, hands folded, gazing up into heaven. But I’m here to tell you - it wasn’t like that at all! Those were hours of agony! But I’m getting ahead of myself . . .

Things were moving pretty fast now. Satan had entered into Judas and he was out making the arrangements for the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. He knew where Jesus and the other disciples would be, for they had often met together there. It was the perfect place for the betrayal - away from the people so they wouldn’t cause a commotion. So Judas got the band of soldiers and officers that the chief priests and the Pharisees had arranged for him, and they gathered all their lanterns and torches and weapons, and headed out (John 13:2-3).

Jesus, meanwhile, was busy teaching His disciples. This was the last chance He had with them! His last few hours on earth. He had given them His Supper, and now was teaching them many things, about preparing a place for them in heaven, promising them the Holy Spirit, that He wasn’t leaving them alone, as orphans, that He is the vine and they are the branches, that the world will hate them and persecute them - but they’re going to be alright, because He has overcome the world (John 14-16). He spoke so lovingly! Caring for them. Wonderful words! 

And boy, did the disciples need to hear all that! The next 24 hours - not even 24 hours! - would shake them to their very core. But not just them . . .

So Jesus and His eleven faithful disciples get to the Mount of Olives and enter into the Garden of Gethsemane. Then He takes His three closest disciples - Peter, James, and John - with Him a little farther. And He told them, pray that you may not enter into temptation. I’m not sure they knew why He said that, or exactly what to pray for. Oh, they were sorrowful. They knew something was up. They had images of Jesus entering into Jerusalem to shouts of Hosanna, and of the betrayal Jesus talked about, and of Jesus going to His Father, all swirling around their heads. But they couldn’t imagine what was going to happen next. How could they? If they could, they probably wouldn’t have fallen asleep!

But Jesus knew. So He started praying. That’s a good example for you! When you’re troubled or in trouble. But now’s not the time to get into that . . .

Jesus started praying. Oh, He was in agony! Like so many times before, I wanted to swoop down, right then and there, and help Him! But I couldn’t. You know why. I didn’t have a command from our Father. So I just watched. But it wasn’t easy! As you heard tonight, this is the one I worship! The almighty God in human flesh. I and my brother angels are ministering spirits. We minister, we serve, we help - it’s what we do! And I wanted to! Oh, how I wanted to! Just like when Jesus was in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted. But He had to go through that. And He had to go through this, too.

I was in awe. That God would do this. That the Father would send His Son, and the Son would come, become a man just like you, and then lay down His life for you. It almost leaves me without words . . . incredible.

And such agony! This was no calm prayer! He said, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. Now, you gotta understand - it’s not that He didn’t want to die for you. It’s not that He didn’t want to save you. That’s why He came! But the cross . . . that’s no ordinary death. That’s not even just a hard death. That’s one of the the worst deaths you could die! The nailing. The pain. The long hours of exposure. The humiliation. The suffocation. The cross was designed to strike fear in people, and remember, Jesus was the Son of God, yes - but He was also a man just like you. So yeah, faced with the cross and all that meant . . .

But actually, that wasn’t even the worst part . . . It wasn’t just the physical agony He was facing, but the spiritual. He wasn’t just one man dying for his sin - He was one man dying for ALL the sins of ALL the world! All the guilt, all the shame, all the CURSE of the whole world upon Him! A hanged man is cursed by God. You heard those words tonight. And that’s Jesus. Hung on the cross under the curse of God. So I think you can kinda understand when He prayed, Father, is there any other way? Any other way to save them? 

But there wasn’t. Jesus had to drink this cup. I hope you got what Jesus was referring to there. Often times in the Old Testament, when talking through His prophets to the wicked and unbelieving nations around Israel, our Father says they have to drink the cup of His wrath. He put up with them long enough. They wouldn’t repent, so now they would drink this cup all the way to the dregs. That’s the cup Jesus was now about to drink! The cup of God’s wrath against ALL the sin of ALL the world. He would drink it down to the dregs, for He was going to endure it all. But FOR YOU! He drank it all, so you wouldn’t have to. So you’d never have to worry about that. 

But there IS a cup for you to drink, too. But not a cup of wrath, but a cup of blessing! The cup of blessing which Jesus gave to His disciples in the Upper Room, right before going out to Gethsemane. He drank your cup of wrath, and gave you His cup of blessing, the cup filled with His blood poured out for you for the forgiveness of your sins. That’s a pretty good trade, don’t you think?

But right now, agony. And not a little! Faced with this cup of wrath. What He was facing physically, and even more what He was facing spiritually . . . 

And then . . . well, I couldn’t believe it! Our Father said GO! And I didn’t hesitate! I went right down to help Him, strengthen Him, minister to Him! Again, I know you’d love to know exactly what I did, but our Father didn’t record that for you, so my lips are sealed! Well, if I had lips! I’m an angel, you know. We don’t have bodies like you, though sometimes we appear in them. 

But that wasn’t the end of it. He prayed more. More agony. Even worse now! Not that I didn’t do a good job! I most certainly did! But what Jesus was facing . . . well, I know you are all so impressed with the story of David and Goliath and how David defeated the giant. But this is so much more than that! That was just a little foreshadowing of the giant Jesus was now slaying! The giant of sin, death, and hell.

So as you heard, His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. That’s how hard He was praying! When you exercise really hard, maybe you sweat like that. But that’s how hard Jesus was praying! I think it probably safe to say you’ve never prayed like that - that hard! But that’s okay. Don’t feel bad. Remember, Jesus was enduring this all FOR YOU, so you wouldn’t have to. That’s how much He loves you!

And then it was over. Not that it was quick - Jesus was there for over an hour, praying like that. I’m not sure exactly how long - I lost track of time. But when He was finished praying, He was ready. Ready to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

The disciples? Well, yeah, they were sleeping. So He told them again, Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation. Because they were about to be tempted in all sorts of ways! Tempted to doubt, tempted to despair, tempted to turn tail and run, tempted to deny . . . The same temptations all of you face, too. And they would face them right away, because even as Jesus was saying those words . . . Well, that’s for next week!

But, prayer. Don’t forget to pray. Jesus prayed all the time! Not just here. Before miracles He often praying. Before He chose the twelve He was praying. He went up on mountains to pray. He would go to desolate places to pray. He went out before the sun came up to pray. When you’re troubled or in trouble, when you’re tempted, when you’re discouraged, when you’re confused, pray. And Jesus promised to always hear your prayers. And He knows everything you’re going through. He went through it himself. And if He wouldn’t turn away from the cross for you, He’s certainly not going to turn away from the prayers of His children. You can count on that! 

Well, now the story get’s really serious. Times up. Time for Jesus to die. I’ll be back next week to talk about that. So until then, I’ll leave you again in His Name, the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.