Sermon for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

LISTEN 

Jesu Juva

“Waiting for Eternity”

Text: Luke 21:5-36; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-13

 

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

Last week, we considered what life will be like in eternity. How different it will be when we are raised from the dead into a new and very different life. A life hard for us to imagine and wrap our minds around. Our minds that only know of this world and life and how things work here. But though difficult for us to understand, it is a life that will be wondrous and worth waiting for.

But not easy waiting for. That’s what we heard from Jesus today. Last week was what life will be like in eternity. This week, what life will be like here and now as we wait for that Day to come. As we wait for Jesus to come again in glory and take home His Bride, the Church. And it’s not a pretty picture.

In the words we heard today, Jesus spoke of a great many signs - some of which have already happened, some still happening, and some maybe still to come.

He said the Temple will be utterly laid waste. That’s happened. And there’s a mosque there now, on the Mount where the Temple used to be. 

False Christs will come. False teachers. We’ve seen that. Also false prophets of the end. Calling people to follow them. Claiming secret knowledge. 

Next were wars and tumults. Nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. It’s hard to imagine a time when men and nations and kingdoms aren’t fighting - somewhere, somehow.

Then Jesus mentioned earthquakes, famines, pestilences. Yes to all three. Terrors and great signs from heaven. That’s a little harder to put a finger on. But maybe these are happening. Maybe these are still to come as well.

Persecution and hatred. We’ve seen Christian martyrs around the world in our lifetimes, though the persecution in our country tends to be more subtle - but persecution nonetheless. But with shootings specifically targeted at Christian schools and churches, Charlie Kirk, removing conscience clauses for Christians . . . maybe the persecution and hatred is becoming more overt here, too.

The fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD fulfilled what Jesus said about Jerusalem surrounded by armies and its trampling and desolation. 

And then Jesus talked about signs in sun and moon and stars, distress of nations, perplexity, the powers of the heavens shaken . . . This is the picture of a world destroying itself. A world being eaten away by sin and death. A world groaning and lurching through time to it’s end. 

This is the world we live in now. And it’s not easy. It’s not easy to witness, it’s not easy to endure. And I don’t think I need to tell you that. You maybe know that better than me, and maybe have experienced it more than me. 

Now, to know all this, and to know that it’s coming, is one thing. More important is: What do we do, how do we live, how do we endure all these signs of the end? Signs that Christians have been seeing and living through ever since Jesus ascended. For while some of these signs have been with us ever since sin entered the world, some began when sinful men hung up their Creator on a cross. There were some of these signs then that indicated something was very wrong. The sun stopped shining, a great earthquake, the dead coming out of their tombs, fear and distress. For Jesus’ crucifixion was the beginning of the end. Once Jesus ascended, the End Times, the vigil, the watch for His return, began. For He could come back at any time. Many thought He would come soon. Turned out, no. Some two thousand years have gone by and we’re still waiting. Which some interpret to mean He will never come. But Scripture tells us this is just God being patient and waiting for all His sheep to be gathered. But come He will. As surely as He came as a baby, so will He come again in glory.

But back to our question, which we haven’t answered yet! What do we do, how do we live, how do we endure all these signs of the end? And the answer Jesus gives is surprising . . .

Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

That answer is surprising, I say, because usually, when we see frightful things like all that Jesus described taking place, we do not straighten up and raise up our heads, but duck and cover! Keep your head down. Try not to be noticed. Seek shelter. Run the other way. But that’s not what Jesus says to do. In fact, He says, Do the very opposite! Stand up and stand out. Do not be afraid. Because what is drawing near is not your doom but your redemption, your eternal life.

Now that’s not easy to do. Stand up and stand out! Counterintuitive, you might even say. And something we might need training for. Like with first responders and the military today. They go through lots of training so that when the heat of battle comes, they know what to do. That when everyone else is running away, they are running toward the fight, into the battle. It is what Jesus did for us. He did not run from the cross, but even after being filled with agony and distress in His prayers in the Garden, went to the cross, laying down His life for the life of the world. Because He knew that was the day of the world’s redemption; He the atonement for our sin. So He straightened up His back to take the flogging, He raised up His head to wear a crown of thorns. He was the Temple of God utterly laid waste while His enemies rejoiced. But in the end He was the one who emerged victorious; who emerged from the grave victorious. He conquered death, broke the grave, placed His heel firmly on satan’s head, and then said to His disciples: Peace be with you. Peace in the forgiveness of your sins. Peace in the promise of eternal life. Peace, for He would now be with them, always, to the end of the age. And after that, they would be with Him in Paradise.

That’s the peace that we now have, even in a world in distress, with so many frightful and fearsome signs of the end. The peace of being in Jesus, and the promise of being with Him in eternity. 

So until that day, Jesus says, when these things begin to take place - and they are! - straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. And that we do is why we come here. That we do out there, is why we come in here. Here we receive the peace, faith, forgiveness, life, and salvation we need. Here we straighten up and raise our heads in safety, training for when we go back out where it’s not so safe. So that when we see these things taking place, we don’t duck and cover, we don’t cower and hide, we don’t run away, but confident of our Saviour and His victory and life, we instead stand up and stand out with the message of salvation. And thus keeping our heads while the world loses theirs, proclaim the hope we have, the sure and certain hope we have in Jesus. 

And this is what Jesus said at the end of His words we heard today. He said, stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. And praying means not just our individual prayers, but what we do here, praying the liturgy, together. And the strength to escape is the strength we receive here in our Lord’s Word and Sacrament. His strength, His Spirit, given to us. And standing before the Son of Man is also what we do here, for He comes to us here with His forgiveness, without which no one can stand before Him. But with His forgiveness, we can. And with His life we can go out into a dying world, like first responders to the injured, and fighting against the gates of hell that Jesus promised could not stand against His Church. We go out confident, because we know the victory has been won.

And we go out with this promise, too: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. So in this world where there is very little you can count on, very little that is solid and will not change and let you down, you can count on the words of Jesus that will not pass away. When He says you are My child in the waters of Baptism, you are. When He says you’re forgiven, you are. When He promises you eternal life, you have it. When He says this is My Body and this is My Blood, it is. When He says He will never leave you or forsake you, He won’t. And these words and promises are stronger and more sure than anything in this world, because everything else in this world is passing away. But not Him. Not Jesus. Because He did, once, already. Pass away. Die. But now risen from the dead He cannot die again. He is eternal, His life is eternal, and so are all who are in Him.

Then, finally, Jesus pointed to the trees as signs of the passing of the seasons. It is our annual reminder of death and resurrection. The death of this world, the winter of our sin, and the resurrection that is coming. But instead of eating and drinking and getting drunk to forget our troubles for a while, we eat and drink here to remember - do this in remembrance of Me - we remember our Saviour and look forward to His coming. We lift up our heads and lift up our hearts. And we do not keep quiet, but give Him thanks and praise, as it is good, right, and salutary to do. 

And so you will be ready, when Jesus comes again in glory, for He has made you ready. As the apostle Paul said, the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 

So when you see these things, these signs, in the world, in your life, straighten up, stand up, and lift up your head! Do not be afraid. Boldly proclaim your Saviour in word and deed. For your redemption is drawing near. Your Saviour is drawing near. Drawing near to save. Drawing near for you. 

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

The Congregation at Prayer

For the Week of Pentecost 23 (November 17-22, 2025)

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

Speak the Apostles’ Creed. 

Verse: Colossians 1:13-14 – “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Hymn of the Week:  Lutheran Service Book #516 “Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying”

Hymns for Sunday: 516, 572, 619, 548, 829, 941

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

Monday: Isaiah 65:17-25

What is God going to create for us for eternity? How will it be different than the old ones? Why?

Tuesday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

How will the Day of the Lord come? Will it be a surprise to us? What has God given us to help as we await that Day?

Wednesday: Matthew 25:1-13

Is Jesus coming again soon, or is His coming a long time away? So how shall we wait for Him? Why is this important?

Thursday: Malachi 3:13–18

Does God bless all people? Why? Do all people bless God? Why? When will we see the righteous and the evil revealed?

Friday: Colossians 1:13–20

How are we transferred from darkness to the kingdom of the Son? List all the things Paul goes on to say about the Son! Who is He? What has He done? Why?

Saturday: Luke 23:27–43

Who was Jesus crucified with? Why is this appropriate? Does Jesus act like a criminal? What does He act like? 

The Catechism - Confession: Where is this [the Office of the Keys] written? This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:22-23

Collect for the Week: Lord Jesus Christ, You reign among us by the preaching of Your cross. Forgive Your people their offenses that we, being governed by Your bountiful goodness, may enter at last into Your eternal paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 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 Investment Committee.

+ the American Association of Lutheran Churches, for God’s wisdom, blessing, guidance, and provision.

+ God’s blessing, guidance, and provision for Lutherans for Life.

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 the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

LISTEN

Jesu Juva

“A Nugget of the Eternal”

Text: Luke 20:27-40; Exodus 3:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–8, 13–17

 

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

I often get asked what heaven is going to be like. And my standard answer to that question is: Well, what does the Bible say? For that’s where the answer would be. But the truth is that the Bible doesn’t tell us very much. The book of Revelation gives us some snapshots, and a picture might be worth a thousand words, but it doesn’t tell us much about what life is going to be like there. And maybe that’s frustrating. I get it.

But maybe we aren’t told because it’s not possible for us to understand. It will be so different than life here that we can’t wrap our minds around it. In school chapel this week, I shared what someone once told me, a way to maybe think about this, how different everything will be. He said it’s like trying to explain to an unborn baby what life in this world is going to be like after she’s born. All that baby knows is what life is like inside Mom. But soon, she will be pushed out into a world very different! With cold and bright lights and loud noises. She’s going to have to eat for herself and wear things called clothes and be changed. She’s going to see all sorts of things she never saw before - including Mom and Dad! It’s just too much to describe. She’ll just have to experience it. 

Seems to me, that’s a pretty good way to think about it.

But still, we’d like to know . . . something, anything! And today we get a little something in Jesus’ teaching to the Sadducees. For they ask a question about eternal life. They ask Jesus about this poor woman who is married but has no children. In Old Testament Israel, that was a matter of concern. It was important to make sure that the parcel of land given to your family in the Promised Land - land that was a gift from God! - would stay in the family, would be passed on to an heir. So it was important to have an heir. So if a husband died without having a child, an heir, it fell upon his brother to fulfill this duty for the sake of the family and their inheritance. Well, in the scenario the Sadducees dreamed up, there were seven brothers and none of them produced a child, an heir. So Jesus, they said, we’re confused . . . who’s wife will she be in the resurrection, in heaven, for eternity?

It was a question they probably asked with a smirk on their faces, because as you heard in the reading today, the Sadducees denied that there is a resurrection! And here’s a situation to prove how foolish it is to believe that, and they used that to try to make a fool of Jesus! But what they didn’t count on is that Jesus knew the answer! He knows what heaven and life there is like - that’s where He came from. So He tells them a nugget: there is no marriage in heaven. Marriage is for this life, not the next. Marriage is for the procreation of children here is this world. But in the next life, it will not be husband and wife and many families, but brothers and sisters in Christ in one enormous family!

Now, I’ll admit, that makes me a little sad. And maybe if you’re married, it does you, too. Our spouses are dear to us and I can’t imagine life without my wife being my wife! But that’s part of our being born into a new life - a new life very different than this one, that’s hard for us to imagine and understand here and now.

Maybe . . . a bit like Moses, who also could not comprehend what he was seeing there on Mt. Horeb - how a bush could be on fire and yet not be consumed! That’s not how it works in our world! Two very different worlds were coming together there, and Moses was getting a glimpse. He was in the presence of the other-worldly, the very presence of God. He was standing on holy ground - ground made holy by the presence of the holy one, God Himself. The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The God whose name is I AM who I AM. That is, the God who is only and always present tense. For whom there is not the passing of time, for time was created by Him. For Him there is no past (I WAS), no future (I WILL BE), just present (I AM). For to be eternal is not to change with time. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). And that - being unchangeable and outside of time - is another part of eternal life I can’t wrap my head around!

But that eternal, unchangeable God who appeared to Moses in the burning bush was now standing before the Sadducees in human flesh and answering their question about the eternal! And He let them know, not only about marriage in heaven, but this, too: that there is indeed a heaven, and a resurrection, and eternal life! What the Sadducees denied was, in fact, real. For so had He told Moses so long ago. That Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all died, but God is still their God. For their bodies will be raised, resurrected, to a new and eternal life. For God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Life is God and God’s plan. 

And so we, too, stand on holy ground, for we, too, are in the presence of the all holy one. Here is not a bush that is burning but not consumed, but a Body and Blood, now eternal, that can be consumed! And here is a holy font, a holy pulpit, a holy altar, a holy church, made holy by the eternal and holy God who comes to us here with His life and hope. Who comes to us here not to send us on an exodus like Moses, but to scoop us up and bring us along with Jesus in His exodus - His exodus from cross to grave to life again! That though we die, we live in Him. And live with the promise of a resurrection to a life that is eternal and all new.

For that reason, Jesus is called the firstfruits from the dead. That is, He is the first to rise from the dead, but not the last. There are many more to come. Many more who will rise to life in Him. 

Now go back to that image I spoke of earlier, that our resurrection to a new and eternal life will be like a baby being born into this world. That resurrection and new life began with Jesus, and the earth is now waiting to give birth to many, many more. So think of Easter as the day when the earth’s water broke, so soon she will give birth - to a great multitude in the resurrection of the dead to life again! A new life that we will get to see and experience in eternity as one enormous family with our one Father and our brother, our Lord Jesus Christ.

That Day is coming, but not yet here. Paul had to reassure the Thessalonians of that, for some were worried they had missed it; that it had already come. I think in our day and age, we have the opposite problem - some are worried it will never come! For not just a bush, but our whole world is on fire and is being consumed! By all sorts of sin and evil. A fire and a burning getting hotter and more widespread every day. 

But no, Paul says. To them and to us. The Day is coming when the earth will give birth to her dead, but not yet. Because there are still more who need to hear and believe in Jesus. Jesus is the firstfruits from the dead, but we are the firstfruits in life! The firstfruits to be saved, Paul said. Which means more are coming. More are being saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To be born again now in this life, and then born again to a new life in eternity. A new and wonderful and unimaginable life. 

Until that Day, Paul says, stand firm. Stand firm in the truth of God’s Word and in Christ, and stand firm in every good work and word. The good works and good words God has given you to do and speak now in this life. In this world of sin and evil. This world where many, like the Sadducees, think this is all there is. That there is no resurrection, no eternal, no life after this one. Stand firm, because you know there is. You know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You know the God of Moses. You know the God who died on the cross for us, for the forgiveness of our sins and to be the firstfruits from the dead. You know that death is not the end, but that the Last Day of this life is the first day of eternal life. You know. 

So now all your words and deeds flow from that knowledge and confidence, just as the words of deeds of those who don’t know flow from that doubt or fear. So you speak different and do different for you are different. Wealth here isn’t as important as wealth there. A mansion here is a hovel there. Gold bricks here are guarded and sealed up in vaults; there they are pavement. Knowing that, you live different. And it’s the presence of God that does that for you! By His presence Moses was changed, Paul was changed, are you are changed. 

So while I don’t know what heaven will be like, I do know this: that we will be there. So we’ll find out. Jesus baptized you for that life, and forgives you for that life, and feeds you for that life, and will take you to that life when He comes again in glory and our exodus from sin and death is complete. And that poor woman the Sadducees asked about won’t be any brothers’ wife - she will be your sister in Christ. And she will be forever. When the Bridegroom soon calls us to the wedding feast which has no end. 

So these last couple weeks of the Church Year we turn our attention to that Day. That Day of new life. That Day of eternity. That Day I cannot really wrap my mind around now, but I’m looking forward to seeing and experiencing. Until that Day and that feast, come to this feast here, where heaven and earth, time and eternity meet. Where the all Holy one comes for you to holy you. To prepare you for that Day. Your birthday into eternal life.

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