Maundy Thursday “Blood Given and Shed for Us.”
Hebrews 9:11-14
March 20, 2008

We’ve just sung a hymn new to us, “When You Woke that Thursday Morning.” What was Jesus thinking? We know that He expressed feelings of great sorrow to His disciples. They didn’t understand. From the time our Lord awoke on that Thursday morning, He wouldn’t sleep again until He died Friday. He knew what lay ahead. Yet, He did not shy away from the very purpose for which He had come.

Tomorrow is the holiest day of the church year. It corresponds to the Old Testament Day of Atonement. It was a day marked by fasting and prayer. It was a day of high drama and serious ceremony. On the Day of Atonement the high priest would set aside his ceremonial robes and don a simple tunic. He would personally sacrifice the animals and collect their blood into the sacred vessels. Then in hushed silence, he would enter the Holy of Holies. This was the inner sanctum of the Temple. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant rested. As the people waited in still quietness, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial animals on the lid of the ark, called the mercy seat.

Why would he do this? It was the Lord’s command for in the ark lay the tablets of the law brought down from Mt. Sinai by Moses. The law shows us our sin. As the presence of God hovered about the ark, the blood of the sacrifice would cover the law. On the Day of Atonement, the blood of the sacrifice would atone or cover sin.

Tomorrow is our most holy day. It is the day Jesus died on the cross. His blood atones or covers our sin. At His death He entered the Most Holy Presence of God, not with the blood of goats or cows, but with His own holy, innocent blood. The writer to the Hebrews helps us to understand how this happens.

Hebrews 9:11-14

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) [12] he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. [13]For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, [14] how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Now, you may be asking, “If tomorrow is the holiest day of the church year, why is he talking about it tonight?” It’s a simple answer. The passion of our Lord began on the night He was betrayed. He was celebrating the Passover with His disciples. At the conclusion of this meal, He did a new thing.

At the end of the Passover meal one round of unleavened bread and one cup of wine remained. This cup was called the Elijah Cup. It was left in anticipation of the return of the great prophet, Elijah, who would announce the coming of the long-awaited Messiah. By taking this cup, Jesus is stating to His disciples that the hope of Israel has been fulfilled. He is the Messiah, the fulfillment of the promises of the Lord God to His people.

Jesus takes the bread and the wine and tells His disciples, “take eat, this is My Body; take drink, this is my blood.”

Ok, you say, “what does this have to do with Good Friday?” On the Day of Atonement, the sacrificial blood was taken into the Holy of Holies as an offering for sin. This was done every year. On Good Friday Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for sin. As the writer to the Hebrews says, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.” (Heb. 10:12)

Blood is life. In the Old Covenant the life of the sacrificial victim was offered in place of the blood of the sinner. It was a life for a life. The sacrifice died so that the sinner might live. On the cross Jesus offered His life for ours. He died that we might live. He brought the blood of His sacrifice not into the earthly Holy of Holies but to the Lord God as payment for the ransom demanded. His sacrifice was once and for all.

That which was offered to God, He now offers to us. Blood is life. In the sacrament He offers us life eternal and forgiveness. This is why our Lord took the bread and cup of the Passover supper and initiated something new. Under the old covenant the blood is offered to God for life and forgiveness. In the new covenant, it is the Lord who offers us His blood for our life, for our forgiveness, for our salvation.

This is our night of remembrance. On this night the Lord gave us something new before He offered His life on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. With deep joy we are invited to come eat and drink His true body and blood sacramentally given to us in, with and under the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sin, strengthened faith, and life forever with the Lord.

Thanks be to God for His wonderful gift. The peace of the Lord be yours now and always. Amen.

Palm Sunday “Remaining Steadfast in the Faith”
Philippians 2:5-11
March 16, 2008 Confirmation

As is our tradition, today is the day of confirmation for our 8th graders. Ah, some of you may be thinking: “It’s over!” Well, yes and no. Your time with me in class is over but today is also a new beginning. On Palm Sunday, Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem like a conquering hero. When the parade came to an end, it wasn’t over. Rather Palm Sunday was the beginning of what we call Holy Week with stops in the upper room on Maundy Thursday, the cross on Good Friday and the empty tomb on Easter.

Palm Sunday wasn’t the end of anything. It was the beginning of our Lord’s week of passion, pain and victory. Read text: Philippians 2:5-11

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (6)who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, (8)He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9)Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11)and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In our study of the Apostle’s Creed, we learned that Jesus left the perfect joy of heaven to share life with us. We might wonder why He would choose to do that. He did it for love. He came to fulfill the Law for us. He came to be the perfectly good person we cannot be. Yet, more than that, He came in perfect obedience to suffer our punishment and condemnation on the cross.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, He yelled out, “It is finished!” It’s over! Yes, His suffering was over. With the ending of His passion, He opened to us a new beginning. He paid our debt in full. Christian hope tells us that even when we die, life isn’t over. We have a new beginning with the Lord forever in eternity.

In the mean time, we now live as children of faith. This faith confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. Today you will once again confess the faith that you received in your baptism. Today you will affirm the mysteries of the faith as you confess Jesus Christ, both true God and true man, is your Savior. Just as God exalted Jesus, so will you and all who confess Jesus is Lord be exalted. Today, it’s not over. Today is a new beginning for you in your journey of faith.

Today is your confirmation day. It’s a day of celebration. It’s a day for family and friends. It’s a day filled with food and presents. It’s going to be a good day. Yet, when today is done, it’s not over. Tomorrow will be a new beginning for you.

Life isn’t as certain as we’d like to think it is. We don’t know what the future will hold. As you continue on through your lives, you’ll find that life is like a book. When you finish one chapter, you turn the page to begin a new one. You’ll find that some parts of the chapters have been written for you but you’ll write some chapters by the decisions and the choices you make. Yes, today it’s not over; it’s the beginning of a new chapter.

Sometimes, when a celebration is over, there’s a sense of let down. It’s over. Now, what? The disciples may have had that feeling after the Palm Sunday parade. It’s over. Now, what will happen next? Little did they envision the cross, let alone Easter. Sometimes, it’s better if you don’t know what lies ahead.

Palm Sunday was a day of joy and celebration for those who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. They shouted “Hosanna,” which means ‘Lord save us!’ Truly, that’s exactly what Jesus came to Jerusalem to do. He came to save us. Little did the people who shouted their glad “Hosanna’s” understand how literally true that was going to be for them.

Yet, at the end of Palm Sunday, it wasn’t over. Through the week, the disciples continued to walk with Jesus. Even though they weren’t always faithful, even though they scattered into the night when He was arrested, although they denied Him, He forgave and restored them.

You may not always remain as faithful as you should. You may even deny Jesus. Yet, there is good news. He will always be there for you. He will be waiting to forgive you. Life isn’t going to be perfect. You know that already. Who knows what challenges you’ll face, what obstacles you’ll need to overcome, what heartache may be yours. Never forget that the Lord is with you! You know that the Lord will see you through them all. At the end, you can say, “it’s over.” Yes, your trials will be over and you will have a new beginning.

Each time you say “it’s over,” whether in joy or sadness or relief, remember that the next day will be a new beginning. It will be a new chapter in your life. You will see how the Lord was with you, protecting and guiding you. You will thank Him for what is over. Then, as you begin anew, you can thank the Lord for being with you as you begin a new chapter in life.

Today’s a day of joy and celebration for you. Enjoy your special day. Enjoy life. It’s not over. The Lord is with you today, tomorrow and forever. He will lead you with His peace, love and joy now and always. Amen.

Lent 5 “Dry Bones and Dancing Skeletons”
Ezekiel 37:1-10
March 9, 2008

CSI is one of the most popular shows on TV right Now. Several years ago I watched as forensic artists reconstructed the face on the skull of a murder victim. They explained the process as they went along. Eventually it was completed. Later, the victim was identified and it was amazing how close the reconstruction was to her picture.

Today we have the original story for forensic reconstruction. Ezekiel has a vision of dry bones reconnecting themselves from bones to skeletons to muscle to skin and face. The difference between Ezekiel’s vision and today is our inability to breathe the breath of life into our reconstructed victims of crime.

Read text: Ezekiel 37:1-9

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, you know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord."

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."

So, what’s the deal with dry bones and dancing skeletons in Ezekiel? They are a vision of resurrection and restoration. Ezekiel is speaking to the Jews in exile. They remember their past and wonder about their once greatness as a nation. Are they doomed to be just another captive people being assimilated into foreign empires? Will they lose their history, their heritage and their identity? Will the generations to come know anything about who they are as a people and where they came from?

Ezekiel becomes the prophet of hope to the exiles. Yes, the Lord is punishing you. Yet, in the end it will be for not only your good but the good of generations to come. Things look bleak. Jerusalem is in ruins. But, the Lord will restore the fortunes of His people. Both the people and the city of Jerusalem will be resurrected and restored.

Just as the dry bones and dancing skeletons came to life, so will the exiles and their children. While they sojourn in exile, they will experience a spiritual revival. The Lord will breathe new life into them. They will be His people and He will be their God.

Now, you may wonder what any of this has to do with you. Dry bones and dancing skeletons may conjure up a fun picture in your mind but you need to take this a step further. Unless the Lord breathes the breath of spiritual life into your soul, you are just another reconstructed pile of dry bones. Only the Lord can give you a spiritual resurrection.

Here’s the deal. Most people think that our soul is like a pilot light. It’s there and it’s flickering but needs to be ignited into a flame. Some would call that being born again. The pilot light represents our inner goodness that needs to be fanned into spiritual zeal. We could even sing this little pilot light of mine, I’m going to make it shine. Nice thought but its bad theology. You are spiritually dead until the Holy Spirit lights the pilot light of your soul. There’s nothing you can do to bring your pilot light to life. The Lord alone does that. He ignites your spirit.

(14) And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord."

What some call conversion, that is, the fanning of the pilot light into a bright flame, Luther calls “enlightenment.” This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us faith. If He does not work faith in our hearts, we cannot and will not believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior.

When you get home, dig out your catechism and read the explanation of the third article. “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”

The Holy Spirit restores us to God. Like the puppet Pinocchio we are transformed. We become the living, breathing, real children of God. It is the Lord who brings us to life. It begins in our baptism. The process continues throughout our lives. Without the Holy Spirit breathing the breath of life into your soul, you are little more than a collection of bones and muscle going through the motions of living without spiritual resurrection and restoration to God.

Today the Gospel reading is the raising of Lazarus. Lazarus was dead. There was nothing he could do to resurrect himself. Only Jesus could do that. Lazarus was restored to life. We are spiritually dead until the Lord calls us forth. There is nothing we can do to make that happen. This is why faith is such a gift. It is a marvel we believe at all.

By God’s grace, you are more than a pile of dry bones and dancing skeleton. The Lord, who created your physical life without any cooperation on your part, has breathed into your soul its spiritual life. He called you in your baptism, enlightens and sanctifies you in the Word and strengthens you in His supper. All this our Lord does to and for us out of His goodness and mercy without any merit or worthiness of our own to deserve this wonderful love.

Thanks be to God for making us more than dancing skeletons. We are His children. He has restored us and will on the last day give us a physical resurrection. For this we thank and praise, serve and obey Him. Because of His wondrous love, we will live with Him forever. Amen.

Lent 4 “To believe, trust and see!”
John 9:1-7
March 2, 2008

“Seeing is believing.” These are words of the skeptic. These are words that demand visible proof. The demand for proof refuses to accept promises of faith. In the case of the blind man in today’s Gospel there was no seeing. Without seeing, if he were a skeptic, how could he believe?

Read: John 9:1-7

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

Back in the time of Jesus, there were no rehabilitation programs. Blind people often had no other options than begging. For those passing by, like the disciples or the Pharisees, these poor people were living proof of punishment for sin. Obviously, either the blind man or his parents had sinned terribly. Why else would God punish them as a warning to others? Of course, this was a mistaken attitude. In fact, it was a smug, jerky attitude that Jesus was quick to dispel.

Jesus approached the blind man with the word of hope and promise. He mixed His saliva with some dirt to make a sort of mudpack. Then Jesus rubbed this into the man’s eyes and told him to wash this out in the pool of Siloam.

The blind man now had a decision. Would he take Jesus at His Word? Would he believe? Now, it’s one thing to believe but another to trust. Think about Naaman the Syrian general afflicted with leprosy. He went to the prophet Elisha believing that the prophet could heal him. When Elisha refused to “do” something other than tell him to wash seven time in the Jordan, Naaman became angry. He was willing to believe but didn’t really trust that the Jordan River was any better than the wider, cleaner rivers of Syria. Fortunately, his advisors persuaded him and he was cured of his leprosy.

Put yourself in the place of the blind man. A complete stranger comes up to you, rubs mud into your eyes and tells you to go wash it out. What would you think? What would you do? The components of faith are belief and trust. Belief is of the mind and heart and trust is the follow through. It’s kind of like the old “trust me” game. It’s when you stand in front of someone else and you’re told to fall back into the arms. Will that person catch you or let you fall on your fanny. We can believe the person is behind us. We can also believe that they are a friend. The question remains “do we trust them enough to fall backwards?” Faith not only believes Jesus is there for us but allows us to lean backwards and fall into His arms.

Throughout our lives we learn the lessons of faith. If we look at the blind man, we notice that Jesus never said what would happen if he washed in the pool of Siloam. The man could have stayed rooted in his spot. “Hey, this is a prime begging spot. If I leave, I may lose some good business. Who is this guy rubbing this stuff in my eyes? How do I know He’s not playing some sort of practical joke on the blind guy?” Although Jesus didn’t promise anything, the blind man placed his trust in Jesus. So, the blind man made his way to the pool and washed the mud from his eyes. When opened his eyes, he could see with perfect 20/20 vision!

This is an example of pure grace. From all we know, he didn’t know who Jesus was. He didn’t pray for restoration of his sight. Jesus came to him. Jesus initiated the contact.

Jesus acted without a request or a prayer. Jesus didn’t even tell him if he washed his eyes that he would see. I almost wonder if the man washed his eyes simply because they were irritated by the mud. This makes the miracle all the more grace. This miracle gave proof to the disciples that Jesus was, indeed, the Light of the world.

The blind man rejoiced in receiving his sight. He realized he wanted to know more about the mystery man who restored his sight. Jesus revealed Himself to the man. All things changed. Believing is now seeing. Jesus has revealed Himself to us. We would remain spiritually blind if our Lord had not taken our sin to the cross. Today, He comes to us in the word and in the sacraments.

How often do we believe intellectually but remain slow to trust? Jesus calls us to faith. We believe and trust the promises he makes to us. He calls us to follow. We follow not always knowing where we’re going, like Abraham who left all thing home and familiar to get on an uncharted journey. Abraham knew he had arrived when the Lord told him he had reached his destination. We follow as the Lord leads.

During Lent the focus of faith is on the tremendous sacrifice of our Lord for us. The Lord supports us on this journey of faith with the consolation of His Word and His renewing strength to us today in His supper. He invites us to “Come,” receive His forgiveness, comfort, strength, peace and hope He gives us now and remains ours forever. In His grace, we who were blind now see His glorious light and rejoice in our Savior Jesus Christ.

The peace of the Lord be with you now and forever. Amen.

Lent 3 “Give me, Lord, the water of life.”
John 4:5ff.
February 24, 2008

The only line I remember from the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is ‘water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.’ The ocean is full of water but if you drink it, you’ll die. In the desert water is hard to find. If you don’t drink, you’ll die. We take clean water for granted. Turn on the faucet and its there. In many places in the world, water is hard to come by. This was the case of the woman Jesus met at Jacob’s well.

It’s noon. Jesus and His disciples are walking through Samaria to Galilee. They have come to a place named Jacob’s well. While the disciples have gone into the village in search of food, Jesus waits beside the well.

Read John 4:7ff. John 4:7-9 (ESV)

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" ( For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

As He sits there, a lone Samaritan woman comes to draw water. She says nothing to him. He breaks the silence by asking her for a drink of water. She recognizes Him as a Jew. Since Jews and Samaritans got along about as well as Jews and Palestinians today, we’re not surprised that she rather politely refuses Him.

Now, most Jewish men would rather die of thirst than ask a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jesus isn’t your typical Jewish rabbi. He responds to her with a curious statement, “if only you knew who was asking you.” This pricks the woman’s curiosity and the conversation between she and the Lord begins.

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." (10)

Jesus makes her an offer. “Have I got a deal for you. I have water that once you drink you’ll never be thirsty again.” For a woman who has to come from her home in the heat of the day to draw water, this sounds too good to be true. Nevertheless, she wants more information.

Although she doesn’t realize it, the Samaritan woman is living in a spiritual desert. Jesus is offering her the water of life. It is hers by drinking, for it is by faith that we receive eternal life.

The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." (11-15)

She is eager to receive this spiritual water. Before Jesus gives her that water, she must first confess her sins. Jesus leads her in her confession. He begins by suggesting that she go tell her husband and come back. Oops. She confesses she has no husband. In fact, Jesus completes her confession for her. You’ve had five husbands and you’re not married to the guy you’re living with now.

This woman is genuinely surprised. She remains rooted in place. She recognizes that Jesus is a prophet. Yet, she’s still confused. The Jews said that true worship could take place only in Jerusalem and Samaritans were not welcome there. How can this woman properly worship since she’s not a Jew?

Jesus now leads her in her confession of faith. All who truly worship God will worship Him in spirit and in truth. The woman knows that the Messiah has been promised and when He comes, He will reveal and explain everything. It is to this obscure non-Jewish woman Jesus now reveals something He has told no one else, “I am He.”

The woman is ready to believe. She has confessed her sins and through Jesus, she now confessed her faith. She goes into the village to invite her neighbors to come and hear what this Jewish rabbi has to say. Her enthusiasm is so contagious that the village comes to meet Jesus. When they hear what He was to say and beg Him to remain longer to tell them more.

If Jesus approached the woman today, offering her the water of life, what would she think? Since we live with all the conveniences of indoor plumbing, perhaps she would be thinking in terms of some new miraculous bottled water. What if she were told that water could be hers in baptism? What might she think if she were told the water of life wells up from the cross of Christ? What do you think? What do those still unbelieving think?

We live in a spiritually thirsty world. We can’t live without clean water. Our VBS gathered offerings for people in west Africa to dig wells for fresh, clean water. Although we helped then access pure water, many are dying because their spiritual thirst isn’t being satisfied. Just like us, they need the living water of life only Jesus can supply.

Sin contaminates. Although we think of sin as muddy, murky water, sin is more like the micro-organisms that cannot be detected in what seems to be clear water. The deadly is invisible. Cholera and diphtheria germs manifest themselves in deadly diseases to the body. Sin is invisible but causes deadly consequences to the human body and soul. In the end, sin, like contaminated water, brings only disease and death.

Jesus has given us the water of life. In this water we find healing, hope and restoration. This life giving water flows into our lives through the Word and sacraments. By His grace, we invite others to hear about and receive this wonderful, life-giving water. He who drinks will thirst no more. You are invited to receive the blessings of this life in the sacrament this morning. The Lord invites you to be refreshed in His wonderful love and goodness.

The woman came to the well to draw water for the body she left with life-bestowing water that continued to well up in her to eternal life. Blessed be the Lord who gives us this water of life. Amen.

Lent 2 “Jesus and the Night Visitor”
John 3:1-17
February 17, 2008

Suppose you were a seasoned veteran of the world scene. You’ve been around a long time. You know how the system works. You know all the players. You know what you believe and everyone knows where you stand. Then, your world is suddenly shaken up by the arrival of a charismatic, young new guy. He has a fresh take on the old line. His ideas are new and refreshing. He’s catching the imagination of people across the board. People are flocking to hear him. You, too, are taken with him. What would you do?

No, I’m not talking about Barak Obama. This was how Jesus entered the world stage. We pick up this story in John 3. Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

Nicodemus was an old Pharisee. He was intrigued by Jesus. He wanted to know if Jesus were the genuine article. He was curious about His message. It was familiar and yet so different at the same time. He had seen the signs and wonders. “Is this guy for real?” Nicodemus knew the politics of his religion. He was a cautious man. This is why he went to see Jesus at night. Under the cover of darkness, away from prying eyes, he was going to find out more about Jesus for himself.

Jesus knew who Nicodemus was and why he had come. It’s important to note that this is the Reader’s Digest version of the conversation that took place. John condenses the conversation to its important points. After Nicodemus opens the discussion, Jesus throws out the first talking point. 3Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Jesus tells Nicodemus he must experience a new spiritual birth. This spiritual birth is something one undergoes not something he does for himself. It is from above and has its origins in God. This spiritual regeneration is not a work of ours but a work of God in us. It comes by repentance which consists of contrition and faith. These two are the working of the Holy Spirit is us.

Nicodemus is intrigued. He was a Jew and a Pharisee. He was proud of being both. His was a religion and life of good works. Now this young rabbi from Galilee is telling him he is not yet in the kingdom of God! What?! Nicodemus doesn’t understand but he doesn’t reject what Jesus is saying. His questions are a request for more information. He isn’t offended by what Jesus is saying but feels the full force of His words.

4Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Changes in one’s heart usually take place gradually. Sometimes they take place unconsciously but it is always the Holy Spirit working in us to produce the change. The Spirit is working in Nicodemus. Jesus proceeds:

5 . . . "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Jesus tells Nicodemus what he wants to know, the “how” of regeneration. The answer is baptism. It is the work of the water and the Spirit. Yes, strictly speaking, repentance [contrition and faith] constitute this new birth in adults but not apart from baptism. Baptism is the seal of this repentance. Refusal to be baptized repudiates whatever repentance took place. Nicodemus is still perplexed.

Jesus answers him with a picture of the wind. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." We know the wind is blowing. We can hear its sound and feel it but we don’t know where it originates or where it goes. If the wind did not affect our senses, we’d never know it was blowing. In the same way, if the Spirit did not produce changes in us, we would never know of His presence in and among us.

All of this sounded strange to this old Pharisee. He was confident of heaven because of his life of good works. A new birth by the Spirit was mystifying to him. 9Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Nicodemus is inching forward. He admits the work of the Spirit but still can’t quite grasp the “how.” Like Nicodemus, we often get hung up on the how. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. When we try to pin down the moment of conversion and faith, the focus turns from the loving work of God to me. We then make God’s work all about “me.” Jesus is leading Nicodemus away from self to God.

10Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. Here’s the problem. The testimony of our Lord is clear and strong. Yet, for one reason or another people choose not to receive or believe it. Reason and intellect refuse to yield to the pull of the Spirit. This is why Jesus so often connects faith with the innocence of children.

12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except him who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

Did Nicodemus understand what Jesus was telling him? Yes and no. Jesus knows all of this is new to Nicodemus. It’s going to take a while to sink in. What Nicodemus now hears will grow into fuller insight and then into increasing faith. Jesus takes what Nicodemus does know and expands upon it. He knew about the bronze serpent lifted in the wilderness. The clever and cynical could sneer at the idea that looking at a brass snake on a pole could cure a poisonous snakebite. Yet, God promised that all who looked upon it when bitten would be cured.

Jesus taught the reality of that miraculous healing. He is leading Nicodemus to the still greater reality of the cross of Good Friday. Only He who had come from heaven could bring His people these heavenly insights. They are from above as He is from above. All of the good gifts He brings us are from above. Thus, our Lord leads Nicodemus and us to understand that to receive these gifts we also must be born from above by the water and the Spirit.

He who cautiously came to Jesus at night will more openly seek to defend Jesus at His trial before the Sanhedrin and boldly in the end claim the body of Jesus for burial. Nicodemus would fully comprehend the analogy Jesus made between the serpent in the wilderness and Himself later to be lifted up on the cross.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

By telling this to Nicodemus in such a clear, simple way, Jesus sums up the entire Gospel in one beautiful sentence. How could God even like this sinful, stinking world? How could He even want to embrace it? Yet, He could and did love it. He loved it so much He sent His Only-begotten Son as the gift to the world. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He is the object of our faith. In Him we have life eternal. In time Nicodemus embraced the fullness of the Gospel and by God’s grace so do we. The peace of the Lord be with you now and forever. Amen.

Lent 1 “Just do it . . or not”
Matthew 4:1-4
February 10, 2005

We’re all control freaks to one degree or another. We’re being told all the time to “take control of your life.” Yes! Be assertive! Take initiative! Just do it! Then again, maybe not. These were the little “encouragements” the devil was whispering into Jesus’ ear, “Hungry?” There’s no Casey’s around this barren place, take the situation in hand. Take some initiative here! That rock would make a nice dinner roll. You can turn it into bread. You’ve got the power! Just do it!

Read Matthew 4:1-4

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written," 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Since we all get hungry, it seems to me that sometimes we brush this temptation aside as if it were nothing more than a dieting concern. This is more than skipping a meal or thinking that giving up your favorite food for Lent is some kind of humungous sacrifice. This temptation strikes at our very core. It’s the sin of Adam and Eve. It’s the “I’m in charge” syndrome. It doesn’t seem like a big deal but it is the temptation to tell God to take a hike.

Each of us has fallen for this temptation. The devil tells us “just do it” and we do. Isn’t that what he suggested to Adam and Eve? Are you hungry for something different? What about that forbidden fruit? It certainly looks good. Did God really say, “don’t eat it?” Forget that silliness. Take charge. Be in control, “just do it!” They did. And as they say, the rest is history.

This take control attitude is particularly evident in American culture. We like to see and think of ourselves as “rugged individualists.” We like to think that we are the captains of our fate and the masters of our destinies. God becomes either a secondary after-thought or a reserve player called on when things get a little rough going.

Adam and Eve saw an opportunity to be in charge. Why on earth let God dictate the rules when they were perfectly able to make those decisions for themselves. We hear the same whispers. “Take some initiative here; be in charge; just do it!” So we do. Like Adam and Eve we forget about God and forge ahead to do our own thing.

Jesus heard these words, too. The difference is He didn’t “just do it.” Here’s a case when you can ask “what would Jesus do?” The answer is simple, He “Fully Relied On God!” Jesus quoted scripture to the devil, “man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

The problem is we are not to “just do it!” unless God tells us to. Adam and Eve lost it all in their decision to “just do it” when the word of God had told them otherwise. We get into trouble every time we choose to “just do it” without seeking, asking or checking out what God’s Word commands and tells us to do.

It seems that we live in a day in age when there seem to be few, if any, consequences for breaking the rules or the laws. The “just do it” generation thinks that laws and rules are good for others but don’t apply to them. From little on kids learn they don’t have to follow the rules. If they get in trouble in school, the parents will run screaming in to teachers and administrators demanding that their little darlings are above the rules. “You can’t enforce the rules just because little Bubba doesn’t think he needs to do what the teacher says.” It goes downhill from there. Soon, society verges on the chaotic because everyone screams “I got a right, you can’t tell me what to do!”

Adam and Eve tried that approach. The Lord was not amused and threw them out of Paradise. The only way back in is through Jesus who over came temptation and restores us to the Father. The wonderful comfort we have in today’s Gospel is realizing that Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are, yet He didn’t sin. There’s even more good news for us. Jesus didn’t resist the devil using powers that are far beyond our own. He defeated Satan by using the Word of God. We are enabled to do the same but, and this is important, we also must be well grounded in the Word.

There’s more good news. You have come to hear the word preached this morning. You are reminded that the Lord comes to you in your baptism and as you receive Christ’s Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. You have the opportunity to sit in on Bible class this morning to study the word more in depth. Through all of these means, the Lord is working His power and strength in you to resist the devil.

Ah, yes, the devil is going to continue to come to us during our times of weakness and whisper “just do it!” Our human nature is going to really, really want to take charge and “just do it!” By God’s grace we will resist the temptation using the same weapon Jesus used. The Word of God that dwells within us will open our eyes to the deception and give us the resolve to say “no!” Because of God’s embracing love, the Holy Spirit will help us to Fully Rely On God. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Transfiguration “Affirmation for the Journey”
Matthew 17:1-9
February 3, 2008

How do you send someone off when they’re about to take a long and important trip?

You assure them of your love. You say things like: God speed, good luck, be careful, take care.

You wish them well, hope they are successful and will be back home again soon. This is what happened on the mountain of the transfiguration.

Matthew 17:1-9 (ESV)

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."

Our Lord is about to begin His final journey to Jerusalem. The destination is the cross. He will now completely fulfill all He came to do for us and for our salvation. Jesus has taken Peter, James and John with Him to the mountain top.

He chose these three for a reason. This was a moment for the benefit of these disciples. Even though they had followed Jesus for some three years, they still held on to some wrong expectations about the Messiah. They still held on to their misunderstanding that the Messiah was going to be a political savior who would come to restore the Jewish people to their former glory under David and Solomon.

While He journeyed on earth, Jesus hid His divine nature from the world. It manifested itself in His miracles but not in the glory of His body. Because they had seen the miracles, the disciples believed Jesus was the Messiah. The problem was that they still couldn’t see Jesus as the Savior of the world. They saw Him only narrowly as the one who would restore the former glory of Israel.

These three in the inner circle of the disciples are to witness this moment. They are awe-struck. Jesus is transfigured before their eyes. His divine radiance shines through. Even His clothing takes on the brilliance of His divinity. This is an act of the Father showing His affirmation of the Son. In this brief moment, the disciples see Jesus in His full glory as the incarnate Son of God.

Yet, this moment isn’t over. Suddenly, Jesus is joined by Moses and Elijah. By heavenly intuition, the disciples recognize both Moses and Elijah. What an amazing thing! Moses is the great representative of the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. Jesus has come to complete the work they had begun. They are offering Him words of encouragement as He undertakes this last leg of His mission.

Peter is so excited that he even offers to build three shelters, one each for Jesus and His visitors. Before he finishes, he gets the bigger surprise. The cloud of the presence of the Lord God envelopes them. They hear the voice of the Father give his affirmation to the Son. The three disciples are more than awe-struck, they are terrified. No one can stand in the presence of God and live. They try to dig and hole and crawl into it.

Then, the Father speaks His words of affirmation: “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” These are the same words spoken at our Lord’s baptism. With these words of continuing affirmation, the Father sends the Son off to the final leg of His journey to the cross.

This is also the Father’s confirmation of Peter’s great confession of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Peter was correct but his understanding of his very statement of faith was still limited. By witnessing the transfiguration, Peter would witness more fully what his confession of Jesus as the Christ truly meant. Of course, the complete fullness would fall into place only after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.

Thus, it’s fitting that we hear these words as we prepare to enter the season of Lent. The Transfiguration is one of the major acts of our salvation. With the Father’s affirmation and the encouragement of Moses and Elijah, Jesus begins His last journey to Jerusalem and the cross that awaits Him.

During our 40 days of Lent, we have time to meditate on what this means for us and for our salvation. Our Lord did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. There is no way we could live the Law and will of God perfectly. Even dying a torturous death on a cross wouldn’t be enough. We need a perfect substitute. Jesus came to be the perfect Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. He is our Passover Lamb who died that we might live. He opens the way to heaven for us.

We cannot begin to be the people we should be or do the things we should do. It is Christ to us, in us, for us and through us that enables us to live as the children of God. He invites us to come to the sacrament. There we find forgiveness of sin, strengthening of our faith and grace to return to the world living the life of faith. During the 40 days, we have additional opportunities to reflect on the wonderful and unspeakable love of God revealed to us in Christ our Lord.

Peter wrote that he was an eyewitness of this glory. John wrote, “We have beheld His glory, glory as of the Only-gotten from the Father full of grace and truth.”