1st Sunday after the Epiphany: Luke 2:41-52

Jan 13, 2013; 1^st Sunday after the Epiphany; Texts: Psalm 50:1-15; I Kings 8:6-13; Romans 12:1-5; Luke 2:41-52; Title: Whose Are You?           Rev. Tim Beck

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

This is the first Sunday after the Epiphany, the revealing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Properly speaking, this revealing began long before. Adam and Eve, while hiding, heard His voice in the garden. Abram was promised a blessing for all peoples. Moses heard the messenger of the Lord (who was also the Lord) speak from the burning bush, and with the 70 elders ate and drank before the Lord. And do not forget the Passover or the Tabernacle, both images of what was to come, of who was to come. King David was promised a shoot from the stump of Jesse that was yet its root, David prophesying “My Lord said to my Lord…”  And the prophets spoke of the day when the Son of God would become Immanuel, God with us, God clothed in human flesh.

          They spoke of his divine conception, his virgin birth, the place of birth, where he would grow to maturity, and the message of his name Jesus, Saviour. Then at last the epiphany walked among us. Jesus Christ was made manifest: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

          As for our text, Luke first tells us a little detail that is important but easily missed. His parents went up to Jerusalem. Travelers always went up to Jerusalem, even if coming down from Mount Hermon, Mount Sinai, Mount Carmel or other geographically higher peaks; for Jerusalem was the city of the great king. That wasn’t David; for David looked forward to the promise of an everlasting king… so too did Joseph and Mary look forward. So believing Joseph and Mary went up every year for the Passover as the law required, looking forward to the Passover. The Passover did more than commemorate deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It too looked forward. The whole history of Israel looked forward. For example, Jews today still leave a chair open at their Passover in case Elijah comes. But Elijah returned, said Jesus, said He of whom Israel looked forward. But now, Mary, Joseph, their kin and friends look forward while the 12 year old Passover Lamb, the rightful king of Jerusalem, was walking to His city and to His temple.          

          They went up, Jesus age 12, the text literally saying “when Jesus became 12.” In the custom of the day that’s when a boy became a man. Jesus could now enter the life of Israel as an adult, enter His temple and speak as a man. As a man, Jesus stays in His city, in His temple, in His Father’s house when others return to Nazareth. Mary and Joseph did not know. They were not bad parents. The society they keep is safe, the friends and relatives many and Jesus is 12 years old. Everyone knows when to pull away from the huge crowds gathered in Jerusalem, and everyone knows the way home and everyone has companions. But when night comes and the party regroups, where is Jesus? What anxiety does mother Mary and legal father Joseph feel because Jesus didn’t tell them? Yet Jesus is where He belongs, where He will manifest His glory to the full, and Mary and Joseph should have known it.

          After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. After three days… does that remind you of another great anxiety resolved after three days… meanwhile, where had Mary and Joseph already looked? Did they search the town’s maze-like corridors where children played? Did they visit the fascinating markets and the gardens around the city? Did they cautiously enter the grandiose Roman edifices or powerful Herod’s opulent courts? In any case, they did not know where to go first, did they? How well did they know their Son?

          Jesus was in the Temple grounds. Nearby loomed the sacrificial altars where priests carried out their bloody business in sight of all Israel. Beyond that were holy buildings only priests entered to intercede for the people.  And most important of all, the Holy of Holies was there, that only the High Priest entered but once a year to make atonement. Now Jesus, the true High Priest, the king of the royal city, the Passover Lamb - God made man - was sitting, as our text literally says, “in the midst” of the teachers. In the temple area devoted to teaching the word of God, the Word who was with God and was God, was manifest. In the custom of the day, Jesus did not stand but sat, so He manifest Himself not like a learner but as a master among the teachers of Israel. He heard them. And he asked questions. I wonder, how uncomfortable did Jesus make it for those teachers? The word for “question” can be translated not only request and inquire but also demand and interrogate. These teachers must answer Jesus, the LORD. And all were amazed, astounded, captivated at how Jesus flowed with knowledge.

          This is not just gape jawed excitement watching “America’s most talented teenagers” sing, dance, pole vault and skydive. This most talented young theologian is more than exceptional. Even his parents, when they heard him were shocked. Their amazement was greater than those already gathered around Jesus. Mary and Joseph were astonished, struck out of self-possession, even a bit panicked.  What, is this our son? Is this our boy?  Forget the legends about an angry four year old Jesus striking playmates dead then raising them to life at Mary’s knowing, calm rebuke. Mary and Joseph couldn’t believe their eyes at this manifestation, this epiphany. Jesus wasn’t acting like the good, but ordinary child they were accustomed to.

           And his mother said to him, “Son (tekvov, literally child), why have you treated (poiew) us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”  Why does mother Mary say not “son” but “child?” Jesus became 12 years old before this Passover. He is a man and acts accordingly. Further, Mary said literally, “Why have you done this to us?” “Your father and I;” and it is as if she has not told Jesus what she was taught about Him. “We have been searching in great distress!” These are good parents, loving         parents, but who is Jesus? Joseph and Mary do not grasp the epiphany. They do not understand whose child He is. Have they forgotten Elizabeth’s prophesy and John the Baptist’s birth, the angel’s annunciation to Mary, her prophetic song and the shepherds’ worship? Have they forgotten Simeon’s and Anna’s glad tidings, the wise men’s visitation, the flight to Egypt and voices weeping in Ramah? And in an answer that further amazed those hearing Him, especially the teachers of Israel (if they had faith)… Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (ev tois tous patros)

          “Did you not know” Jesus asks. Did you not know from the long history of sacred writ, and from the special dealings of the Living God with you? Before we drop our jaw in amazement of how little Mary and Joseph really comprehended, ask if that question is addressed to us as well? Do you not know the Scriptures? Have you absorbed more than this pious couple, virgin Mary and Joseph? You know His birth, His sufferings, His death, His resurrection, His ascension and yet do you find reason to be greatly distressed? And in your distress do you wonder where to find Jesus, Saviour, the Christ, the Son of God made man as God-with-us?

          Jesus points out that Mary and Joseph of all people should know where He must be; they of all people should know who He is and whose He is. I must be… it is necessary… nothing else will do… my entire life is wrapped up in these things. Scripture must be fulfilled and I, Jesus, will do it for you. And dear mother, the vessel of the Lord, the Lord’s handmaiden, blessed virgin who believed the promise of God, I am about my Father’s will. For I have a task to do, and you are now stumbling upon me and upon what it is I am about, and about to do for you so that your sins are forgiven. You know that, and so you are convicted of sin; and yet how can you truly understand until I accomplish what I am about to do?

          Mary, Joseph, and all Israel were looking forward until Jesus was raised in glory. And we too are called to look for Jesus, where He is to be found. I must be in my Father’s house… more literally “I must be in the-the-of my father. The word “house” is not said, but taken from the context. Jesus must be, in the place of His Father, in the things pertaining to His Father, in the will of His Father. This 12 year old man, the son of man, manifests, epiphanies himself as the Christ, the King, the Lamb, the High Priest, as Immanuel the Son of God. He shall do the will of the Father, regardless of how little we understand who He is and whose He is. Even the mother of God (of God!) doesn’t get it. And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

          They did not understand the word he spoke to them. Yet that did not change the course of this one who confessed He is the Son of God. To fulfill all things, to fulfill the law as God with us, as God made man who is also the son of man, He went down from Jerusalem. His time to reveal the Father’s glory was not yet. His time to subordinate himself to Joseph and Mary was for a little longer. In his human nature in the one person, he grew in wisdom, in maturity and in favor with God and man.  And Jesus alone among men obeyed the law, truly loving God, and so pleased God. Before men, Jesus truly loved His neighbor.  Jesus is the pure Lamb of God.

          Although Mary’s understanding was incomplete until after the resurrection, as a woman of faith, she kept these words, pondering them in her heart, meaning in her whole person. We too, like Mary, ponder that Word, the Living Word, because that word is making us into whole persons. That’s why you’re here, to hear the word that makes you who you shall be.  The understanding of that wholeness is in this account; in an event that asks a question you should know how to answer. Who are you? More importantly, whose are you, for that is to answer the first question.  Unlike Mary, you have the illumination of the cross, the resurrection, the ascended Jesus interceding for you, the Holy Spirit given you.

          The answer to the question is found in who is your true Father? To whom do you rightly pray “our Father?” That is not a decision we made. It is an Epiphany, a revealing that entered our unknowing, unbelieving lives for faith.  He found us before we knew where to look for Him.  Who made the sign of the cross upon you, naming you as His own? Who joined you to His death and resurrection in Baptism’s promises? Whose promises explain whose you are, promises began in Adam’s day fulfilled by the Second Adam death and to be completed in His second coming? And when you are filled with distress, anxiety, troubles, care, worries, where shall you find Him, where shall you find Jesus? He is in the things pertaining to His Father, in His Father’s house, preparing a place for you.  Jesus is also here, the Son of man, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, your King, your temple, your High Priest, the Passover Lamb, is manifest. He is manifest in order to be yours, and you His. We have so much to look forward to, and we have so much now. He is manifest, here for you.  

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord (amen).

The Epiphany of our Lord: Matthew 2:1-12

January 6, 2013; The Epiphany of our Lord; Texts: Isaiah 60;1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12; Title: The Right Question Gets the Complete Answer;  Rev. Tim Beck  

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Certain questions jump up right away when we hear St. Matthew’s account of star? We saw His star… what was the star like? Matthew tells us the star was seen in the land of the Wise men and somehow “went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.” We don’t know how all that happened, despite attempts to explain it as a natural phenomenon. We just have the history of what happened. Another question is who exactly were the wise men? We perpetuate stories of an Asian, an African and a European, including stores that name them.  That’s no more certain then the song you may have sang as a child about three kings who tried to smoke a rubber cigar. They didn’t smoke rubber cigars, and we don’t know their names. Matthew doesn’t even say how many wise men came, and their location is a generic “from the east.” A bigger question is how did the wise men know the star was about a king? We can only speculate, along with the other questions. We do know the Hebrew Scriptures were distributed all over the known world, including far away Eastern lands where the Jews were exiled years before. But that doesn’t satisfy our curiosity does it?  We don’t even know what the camels looked like. And do you know what? There’s a reason such questions are left in the air. Our curiosities are not satisfied because why we’re told determines what we’re told.

          What is the most important question we can ask about this account, the one the text answers?  What does it say about the child?  These real events recorded under the inspiration of the Spirit do not intend to tell you all about camels, wise men, a star, or even King Herod and Mary. Like all of Scripture, it is focuses on one very important theme. Tell us about the child, about the promised deliverer!  The answer to that question has a name. The church calls today’s festival by that name. It is the word Epiphany.  Epiphany means to show forth. Epiphany means to reveal. What was hidden is now out in the open. What was an inscrutable mystery is plainly shown. What is revealed that even the world’s best detective could never figure out? The child! The information about a star, wise men, Herod, Mary, the gold, frankincense and myrrh tell us about who the child is. That’s the Epiphany! That’s the revelation meant not only for the people who are in this history, but also for us, and for all peoples.

          Epiphany is about the revealing of God’s good will to all peoples for all time and all the details of our text have reference to this Child. So what is revealed? “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea…” Let’s start there. What name did God’s messenger tell Mary to give her baby? (Jesus) What does that name mean? (Saviour) [Luke 1:31]. How important is that? And how important is it, as St. Luke tells us that this baby had no human father, but the Holy Spirit caused him to grow in Mary’s womb; for the angel said “He shall be called the Son of the Highest, the Son of God”  (Luke 1:32, 35). What is revealed?  We have a Saviour, true man and true God. How important is that?

          Further, He was born in Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. This reveals Scripture shall be fulfilled. In short, God is faithful. How important is that? Second, Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea for a reason: the child is fulfilling the promise made to King David. David shall not lack an heir to his throne forever, and here is that eternal heir. Here is the rightful and righteous ruler for God’s people Israel. How important is that? And how shall He rule?  He shall shepherd my people. Here is a wonderful revealing. His rule is like a shepherd, a good shepherd. He is no talking head mayor or special interest-loving governor or cruel dictator king like Herod. Jesus is like a shepherd. He is one anointed by God to rule, whose rule is self-sacrificing love as prophesied in Isaiah. Jesus’ rule brings peace with God. He shall die for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53). He shall be a light to the           nations, and from the East shall come the praises of the Lord (Isaiah 60). Now we know why wise men came from the East, and worshipped. Scripture is fulfilled, and thank God for that, he brings salvation to the nations.

          So why did Herod lie about wanting to worship the child? Now Matthew tells us something not about the child, but because of the child. He speaks not only about the child but about those for whom He came. This too is a revealing, who receives Him and who receives Him not. He is Saviour for all, but not all are saved. We see in those who resist this shepherd king what unbelief is like. Likewise, we see in those who receive Him what faith is like. This too is for our instruction, that we all receive the child; and that those who receive recognize things about those who do not. As for Herod, we can only speculate on all the reasons he rejected the Epiphany… a political threat, jealousy, ambition, envy, his evil heart. Herod could have worshipped but only pretended to wish to do so. And he was thought to be godly, after a fashion. Do note, hypocrisy is a mark of the false church. For example, to appear godly Herod built the Jews a magnificent temple.  What is wrong with that? He built the temple to placate the Jews because Herod also built to the divine Caesar’s glory and for his own. Mixed worship is no worship at all. Was it a clue that the temple Herod built meant raised taxes in Israel?  And as the financier, Herod owned the rich vestments of the high priest, so controlled who was appointed to that office. Buying the church is the same as destroying it, among possible examples. These signs might make wise men uneasy, including signs that implied a problem with the priests and scribes. Were they not the teachers of the church, stewards awaiting the coming of the anointed one, the prophet, priest and king?  They knew where the Messiah would be born. Why didn’t they see the star? And Herod, after hearing the prophetic word, why did he secretly summon the wise men?  Herod appears devout to kill the child. That’s a clue too, for the false church seeks its will over God’s promises.

          See what unbelief when dressed in pretended righteousness, achieved. It ruled Judea. It controlled the temple and taught Israel. It also killed the innocents. How can the faithful not be overcome? Here is good news for all who believe, for the church of faith. The child lived. God’s will shall be done. He will save. The wise men were warned and left by another way. Soon Joseph was also warned in a dream to depart for Egypt, fulfilling yet another prophesy. And the martyred babes were the first witness in Jesus’ name. The Epiphany rejected by Herod was nevertheless revealed. Unbelief cannot stand before faith because the Lord will accomplish His plan. Even if the true church is squeezed from Herod’s court and rejected by the high priest and scribes, if she is weak and lives in unexpected places, she awaits the revealing. And those who received the epiphany, what joy! So wise men of the East followed the sign until they saw that star rest where the child stayed and “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
          They received the child, the Savior, a light to the nations, the king who shepherds, true God and true man in one person. These who believers rejoiced and worshiped; then these wise men, knowing the meaning of the revealing, gave gifts reflecting the prophesies of the Christ. Knowing the Scriptures they gave gold to the king, frankincense to the true High Priest and myrrh to the Shepherd who would be sacrificed as the Lamb. Risking the wrath of Herod they obeyed the Living God and left directly for their own country, rejoicing in their salvation. That’s the character of faith. It trusts the Word of God despite threats. It believes and acts according to the promise, like virgins with lamps lit, awaiting the groom to epiphany.

          Faith’s hope is not placed in power or institutions, but can find in the revealed baby infinite security and strength, as said the Lord. Faith believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things because faith does not say “my will be done” but “Thy will be done, Jesus, Saviour, King, Shepherd, Immanuel.” All that was promised by the prophets came to pass, and was manifest by both the rejection and reception of the child. Both rejection and reception shall continue until the Lord returns, for God’s messengers not only spoke to Herod, Mary, the wise men. They speak today. Matthew recorded the revelation of the Epiphany, the history of the revealing and you have it in your ears, you have it placed in your mouth. And how much more we have heard and seen. The Saviour, the Christ has come! He is revealed! How important is that?

          God revealed Himself in human flesh as our shepherd, to shepherd the Israel of faith, to establish an eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace. The epiphany of God is revealed in Jesus’ birth, life, teaching, suffering, dying, rising and ascending to give you peace with God. He revealed Himself to you in Holy Baptism, in the word that enters your ear, in His Supper of Holy Communion that in communion makes you whole. He is revealed for a reason: so that you believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, your Saviour, that you have exceeding great joy. When the wise men departed they did not return empty handed. They returned, sins forgiven, carrying the gift of eternal life. You who ask the right question, “What does this say about the child” have the answer. The child shall take you with Him as His own.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Amen)

The Fourth Sunday in Advent: Luke 1:39-45

Dec. 23, 2012, Advent 4; Texts: Micah 5:2-5a; Heb 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-56); Title: What are We Waiting For? Rev. Tim Beck

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Today is the last Sunday of Advent. Tomorrow night we celebrate Christmas Eve. In a child’s mind it has taken a long, long time to get almost here. In your lifetime, it has taken a long, long time to get almost here too. We are expectant, waiting, looking forward. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve then Christmas day, for God granted us another year of pilgrimage on earth, as we look to the goal, journey’s end, paradise. We wait for our Lord’s return, even as the saints of old waited for his first coming. We wait, and we cry out together with the dead in Christ gathered around the throne: O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?  Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete… who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Rev. 6:10b-11)        

          Waiting is not easy, even if it is part of life, woven into the fabric of faith and hope. Yet the Church’s purposeful waiting is joyful because we have signs that the Lord shall come and rescue us, save us, bless us. The coming One gives eternal promises to break apart our worries with glad tidings. Heaven comes to earth in water and the Word, bread and wine and the Word, and through the Word with the Holy Spirit declares peace unto us, on earth. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:3-5a)

          The first advent of our Lord shall be completed in the next. What a glorious day it shall be. What a glorious beginning that shall never end. What a culmination, completion and celebration. God’s history with our race will be revealed as righteousness and love, and all that Scripture promised will be yours with deepest satisfaction. This is what we look forward to this last Sunday in Advent, as Elizabeth looked forward to the Christ child. Like Mary and Elizabeth, we look forward in faith to what is yet unseen but shall be revealed to sight. While we wait there will be more martyrs for Christ, more troubles, more struggles –since the devil schemes against Christ and His Church. A sword shall pierce our hearts too, as the law reveals our sins.  Yet the Saviour will sustain us until that glad day. We wait expectantly while the Christmas holy-days are hidden to those outside the church, hidden under tinsel and gifts, meals, laughter, or for many a season of depression. But the church, like children eyeing wrapped gifts, expects the unexpected because the Lord is making all things new.

          Even in ordinary things God works for good, as in the days preceding Immanuel’s birth. In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  In ordinary days and in ordinary ways, the extraordinary broke forth.  Zechariah saw an angel who promised a son who would prepare the way of the Lord, and because he doubted, was struck dumb. Then his old, barren wife conceived and carried her child like any other woman. It was a miracle delivered in the ordinary way. The betrothed Mary believed an angel’s announcement, and by a miracle of the Holy Spirit, without a man, she conceived the Christ. And in an ordinary way she was accused of immorality and Jesus called illegitimate, because not all believed God’s messengers. Nevertheless, Mary believes, and rejoices with news of God’s undeserved mercy.  The day each pious Jew longed for could be counted during those 9 months, wholly hidden, yet revealed in those holy days.  Christmas was wrapped within a virgin maid, the hand-maid of the Lord. She runs to help her cousin who in glorious seclusion resides in a little town           not even named by Luke, in the back-woods of Judah, like an Appalachian farm. Mary arrives in that little village and entered the open door of Elizabeth’s rustic house, and gave greeting. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

          Faith sees glory everywhere; the Saviour’s coming was almost here. The unexpected shone in words originating not from man, but from God, although delivered through a human mouth. This word for “blessed” means “God has irrevocably endowed you with good!” God has favored you, looked upon you and our fallen race with undeserved kindness.  And you are blessed not just for a moment, but from the past until now you are blessed as is the child within you. God has planned this for a long time. God shall dwell with man; and in those words for Mary, for all flesh, we receive the Son of David’s root and shoot for our lives, our history, our daily grind. In Immanuel, God with us, in that historical event so miraculous and yet so poor and humble, we are blessed. We are irrevocably endowed with good. Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

          Though tears befell Elizabeth at John’s blessed death, and befell Mary at Jesus’ blessing death, our tears will be wiped away forever. Through God with us, through His suffering a cross, He laid a sure foundation to the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. Elizabeth and Mary do not deserve this. They did not even ask for such a blessing to enter their lives. That is the way of the Holy One. He comes to bless us. He bestows undeserved favor, his irrevocable endowment of good.  That’s what is under the wrapping of the Christmas package. When Mary’s baby entered the world covered in mucus and blood, and when He died encrusted in His sweat, blood and gore, he blessed us. Inside that virgin womb is heaven: God’s unexpected favor, irrevocable good will toward those who need peace with God. Inside that virgin womb, God and man are joined to forgive and cleanse sinners. So repentant Elizabeth sings, And why is this granted to me (in order) that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Who am I that God personally visits me within His mother’s womb?   By a Spirit-breathed faith she sees through the wrapping of a young pregnant cousin. She sees advent complete, heaven opened, God dwelling with man for peace.  For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

          And the appointed prophet of the Most High cannot help his exuberance. Happier than any child on Christmas morning, John is unrestrained glee. The unborn John the Baptist knows the reason for this visit. He leaps for Him who shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. It is happening now, the peace of the world on earth, hidden in Mary’s womb; and soon hidden in humility, suffering, and death upon the cross.

          That’s how heaven walked on earth, bringing the kingdom of God, announcing that God is pleased with sinners because God’s Son atoned for our sin. The Father declares peace, declares us righteous in His sight, and to all who believe, gives release from the bondage of sin, death, devil and world. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” This word for blessed means how happy, how fortunate, how glad; faith receives all that is in the package and rejoices.  When mom and dad say to junior, “You’re going to like it” Junior has no doubts, but rips through the wrapping to get to the gift.  Mary too believed the blessed promise of joy and peace. She had 9 months to wait, and then 30 plus years, and then more. The child was born at the appointed time and in the prophesied place, for God always fulfills his word, but there’s more to come. The child will grow, teach, preach, become our Savior, rise and ascend.  Then Mary too will die because she too sinned as a child of Adam. She will be buried and await that day when faith will be sight, when God’s      dwelling with man is complete and all tears are wiped away.  She too counts each Sunday, each little resurrection day, until the Advent of the Second Coming shines in bright splendor. For us too, as surely as this Advent is almost over, Christmas Eve tomorrow night, and then Christmas morning, our Redemption shall arrive. Yet today we are forgiven, and have peace and joy, though there’s more to come. Soon we will see the glory of the Lord unwrapped before transformed eyes. We shall feast in paradise forever.

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this O Lord unto us all.    

The peace of God which passes understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Amen)

3rd Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 40:1-11

December 16, 2012; 3^rd Sunday in Advent; Texts: Psalm 85; Isaiah 40:1-8 (9-11); I Corinthians 4:1-5; Matthew 11:2-10 (11); Title: The Cost of War Won; Rev. Tim Beck

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Warfare is a terrible thing. It is wonderful when it ends … if you’re on the winning side. Those who survive know how true it is that all flesh is like grass.  It flourishes, dries out, and is forgotten. There must be more to life, cries the heart. There must be a purpose for war. We ask, did war’s purpose and its peace justify the pain, the dying? This question is especially true when God wars on His people.

          That’s what surrounds our beautiful text on the end of war. The 8^th century B.C. prophet Isaiah declared war was on the way. But, like so many wars, it could have been avoided. God didn’t ask much from His people, just loyalty, just trust. All He asked was return to the winning side. That warning sounded two hundred years. And God’s people answered, He doesn’t care or He would have done it by now.” They refused to believe His delay was mercy. But around the year 600 B.C. war came. The mighty Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar with his general Nebuzaradan knocked down the gates of Jerusalem. The army killed, looted, raped and enslaved until there was no more Temple, no Jerusalem, no Davidic king, no annual pilgrim feasts, no nation, and no hope.  The scattered survivors, mostly slaves now, sang: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.

          A voice says, “Cry!” And I said,  “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Was this the purpose of God’s war on His own people? Oh yes. They now believe three things they earlier refused.  The first lesson: God’s call to repentance is serious, certain, and sure. Have you learned this lesson, do you believe it? If so, you believe the reason God spares us is His mercy. For are we less guilty of apathy, insolence, and ignorance toward our God?  Therefore this Advent, listen to John the Baptist’s proclamation, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

          The second lesson is: the Word of the Lord stands forever. The Temple was gone, the nation a ruin, the people deported but the Lord had not changed. He remains faithful, faithful to His word. Oh, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”  The third lesson is: He did not war on His people only to destroy, but to build them up again with a new word.  Prepare to hear the word of the Lord. Hear three lessons: repent, the word remains, and the LORD will have a Church. As surely as the word of war came to pass, the new word will bear fruit. What is that word?  Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord ’s hand double for all her sins.

          This is the real goal of God’s war against sin, a lasting peace, a good peace, a true peace, a holy peace.  Unlike President Wilson’s war to end all wars, a peace requiring armed peace keepers, occupation forces and reparations, the Lord’s peace is pardon and rebuilding. Jerusalem’s horrible sufferings were not the payment for her sin. They owned much more for ignoring their God.  Someone else paid the full price. Someone paid the price of sheep following the world’s pied-piper to the stockyards; and we, in God’s eyes, are we so different?  Or are we like sheep, like cattle? Isaiah says the ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand (Isa 1). All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Is 64). From the soles of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness – only wounds and open sores (Isa 1).

          Do we really think of ourselves like that? What does the Word of the Lord say? We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way (Isa 53).        I’m so glad there is a shepherd, a good shepherd. This is the glad message of Advent’s third Sunday – you have a good shepherd. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Listen to the repetition. Listen to the emphasis of “comfort, comfort.”  The Lord provides comfort to a flock torn and scattered, to wanderers, drifters, diseased, dirty, and stupid sheep. The war is over. His warfare ended because He pardoned all sinners, all straying, selfish sheep. Isaiah warned of war 200 years in advance. Now he speaks of peace earned 800 years later. Yet he speaks as if it already happened.  Why? The Word of the Lord stands forever. These things shall certainly take place. The faithful Shepherd’s promises are now.  No warrior or wolf or sheep can derail God’s plan, procedure, or purpose.  He brings peace, a lasting peace. How has He done this?   A virgin will conceive and bear a Son and you will call his name Immanuel!      

          That’s how God wages war! Unlike the four-star general who remains in the bunker, he came to fight, to be wounded, and to die: a virgin conceives a child by the power of the Holy Spirit. The child is a man but is also God. The child is named “Immanuel.” He is what the name means, “God with us.”  The insignia on His uniform reads, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. But on the march, he covers up his rank. He eats with privates, he carries the load. And He battles with the strangest weapons. He fights by using the law not for moral reform but for confession of sin. Then for the confessing sinner, for the repentant, the warrior Lord overthrows the devil’s accusations by bearing the sinner’s guilt. Immanuel heals the sick and raises the dead. He turns his cheek to the smiter although they pull out his beard.  That’s how the Prince of Peace fights for sinners, and in the strangest of twists He must face the greatest enemy.

          He faces the One who made Himself enemy to his sinful people. He in love and humility lifted his face to the Great Shepherd, His own Father. And the Son sent by the Father, obedient to the Father, became the object of the Father’s attack. He was led as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. The Lamb’s eternal Father, wages war with vengeance and His vengeance falls upon His only begotten. His soldier Son cries, “Why have you forsaken me?”  Yet this was a voluntary mission to win the war. That’s how the One God in three persons made war for the sake of saving His enemies. That’s how He destroyed the guilt of our sin and its power too. By His death the law no longer condemns us. By His death the accusations of the devil are cast down. By His death the sacrificial Lamb paid double for all your sins.

          He did not choose green pastures but was falsely accused, spat upon, and mocked.  He did not choose quiet waters but under the hot Jerusalem sun, passed through the valley of death. He did not choose a rod and staff to comfort Him, but bore the rod that tore His flesh, and the crooked staff that dragged him away. He drank the cup of God’s wrath against every sinner.  “Behold your God!”  Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.  

          These words seem to mock Christ on the cross, but they do not. In reality, the sobs of the women watching are martial music for the cross is the victory. Behold, the Lord God comes with might and He rules. The mighty warrior … will tenderly carry his sheep; he has a reward with him.  He has a reward for you; He is the reward for you, oh, sheep for whom He died! Comfort, comfort … comfort for those who mourn, peace for the weary, hope for the discouraged, grace for the sorrowful, and love for the loveless and unloved. The war is over. Jesus Christ, the sacrificial Lamb of God, the good shepherd, won you. Warfare is wonderful when it ends and you’re on the winning side.

          Although earthly Jerusalem was wrecked in that war, heavenly Jerusalem is built. You and I can and will dwell there. God always wins, and he warred to win you. His strategy astounds us; yet see the scarred hands that wielded his mighty sword, His Word. His Word accomplished all it said, and it shall do all yet to be done. Zion will be lifted up above all mountains, where sheep may safely graze. You and I will be comforted there, kept in rich pastures. God always wins … by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous… Is 53:11b

          Many are accounted righteous by this knowledge, by the knowledge that the righteous One gives peace. So we receive the words: Comfort, comfort my people. The war is won. Do you still ask if there was a purpose for the war? We are the purpose for that war.  You and I are the reason the Triune God warred on the cross. You and I are the reason for the Christ’s pain, agony, and anguish. Does this war’s peace justify the pain?

What does the conquering Lamb say? He’s the one who bore the cost of victory. Dare we speak for God on this point, except to praise His mercy?  We can answer by quoting His precious, undefeatable Word:  Out of the anguish of His soul he shall see and be satisfied (Is 53:11a).

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Amen)