2nd Sunday of Trinity: Genesis 15:1-6

June 2, 2013; 2^nd Sunday of Trinity, Texts: Psalm 33:12-22; Genesis 15:1-6; I John 4:16-21; Luke 16:19-31; Title: The Promise, Faith and a Journey; Rev. Tim Beck 

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

A summary of our text: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

          How do you picture Abram (or Abraham when renamed by the Lord as “Father of multitudes”)? Do you picture childhood Bible books, the elderly Abraham with a grey beard, wearing a brightly colored tasseled robe, sitting by a campfire in front of a skin tent? Do you think of him as a shepherd, driving herds of sheep and goats, and also donkeys and camels? Do you think of him as very wealthy, with a household of 300 plus men, a small army? Yet, do you see him as an alien, owning no land, wandering with his herds looking for water and trying not to antagonize local kings? Do you think of him as blessed by God and enduring many trials and tribulations? Perhaps, what comes to mind first is not what he did but whom He believed? Scripture records Abram’s history with God.  Let’s review that life.

          It starts in Ur of the Chaldeans, a city about 200 miles south of Babylon. That’s Abraham’s birthplace. His father Terah was the son of Shem, and despite that, Terah is an idolater. Shem is one of Noah’s sons, one who no doubt taught what his father taught him. One day, Terah moved to Haran, a long way north of Babylon, a city where the trade routes of the Euphrates Valley and the Mediterranean met. With him, Terah took nephew Lot, son Abraham and Abraham’s half-sister Sarai, Abraham’s wife - who was barren. By the way, marrying relatives was normal in those days. The Mosaic regulations about consanguinity came about 500 years later.  After Abraham’s father died, Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”^[1] (Gen 12:1-3)

          Abraham believed, and at age 75 travels west about 100 miles and follows the trade route south through Damascus and into the land of Canaan, another 400 miles. He believed the promise that through his lineage all the families of earth shall be blest, a messianic promise. That’s not the first promise of the Messiah Abraham heard, learning earlier ones perhaps from his father or from grandfather Shem. Eve was promised a Saviour, the seed of a woman. The serpent would bruise his heel, but he would crush the serpent’s head. Abraham understood the promise made him in the light of the first, in harmony with the Lord’s promise to his great grand father (Noah). The promise Abraham received was not in isolation from others, for the Scripture is consistently about Christ. Yet given a promise, trials follow. In time, Canaan suffers drought and Abraham’s growing herds need grass. He goes to Egypt for food and fodder. There he fears for his life, since Pharaoh habitually collects beautiful women for his harem, slaying husbands if need be. And Sarai is renowned for her beauty. She is noticed by Pharaoh’s servants, and Abraham is asked whose she is. Abraham says, “She is my sister,” neglecting to voice the rest of the relationship, and Pharaoh takes her into his harem, but did not have relationships with her… for the Lord preserves both Abraham and Sarai to preserve the promise. That includes Pharaoh’s household being afflicted by a plague. And when he discovers why, he sends Abraham and Sarai away, loaded with gold and silver.

          Not long after returning to Canaan Abraham and Lot separate. The same land cannot sustain them both. Abraham gives the choice of the land to Lot, who takes the best. But Abraham is Lot’s elder, his superior in that culture; he should have the best. Yet Abraham offered Lot that blessing, in view of the promise. Lot takes his flocks to the fertile waterway of the Jordan, Abraham remains in the desert.  The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” (Gen 13:14-17 – ESV)

          One day, the rich valley where Lot settled is attacked by five kings from the North. Many cities are sacked, including Sodom, where Lot lives. Lot and his family were captured too, along with other spoils of battle. Abraham, believing the promise, girds himself for war, and with his 300 men attacks a far greater force to rescue Lot and the captives of Sodom and Gomorrah. He wins, and recovers the captives and the booty. But lest those kings say they made Abraham rich, he returns the loot that by right is his, except the portion belonging to his men.  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)  And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (14:18-20 - ESV) Meet the mysterious Melchizedek, whose name means the righteous king. And Salem means peace, like Jerusalem, city of peace. Abraham is blessed by the priest of God Most High, blessed by a figure foreshadowing the coming Saviour. See what the promise does again!

          All along the way the Lord preserved him, his wife and his household. All along He has been a blessing, although once again he fears. Now we arrive at another trial in Abraham life, and what he endured because he believed the promise. After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:1-6, ESV)

          After being shielded by God when the small attacked the strong, after Lot’s happy rescue, after being blessed by the priest of the Most High God, what now?         His heart swelled up in victory bobs down into the trough. How so? Eliezer of Damascus is mentioned, but not as the trough.  Eliezer of Damascus was Abraham’s steward, his right and man. Perhaps he was chosen en-route to Canaan the year Abraham turned 75, perhaps employed later on. He’s like a manager for the owner. And when you had no heir, in that culture your right hand man was deeded all. Wealthy Abraham has no heir, and worries about the promise.  He’s probably in his 80’s. Barren Sarai, still beautiful, is past the age of childbearing. There is not one speck of dust, not one star, not one new citizen for a mighty nation this wandering shepherd was promised.  If Abraham dies without a child the promise dies too. What is the Lord doing to Abraham?

          This is how the Lord trains saintly women and men. After encouragement, when life is good, often trials arrive causing dismay and shaking confidence. Why is this God’s manner toward those who believe the promise, those whom He loves?  The expression, “Where is God when you need Him?” suggests our fallen race imagines there are times we do not need Him. Who here is not tempted when on the mountain top to trust in false security, tempted to become self-confident rather than promise-confident? How easily do we trust in good circumstances and set aside God’s promises, received by faith and faith alone? Do we, sinners all, really need the sentence of death so that we believe the resurrection? Abraham was like us. We see our failings in his. He fears again, he is troubled again, and he wavers again when his faith is attacked again.  So too the Lord tests us, to comfort the weeping, to strengthen the weak, to pour out grace upon the confused, to forgive and give great gifts to those who are His. He will save us through the promise, through His Son.

          He saved us through the death of Jesus, so too we discover the Lord is strong for us when we are weakest. Jesus Christ endured trials. Consider His night in the garden (Mt 26:41) when He wrestled, the flesh weak, troubled.  He won the victory through faith. He won the victory for us, to fulfill the promises given Eve, Noah, and Abraham. Jesus, the Seed of woman (Gen 3), is the ark that preserves the faithful in the flood, who told Abraham to leave his own country in order to bless all nations. Jesus the Christ is the blessing of all nations, the promised Seed descended from Abraham. Yet as our Lord said, “Abraham saw my day and was glad.” How did Abraham see? He saw by trusting the message of the messenger sent him, even the Lord of hosts. And Abraham, hearing glad words is comforted by the promise, and believes. That faith, a faith wrought by God and yet Abraham’s faith, was reckoned to him as righteousness (see Romans 4:23). Abraham’s fears for the promise are answered by the promise, the happy           resolution, being for our confidence in the promise too.

          We have the history of the Lord’s faithfulness. Faith receives this promise and faith alone. Faith receives the promise that justifies so faith alone justifies, faith trusting the promises of God, concluding they are true and true for you. Even if that faith is tested, struggles, wavers it is the vessel into which the promise is poured.       The promise is not poured into obedience, or actions, but faith which receives the promise. Then faith’s fruit is obedience and love, because that’s what the promise works. Faith is the fruit of the promise, so that by faith in the promise Abraham conquered his fears. The promise clearly says what God thinks of Abraham, so that Abraham believes what God thinks, and follows in view of the promise. Faith too is sustained by the Saviour’s strength given in every trial, so that faith continues to believe the promise. “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

          He believed the LORD, and the Lord counted that faith as righteousness. There is not a word here about what Abraham did or did not do. Yet what Abraham then did was true to the promise was because of faith, the promise giving him courage to believe and act. And what Abraham then failed to do out of fear and the struggles of faith, the faithful Lord used to build Abraham’s faith for the sake of the promise. Despite his doubts, despite the turmoil in Abraham about an heir, despite all his failings in the past, he is called righteous. On the basis of this faith, Abraham is reckoned, imputed, regarded, considered, and accounted righteous. And he is strengthened by the promise, “I am your shield.” That’s not a reward for Abraham’s deeds, but a gift that faith receives.

          The promise given Abraham (like Eve, Adam, and Noah) is the Seed, the coming Christ. Yes, there will be a child from Abraham’s seed and Sarah’s womb. Then Abraham will be told to offer Isaac, the child of the promise, as a sacrifice. So in that terrible trial of faith, Isaac will foreshadow the sacrifice of God’s Son, even as Abraham’s promised child shall be spared by a substitute sacrifice. The promise is everything, faith attaching itself to it, faith grasping it, so that God’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life through His Son gives peace, life, and joy. Faith receives all that the promise offers like a beggar, whose bowl will certainly be filled to the brim.

          That’s how your lives are filled by the grace of God. You are given every good gift, including the testing that ultimately strengthens faith because the promise will not fail. Faith, kept alive by the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ, advocated to us by the Spirit - that faith the Father regards as righteous, faith that Christ died for sinners, and that means for you.

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

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^[1] The Holy Bible : English Standard Version. electronic ed. Wheaton : Good News Publishers, 2001, S. Ge 12:1-3

Holy Trinity Sunday: Isaiah 6:1-8

May 28, 2013; Holy Trinity Sunday; Texts: Psalm 29; Isaiah 6:1-8; Rom 11:33-36; John 3:1-15; Before the Thrice Holy God; Rev. Tim Beck

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

The divinely inspired writer records “In the year that King Uzziah died…” There’s a good reason the priest Isaiah lets us know the year.  The nation of Judah had been blest by God, but in 758 B.C. the 52 year reign of Uzziah was over.  During his reign Judah grew strong militarily and economically because Uzziah was marvelously helped by God, so Isaiah says. During his long reign the king built fortified cities, a world-class army, and installed technological military innovations so exciting that Uzziah became internationally famous. But after all his years of godliness, after successes by God’s help, he grew proud. After a full life he tragically ended it with that pat on the back saying “Look what I’ve done,” claiming credit for what God gave. Uzziah and the nation became hard of heart toward their Creator. So for their sake, that Uzziah not lose the only thing of lasting value, and that the nations know there is a God in Judah, devastation would swoop upon her.  The glory Uzziah said he gave Judah would be wiped away like a rag wipes a dish.

          That’s why we are told it is the year of Uzziah’s death because the name Uzziah was a stinging reminder of pride’s cost, pride before God. People remembered how Uzziah decided to worship God in his own way. On a whim he chose to burn incense before the Lord, to do what only the priests were commanded to do. But when the priests courageously warned him, Uzziah became angry incense censor in hand, and was struck with leprosy. He died a leper, cut off from the Temple and from Israel’s worship. Read 2 Chronicles 26:17 ff. for that history. Uzziah’s death is a warning for our day too. Let us repent pride, independence from the Living God, all attempts to re-define Him, and re-shaping His things in our hands. 

          On the other hand, Isaiah did his duty as a priest. He entered the temple after the ceremonial purifications. He enters to present his service as commanded. Isaiah enters the Temple to offer sacrifice for the people.  With all the priesthood, he remembers Uzziah, and that the Living God is holy. Then the terror: I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”  And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.  His eyes unexpectedly see what is always true. Isaiah sees into realities beyond our earthly capacity to perceive. He sees the LORD, YHWH, sitting upon a throne.  He sees the Divine Glory in the temple, even if that glory is not contained in the temple for what created thing can contain the True God? 

          Seraphim soar in the fire of their own beings while continually veiling their faces and feet in reverence before the Supreme Holiness. They forever and ever sing the Te Deum, praising the LORD’s overwhelming perfection in the purity of the thrice holy God. The foundations of the temple shook, the building trembled with reverential awe, and that house filled with the cloud of smoke from the song of the seraphim. Heaven is on earth, revealed on earth.  Isaiah in his vision heard, felt, touched, smelt, and saw the glory of the Lord in the year Uzziah died. The vision is too powerful, too revealing, too holy. It lays Isaiah bare, despite his piety. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

          Seeing God, Isaiah doesn’t look to his obedience to the laws or his privileged position as a priest. He expects to die. God’s righteousness cuts him open like a corpse in an autopsy.  Despite his piety, despite his care to follow God’s law, his lips are too filthy to mouth priestly words before this thrice holy God.  Isaiah sees. Compare that to King Uzziah’s arrogance and the tribe of Judah’s hardness of heart. Nevertheless, Isaiah awaits his end, seeing God’s righteousness. Seeing God’s righteousness he sees himself truly. He is a sinner among sinful men. He has nothing to offer God but shame. It’s always what way before the Living God. Peter too cried out before the LORD, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” The Apostle John records in his revelation, seeing the Lord he fell down as one dead. How do we dare gather here in the presence of the thrice holy God? Do we dare take His name upon our lips, dare sing “Holy, holy, holy, as if we can put ourselves in the place of seraphim and enter God’s presence? We would be undone except for another righteousness of God, a righteousness that is not of the law.

          Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.  What joy for the grace God reveals so that we may live! The holy God did not reveal himself to kill Isaiah. He instead restores the repentant Isaiah to life. The angel flies from the altar of incense, where coals of fire were taken from inside the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. What King Uzziah earlier grasped in pride, what caused his leprosy, his exclusion and death, one of the seraphim now takes and applies. The angel takes a burning coal, a remainder of the burnt offering, a bit of the sacrifice by which the Loving God forgives and purifies. With it he touches Isaiah’s impure lips. Isaiah’s sin is removed by burnt flesh that suffered the fiery wrath of God in the flames of the purifying altar.  Isaiah’s sin, and all Israel’s sin, is atoned for in this Sacrament of the altar. Isaiah is declared righteous.

          By this cleansing Isaiah is called anew to his holy office, prepared to declare the Word of the Lord.  He is made acceptable to serve God. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”  Have you ever seen such a transformation!  Isaiah went from expecting death to praise. By imputed righteousness he was turned into a willing messenger. His mouth was cleansed, his guilt gone, absorbed by that burning coal. This gift is sufficient so that Isaiah can serve God without fear.  He responds in unabashed joy to the invitation of the Lord, saying “Here am I, send me!” What a transformation from being confounded by his un-holiness, now purified and made alive. Isaiah’s boldness is the opposite of Uzziah’s pride. Isaiah responds from receiving the righteousness that cleanses sinners, the one given by the perfect sacrifice that felt the holy fire of Divine wrath. 

          Jesus Christ is that holy sacrifice, His body and blood cleansing us from all sins; the Holy Spirit convicting you that this is true. How marvelously the One God, the Triune God blesses us, applying His righteousness to you and me in these last days. He revealed Himself not to destroy us, but in an earthly incarnation.  God made flesh is revealed in the humiliation of the cross. This is the burnt-offering of God for you, the LORD’s righteousness for you.  On the cross Jesus fills the earth with glory and bids you enter the heavenly temple through the blood-stained door.  Enter heaven friend; come into the very presence of the Almighty who extends fatherly mercy in the Son incarnate, the Lamb slain who lives.

          What could we possibly want to lift up in His stead? What could we possibly want besides that sacred coal upon our lips? Jesus Christ paid the full price of sin…Isaiah’s, Uzziah’s, Judah’s and yours. Jesus Christ places on your lips and tongues His cleansing self in His most holy Supper.  Indeed, it is a Supper as holy as righteous, as glorious and pure as the vision of Isaiah. Eating and drinking we enter heaven, as we with the angels around us sing that terrible yet joyful hymn: holy, holy, holy; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. In reverential awe we receive the glory of God given to the unworthy and impure. The fruit of Jesus’ sacrifice is poured over our lips. 

          He freely gives you the righteousness that does not consume the sinner, but cleanses unto everlasting life.  So go in peace, in joy, and in the boldness of the justified. And where do we go?  We go into the world of Uzziah and Judah and Isaiah.  We go not by our own will, but commissioned by the word that brings peace. We go into the world in our vocations, sent by God. We too sing the sacrifice of praise, “Here am I, Send me!”  And we are sent, not by the law’s demands, but as instruments of Christ’s righteousness. We go as Holy servants of the Most High, of the One God thrice Holy. We go in peace.

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

Pentecost Day

May 19, 2013; Pentecost Day; Texts; Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:23-31;
Title: The Purpose of Pentecost Power; Rev. Tim Beck

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

Today we celebrate Pentecost, a marvelous day, an extraordinary day. And what
is so wonderful about it? Many Christians miss the wonder of Pentecost when our
fallen nature fastens on the wrong things. We get caught up in the signs. For
example, when you were a child, did you remember best Abraham’s intercession for
Sodomor the fire and brimstone that rained down? Parents and teachers, did you
give children hyper-dramatic “Bible” cartoons to catch their attention,
despite the message getting lost in scenes akin to superman? We’re attracted to
the extraordinary, be it bigger ice cream cones, 9th inning plays, extravagant
shows, tongues of fire. This naturally unnatural tendency causes people of all
ages to miss the ordinary work of God, and to miss the point when God acts out
of the ordinary. We easily forget that miraculous signs are not signs to
themselves but point to something greater, something bigger and better.

Signs and wonders are for faith. They lead us to the miracle that is
not seen, but believed. What God worked through Pentecost was not simply wind,
fire, and miraculous utterance. There was a message spoken in those unlearned
languages. And if we read on in Acts to the conclusion of Peter’s Pentecost
sermon, many Christians are surprised by what Peter proclaims as the goal of
Pentecost. So let’s identify what the goal of Pentecost’s miraculous signs is
not. First, let’s point out the obvious. Miraculous signs are not given to
justify false doctrine. Even if something out of the ordinary happens, we don’t
leap up and say, that must be God! And then define God by our interpretation of
the experience. Pentecost’s experience was well defined by Scripture, so that
the miraculous signs didn’t become the thing in themselves, unlike someone I
know made them. He grew up with some Pentecostals who over the years gained
national prominence. His friends filled rallies by being filled with “signs,”
and claiming a new Pentecost. Over the years, their experiences defined what
they called God. One preacher rejected justification by grace. Two others
rejected the Trinity. One said “with a special anointing you are god, equal to
Jesus.” Their friend couldn’t believe these men deserted the Christian faith…
because they were so humble when you talked with them, and look what they did!
Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel
contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. The real Pentecost
has nothing to do with accursed teachings.

Besides, that first Pentecost the signs pointed to the message. That’s
the second correction: signs are not an end in themselves. God did not give them
to fascinate us, but for faith in Christ. Scripture is about Christ, and Christ
is received by Holy-Spirit-worked faith, not by emotional zeal, clever
reasoning, or a sinner’s willful decision. And if our faith is in signs, it
won’t last long. For example, when God did the extraordinary in the miracles of
the Exodus, sight could not sustain faith. Although the miracles proved God’s
word was true, most of Israelrefused to believe. The third correction:
Pentecost’s goal is not to create first-class and second-class Christians,
measured by a personal experience of tongues. If you read the book of Acts, are
all believers commanded to speak in tongues?

To summarize, what purpose do miracles not have? They are never for
false doctrine, an end in themselves, or for spiritual pride. As for the
miraculous signs of Pentecost the Old Testament tells us why they were given.
The signs of Pentecost did not happen in a vacuum, as if God did a new thing
without any reference to the thing He’d been doing new for centuries. Throughout
Scripture, God’s signs point to Christ, and often connect to previous signs. For
example, Passover’s lamb foreshadowed the Lamb of God. The signs of the Exodus
and wilderness wanderings, such as the rock struck that poured out the water of
life, pointed to Christ too. So when Jesus came, he replaced the Passover with
His own Supper, since the sign gave way to the substance. As for Pentecost, it
had signs that preceded it and pointed to its day. Pentecost occurred on the day
of the Jewish harvest festival. What did the harvest festival point to? The
harvest festival was a day of thanksgiving for harvest. The annual celebration
for the crops said “God was faithful again!” Besides that, it symbolized the
Lord will be faithful to fulfill the promise He made to Abraham. Abraham was
promised a seed that would bless all peoples. That seed, like wheat would die
and then live to be the blessing of the nations. David too was promised a seed
who would be both king and deliverer, the seed who would harvest a great crop of
souls. Then the blessed Seed came, suffered, died, rose and ascended, and sent
the Spirit.

The harvest festival was fulfilled and replaced by Pentecost, which
declared the gathering of all peoples to Christ. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit
was poured out on all nations, all tongues, fulfilling what Joel predicted so
long before, which included the darkness surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus’
salvation is manifest in power. The very signs of Pentecost had Biblical
precedent. The sound of a mighty rushing wind symbolized the Holy Spirit’s
presence from time immemorial. Genesis 1:2 calls the Spirit: “the breath or
wind” of God. The Spirit was represented by wind in the time of Elijah too, so
it was no surprise when Jesus said the wind blows where it wills as does the
Spirit (Jn 3). Second, flames of fire symbolized the divine presence. It
hearkened to the burning bush and pillar of fire over God’s people. John the
Baptist referred to Jesus coming in the Holy Spirit and in fire (Mt. 3:11) (God
with us, Immanuel!) This fire poured out upon God’s people has always resulted
in confession, prayer, praise and witness to the divine presence. Third, the
utterance of tongues was a sign of divine inspiration. Not only does God give
language, He speaks through His church. Tongues fell on every gathered disciple
to indicate all believers have the same Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues undid
the towerof Babel, and fulfilled the promise made to Abraham. The blessed
Saviour is declared to all nations in all languages.

And notice what Peter called the mighty works of God, since it wasn’t
these signs. What did He, inspired by the Holy Spirit say? Peter’s sermon calls
the mighty works of God this: Christ crucified and risen. The miraculous signs
point to Christ, for the sake of faith. So when it comes down to it, the purpose
of Pentecost is the proclamation of the Christ. The Holy Spirit is given so that
the message goes to all peoples, through the church. As Jesus said, you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalemand in all Judeaand Samaria, and to the end of the
earthActs 1:8. The church is commissioned to declare the Word to all peoples,
and the signs of Pentecost affirm it. The signs of Pentecost are not about sheer
power, or chiefly about the Holy Spirit. They focus on Christ; for the “other
advocate” empowers the church for witness. And to put away one last
misconception: Pentecost is not the first time the Holy Spirit came upon the
church to create faith. The church began with Adam’s repentance and His faith in
the promised Saviour. Where there is faith in the Word there is the Holy
Spirit. There is the same faith and the same Holy Spirit present in each
believer from time immemorial. As you recall from John 17, Jesus said before he
died that each believer has and will continue to have the Holy Spirit in them.

Today’s text, saying that the Holy Spirit had not yet been given,
refers to another aspect of the Spirit’s work. What Pentecost affirms is the
Holy Spirit empowers the church to witness to Christ so that all nations will
hear; and by the Holy Spirit’s advocacy may believe. This is the purpose of the
signs, that the Word of Christ is declared to all peoples for faith. This
surprises many Christians. And what is even more surprising is how Peter
applies the miracle of Pentecost. How are all people to receive the faith that
saves? Peter doesn’t go where Pentecostal theology goes, making the signs the
goal of a believer, to measure truth by Scripture but by experience. Peter takes
Pentecost’s miraculous doings and leads his hearers to…Holy Baptism! The purpose
of Pentecost takes us to baptism. Is baptism a mightier work than fire, tongues
and rushing wind? Is all the excitement of that first Pentecost so that the
peoples would submit to baptism? Is it all so that an unseen faith would be born
of water with the Word?

Consider a summary of the Apostle’s entire Pentecost sermon: First,
the Holy Spirit seen as wind gives witness to Christ through the church; the
flames indicate the presence of the divine name, Jesus is LORD; and the many
languages declare Abraham’s promise to all nations is fulfilled. Then Peter
declares Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and the sending of the Spirit,
quoting the prophets and concludes: Repent and be baptized every on of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children
and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself
(Acts 2:38, 39).

Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus is Peter’s conclusion.
There are some points to consider in his conclusion. First, God calls. He is the
one who saves by means of His promise. Second, His promise is for you, for your
children, and all who are far off. Third, repent your sins. Finally, the
contrite are commended to Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of
the Holy Spirit. Baptism promises to those near and far, for you and for your
children, forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Unbelievers
who saw and heard the events of that first Pentecost are directed to repentance
and baptism. That’s the wonder of Pentecost. In water with the Word sinners are
absolved, receive an outpouring of grace, membership in Kingdomof God, and the
gift of the Holy Spirit. There is no command to seek some other experience, some
substitute sacrament to get more of the Holy Spirit. Peter preaches baptism, and
that message remains to this day. The purposeful goal of Pentecost’s miraculous
signs is Baptism into Christ. For in Baptism, God grants the Holy Spirit, the
kingdomof God, forgiveness of sins, the sanctified life, and the power to
witness.

In simple water with the Word God grants faith, and all things
pertaining to life. This promise He has given you, your children, and those who
are far off. That makes Pentecost a most marvelous day, a wonderful day. He who
believes and is baptized shall be saved (Amen).

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

3rd Sunday of the Resurrection: John 10:11-16

April 14, 2013; 3^rd Sunday of the Resurrection (Misericordias Domini); Texts: Psalm 23; Ezekiel 34:11-16; I Peter 2:21-25; John 10:11-16; Title: The Shepherd Calls; Rev Tim Beck

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

We Christians thank the Living God because He revealed His name to us. He reveals Himself so that we may know who He is and whose we are. We thank the Triune God for revealing the name that is above every name, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this name we are redeemed from sin, reconciled to God as Father and delivered from the penalty of sin, namely death. In this name we also receive the Holy Spirit for newness of life. We thank God the Father for sending the Son to restore us to life, as His flock, one flock with one Shepherd. Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, walked among us, full of grace and truth, declaring who He is and calling us to be His. 

          What did Jesus declare about Himself?  Among His revelations the Apostle John records the emphatic “I, I am” sayings. “I, I am the door; I, I am the true light; I, I am the way, truth and the life; I, I am the bread, the living water, the vine; and I, I am the shepherd, the good one.”  Our texts today speak of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Ezekiel prophesies the coming Shepherd. Peter declares the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Jesus reveals He is a Shepherd, the good shepherd. He tends his flock. He cares for us. And we his sheep rejoice in Him who cares for His flock day and night, while we    are waking, sleeping, upon the mountain sides and passing through dark valleys.  He is our Shepherd; so let us pay attention to His voice, to be confident that we are in his flock.

          Who is God’s flock? At times in the Old Testament all people are called God’s flock. This describes all people as created by God, as His creatures. But in this passage Jesus is not speaking of the universal realm of the Creator’s care; that is the world under the law. In other passages only the people of Abraham’s lineage are called sheep; those given the promise of the seed of Abraham. But in this context, where God incarnate, born of Mary, came to redeem a fallen race, he speaks not just of Abraham’s seed according to the flesh.  Who are His sheep? It is not at all complicated although it is mysterious.

The Pharisees, the Sadducees, most of Israel and most Gentiles are          excluded from this flock, but not for lack of invitation. So who belongs? “My sheep hear my voice.”       The Lord calls His own and those who hear are His own. He is the Shepherd of hearing Israel. “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. He is also the Shepherd of believing Gentiles.

          Those called, all who listen, who follow that holy, compassionate voice belong to the flock. Jesus pointed out that those in high places, the rulers of Israel, were in someone else’s flock; not because He failed to die for them... rather, they refused to follow.  Here is a mystery, why do some believe and others not? We cannot penetrate this enigma nor should we try. It is enough to know Jesus truly died for all, all are forgiven, but not all will be saved because of unbelief. The blame lands squarely on those who refuse the gift, and refuse freely; but the credit does not go to those who receive; the choice to ours to seize. That’s the mystery we cannot reconcile with our logic. Yet Scripture comforts us with this word: the elect will be saved. For election confirms that we are saved by grace alone, by something God does for us, and also in us, namely, to create faith that is indeed our own faith. We are saved because He died for us, forgiving us our sin. And faith passively receives, passively, because faith is not our work, even if faith is ours.  Faith is created and sustained by His word in you, both to will and do His good pleasure. So Jesus tells us the distinguishing mark of His sheep. It isn’t wool or skinny legs, cute lamb tails going flip flop. Rather, they listen to their Shepherd.

          What does Jesus tell the sheep?  He says he won’t fleece or eat them. He tells them He laid down his life for His sheep. This shepherd died for sheep. That’s pastoral love, a love that opens the door to knowing God as Father (Sheep, are you listening?). For Christ gave his life for the flock. He purchased a flock that was led by a bad “shepherd” down the stock yard gates toward slaughter. And the sheep who hear him turn away from death to follow the Good Shepherd who feeds, leads, protects, and brings us to eternal life.

          It wasn’t always that sweet, for we all like sheep had gone astray, each to his way. We were born with backs turned toward the Shepherd of life, bleating out that the desert air suits us, or caves in the rocks that smell like lion. We preferred shepherds of our choosing, hirelings, useless when it really mattered. It is a sinner’s nature to be hostile to God and blind to depravity. Like little Jack Horner who sat in a corner we call ourselves good for choosing what we want. Even if all peoples have an idea of God and a practice of worship, it is not of the true God. As evidence, God offers us life freely, but all peoples want salvation by the law, although a law that gets rearranged to achieve a winning percentage.  And that tendency, the Pharisee or Sadducee in us, prefers commands to of grace. But that cave is estrangement from the life of God. So the Psalmist mourns, “Like sheep they are laid in the grave - death shall feed on them. As our text says, we are wolf-prey; servants of Satan, children of wrath.

          But who wants to believe that? But for this reason, the reason of unbelief, the Shepherd laid down his life for the sheep. For this reason God assumed flesh and blood and bore witness, “I lay down my life for the sheep.”  I, I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. For this reason the Good Shepherd called us into His flock, giving us life. Jesus kept His word. He did not abandon the sheep when he saw the wolf coming. He remained faithful in the evil hour. When the power of darkness with a murderous host came, Jesus went calmly and quietly, meekly and fearlessly. He laid down his life. He was not overwhelmed by stronger powers; He laid down His life. He laid down His life for Israel, for Gentiles, for the world, for you too. And you who believe His voice follow, knowing your Lord did all things well for you. You follow His voice to a good end.

          He is the Shepherd, the Good one who redeemed us from our captivity, bringing us out from prison of law and condemnation into the freedom of God. He who gave His life also took it up again. What good is a dead Shepherd? He rose to lead, guide, discipline, protect and nourish the one flock. He watches over the church, staff and rod in hand.  Though the sheep scattered when He died, He gathered them, going before them to Galilee, ascending and after Pentecost He is building a great flock.  He continues to brings in sheep from within and from without the fold of Israel, enlarging the church with all the tribes and nations in the world.  And He sustains that church, taking them hoof by hoof through the wilderness. He carries the lambs in His arms, toward quiet waters and green pasture.  

          Nevertheless, we sheep don’t always understand our Shepherd. We get nervous, jittery; at times bolt and make a lot of noise.         Sheep take a lot of work to keep together, to keep safe, and to see they don’t wander off into the desert or go looking in caves. So Jesus uses both staff and rod for a good end, teaching us to listen.  He gathers and sustains us by His word, a word that applies to our every circumstance. “They will hear my voice.”  Hearing isn’t some hidden revelation that wells up from deep within our hearts. That gurgle in the gut is a sheep’s indigestion. We hear in a fashion more shepherd-like. He commands, barks, speaks, beckons, whispers through the Word, including through messengers of the Word. You’ve heard it in the law leading you to repentance. You hear it beautifully put in the gospel when Jesus said “I lay down my life for the sheep.”  And that message to all who believe is the sheepfold, the foundation, the capstone. This is what builds and supports your life, making sense of this life. This message lasts for eternity, and happy is the one who believes and builds accordingly, on this foundation.

          The Shepherd bids “Come to me.”  He bids us because I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. And all these things shall be yours because Jesus calls you.          That is a comfort for you, dear believer.  As Luther said, “Those who should hear, they hear, that is certain. Yes, his sheep   hear his voice and in that they hear his call, they are called, converted, won.” The sheep Christ calls he cares for. He Shepherds in a fellowship of love expressed in these words: “I know my sheep and they know me.”

          Faith receives the counsel of the Word, hiding it in our heart like leaven that works through the loaf.  Faith finds in Christ’s words joy, hope and direction despite the dangers we see along the way. The Shepherd knows our concerns, needs, sighs, fears. He knows his own and He loves His own.  He loves His own and He reveals Himself to us.  He brought His own into His new creation, into fellowship with Him. He chose us before the foundation of the world, for fellowship with Him and the Father.  He is the “I, I am.” He is the vine, we are the branches. He is the foundation and we are living stones in a holy building, the body of Christ. We sheep are bid to eat the Shepherd, and receive His life. That’s why His sheep hear and love Him.  We follow the Shepherd, whether upon mountain sides or through deep valleys. We remain in the fellowship of the word.         And when not in this sacred assembly, the word remains united with us; speaking to us so that we mediate upon it praying to Him who enlightens us.

          So He brings us into His likeness, applying the word through all the twists and turns along our path. He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He brings us into one flock, one faith, one baptism, one Lord and Saviour of us all, into the unity of the faith, the same confession, and same hope. Thank God His sheep have a Shepherd, and that Shepherd is the Good One. He revealed Himself so that we may know who He is and whose we are. 

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