3rd Sunday in Lent: Luke 11:14-28

March 3, 2013; 3^rd Sunday in Lent (Oculi), Texts: Psalm 136:1-16; Exodus 8:16-21; Ephesians 5:1-9; Luke 11:14-28; Title: In Power We Trust; Rev. T Beck

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

If you go to the movie theatre, on the wall there’s a visible theme in the big ads. The theme is power: guns blazing, swords twirling, trains smashing, strong men plotting, aliens invading and you get the drift. Today’s text follows that line too, doesn’t it?  Who can bind the strong man and plunder his house?  Jesus is casting out demons, and what a Hollywood scene that would make. We’d want to see a big battle, lots of broken stuff and half of New York burn. Maybe it is better Hollywood leaves Jesus alone. Jesus just speaks and it is done… then the mute man spoke and people marveled. But then folks went squirrelly. “Jesus does this by the devil’s authority,” some said. Others say, “Jesus, show more powerful signs if you want us to believe in you.”

          What would you say if there? Would you accuse Jesus of being in league with evil, or demand He fit into your expectations to win your allegiance? We’re folks asking “Is He really powerful enough to follow?” That’s not even asking if Jesus is good enough to follow.  The answer to the question doesn’t lack evidence. The difficulty is what it means to admit where His actions come from and what His words reveal. What is revealed? Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! That’s enough reason to follow Jesus. He is God, God incarnate. Then He’s’ going to come out on top one way or another. And that’s something sinners, sinners like us, don’t swallow easily. If I trust Him, how can I choose what I want above what He says? Shall I really be dependent on Him? Shall I trust His promises are true for me? That leads us to the question if He is good. These are not academic questions, but real ones, even in us redeemed sinners. They lead us somewhere, somewhere where the sakes are high.

          His word leads us who believe in Him, and not only to mountain tops. He leads His sheep into some dark valleys. He may lead us away from the security we crave, a comfortable life, healthy, wealthy, but not too wise; with excitement without real risk and without scars. He leads us away from idolatry in order to bring us to worship, to receive His gifts. He bids us to believe what He promises to give. He calls us to receive everything needful from Him. Faith is a challenging road, a Lenten road. Look what happened to the prophets, look what happened to Him! Look what happened to the apostles. The norm of the true church, the believing church, is a cross.

          It is easier to say “Jesus is of the devil. I don’t have to listen to him.” It is easier to say “Jesus, I want more proof before I trust you.” But there is a risk in that too isn’t there? Jesus warns us that unbelief ends in hell.  Is Jesus sufficiently strong, he who promises to lead us along a narrow, difficult          road? Can He really give eternal life and bring us into the kingdom of God? Can he really forgive our sins, including our doubts, weaknesses and wrong desires? How do we know He can? He cast out demons, among other marvelous things. He heals, restores, and re-creates.

          The Evangelist Luke reported another clue: Not only did Jesus know their thoughts; He knew what to do about them. Did He zap the doubters, the arrogant, the self-centered and the scared? Does He smash things and shatter the walls gloriously? He speaks common sense, and what’s powerful about that? If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. That deceiver Satan will not destroy himself. And if the devil is cast out in the name of God by the sons of Israel, by whom does Jesus work? Jesus is stronger than Satan. Therefore, whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Even the demons know that.

          Even the demons know if their former habitation does not repent from unbelief in the true God, they are free to return. If one is cast out, although the victim orders his life, but without the order of faith, the demon may bring more evil with it. Apart from faith in the strongest of the strong, we cannot resist the evil that is stronger than we. We cannot even resist the evil of original sin that resides in us. We need the one who binds the darkness with an everlasting light. There is someone who is strong, stronger, strongest.  There is one who cannot be bound but has power to bind. He is the one who let himself be bound for slaughter. He is the Lamb Slain who rose from the dead, who did that not for Himself, but for you.

          He is ready to bless, even more than His mother was blessed to bear the incarnate God. He is ready and powerful to bless you, to bless all who receive His word by faith. To believe in Jesus is to receive all He promises to give you. So why do we hesitate to trust in Him? That is to ask why some said he cast out demons by the devil, or why some asked for more signs, just one or two more… His power is not manifest where we naturally look for strength, but is hidden under the cross. Yet that answers not only questions about power, also about goodness. The issue is not simply power, although that is necessary for a real Saviour. The question is also if God is good, and good toward you.  So the answer about power is veiled under the answer of goodness; yet is revealed powerfully if we will receive it.

          What sign did Jesus promise the sign-hungry crowds?  He gave them the sign of Jonah. He gave them His death and burial, returning to life the third day. That’s the power that cast Satan down, Jesus’ sacrificial death for sinners. And He hides that power in other unadorned signs. What sign declares His power overcomes the sinner’s sin, the world and the devil? The sign of water with the Word. What sign declares He powerfully works life and salvation through forgiveness? A bite of bread and a sip of wine He said to be His very body and blood. What overcomes the world? Faith that is created by the word, by the word declaring the glory of Jesus’ death for sinners that overcomes the world. …he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

          Blessed are those who hear and keep the word of God, of God! More literally, blessed are those who guard the word of God. That word works what it says because it is God’s word, and God always wins. That word is worth keeping, guarding, watching if you want to be blessed. We who receive it guard it like a night watchman in a bank, like a bank teller watching for counterfeit bills, like the banker who receives the deposits. We hear and guard what is given us, the Word that created the heavens and the earth. This is the Word that became incarnate for us sinners. Blessed are those who hear, who receive that word. Blessed is the Word born of Mary, God made visible, humble in a manger with dirty diapers. Blessed is the revelation of God’s mercy toward Adam’s fallen race; shown also when Jesus cast out demons. Blessed is the power of God revealed upon an instrument of shame and death, reconciling enemies with their rightful king.

          This is God’s Word, no deception of demons, no lunatic raving, and no unlivable philosophic speculation.  This Word holds the world together, it saves and it judges too. This Word sustains all who believe until the day of glorification. Who else can we trust ourselves to other than the Living God, the good God?  Blessed are those who hear. Blessed are those whom this word enters, for to hear is more than sitting in a theatre assaulted by the noise, lights, action. It is to ponder, to weigh, to receive what is spoken into you. Do not resist the Holy Spirit who says Jesus is powerful, and powerfully good. This word changes you. It remakes you. It will save you. It is a treasure. This reason alone tells you the word is to be guarded. Blessed are those who keep, or guard Jesus’ word. Blessed we are to be like someone with a winning lottery ticket held tightly all the way to          wherever winning lottery tickets go. We received a treasure. This treasure does more than a winning ticket. It bears all your burdens, giving you what is promised in due time.

          Take it for what it is. But do not take it lightly, as if it does not contain heaven and earth, as if He did not make heaven and earth. Let us repent our unguarded lives and hear again Jesus’ warning over the battle for your soul, for your life, your future. The devil wants you to share his punishment. But Jesus He bore your punishment to forgive you and give you life. Guard that powerful word, remembering that Jesus cast out the demons because He is stronger than the destroyer. Listen to that word, our hope, our confidence, our certainty of life. And here you are, listening, hearing, pondering, receiving, and believing. For that Word shall keep you, guard you, feed you, sustain you, protect you, provide for you even as it washed you and forgave you. It shall also resurrect you. The Son of God went forth to war, and conquered. We shall follow in His train. His strong word that created all, that bespeaks us righteous, shall bring us into glory.

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

2nd Sunday in Lent: Genesis 32:22-32

Feb 24, 2013; 2^nd Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere); Texts: Psalm 121; Genesis 32:22-32; Romans 5:1-5; Matthew 15:21-28; Title: Faith that Fights; Rev. Tim Beck

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

The second Sunday in Lent is called “Reminiscere.” We shall reminisce about the history of Israel, for faith’s sake. God’s ways can only be understood by faith. God promised Abraham that his Seed would bless all nations; and then God told        Abraham to sacrifice the only son of the promise, Isaac. Who could reason that out? But Abraham believed and so obeyed, and Isaac lived and was blest. Isaac believed too, though he favored Esau, his son who didn’t believe. So Jacob, who believed the promise, who wanted the promise, both bought and stole the birth right from his brother Esau, Isaac conferring it to him on his death-bed. But when Esau planned to murder him, Jacob fled. Then Jacob struggled 20 years under Laban, and had to flee his father-in-law too. When Jacob is finally freed from Laban’s threats, Esau is coming with 400 armed men. Jacob, believing the promise wrestles with God, is blest for faith’s sake and renamed Israel.

          So it is with faith. There’s always a fight, one where victory depends upon God. For example, Israel’s sons became a tribe and then a nation only to be enslaved away from the land of promise. After 400 years of exile, in a faith-fight Moses led Israel to the Promised Land, to Canaan and gave God’s command: kill every inhabitant there. Kill them all. Was that God’s way to bless the nations?  It doesn’t make sense to reason. It doesn’t make sense apart from faith; even if God warned the Canaanites not to abandon        the faith they received from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but they did. It doesn’t make sense even if the Canaanites went from bad to repugnant during those 400 years after forefather Israel left the Promised Land. Canaanite men fornicated with men, and women with women as a sacrifice of praise before gods shaped like sexual-organs. Canaanite parents burnt their babies to a crisp as a sacrifice. That’s where unbelief took them. (Today we’re hardly offended at Canaanite ways: in California school-children are forced to hear that modern versions of the same are perfectly normal behavior... and there’s saline baths to cause abortions.)

          But faith sees that God’s judgment made sense, since the Canaanites required all who lived in the land to worship their gods, to follow their ways. So God judged Canaan’s unbelief for the sake of faith, so that Israel could believe in the promised Seed. God’s ways are not our ways; they are hard to understand and they have to do with faith. God destroyed the nations of Canaan to preserve faith in Israel; to have a people set apart for the sake of all nations. God promised to keep faith in Israel, and when most of Israel turned from faith, He let enemies destroy the nation and preserved a believing remnant. God judges unbelief that there might be faith; and he does this in ways only faith can see. Who reasoned that all the trials Jacob endured were for the sake of faith? When Jacob heard Esau was coming with a small army, when his faith wavered, what did His Lord do but strengthen it in a fight? Keep that in mind this Lenten season. Not only are we called to repent our evil ways, we are called to faith.

          What are we called to repent? In part, all compromise with the values of the world, the devil, and our flesh; with the things that cut us off from the true God, things of unbelief. What are we called to believe? That through Christ Jesus all our sins are forgiven, we are God’s holy people. There is more to the holy History of God than judgment upon unbelief.  There is the promise, and the promise proclaimed that stirs up and sustains faith. “The faith” is for our faith. What is this “faith” that Scripture details? “The faith” means content. Faith is not mere sincerity, but faith in particulars, the revealed doctrines of Scripture. Yet faith in the faith is more than understanding and assent.  Faith is trust, dependence, reliance and confidence in what is revealed.  As to the content of the faith, you were taught the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sacraments, in short the chief articles of faith as taught in Luther’s Small Catechism. You know the Old Testament histories. You know the life of Christ and of the Apostles. You can describe the difference between the law and the gospel can’t you? That’s the content of faith. And as for the nature of faith, of trust in God’s promises, you hunger after the Word. You want to be here to hear God’s word and receive the sacrament. Or, do you feel a bit guilty right now?  Lent is a season of repentance to confess our thick skulls and hard hearts, and receive forgiveness, life and salvation. God’s ways can only be understood by faith, and faith not only understands, it receives. 

          Let us reminisce about the history of a Canaanite woman.     Then Jesus went away from there, and departed into the region of Tyre and Sidon. Tyre and Sidon were by-words for paganism; it was Canaanite heartland. Good Israelites didn’t go there, but Jesus went there, for faith’s sake. And behold, a Canaanite woman came out of those borders, and cried unto him, saying, have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David: my daughter is badly demonized. What’s amazing is this woman left the center of pagan-country to find Jesus. She’s a Canaanite, yet she knew faith’s content. She heard about this man who cast out demons and healed the sick.  And she had heard about the promise made to Abraham. She knew about the Son of David who would come to save. She knew the faith. And she had faith in the faith. She cried out for mercy confessing the faith revealed to Israel, “O Lord, Son of David!” Unlike Israel’s religious elite this Canaanite woman cried out to Jesus as Lord and as Son of David. She is like Jacob. She wrestles with God. And for her sake the Son of God appeared in the flesh as to Jacob, to be her opponent…for faith’s sake. What does Jesus do? He answered her not a word. 

          When Jesus did not answer the woman a word… his disciples approached him and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she cries after us.  The Canaanite keeps shouting, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! She makes a scene because she has a terrible need and knows Jesus can help. She shouts, but the disciples say scram. Did they think Jesus ignored her because Canaanites have no part in the kingdom of God? Look what God told Moses to do to the Canaanites! And it’s true she didn’t deserve to be in the kingdom, for who deserves that?  Or did the disciples mean “give her what she wants to get rid of her.” Like a child who shouts at her parents “give me a hot dog” over and over until she gets it. After she got it, my 3 year old niece said, “If you gave it right away I wouldn’t have to shout!”   However, Jesus does not give in. He is silent, but not because he only gives in if we shout enough.

          Jesus tested that Canaanite woman. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  The phrase is emphatic.  This is absolutely the way it is, although Jesus gives a clue for faith to this woman so desperate for help. Jesus said He came for the lost sheep of Israel. He came for those who have no faith, the unbelievers in Israel. He came to the faithless not to destroy, but to save. What does this tell the desperate Canaanite who knows about the coming Son of David? Does she reminisce that Abraham is to be a blessing to all nations? Does she remember why God’s wrath was poured out on Canaanites, for the sake of Israel’s faith? Does she think of Jacob and his wrestling? Does she know how God’s wrath was poured on unbelieving Israel to preserve a remnant with faith? Does she see that only through faith is Israel a blessing to the nations? Consider what’s going on between Jesus, the woman, and the disciples. When Jesus answered not and spoke of Israel’s unbelief the Canaanite woman was driven to cling to the promise given Abraham all the more. Driven to the promise that Abraham’s Seed would bless all peoples: Then she came and worshiped him, saying, Lord, help me. 

          That’s like us, isn’t it? Sunday mornings we don’t come to do something for God, but arrive with empty hands or even in desperation praying “Lord have mercy, you’ve promised me this.” Hearing the promises of God, needing the answers of God, we say, “Lord, me too!”          This faith is dependence and hope in the promise. This faith is sufficient because God works to create and sustain such faith… that we believe the promise in order to receive what is promised. This faith formed by testing, and like Peter’s, walks on water; and like Peter’s, cries out while sinking in the waves until Jesus drags us back into the boat, for the sake of faith. Jesus was full of mercy when he answered and said, It is not good to take the children’s bread and to cast it to dogs.     These words are not as cruel as they sound in English. There were two common words for “dog” in Jesus’ day. One referred to half-wild packs that roamed the city; dogs hated and feared by children especially. The Israelites called Canaanites by that name, “you scavenger-dog.” But Jesus used the word that means the child’s pet. Children loved these dogs. And children are messy eaters. They are sure to drop something for the dog. Jesus gave this word to win the battle for faith. He says “You’re invited into the household even if the Word of God comes from the Jews.” Jesus told the woman how to answer. Understanding the promise, she believed and said, Yes Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is your faith: be it unto you even as you desire.   And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Do you see? Faith in the promise will be tested, yet by testing the promise will strengthen faith. By testing, this woman learned prayer, “please Lord, your promises for me too!” And Jesus met her need. He fulfilled the promise of the Messiah.  And, Jesus stirred the disciples to faith by her example, provoking them to believe, they who would suffer so much for the faith after Jesus’ ascension.

          Reminisce on this if God doesn’t give you that hot dog fast enough. Keep asking, but not because He needs to be convinced; rather for your sake, for faith’s sake. And you, clinging to the promise, will learn four things through wrestling with God: 1) That we might rejoice when our Lord brings us to the cry, “Lord, help me!”  2) That we take comfort knowing faith does not depend on your will, but His grace. 3) That the Saviour will mercifully answer your cry. 4) That the Lord Jesus will use your faith-struggles to provoke others to believe. God’s ways can only be understood by faith, and faith not only understands, it receives.      

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

1st Sunday in Lent: Hebrews 4:14-16

Feb 17, 2013, 1^st Sunday in Lent (Invocabit), Texts: Psalm 118:1-13; Genesis 3:1-21; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Matthew 4:1-11; Title: We Confess the Great High Priest; Rev Tim Beck 

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

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,  being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 4:14-16, ESV). Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 5:7-9, ESV).

          Hold fast our confession. Hold fast the same word we received together, the same word we say together, and the same word we live together. We are admonished to hold fast to that word because we are tempted in subtle and large ways, tempted to give in, to give up, to go belly up in the battle. Hold fast our confession!  Hold fast to what you received, to Him who faithfully grasps you with His love.

          Do you notice the apparent paradox – Scripture tells us our salvation is all God’s doing, if we are damned it is our own fault. He who justified sinners like us, grasps us, holds us, brings us into the kingdom of God and yet we are admonished to hold on, to fight, to resist temptation. Only Christians are so admonished, because Christ dwells only in those who believe the confession. And we are given both reason and confidence for holding fast: “Having therefore, a Great High Priest…”  We have a Great High Priest who intercedes for us, who presents us faultless before the Father’s throne. And that is who we hold fast to, clinging to the one whom first clings to us. We cling to the Word, to the one Christ.

          That confession is stated in as few words as Jesus is the Christ, and as many as in the Book of Concord; for the church has always confessed. The faithful have always confessed, from Old Testament times until Christ returns. Hold fast the confession that the Living God revealed to us. In Scripture we have succinct summaries of the faith wherever God’s people gather, such as “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Dt. 6:4).  And, Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:15-16); and “every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…” (I Jn 1) And “…baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Mt 28:20) And “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rm 10:9). And “He was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” (I Tim 3:16)                                  As the church was forced to deal with heresies, they confessed what Scripture proclaimed, summarizing in the words of the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. The controversies of the 1500’s gave birth to the Augsburg Confession. Such statements are worth of your study, that you know the confession of the church, so that you may hold fast. We even decorate our building to confess; for example, the chancel wears the     colors of suffering to testify Jesus Christ died to save sinners. We confess this from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday, through Maundy Thursday, to Good Friday, and then gloriously confess the Resurrection in white and gold.

          We would have nothing to confess if our Lord had not suffered, died, and rose.  We would have no great high priest. But we do have a Great High Priest. And we need one, for He alone entered into the true Holy of Holies and offered a final and complete sacrifice for the sins of the people. This High Priest mediates between God and sinners, for he alone may approach the Holy God.  So in olden times the High Priest of old foreshadowed the coming Christ. He offered sacrifice for the sins of the people, and his own. He entered the holy of holies once a year to make atonement. He prayed for God’s people, for their forgiveness and cleansing. He declared God’s good will toward His people, sending them away in peace.

          But this only foreshadowed the great High Priest, the true High Priest.  Jesus, the Son of God, one with the Father… and also true man. He sympathizes with our weaknesses being tempted in all respects as we are.  Jesus understands our troubles, even if He never gave into temptation (as our gospel reading details). That alone means He suffered more than any of us. For when you are tempted, is it hard to resist? How often do you give in to escape the pressure; or have you endured to the point of shedding your blood? And if you fall, do you confess to your High Priest, the one who suffered in order to absolve your guilt? He understands our trials and our failing, for as Rm. 8:3 tells us, he took on the likeness of sinful flesh. Although God’s Son, Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered, for this was the Father’s will. He prayed with strong cries and tears to the one able to save him out of death. “Father if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, but not as I will, as thy will.” Tempted to save Himself He prayed, “The cup that my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?”         

          He knows better than we our weaknesses, fears, sorrows, frailty, and temptations, since he bore them. He was tempted in all respects as we are, and thank God, did not sin. Therefore, not only can he sympathize, He is worthy to be the great high priest.  No other priest appointed by God could say that.  All others pled for the sins of the people and offered up sacrifices for their own.  But Jesus, the Great High Priest, is worthy to speak to God. He is the worthy sacrifice. He is worthy because he obeyed the Father. Therefore He became the source of salvation to all who obey Him, who believe in Him. This Great High Priest passed through the holy of holies, through the curtain of the Temple, through the curtain of death into the throne room of heaven. He entered the presence of the Father; Jesus, true man and true God, to share the throne of God as our High Priest, our elder brother, our hope. After His terrible cry “It is finished” came the trumpet blast of victory over sin, death, and the devil.

          Now we approach with confidence the throne of grace, and receive mercy in time of need. This is the confession given us, the confession we say together, believe together, having received it together in the promises of Baptism. Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, is your intercessor, your strength, your hope. Call upon Him and He will hear.  Martin Luther put it this way to his congregation:  Why does Christ suffer?  He is a fine, good, fruitful Tree and has not deserved so stern a sentence; but He suffers it for our sake.  He is now undertaking this journey in order to carry out His office as Priest; and He intends not only to pray for sinners but also to sacrifice His body and life on the altar of the cross so that God will be appeased through this sacrifice and poor sinners will be freed from the wrath of God and be heirs of eternal life.  That is why it hurts the Lord to see that we weep at the sight of His suffering.  He wants us to be glad, praise God, thank His grace, extol, glorify, and confess Him; for through this journey we come into the possession of the grace of God.  By it we have been freed from sin and death and have become God’s dear children.  (Martin Luther, SL 13a, 441)

          Hold fast, because the one we confess holds us fast.  Hold fast by drawing near to the throne of grace. Hold fast with confidence, because your High Priest intercedes for you. God’s mercy and grace is for your joy, you, His adopted children. That is what we are taught to confess. That confession surrounds us today. We partake in that confession, confessing our Lord’s death, partaking of His Testament. Let us receive His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, for life and salvation; His pledge of eternal life for us.

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

The Last Sunday in Epiphany: I Samuel 16:1-13

Feb 10, 2013; Last Sunday in Epiphany; Texts: Psalm 89:18-29; I Samuel 16:1-13; I Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 18:31-43; Title: The Lord Speaks, Samuel Does and David Gets (Rev. Tim Beck)

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

On first reading, this passage looks clear-cut. The Lord speaks, Samuel does and David gets. On second look there is a lot to consider. The highpoint seems to be the Lord doesn’t judge by outward appearance but by the heart, by what’s hidden, by what’s inside the person.  That presents a problem. Why did God choose Saul in the first place? Couldn’t He tell what was inside, or          is something going on we don’t see? Are the ways God accomplishes His purposes often hidden from us? And a smaller question, why do the elders of Bethlehem tremble at seeing the prophet Samuel? He’s the good-guy, isn’t he? And is it honest for Samuel to say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord?” Why didn’t Samuel give the full reason he anointed David? When Samuel left, they all wondered “what was that about?” This event is full of questions. However, we know this: The Lord speaks, Samuel does, David gets; and that is very, very encouraging. Let’ see if we can put the pieces together by the end of this sermon.

          Our text begins: The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? What’s Saul’s history? Why did the Lord reject him? Saul was Israel’s first king. Before that judges ruled and godly Samuel was the last of the judges for this reason: Israel wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted a king too. What a pity. They were meant to be different, distinctly God’s people… like the church today.  God’s people are meant to stick out too… not in how we dress or what language we speak. We are to live exemplary lives, although others can too. What makes us and Israel distinct is our worship - God speaking to us, justifying us, we receiving that Divine Service and in thanksgiving, sharing our hope in Christ.

          Because the true God is distinct, distinctly for his people, Israel was not to blend her worship with Canaanite worship. For example, eating pig, a Canaanite sacred animal, was out of the question.  So too anything that compromised pure worship of the true God. Likewise, Israel was to rely on the Lord, not on a strong central government.  But Israel demanded to be like their neighbors, to have a king, and God let them have their wish, even as he let them fell into apostasy in years to come. So Samuel anointed God’s chosen king, the first one. And in ways Saul was like David. He was extraordinarily handsome (I S 9:2), but unlike David, taller than anyone in Israel. Next to the Philistine Goliath and his brothers, Saul was the strongest man around. After Samuel anointed Saul, the Spirit rushed upon him, like David; though those who knew Saul thought it out of character (I Sam 10:11). Like David, he was anointed to be exemplary in obeying the 10 commandments and to be a shepherd, wielding the sword to defend Israel. And he was the Lord’s anointed in order to remain faithful to God as he served Israel. Israel’s kings, priests and prophets were called to be God’s shepherds, for Israel was God’s people, a holy nation, a theocracy.

          Of course in America, our founders established no theocracy, but following certain ideas of their Christian heritage they knew government was meant to serve. Until recently, police cars were inscribed “to serve and protect.” Government was called the servant of the people. America had a national consciousness of the Living God and feared divine wrath, evidenced by many past presidents announcing national days of repentance. So we understand something of Saul’s fall - called by God to serve, but his service turned selfish, craving glory. The last straw was the Lord’s anointed failed to finish a holy war, to finish God’s judgment on Amalek. True, Saul won the battle but he kept the loot. Saul didn’t devote the plunder to the Lord or kill the Amalekite king as commanded. Saul kept King Agag as a trophy to show off to other kings, a custom of the day. So Samuel killed Agag, hacking him to bits before the Lord. And Samuel said to Saul that he was rejected by the Lord as king.

          Samuel grieved over that tall, handsome man who for a time did so much for Israel in the name of the Lord, before doing it for his own credit. The moral is clear, for the sin of rebellion, presumption and pride let us examine ourselves and repent, lest we who were washed in Baptism become filthy again. Let the church repent our lust for the world’s admiration. There may yet be hope. Because Saul would not repent the Lord chose a replacement: Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” The Lord’s anointing was given to another. 

          Samuel goes to a small town near the Jebusite capital, yet unconquered by Israel. He goes to Jesse’s house, the son of Boaz the Israelite and Ruth the Moabitess. You remember Ruth; she was Naomi’s daughter in law. She left her Moabite gods to worship Naomi’s God, and left her chance for re-marriage by leaving her native land. But the Lord intervened, and kind, wealthy, godly Boaz married Ruth. Jesse was their son. Jesse had many sons. But for Samuel there’s an obstacle. Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” Although he is a prophet, Samuel is no longer judge. Saul, although in rebellion to God, rules. Saul will defend his crown no matter what it takes. Why must God’s prophet fear for his life and why is Saul allowed to reign years more since the Lord rejected him as king? Life was messy then too. Yet the Lord was accomplishing His purpose. So too He works in the messiness of our lives to make His way clear, at the right time.  

          And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem.  That is what prophets do, what Samuel does. There is no lie, only a hidden purpose. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

          Why do the elders tremble in fear of Samuel? Is it he hacked king Agag to pieces in Gilgal, in the sight of the Lord, to fulfill God’s war with Amalek! The Lord is both holy and unpredictable and that is frightening.  And the little town of Bethlehem, in the shadow of the Jebusites, are they holy? Samuel tells these trembling men he comes to sacrifice, to propitiate a holy God.  He offers peace with a holy God and they are invited to partake. They set themselves apart for the Lord, and receive the benefits of the sacrifice, a holy feast that purifies them. Surely you see a parallel here between the testaments.  There is the forgiveness of sins with a visible sign. Those forgiven eat and drink before the Lord as His set-apart and uncommon people, His sanctified people who share in the hidden purposes of the Lord.

          6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”

          The Lord doesn’t judge by outward appearance but sees the heart. He has a hidden purpose, to shepherd His people Israel. Yet the moral isn’t “therefore if you want God to choose you, it’s up to you to be good inside.” The moral isn’t “That person fell into hardship because the Lord knew the junk that was inside.”  Perhaps a tiny application is don’t elect public officials by appearance, but by evidence of a heart for service. Unlike Saul, David at least understood how to serve sheep. A somewhat better “moral” is don’t measure the heart of others according to civil righteousness, to the appearance of good works, but according to faith. For example, Saul’s works looked good enough. They were praised by Israel, while Jesus was rejected and crucified as the worst of criminals. The chief “moral” is that God knows us better than we ourselves. He sees our blindness, hears our deafness and can speak through our muteness. He judges our hearts, yet He is also the Saviour, justifying sinners.

          David was not chosen for the throne because he was so much better than Saul, for David had adultery and murder in his heart, among other sins like presumption and pride. David was called a man after God’s own heart, most of his life, because he was a man of repentance, turning to the Saviour (As said Charles Porterfield Krauth, a contemporary with C.F.W. Walther, “The Lutheran Church is the church of courage because she is the church of repentance”). When it comes right down to it, we cannot say that the Lord chose David because He saw some special quality in Him. We are left with something hidden in God’s will, His working out a divine purpose; though it is clear that the Lord’s hand was upon David, and that he was repentant.

          13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. David was anointed and the Spirit of the Lord fell upon him and remained, except for a time of unbelief we already referred to (remember Uriah and his wife?)   And after Samuel sacrificed the people feasted as God’s uncommon, holy people. Then Samuel left having completed the Lord’s business. But questions remain in the minds of these folks. What was David anointed for? Was he to be among the prophets, as once was said of Saul, “Is he also among the prophets?” Who suspected it was to be king? Only God and Samuel knew David’s role to come. Soon David would kill Goliath, be brought into Saul’s court to play the harp for demonized Saul, and suffer Saul’s attempts to kill him out of jealousy. He would be commanded to collect 100 Philistine foreskins to marry one of the king’s daughters, Saul thinking it would be David’s death. When it wasn’t, Saul takes a direct approach and hunts David like a beast, driving him out of Israel until the day Saul died. Who could see the Lord’s hand resting upon David to be king? Life is messy. Life is messy but doctrine pure, holy, and preserved. The Lord fulfills His word.

          That answers all the questions of our text but one, the most important of all. What does this have to do with the coming Christ? David knew the promise that began with Adam and Eve and continued with Seth and Enoch, then Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Israel, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the Judges to Samuel. Despite all the rebellions of Adam, Cain, Lamech, Canaan, Esau, Laban and the people of Israel, including demanding a king, the promise works its will underneath all the messiness of life. The promise is the purpose by which the Lord’s deals with our fallen race. Soon David is anointed king over Judah, and then over all Israel.  Soon David, Spirit-rushed, prophesies of the Christ in psalms. Soon he conquers the Jebusite capital and establishes Jerusalem, city of peace. Soon he brings the tabernacle to the royal city, that the Lord be exalted. Soon the Lord promises that from David’s lineage, one who is root and shoot of Jesse shall reign as king forever, in righteousness and love. Do not read this history like a secular journal. It is the history of the Lord’s saving work among His chosen people. It is about the Christ.

          Saul too was chosen and filled with the Spirit, but he rebelled and would not repent, so was cast out. But the repentant sinner is before the Lord forever, beloved and preserved.  The repentant sinner is courageous because He is absolved.  The people living these events, could they fit all the pieces together? So too our lives; on the other hand, we don’t need to understand it all, we who believe the promises of God. We have seen the glory of God in the mess made of the Suffering Servant, the servant of sinners. We have also seen His exaltation in the resurrection. Jesus Christ is the anointed King of kings, and His government is service to us. Truly you receive Divine Service today in His body and blood. You receive the worship that sets us apart from all other people. He who names us His, will bring us into His eternal kingdom, into a glory incomprehensible, wonderful beyond measure.  The Lord speaks, Samuel does and David gets, and that divine promise is for you too. And this is very, very encouraging. 

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

Transfiguration: 2 Peter 1:16-29

Feb 3, 2013; Transfiguration; Texts: Psalm 2; Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Peter 1:16-29; Matthew 17:1-9; Title: The Glory of Hidden Glory; Rev. Tim Beck

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

The epiphany we celebrate today is glorious, the epiphany of the transfiguration - the revealing of Jesus’ humanity in glory! Jesus goes to a mountain and makes it holy by what is revealed. He reveals His hidden glory to 3 disciples told to be witnesses; only, keep this revelation hidden until after the crucifixion, he says. After I’m victorious over the darkest place, then you declare my transfiguration, says Jesus. After all, one day believers will know the glory that follows the cross. Until then, like the crucifixion, much of life is dark. Winter clouds dim the sun, aging takes the light from our eyes, and dark hearts withdraw into our own little worlds.  We’re tempted to forget what is promised, what is hidden under our trials. We hear the sun still shines above the clouds but we want to reply, the only thing sure is death and taxes. Oh no, Christians, we know there is more - there is something more certain. Consider God’s word spoken upon mountains made holy by that word: There’s Mt. Transfiguration and its promise – the glory to be revealed. There’s Mt. Sinai that caused Moses’ face to shine – the glory of the law. There’s Mt. Golgotha and what it so richly bestows – the glory of grace.

          These mountains were sanctified by the Holy One, the Son of God, who revealed Himself to take us to the highest mount, Mount Zion, the dwelling place of God. Peter tells us who Jesus is: For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,  with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. After hearing that voice, the disciples descended into the troubling valleys, and fell away when Jesus was lifted up for all to see, revealing the most profound glory of all.        Then Jesus, in resurrection body appeared, giving peace, opening minds, sending the Holy Spirit so that the disciples bore their crosses, confident of future glory.

          We share something in common with the disciples. We too are pilgrims without an abiding place in the world, as the God-breathed book of Hebrews reminds us. We’re like Abraham; our pilgrimage is not a tourist trip to luxurious resorts for the world wears the futility of sin. It rebels against the Life-giving God. So Christian, your faith is despised by the world. Why did the US Department of Health and Human Services require religious organizations to provide insurance coverage that includes abortifacients? Last year two owners of Levi Strauss donated $16 million dollars to the University of California, Berkeley for homosexual advocacy... Will that build Christ’s values? Your faith is despised in this world, and we can name no end of such examples. But Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” 

          He overcame this world, the one of depravity, blindness, self-destruction, futility and hopelessness. That includes your sin as well. The Son of God made man overcame. He won the battle, our battle against God. In the battle against the world do not trust your arm as you battle sin in you. Listen to the Word: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rm 8:1). And “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:14). He who overcame the world did so by forgiving our sin. Then He joined us to His death to unite us to His life. Despite the devil’s temptations, despite sin in us, despite the world, Christ won. To spite our enemies, you sinner are declared righteous, saved by grace.

          Apart from anything you or I do, apart from anyone but the Glorious One, we have been saved by Christ’s peace, peace with God.  And that peace gives countless benefits. For example, we have a foretaste of the transfiguration. Even now Christ lives in us.  That’s why James, breathing out God’s word, could say: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7).  He flees, not due to your strength, but when you call upon your Lord. Though the fight wearies us, tempting us to give into its relentless pressures, nevertheless, Christ overcame sin, death and the devil. Despite the darkness of this life, Christ crucified conquered the dark.  So Christian, we are not called to permanently withdraw to a mountaintop alone. The hermits of past ages but ran away from their true vocations in the valleys.  Nor should we wish to escape trials, to be a billionaire with a chef, a personal trainer, a masseuse, and a therapist who daily says “you’re great!”

          Rather, since Christ lives in us, we prayerfully carry out our vocations, troubles and all, following the Son of God who humbled Himself to become man. We have a Saviour who entered our afflictions and grief, who dying, rose to share the spoils of his victory with us. He gave signs of good will and a future in Him, such as in the transfiguration. He gave signs bestowing glorious promises. For you received His invisible power and glory in holy baptism; by the visible sign of water and the word, this is what you are promised: When God our Savior appeared, he saved us… according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior… that we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).

          What glory! Your sins are forgiven, and you received the Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ to sanctify. As God’s presence made Mt. Sinai, Mt Transfiguration, and Mt Golgotha Holy, so you, declared holy, are set apart for Him as His dwelling place. This hope, the hope of glory, is hidden in weakness. As Christ is hidden under visible signs so He is hidden in you. For example, veiled in bread and wine Jesus says “this is my body, this is my blood.”  And that cup of blessing is a taste of paradise to strengthen you in a pilgrim’s journey.  In glory hidden under signs Christ promises what we shall be, giving strength to conquer faith’s enemies. These signs veil their glory in the ordinary and sustain us through the difficult. These lights carry us through darkness, as a prophetic Word “made more sure.”  Christ was lifted up for all to see, his crucifixion our certain sign of glory, showing God’s good will in full.

          That’s why the transfiguration was kept hidden until after the crucifixion. It was hidden due to our sinful quest for wrong-headed glory, the crown without a cross. After all, the transfiguration was our Saviour’s preparation to die. For the Lord of glory became flesh for us, in a transfiguration of humility. God’s Son, the bright Morning Star became the sacrificial Lamb so that the promises of His transfiguration are yours. This glory is hidden in you oh Christian, Christ living in you, so that you daily die to sin and rise to life everlasting. One day the Glory shall be revealed. Even as Jesus’ humanity shone upon the Mount of Transfiguration, the fullness of Baptism’s promises will be manifest. Remember that in this earthly pilgrimage: heaven’s glory is hidden in you, so that like Christ, we humble ourselves to serve our neighbor.  Our Lord’s resurrection power is hidden in you, that we share the unveiled glory of His cross with those who dwell in darkness. 

          So the pilgrim church goes to every tribe, nation and tongue baptizing and making disciples, teaching all that Christ taught. Those sent go in hope, bearing the glory of God hidden under weakness, declaring the forgiveness of sins that opens the brilliance of heaven. You too are called to glory, told that the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh will not triumph over the love of God in Christ Jesus for you. You were joined to Christ’s death so that the day your body dies you enter resurrection life, awaiting Christ return for the resurrection of the body. You have this promise from Holy Scripture, including the record of Moses and Elijah, in brilliant bodies shining, and speaking of Jesus’ soon departure.  These two saints were sinners like us. Now they in glory shine. As the Lord kept them He keeps you and me until our wonderful arrival. We are pilgrims of the cross, who walk toward our transfiguration when our lowly bodies will become like the Christ’s glorious body. Meanwhile, His hidden glory abides in us, we who live by faith. We who confess our sins are forgiven, and our lives are set apart for holy things. We shall be completed by what is revealed, when Jesus reveals His hidden glory. This we know because Jesus conquered the darkest place. We too shall shine; God’s holy people upon the highest mount named Zion, the dwelling place of God.

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

3rd Sunday after Epiphany: Matthew 8:1-13

Jan 27, 2013; 3^rd Sunday after the Epiphany: Texts: Psalm 110:1-4; 2 Kings 5:1-15a; Romans 1:8-17; Matthew 8:1-13; Title: The Authority and Will for Faith;  Rev. Tim Beck

                       

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

How do we approach this text? We can interpret it through the eyes of our needs, desires and values or through the eyes of Christ, of the Epiphany, of God revealed. What difference will that make? If we begin with us (which is never a good idea if we want to know God) we will hear about unbelief. For example, Jesus said many in Israel did not believe, although they followed Him around like a celebrity. Is that because if we start with our desires, we expect God to conform to our wishes, the most notable examples in the gospels being the Pharisees and Sadducees?  Behold the bumper stickers of today that advertise designer gods, and those who want a God that fits the times (which is to be godless). But, if we return to the Revealed God we will hear from Him, and if we hear with faith we will receive what the Living God desires for us. Starting from God’s eternal, pure perspective is a good thing.

          In our passage recorded by Matthew, despite the majority in unbelief, faith is what jumps out. We encounter two believers, two extraordinary yet ordinary believers. They began with God, as is every good beginning, as it was in the beginning… and those who believed received a greater epiphany of the Lord. Our text: When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before ( reverenced) him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make (have power to) me clean.”

          Jesus came down from the mountain after teaching. He teaches a lot, to multitudes that follow him. Israel knows about Jesus, although this leper wasn’t in the crowds. He was excluded from their company due to leprosy, yet he heard about Jesus. He came to Jesus, reverenced him, and called him Lord. He then said expectantly “If you will, you have the power to make me clean.” That’s faith! He believes Jesus’ authority and submits to His purpose. The leper says Jesus has power to heal, if he wills, if it is His will. This leper believes it is God’s will to heal, so he asks Jesus to do His will. His simple confession is profound. “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”

          Notice he calls Jesus “Lord.” In the parlance of the day that is a form of the Divine Name. The name YHWH is too holy to speak, so folks say “LORD.” It is true that the word can also mean “master” or “sir.” The question is, when people call upon Jesus what do they have in mind? Some Bible versions make up your mind by printing the word “master” or “sir” almost every time Jesus is called upon, rather than print the literal word “Lord.”        Why do you think they do that?  Some Bible editors can’t believe folks in that day thought Jesus is true God. Why the bias? Those editors start not with Jesus, but with their theories about the evolution of religion. The idea that Jesus was LORD must have developed gradually, they say. But what are the facts presented by the eyewitness reports? Do crowds pursue Jesus into the desert because He’s a “sir?” When Jesus fed thousands, walked on water, did what God alone does, who did they think He was?

          Some said he’s Elijah or John the Baptist returned, or a prophet. Some, the Pharisees, when Jesus did what only God can do, when He forgave sin, accused him of blasphemy.  At least they understood who he claimed to be. But despite the evidence, many refused to believe who Jesus is, who he said he is. As for the leper, I think he means “Lord” as in the divine name, that Jesus is God-with-us. Why? Besides the bowing down, he says Jesus has the power, if only He wills to heal. He does not push away what he heard from Jesus, including the Scriptures that spoke of Him. He needed to begin with God too much.

          Lepers needed God’s help indeed, for leprosy was a living picture, or should I say dying picture of uncleanness that ends in death.  Lepers were declared unholy, and were therefore isolated, cut off from family and friends, cut off from the temple, unable to offer sacrifices and worship with Israel. Whoever touched a leper “absorbed” his uncleanness, his defilement. Yet this leper says “Lord, if you so desire, you have the power to cleanse me.”  This leper starts with God. Do you have that kind of faith? Tell me, is the Lord able? Does He will to cleanse you, to restore and keep you as His? Is the Lord full of compassion toward sinners?  Behold this man’s faith. And faith receives the will of God. And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

          Jesus touched, and not a quick tap and back away fast, so not to absorb the leper’s filth. The word for touched is often translated “cling” or “adhere to.”  What is the Lord-Jesus absorbing from this unclean man? Will He carry it with Him to the cross? That deepens our picture of God, doesn’t it? This is an epiphany faith sees. The Lord Jesus carries and buries our uncleanness. Note something else: when Jesus says “I will” the word is a present continuous     verb. Jesus says “this is what I desire to do and continue to do. This is what God wants and He does not change. “I the Lord will cleanse the unclean.”  What does this epiphany do for faith, for your faith?  Jesus has power and wills to heal. He touches the leper. He restores a sinner to wholeness. Tell me, what did you receive in Holy Baptism? Do the promises given you that day continue?  There you were joined to Jesus’ death so that you receive the fullness of His life. You entered the ark that carries you through the flood to safe haven. And when you receive the very body and blood of the crucified, risen, ascended Saviour in the Holy Supper what is your Lord’s will for you?  He continues to bless you. The Lord Jesus has authority to act and He wills it, in unity with the Father’s will. This is an epiphany faith sees.

          Our text: And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof (marturia) to them.” This too is a lesson; that others may believe because of another’s witness, when faith becomes a witness.  Go to the priest, do the required offerings and be restored to God’s people as a witness to who healed you. Jesus desires all to believe in Him, including the priests administering holy things. But there’s an expression in our text I neglected to mention. Offer the gift… a gift to whom? Does the priest need two birds, some scarlet thread, a cedar board, some hyssop, three lambs, some flour and oil?       God’s representative he may eat of it, but it’s not a gift for him. Is it for God? It is commanded by God, but what does He need of such things? The leper offers it, but is it God’s gift for the leper that he may be restored, sanctified, and be publicly restored in worship. Further, the gift is a proof, literally, a martyring, a witnessing to the priests. It declares that the Lord Jesus is able and wills to restore the one cut off from Israel; to restore him whose ailment is an icon of sin. It is an epiphany faith receives.

          Meanwhile… When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, saying “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.”  This is a Gentile, and for a Jew to enter the company of Gentiles is to be defiled, so said the desire of man, the traditions of the Pharisees. Jesus ignores that starting point, for he seems intent on absorbing all our guilt.  Jesus says most definitely, he will come to the Gentile’s home, and a Roman centurion’s at that, an oppressor of Israel. Jesus has authority to heal and a will to restore a fallen creation, an unclean creation, a dying creation. He promises to heal the man’s servant. That’s Jesus’ answer to this Gentile who deeply cares for his suffering servant. Jesus takes on that suffering too, as the Father’s suffering servant.

          Why did the centurion come to Jesus? He’s heard of Him too. But more then that, this foreign soldier does not start with Caesar or any human authority. He says Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed; for I too am a man under authority with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” “Lord,” says the centurion. The soldier’s explanation tells us he means more than “sir.”  The centurion recognizes Jesus’ authority. He is LORD, the Son of God.   Compare the faith of the leper and the centurion to most of Israel, to the Pharisees and Sadducees who never told Jesus they were unworthy of him. That’s a clue saying unbelief starts with us, our failing to start with the revealed God. If we started with God, how could we think ourselves worthy? For example, why didn’t the High Priest remove his sacred garments and beg Jesus to put them on and take his proper place? But the centurion who understands authority calls Jesus the Divine Name, because he believes. And faith receives the will of God. Every repentant sinner who confesses unworthiness shall see the righteousness of God, for we who believe are authoritatively declared forgiven by Jesus.         

          When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Although Jesus came to find the lost sheep of Israel here is this Gentile who believes.  But the children of Abraham refuse to admit that Jesus fulfills the covenant. He is the gift that restores lepers. He fulfills the office of the High Priest and He is the Passover lamb. So Jesus points to this Gentile and said to Israel, to those who followed him down the mountain and into the streets, those he taught. He said to those who had the witness of the prophets from Abel to Malachi, he asked who believes like this Roman soldier?  What is Israel’s problem? It is not knowledge, but how they approach it. They start with their desires, reasoning and will. In short, they prefer the blindness, rebellion, and wrong inclination in our very nature.

          Most of Israel begins with “their” desires, wants, needs, ideas, concepts, aspirations; and would much rather justify ourselves than be justified by God. How much is that like us? If that’s where we remain, we won’t receive the justification of God, for His beginning for us is first a fear of Him, a repentance confessing unworthiness, and ending with faith in grace. That’s Him for us, and where you are now, isn’t it? You are Gentiles who admit unworthiness, and believe the Lord Jesus wills to restore sinners. Jesus calls Israel to repentance, warning them, “Truly many Gentiles will feast, seated with the Patriarchs. But you, given the promises of God set in a living history of God’s good will and authority, will be seated in hell.” There’s but one reason for that terrible warning. Jesus warns the unbelieving to repent and be cleansed. He desires to save all sinners.

          Here are four points for us. The first, if you want to find God as Father, begin with Jesus, and not with your desires. He bids us confess our sins daily, turning to Him who pardons and restores. Second, despite being outcasts from Israel two men who believed received the revealing of the Christ.  No matter how far we seem from the kingdom of God, faith will receive the blessings of the Redeemer. The third lesson, do not be afraid to ask great things of God, according to His will.  And to the centurion Jesus said “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.           The command “Go” tells the centurion He is under Jesus’ authority now. “You, under my authority, I the Lord say go in peace!”  The Lord Jesus’ authoritative command is a promise that we who believe will receive the good will of the Father. The fourth point: those who remain in the Lord Jesus have fellowship with God.

          How important is this epiphany; that Jesus, the Son of the Living God, has all authority, and His will is to redeem, restore, heal and cleanse unto eternity? We, who begin and continue in Him, under His authority, will feast in paradise with Him. This is the Lord Jesus’ will for you.  His will is clearly expressed in this text, and in what He now gives us under bread and wine. Bring all your needs to Him, for He is willing and able. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this O Lord unto us all.

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

Second Sunday after the Epiphany, John 2:1-11

Jan 20, 2013; Second Sunday after the Epiphany; Texts: Psalm 111; Exodus 33:12-23; Ephesians 5:21-33; John 2:1-11; Title: What Jesus Owed His Mother; Rev. Tim Beck

                                                                                                                                                                          

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

Our text begins: On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”     

          You’ve been a guest at how many weddings?  Have you attended private weddings with immediate family? Were you out in the woods with bare feet in the 60’s or retro-hippie 10’s? Perhaps you’ve been to a Disneyland wedding setting somebody back 40 G’s.  I hope you left a big gift. I was at a Samoan wedding and on every table the groom put at least one chicken and a package of celery. Important guests got more (including grass mats). That was about reciprocity. The groom was expected to give gifts to all the guests, and according to social rank. 

          In Jesus’ day weddings had reciprocity too. After the groom came for the bride the celebration began. It went go on for a week, if the groom could afford it. In Jesus’ day, eating was as important as now. And drinking wine was more         important than the food. To be short on wine was more than an embarrassment. The culture expected the groom to give something for the gifts given. That is reciprocity. It was even possible to take legal action against a man who failed to provide the appropriate wedding gift exchange. Running out of wine was bad; so folks served the best first, with plenty of cheap wine when guests couldn’t tell the difference. 

          But for this new couple in Cana, the wine ran out; and a concerned mother goes looking for Jesus.  She only tells him what’s up. I suspect not unlike mothers who say to a responsible son, “the dog needs out, the car needs washed, the drain is plugged.”  “They have no wine.”  And Jesus answers, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”  He’s not saying “Don’t bother me.” Nor is Jesus rude to the mother of God. The expression, “Woman” is not disrespectful but kindly, even affectionate. Yet Jesus makes it clear they stand on different ground. They do not have the same reason a goal should be accomplished. How often does God say “My ways are not your ways? My ways are higher than your ways?” Is that why we are taught to pray, “not my will but Thine be done?” As the saying goes, “Father knows best” and our heavenly Father does indeed.

          Consider the difference between Mary’s and Jesus’ objectives. What does Mary see?  She sees they have no more wine. And it seems Mary, to remedy embarrassment, to fix what the culture required at a wedding, wants to help.  That’s a good thing isn’t it? Isn’t that Mary’s will for Jesus?  Protect the couple from humiliation. And that is God’s role toward His creatures, is it not, to protect us? God takes care of us. We can ask God to take care of us and He will; and that’s true enough, if we understand God’s will. God’s will is good, but is there something we haven’t considered? Might our Lord humble us, even let us bear humiliation for our good? Might our Lord have bigger plans for us than we do, plans that take a different road than the wide-easy path we prefer? And what if we have an attitude toward God, an attitude that God is supposed to supply all we need, that’s what He’s for - so we say “God, the dog needs walked, the car’s dirty and the sink’s plugged, we need some wine.”  It’s not that God doesn’t care even about small things. It is what we’ve done   with God in our hearts. We’ve reversed the way things should be. We’ve made the Living God our servant. Isn’t that idolatry?  He has a purpose and an end for us.

          His ways are higher than ours.  Did Mary see this? It is easy to excuse Mary… after all we do it so often for ourselves… as for an excuse, consider how familiar Mary was with the Son of God made man. For God’s sake, she changed his diapers. She and Joseph trained him up, even if they got a shock when he turned 12 and sat with the elders of Israel and talked about doing His Father’s will. But He subordinated himself to them for several years more. However, Jesus was recently baptized by John and announced as God’s sacrificial Son!  He’s gathered disciples and is teaching all Israel. He is on the road to the cross, to turn idolaters into worshippers.

          Is that what Mary saw as the purpose of Jesus’ mercy and power? What do you see? Is your vision just immediate need?  How near-sighted is our faith? For example, do we pray most when in trouble but least in smooth sailing? And when in trouble do we forget to give praise and thanks? Are we tempted to reduce the Lord of all to a bell-hop, expecting He will do our will, and if He doesn’t we’re unhappy? How earthbound is our faith, and how small of a God do we want?  Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus’ answer reveals something important.  He has a will, purposes and an end. His ways are higher and greater than Mary’s and ours.  Nor does He act on his own, but according to the Father’s will. As recorded in John chapter 8, Jesus said, “when you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him” As he spoke thus, many believe in him (Jn 8:28-30). Jesus knew He came from the Father. He loves the Father and does His will. His will is not idolatrous, to first please himself, or others, or mother, but the Father. And the Father wills that Jesus be lifted up for all to see, that all may believe. This is His hour.

          Woman, what does this have to do with me includes another implication. Jesus doesn’t owe anything to Mary because she is His mother. It is quite the reverse. Mary was blessed to carry in her womb, true God. So the early church called Mary the mother of God not to praise Mary, but to praise God for becoming God with us, Immanuel. Over the centuries that got twisted around. Mary is blessed, but not by having something on God that obligates Him to an exchange, to reciprocity. Jesus doesn’t have to do her will because she changed his diapers. Rather, she is blessed because she was chosen to do God’s will, even to change Jesus’ diapers. She is blessed because the Saviour who speaks to her does the Father’s will. Jesus’ goal is to be lifted up so that Mary receives the fullness of the Father’s blessings, that she rejoice in the will of God the Father. So Jesus says, “My hour has not yet come.”  That’s the exchange Jesus wills to accomplish.

          He did not come to be everybody’s buddy, the favorite guest at every party. He came to make an exchange. He came to exchange your sins for His righteousness, as John the Baptist declared by the Holy Spirit: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Then the Father’s voice said “This is my beloved Son, hear Him.” Hear Him who did the Father’s will without demanding reciprocity. Jesus fulfilled the law in our place, bore our sorrows and died in our stead, exchanging His righteousness for our sins. Then He did more: He rose from the dead, ascended, sent the Holy Spirit upon the church, directed the Apostles, and keeps us in the faith until His second coming. He continues to do His will, redeeming us in water and the Word, justifying, regenerating, and sanctifying, even blessing us with the meal of His body and blood. Those in whom He creates faith He delivers from bondage to the devil. He will deliver us from death when we die.  He gives us victory over sin. He did and does all this so that His ways become our ways, so that we might be lifted up to do His will. This is the liberty of the Christian. Liberty is not to fall under the condemnation of the law, but as those justified, to rejoice in the fellowship we share with the Son, the Father, and the Spirit, one God.

          Until Jesus’ work was done, Mary did not understand all this. So He reminded her whose he was and for what reason he came.  He came to fulfill the Father’s will. He came to be cursed so that the Father declares you pardoned. He did no miracles to cover over embarrassment, to earn a good public opinion, or to be made an earthly king.  He came so that we might believe in Him, and receive the will that is higher than ours, that lifts us to eternal life. All the same, His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”  Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.  When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom  and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”  This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

          God’s Son, Jesus, chooses to serve us, to meet our needs, even to make a wedding happy with wine. The mystified groom receives commendation for what Jesus did. If that’s not a picture of grace, what is? And Jesus’ didn’t skimp on the quality or the quantity of the wine. And the reason Jesus did it? He accomplished the Father’s will. The result of this miracle, hidden from all but the servants, Mary, and the disciples is, as our text says, his disciples believed in him.   This is the message of Epiphany, Jesus lifted up by the will of the Father, so that we may see God-with-us, believe in Him, and in believing receive His will for us.  The will of the Father is we believe that great exchange through Jesus, declaring you righteous so that you receive all the benefits of grace.

          And Jesus doesn’t skimp on grace. Indeed, His ways are higher than our ways. He lifts you up to heaven. What about reciprocity? Is there no other exchange between Christ and us? Remember where these events take place… at a wedding. Christ is the groom of the Church. He cleansed her by water and the word. And what is she to do? (Do you remember today’s text from Ephesians?) She is to receive His love. She is to receive His love. And in receiving, she loves.  In receiving she delights to do the Father’s will, to give thanks by serving her neighbor and sharing the message of grace.  Given this exchange what joy to pray “Our Father who art in heaven… thy will be done.” Let us call upon Him in all our needs.

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