Category: Higher Homilies

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

Ephesians 1:3-14 

Are you IN or are you OUT? In the reading from Ephesians that we just heard, St. Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” or “in Him,” I don’t know, like a million times or something! In Christ. In Christ! IN CHRIST! In Christ what? In Him you have forgiveness, an inheritance, the revelation of God’s grace, your salvation and on and on! St. Paul writes that everything that God does for you and your salvation is done in and through Jesus Christ for you. That’s SOLO CHRISTO: CHRIST ALONE! In Christ, you are rescued from sin, death and the devil. In Christ, you are a child of God. In Christ, you are on the receiving end of the Father’s grace. In Christ is your hope. In Christ is your redemption. In Christ. In Christ! IN CHRIST! Do you get it yet? In Christ, the Father has given you every blessing ever given. That’s because Christ alone is the Beloved Son of the Father. It’s because Christ alone took on human flesh to save sinners. It is because Christ was baptized along with sinners, as if He was a sinner, to take our sins from us and to carry them Himself. Every blessing is ours in Christ because Jesus Christ fought the devil in the wilderness. Because Jesus preached God’s Word. Because Jesus was arrested and stood trial. Because Jesus was flogged and made fun of. Because Jesus was nailed to a cross. Every blessing is yours in Christ because Christ threw down the Devil and his power and rose again on Easter. Every blessing is yours in Christ because He has ascended into heaven to prepare a place for you, sends the Holy Spirit and will come again and raise you from the dead. Do you get it? It’s ALL Christ. So are you IN or are you OUT? 

In Him, in Jesus Christ, all that St. Paul says is yours. But OUTSIDE of Christ, APART from Christ, there is only you. Only you and your sins. Only you and your hating God, trashing His name, despising His Word. Only you and your disobedience to your parents, your murdering other people with your words and actions, your lust and your stealing and your trash-talking other people and all your coveting. Outside of Jesus there is no inheritance, no forgiveness, no eternal blessings and grace of the Father. Nope. Outside of Jesus there is just you and your sins. Scary thought, isn’t it? So are you IN or are you OUT? In Christ? Or outside of Christ? To answer that question, the world and most preachers tell you to look inside yourself to figure that out. Do you believe enough? Do you live a good enough life? Have you figured God out and figured out what God wants? Do you love the Lord more than anything? Have you made a decision to be “in Christ?” Listen to the world and those preachers and you’ll end up right were you started: outside of Christ! Because all of those ways of thinking and doing are about YOU. What did St. Paul say? Did he say anything about US? No, he says that all of these blessings are ours IN CHRIST and CHRIST ALONE.  

So are you IN or are you OUT. You are IN. You are IN CHRIST. You are IN HIM. Not because of anything that YOU’VE done. Because of what Christ has done. Did you suppose that Christ came into this world to suffer, die and rise again only to expect you to make the final leap and join His team? Christ came to not only accomplish our salvation completely but now sends the Holy Spirit to make sure His salvation is delivered the same way: fully and completely and with no strings attached. You are IN CHRIST because you have been baptized with His water and Word and Name. You are IN CHRIST because your pastor has absolved you of all your sins. There is nothing you have done or thought or said that can keep you outside of Christ. His blood covers all your sins and the absolution says just that! You are IN CHRIST because of the preaching and teaching of the Gospel which declares exactly what St. Paul says: that in Christ, God the Father has poured all these blessings upon you. By the body and blood of Jesus, you are IN CHRIST. And Christ is IN YOU. And He forgives your sins and promises to raise you up on the Last Day. So are you IN or are you OUT? You are soooo IN! You are in by the water and word and body and blood. And being in Christ, all those tons of blessings St. Paul writes about are yours. In Jesus Christ. Say it: “IN CHRIST!” Amen.

Pr. Mark Buetow is Internet Services Executive for Higher Things.

 

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt III

Alleluia!  Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  In the name of Jesus.  Amen.

And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had held them and they said nothing to no one for they were afraid.

That’s just so un-Easter, isn’t it?  We have been waiting for the Lenten season, eagerly waiting, watching Jesus making His way to Calvary.  We’ve fasted.  Some have gone to church more, read their Scriptures and devotions.  We’ve spent the last forty days focusing our eyes on Him.

And … We fasted from that word, that word that begins with an “A”  The A-bomb…  We couldn’t even wait any longer.  We found one of the great symbols of the Easter season, the paschal candle, dusted it off and celebrated yesterday evening Easter Vigil.

Just so we could say that word that you say today…  We’ve waited to say, “Alleluia! Christ is risen from the dead!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!”

Yet, the woman today, they show up to the tomb not with that on their lips.  No, they were going with spices.  Why?  To prepare a dead body.

A dead Jesus.  What else did the world expect?  They expected the dead to stay dead.  And Jesus was so dead, so fast on Good Friday, that they didn’t have time to.. well to prepare His dead body.  

Dying for the sin of the world would kill anyone fast – even God.  So, after the Sabbath, the ladies returned to do what was fitting for their teacher.  

Yet, they were still lost in their sins and fears.  Worried about one thing:  Who will roll away that big stone?

But, that big stone wasn’t a problem.  It was rolled away.  Neither did they need the spices.  There was no dead body in that tomb.  Instead they saw a young man, an angel in white, ..

Don’t be alarmed.  You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified.  He has risen.  He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.  But, go and tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee.  There you will see Him, just as He told you.

Joyful news!  Easter news!  You don’t find a living savior in a tomb for dead people.  He’s alive.  He’s risen!  He’s risen indeed!  Alleluia.

Don’t fear – not even three times denier Peter.  Tell him too!  No one gets to be left out of the Gospel – not even Peter.  Jesus has risen!  He has risen indeed!  Alleluia!

But, the women didn’t receive that message with joy, did they?  It was as if it had no effect on them.  As if the news of the resurrection was so unbelievable that it didn’t have an impact on their lives at all!

Now, the women didn’t wake up in the morning that first Easter and decide they were going to flee the tomb in fear.  No, they just did.  The life they were used to – the life where the dead stay dead – was easier than the life where the dead rise again.

But, you know the story.  You know have heard the Word of angels.  His message is the foundation of our faith, dear Saints of God. The One born of the Virgin, who lived a perfect life, who suffered the punishment due us from Almighty God.  The One crucified under Pontius Pilate has risen from the dead!  He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!

Guards in front of the tomb couldn’t keep Him dead.  The stone in front of the tomb couldn’t hold Him in.  He has routed death.  Whipped the Devil.  

Jesus is alive.  He is not in the tomb.  Not where dead people hang out.  He has risen from the dead, just as He promised.  

And don’t miss that little statement:  “who was crucified.”  Same Jesus who died, rose.  He paid the cost of your salvation and it killed Him.  Saving you killed the Son of God.  He sacrificed Himself for your sins.

This morning, we see that His sacrifice was acceptable of God.  That’s the Easter triumph!  That’s the Easter joy!  His sacrifice has made you acceptable to God.  Even you – with all your sins, fears, and failures.

Today, like the women, you have heard the message that Christ has risen from the dead.   He has burst into your world and engaged you with His Word.  How will you be after His forgiveness?  How will you live?

You can go back home afraid and trembling.  Living for yourself.  Back to the filth on your computers, television, or movie collection.  You can go back to your lying and gossip.  You can go back to cheating to get by and continue living as if there is no God, as if Christ hasn’t risen.  And trembling and afraid, you can live as if this was just another Easter, another Easter Service to cross off before Christmas.

Or you can leave here raised from the dead by the Word.  Alive to God.  Dead to the world that you used to live in.  Dead to your sins, dead to living for yourself, dead to the fear of death, dead to having to push yourself forward in front of the next person.

No more fear.  No more trembling.  No living scared.  No more having to take what isn’t given you because you are afraid that it won’t be given to you.  No more looking over your shoulder afraid of death.

All of that died with Jesus and is in the tomb.  He is not there.  You are not there either.  Don’t live that way any more.  Not after this Easter.

Today, you are different, born from above, born anew in the waters of your baptism.  Yes, you are the same as when you came in the doors.  But, you are different in that now you have heard the word that the Jesus you sought has risen from the dead.  Just as He said!

They went away afraid and told nothing to no one.  You walk away today forgiven, restored, and knowing the end of the story.  

Don’t be alarmed.  You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified.  He has risen.  He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.  

Today, everything changes.  Because of that Gospel!  Everything about you.  Everything that you knew before, everything.

Everything.  That’s your whole life.  From the reason to get up in the morning, to how you raise your kids, to how you deal with those around you, how you work, how you spend your money, how you go to church, how you forgive your enemies, how you handle your good days, how you handle your bad days, how you live with those you love, how you treat those you don’t.

Don’t be alarmed.  You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified.  He has risen.  He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.  

Stop your fears.  God is not angry with you any more.  He has burst into your world and conquered everything that you could fear.

Your sins?  He died for them.  Your pain?  He endured it.  Your loneliness?  The punishment you deserve from Almighty God?  He suffered it.  And death?  HA!  He’s conquered death.

As certainly as Christ has risen from the dead.  Death has swallowed up in victory!  The Victory of the Son of God who loved us and gave up His life for us.

His victory, is your victory – over sin, death, and the power of the devil.  He is alive.  You are alive too in Him.

And not alive some other time, not raised only raised on the Last Day.  No, you are alive today to live for others.  You have been raised today to tend to those who you are given to love.  Alive to put the needs of others before yourself.

So, do what the ladies were given to do that Easter morning:  Receive Jesus in the Word!  Receive the message of the angels.  Jesus who was crucified has risen from the dead.  He’s alive.  You are alive too.

Leave your sins behind.  Leave the death and fears behind.   Leave them in the tomb.   No more living each day as Jesus didn’t die and rise again for you.  He rose.  He’s alive and you are alive in Him.

Come to His Supper.  Receive the Body and Blood of the crucified and risen Lord.  Depart His Supper enlivened.  Walk away alive – a new creation – living for others.

For…the Fast is over.  The waiting is done.  The Paschal Candle is lit symbolizing a living Savior.   No more holding back.  The celebration has begun.  A celebration that will last far longer than the Easter season.  It will go on through all eternity.

Alleluia!  Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.  He has risen indeed.  Alleluia!  In the name of Jesus. Amen.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

April 10, 2009

St. John 18:1—19:42

In the Garden of Eden, mankind fell into sin and death. On the cross of Calvary, mankind was saved from sin and death. In the Garden, disobedience led to a curse, to punishment. Now Adam would have a hard time getting the ground to grow food. Thorns and thistles would come up and be a nuisance, a reminder of a cursed earth. Every prick of the finger on a nasty thorn is a reminder that man brought sin and death into the world, a curse. But now look! The Son of God wears a crown of thorns! The curse is on Him! He bears it, carries it, suffers under it. Sin and death and the curse are for Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! See your Lord, crowned with thorns, carrying the curse for you. St. Paul says that it means He was made sin for us that we might be in Him the righteousness of God. It’s not just that Jesus carries our sin. He IS our sin! On the cross, He is every wicked person, every evil deed, every action and thought and word deserving of God’s death and hell. We brought on the curse in the Garden but it is Jesus who takes the curse on Himself to get rid of it for us.

In the Garden, we became despisers of God’s word. The very first son born into this world is a murderer, Cain who killed His brother Abel. Violence and hatred come with sin and the curse. Sin turns us against each other. It makes us into murderers who only care about ourselves. But now look! A murderer is going free! He gets released from the dungeon and the innocent Son of God takes His place. Who’s it going to be? Jesus or Barabbas? Barabbas, of course! Who’s it going to be to die? You or Jesus? Jesus, of course, who came to take your place. He goes to judgment. You are set free. He goes to suffering. You are let go. He is condemned as guilty. You are declared “not guilty.” You are the free person. Jesus is the murderer now, condemned to die for our sins. We kill our brothers all the time by how we live. But it is Jesus who is murdered for us. Killed in our place. We are let go to life. He is sent to death. And that trading of places means we are free in Jesus Christ, from the curse and judgment.

In the Garden of Eden, man tried to make clothes. Fig leaves. No good. We try to cover our sins and hide them. It doesn’t work. The Lord sees. And so the Lord makes clothes. And now look! At Calvary, the Lord strips His Son and His clothes are given to sinners. Romans soldiers. Who’s more sinful than the Romans? But they get His clothes. One gets his perfect robe, with no seam. That’s why the Lamb dies. To make clothes. Clothes for you. The robe of Christ’s righteousness. The clothing of Jesus that says, “Your sins are covered.” When you are wearing this robe, given to you in Holy Baptism, your sins cannot be seen by God. No fig leaves for you. You wear royal robes now. You are a King because you wear the clothes of a King. You are shining and radiant because your fig leaves have been taken away and replaced by the clothes of Jesus. No worrying about what to wear when you stand before God. The clothes have been supplied. Gleaming, shining, brilliantly white with the perfection and beauty and holiness of God’s own Son. Perfect size. Measured for you. Fit to you by the Lord who provides them. No making clothes for yourself. No work trying to cover your sins. They’ve been covered. You’ve been clothed. Covered with Jesus.

In the Garden of Eden, man began the work of sin. We started it. God was not our enemy until we turned from His Word. He was not terrifying until we realized the nakedness of our sin. He was not frightening until we tried to run and hide from Him. But there, in the Garden, the Lord spoke His promise. The Seed of the Woman would crush the serpent’s head. And now look! Now, from the cross, the words of our Lord: “It is finished!” Everything God has been working toward is done. Accomplished. All that the Father planned for your salvation has been taken care of. It is finished! The work of salvation was begun by Jesus and finished by Him. No more price to pay. Sins are covered. The debt is paid in full. God’s judgment against us is finished. No more nasty looks from the Lord for your sins. He has forgotten them. Our struggling to fix what’s wrong is finished. No more trying to earn a place in God’s kingdom. He’s put us there by His grace. No more trying to convince God that we deserve a place. We are given a place by Jesus. It is finished. All of it. Nothing left. No decision to make. No commitment to honor. No promise to keep. No good works to balance out the sins. It’s done. The Lamb of God has done it. There’s nothing left. No strings attached. No conditions. No qualifications. Just salvation. A done deal. He’s been stricken, smitten and afflicted. Done and finished by the Lamb of God.

In the Garden, Adam had the gift of a wife made out of his own rib. He then let the Devil seduce her into sin and followed right along. Adam’s perfect and holy marriage is now full of the curse and death. But now look! From the cross, a new Bride! A Bride for Jesus! Born from His side! Born in blood and water, the sacraments of the church. Eve was the “Mother of all the Living.” Now the Christian church is. New birth in the water from Jesus’ side which flows into the font. Food and nourishment from the blood that flows into the cup of His holy Supper. It is finished. Yet even after His death, life comes. Jesus’ death means your sins are forgiven. Even now His blood and water are given to save you. The water to mark you as His own. The blood to forgive you and strengthen you in the faith. Blood and water to mark you as “hands off” to the Devil and death which can no longer destroy you. Blood and water to look to your whole life and know that your Savior has overcome your curse, that He has become your sin, and that in Him, you are the righteousness of God.

In the Garden was a Tree of Life. But they never got to eat from it. Instead they ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge and brought into the world sin and death. But now look! A new Tree of Life. Upon that Tree was the Son of God. The blood and water that give life are its fruits. In the Garden of Eden life began for us. And then sin and death took it away. But in another Garden, life begins again for us. A garden where there is a tomb. A tomb where Jesus is buried. A tomb that is empty on Easter because our Lord Jesus has risen. Death cannot keep Him down. Now it can’t keep you down either. Death is swallowed up in victory. It has no terror. It has no sting. In a garden sin began. Then the world was cursed. Thorns sprang up. Murderers were born. Clothes were tried. A bride was abandoned to the Devil’s preaching. But on the cross and in the garden and today wherever the blood and water are flowing, Christ is making all things new. The curse is overcome. The devil is defeated. Sin is forgiven. Death is overcome. Life returns. The Lamb who was slain is risen. That is your life today, the day of our Lord’s death, and every day unto life everlasting in Jesus. Amen.

 

 

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

St. John 6:42-59

Why did these men want to kill Jesus? What did Jesus ever do to them? Jesus healed the sick. He made the blind to see and the deaf to hear and the lame to walk. He cast out demons and raised dead children to life. So why is it that the clergy are so anxious to grab stones and beat Jesus to death? What did He do? He looks them in the eye and says, “You are of your father the Devil!” What Jesus does is to rob these men of their religion and their piety and holiness. These clergy, who think they’re so holy and keep God’s Law so faithfully and love to be loved by all the common people who think those clergy are so holy and pious, have their false god stripped from them. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day make a great show of being godly. But the ones they really worship are themselves! And when Jesus comes along and tells them their good works are worthless and the religion is a sham and the only hope they have is to repent of their sins and believe in Him, they want none of it! We could say it simply like this: Jesus is in trouble because, of all the things He does for the weak and poor and sick, what He DOESN’T do is flatter the holy rollers. He doesn’t tell them how great they are and what a wonderful job they’re doing. But, brothers and sisters in Christ, there’s our repentance too! Jesus has come to demolish our religion, the religion of “me” which is really just the Devil’s preaching. That’s why mega churches are filled to overflowing with people. Because the Devil’s preachers tell them what they want to hear: how great they are. But we’re not immune from wanting to hear that!

Jesus didn’t come to tell us how great we are. No flattery for you today. Jesus came to rescue us from our thinking that we are so great. Jesus came to be the sacrifice for the notions in our head that confess that we’re pretty good people. Every boast about who we are and what we’ve done is carried by Jesus to the cross to be gotten rid of. Jesus came to be the Lamb that Abraham promised to Isaac. “God will provide Himself with a Lamb, my son.” What most aggravated the Pharisees, I suspect, was that Jesus didn’t tell them they were so great and godly. Instead, He told them they completely misunderstood the Law, that they were sinners, and that He was their only hope. Jesus comes to die for us and shed His blood on the cross precisely because we think our lives are pretty good. He comes to shed His blood because we think we’re worth saving when we’re not. The Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world and that sin includes our being pretty sure we deserve a break from God. Jesus lets these evil men drag Him to the cross precisely because He knows they can never save themselves. He is nailed to the cross and bleeds and dies because they do not know what they do. He dies pouring out His blood for a world that loves itself and for people who love themselves. And all of that sin is blotted out. Covered up. Washed away. Scarlett made white as snow. Because Jesus is the Lamb and the only-begotten Son of God who is given up for us all.

You’ve got to watch out for this religion of the Devil! The problem with the Devil’s religion is that it can LOOK and SOUND so like the Christian faith. But it’s not! The commandments teach us to love God by loving our neighbor. The Devil’s religion gets us to try to convince our neighbor of how much we love God. The truth is, our sinful natures are Pharisees from birth. We love to judge others as if we are better than they are. We love to talk about ourselves and make ourselves the center of attention. Maybe it’s how much more WE do around church than other people. Maybe its about how much harder a worker we are than those lazy people out there who don’t do anything. Perhaps it’s how long we’ve been Christians or how much better we’ve raised our kids or how terrible so and so is because of something they’ve done. There is no end to our looking down our noses at other people and ALL THE WHILE showing up in church and being proud that we’re Christians! And then, should we ever be called to repentance, if our sins are ever pointed out, well then there’s a ruckus! “Don’t tell me! Don’t accuse me! Don’t lump me in with the sinners!” Repent! Repent and recognize the Devil’s religion for what it is. Turn from these sins of making yourself a holy person and thinking yourself a holy person. Turn away from thinking that your good works make you more impressive to God than someone else!

But how to get rid of being a Pharisee? How to be rescued from the Devil’s religion? Jesus does that too. Three times He speaks about the Word of God. “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. If anyone keeps my Word, He will never see death. I keep the Father’s Word.” There it is. The rescue from the Devil’s religion is Christ’s Word. What word is that? The Word that delivers the forgiveness of sins. We’re rescued from not keeping the Word by Jesus keeping the Word. Remember, Lent started with that! The Devil, trying to twist God’s Word and Jesus throwing the true Word back in His face. The Word that saves, the Word that rescues is the Word that Jesus preached to the Pharisees but they didn’t want to hear it. It’s the Word that declares He is the Son of God who has come to give His life in the place of sinners. It’s the Word we call the Gospel, the Good News. If anyone asks what the Gospel is, it is this: That because Jesus died and rose, God doesn’t count our sins against us. The Word that saves us is nothing other than that word. Those who have the Devil as their father keep his word. His word tells you to trust in yourself. That you’re better than others. That God loves you because you’re worth loving. The saving Word, the Word of Jesus is that His blood cleanses you from all your sins. That His death counts for your. That He alone is your salvation. That is the Word that saves us.

But that Word that saves us is not just an idea. Not just a concept or a notion. It’s real. Powerful. Active. It’s the same Word that can take ordinary water and make it into a washing of new life in Baptism. Its the same word that forgives sins so that when even a guy like your pastor speaks it it counts in heaven itself! It’s the Word that we hear from the Scriptures and preached in sermons and taught in Bible Study and Sunday School and read in our devotions—the Word that is always putting Jesus in our ears, His death for our sins, His resurrection for our life. It is the Word that adds to ordinary bread and wine the body and blood of Jesus so that we may eat the flesh that was given for the life of the world. So that Jesus lives in us and we in Him and He’ll raise us up on the Last Day. The only hope we have against the religion of the Devil and the Devil’s preaching, is the true and pure Word of God which is delivered to us by the Holy Spirit who turns our hearts away from our sins to believe His Word. That Word, in all the ways it is given, saves you! It promises your forgiveness. It delivers forgiveness. It marks you as God’s child. It absolves and feeds you and keeps you in Christ. Ignore this word, despise this Word, and your souls will quickly latch on to the Devil’s religion. Our sinful nature is born that way and always wants to go back! But you have been rescued from that religion of Satan. You have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus so that by His Word you will have eternal life.

Throughout all of Lent we’ve seen this one thing: Jesus, on His way to the cross is driving out the Devil wherever He goes. But here the Devil has filled the hearts of evil men who will be the Devil’s tools to try and destroy Jesus. What a surprise that to suffer at the hands of evil men is exactly how Jesus destroys the Devil’s power! It is because of our sinfulness that we kill God’s Son! But it is for our sins that Jesus dies and rises again, wiping them out! What the Devil thinks is his victory turns out to be his defeat! What sinners think is the getting rid of their enemy is their being once again God’s children. What the world thinks of as some nobody on a cross God the Father reveals as the Savior of all people. The Devil’s power is great. But it is no match for Jesus. By His suffering and death He casts down the Devil. By His Word He rescues us from the Devil’s power. You are the Lord’s. Nothing is more sure than that because Jesus’ Word says so! Amen.

 

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

St. Matthew 15:21-28

“O woman, great is your faith! May it be done for you as you desire.” The Canaanite woman had great faith. Do you? Is your faith great? Is it the kind that moves mountains? Most preaching you hear out in the world goes something like this: “If you have enough faith, that is if you REALLY believe, and if you REALLY have trust in God, good things will happen to you. If you’re sick and you pray about it and nothing happens, it’s because you don’t have enough faith. If you are worried or you have troubles in your life, it’s because you don’t have enough faith. You must have more faith, in order to unlock God’s promises and blessings. God has got all kinds of good things for you but He can’t give them to you if you don’t have enough faith!” Brothers and sisters in Christ, that sort of preaching is not from the Holy Spirit. It’s not taught in the Scriptures and I hope you never hear it from a Lutheran pulpit. Nevertheless, that’s just the sort of preaching that makes sense to our sinful flesh. If we have something in us called “faith” or call it “determination” or “stubbornness” or “persistence,” then God has to do what we say. Brothers and sisters in Christ, that sort of believing has little to do with Jesus and much to do with us. But when Jesus says to the woman, “Great is your faith!” He isn’t complimenting her on something she’s got going on. He’s telling her that her confession of who He is is right on.

Let’s back up to the beginning of the story. There were plenty of people who figured they could get in with Jesus because they were good Israelites. This lady wasn’t an Israelite. She was a Gentile. But she knew the words. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” She could pray like someone who knew some Old Testament stuff and had heard about Jesus. But Jesus ignores her. His disciples know she doesn’t belong. They try to get rid of her. She tries again, “Lord, help me!” People always have notions about how they can get in with the Lord. If they know the right words. If they do the right actions. Maybe they’ve been in church their whole life. Maybe they think they’re good people. Maybe they do a lot for others. Maybe they learned the Catechism by heart and so think they’re qualified for life. Maybe they’re name is on the membership list of the church even if they don’t come. Whatever it is, people find all kinds of reasons in themselves why God should pay attention to them and accept them and do something for them. Perhaps the woman thought that by using the right words she would grab Jesus’ ear. Probably the disciples thought the opposite: “We’re in with Jesus but she has no place. We’re good to go. But she needs to go away!” If we think for a minute that God should hear us or pay any attention to us because we know some right words or because we thing we’re good people or because we think we have “faith,” then let’s stop right there and repent!

What does Jesus say? “I was not sent except for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Wait a minute. He didn’t say all sheep. He said the lost sheep. What does that mean? Who are the lost sheep? The lost sheep are those who have wandered from God. Who are hard boiled sinners who have no hoped except whatever the Lord’s grace will give them. The lost sheep of the house of Israel are not those who crowd around Jesus and parade their religion all over the place as if they’re worthy! The lost sheep are those who have no worthiness. To put it another way, the lost sheep of the house of Israel are those who have no hope but that some crumbs will fall from the Lord’s table to feed them. If you’re not a sinner, this is no good news. But if you’re a sinner, one who throws God’s gifts in His face, turns from Him and loves yourself more than others, then pay attention to God’s grace for you in Jesus Christ. If you have no hope in yourself or anything you’ve done, listen up! Jesus has not come for people who don’t need a Savior but for those who do. He has come for those whose sins are piled so high they would never dig themselves out. He has come to take away the sins of the whole world. That’s why He goes to the cross. That’s why He sheds His blood. That’s why He rises from the dead. Because lost sheep can’t find their way, Jesus comes to save them. Because sinners can’t save themselves, Jesus saves them. Because sinners can’t drive off the devil, Jesus does. Because sinners can’t overcome death, Jesus triumphs over it.

That’s the Jesus this Canaanite lady trusts in. That’s her faith. You can tell what a person trusts in by listening to them talk. What does this lady say when she comes to Jesus? “Lord, I’m a pretty good person. I’m not perfect, but I try to live a good life. I’m kind to others and I go to church once in a while. I believe in God. So, I think that I deserve a little help.” No way! She cries out, “Jesus have mercy! Lord, help me! Even dogs get crumbs!” No matter how Jesus treats her or what He says, the only things she says are about Him. What He can do. Her faith clings to Jesus. What does your faith cling to? Your faith? Your believing? Your pretty good life? Throw all that away! Here’s what the Lord gives you to trust in and cling to: In Baptism, HE makes you His own and washes away your sins, splashing forgiveness on you at the font. In the words of absolution, HE tells you that you are forgiven and saved, as this woman’s daughter was. In the preaching of the Gospel HE declares that for you, the lost sheep of Israel He has come to save you. In His Supper, HE gives you not just crumbs but a rich feast of forgiveness and salvation. When someone asks you what you believe, what your faith is, don’t say, “I believe in God.” Tell them, “I cling to Christ who died and rose. My salvation is my Baptism which gives me what He did for me. My hope is His body and blood which I eat and drink.” When the time comes to “share your faith” then speak boldly about what Christ has done and given you, not about yourself.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, understand this one thing about faith. Faith is not about “how much” you have but about “what it trusts in.” So faith is not about “how much” you believe in Jesus but that Jesus is the One who has saved you from your sins. The way of talking about faith that we started out with, that false notion of “having enough faith,” that isn’t about Jesus at all. That puts it all on your. Listen carefully to what is going on with this Canaanite woman. Jesus is NOT saying, “Gee, you’re really persistent and determined. Good for you! I wish more people had your faith! I’ll do what you ask!” No, when He says to her, “Woman, great is your faith,” He’s saying, “the thing your faith clings to, namely, ME, is great. I have the power to overcome the Devil and I do. You daughter is made well.” People love to talk about “having faith.” “I have a lot of faith.” “I have faith.” “I believe.” Faith in Jesus doesn’t talk that way. Faith in Christ says, “Jesus died for me and rose again. I am baptized. My sins have been absolved in the Name of Jesus. I have eaten and drunk Jesus’ body and blood. My sins are forgiven because of what Jesus had done and what He has given me.” That’s how faith talks.

The Devil, the world and your own sinful nature want you to believe that God acts only depending on how much faith you have. The story of the Canaanite woman teaches us something else entirely. It teaches us that Jesus does what He does because that’s who He is. He is the Savior of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, the Savior of sinners, the Savior of a Gentile woman and YOUR Savior. He doesn’t save you because you have faith. He gives you faith to trust in His saving you. He doesn’t forgive you because you ask, He forgives you so that you will ask and know you have it. Everything begins and ends with Jesus. So I’ll ask again. Is your faith great? Well if by “faith” we mean something inside you, then no, it probably isn’t. But if by “faith” we mean Jesus, then you bet it is! Your faith is huge! Infinite! Eternal! Because Jesus is your faith. Not sure you have enough faith? Then the answer is not more of you, it’s more Jesus. More of the gifts of your Baptism! More absolutions! More Lord’s Supper. More preaching of the Gospel. Those are the things that give you faith because those are the things that give you Jesus. O Christian, great is your faith because great is your Jesus! Amen.

Rev. Mark Buetow is Pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, IL. Pastor Buetow also is the Internet Services Executive for Higher Things.

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt III

In the name of Jesus. Amen.   Thank God for Lent.  I love Lent.  Just love it.  Thank God for Ash Wednesday.

You should love Lent too!  Get excited about it.  Be joyful.  For in Lent, God takes our eyes off us and our sins and puts them on Jesus.  Jesus is headed to the Cross to suffer and die for all our evil.  Come let us fix eyes on Him.

God reconciles us to Himself.  Not but us moving to God, but by God coming to us in the person of His Son. 

Behold the Father’s love for you:  Jesus who knew no sin has become sin for you.  He became your punishment.  He became your suffering.  He became your beating.  He became your flogging.  He became your death.

Today, to save you, the Lord calls you out of your sins, out of your darkness.  Out of your iniquity to repentance.

Repentance.  It’s a good thing.  It’s rescue from your sins.  Relief from your troubled conscience.   Deliverance from your trespasses.  Thank God for Ash Wednesday!

I know what you think about Lent.  It’s grumpy and depressing.  Dark and somber.  Full of ashes and sorrow.

Yes.  It is.  Thank God.  We need a bit of ashes.  We need a bit of God giving our lives a hard look at our lives.  We need the Lord to call us out of our sins.

For, dear friends, our lives are so terrible.  The dreadful things that we do to God and to one another. 
We confess that we sin daily and much, then we do just that.  Proudly, boldly, as if we are rubbing it in God’s face.

And don’t dodge it.  Don’t excuse yourself.  Don’t think it doesn’t apply to you.  Don’t think that someone else needs ashes on their forehead today.  No, you do.  This Law applies to you! 

Or do you actually think you who despise God’s name and His Word will inherit the kingdom of God?  Do you think that you who disobey your parents, who mess around outside of marriage, who put yourself first, who commit adultery, who practice homosexuality, who steal from their work – both money or time, who covet, who get drunk, who party so hard that you cannot remember what you did, who extort the poor, will inherit eternal life?  Really?

Well, those seem a bit extreme.  Let’s instead talk about the gossip you spread.  Do you realize that it destroys others and plant seeds of evil against them?  You may cover it up like a cat covers it’s business in the cat box.  But, do you think the Lord is pleased with you?  Really? 

The hatred you have for others.  It runs so deep.  You say you can’t forgive them.  You won’t forgive them.   Do you even remember why you are mad? Do you think He forgives you?  Really?

That thing you thought in your heart, that evil intention, that coveting that you bury deep, the greed, the avarice, do you think the Father doesn’t see it? That porn on your computer that is hidden – do you think it is hidden from Him? 

It isn’t.  The Father is hidden.  He’s sees all the hidden parts of you.  He knows.  How is He going to repay you for your evil?

Now, Lent rolls around today and we get grumpy cause here is Jesus telling us to give up our treasured possessions – our sins. 
So, we make a big show.  Get religious.  Maybe even fast from something small – like go on that diet we really should go on.

And if that is what your Lent is – some self improvement season or time to get grumpy or sad because you have to give up your favorite sins or start working out your Christianity.  Then, you’ll do what you do before those around you – you’ll fast, give, pray, and you’ll get your reward in full.

“In full” means… That feeling that you’ve done something for God, that feeling that you’re improving, that you are doing better, that people think the world of you.  That’s the only reward you will get from God.  And when you die, that feeling will die with you.

“But, Pastor, we are only human.  I’m not perfect.  I am getting better.”   You aren’t only “human.”   You’re fallen, a fallen son of Adam.  From Adam to now – consumed with your self and what you want all the time. 

Yes, you have some success licking one sin, then another takes it’s place.  Along with self-righteousness.  That feeling that although you just really messed up – at least you are getting better.

Did God understand Adam after His sin?  No.  Do you think Adam was safe hiding from God?  He wasn’t.  The words, “For dust you are and dust you shall return” were first spoken to Father Adam. 

And die Adam did.  You will too.  Then what will you do?  When all your sins are brought before you?  All the filth that you have done to others?  All of the hidden is before you.  What will you do?

Today, to save you, to rescue you from your sins, to bring you from the everlasting damnation that you deserve from your own personal idolatry, the Father has brought you into another Lenten season.  He has given you another opportunity to repent of your sins and turn from your evil.

That’s the joy of Ash Wednesday and Lent.  There’s joy in repentance.  There is rejoicing in being freed from your sins. 

Today, Jesus rescues you.  He breaks into your world and like a child takes your face and turns it toward the Father.  To tell you the hard word of Law.  He has put ashes on your forehead.  He’s reminded you of your death.  Dust you are.  Dust you will become.

But, your Heavenly Father has more in Lent.  He has Jesus.  Fix your eyes off you and bring them to the Cross.  Watch Jesus making His Way to the cross for you through Lent!

Watch what Jesus does.  He did really completely fulfill the Law for you – every Law.  He loved His Father above all things.  He loved you as He loved Himself.  He never sinned.  Not once, not ever.  And He did that not sinning for you.

Then, He took upon Himself your sins, your punishment, your beatings, your shame, even your death and suffered and died to free you from them.  To wash your sins away – not with some false “it’s going to be better for you,” but by His holy precious blood and innocent suffering and innocent death. 

And all your sins died with Him.  All your disobedience, all your transgression, all are forgiven. 

“Jesus’ cross alone can vanquish the dark fears and soothe this anguish.”  (LSB 608,v 3)

Lent is here.  Time to fast from your sins.  Give them up this Lenten season. Take everything that you so desperately cling to as most important and dump it on the ground and receive Jesus’ gifts – in the Word, in the waters of your Baptism, and His Supper. 
Lent isn’t only about your death, but Jesus’ death for you.  His suffering and death for all your sins.
That’s why it’s a cross on your forehead!  It’s there to remind you that you died with Him in your Baptism. 

Death.  There’s nothing to fear in death.  You’ve already died in Christ in your Baptism.  You rose with Him to new life.  New life in Him – in Jesus.

In your Baptism, a cross was placed on your forehead and heart to mark you as one redeemed, bought back by Jesus.  Bought back from how you lived before.  Redeemed from your disobeying Him and His Word.  Redeemed from despising His gifts, redeemed from your disobeying mom and dad, redeemed from your hatred, lust, stealing, gossip, coveting, freed from all your sins.  Not in you trying to do better, but in Jesus, who truly did by His death save you from all you have done. 

You have nothing to separate you from God.  No wraith.  No punishment.  And certainly no hell.  There is nothing to fear from God.  It has all been taking away by Jesus death on the cross. 

Watching Jesus move to the Cross during is watching our salvation being accomplished.  That’s what Lent is all about:  The Father’s love for His creation shown in the death of Christ for us.

So, no drawing attention to yourself.  You can wipe the cross off your forehead after service.  Clean your face.  Smile and be happy this Lenten season.  Be redeemed – from your sins, from your hell, and from the death itself.   For your Father, who saw what Jesus did for you will reward you. 

Thank God for Lent.  Thank God for Ash Wednesday.  For the Lord has saved us again, called us out of our sins. 

Lament your sins.  Confess your wretchedness.  Then, receive full pardon.  Know that without doubt the Father’s final word on you today is, “Your sins are forgiven you.”  INI. Amen.

Rev. George Borghardt is Youth/Associate Pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conroe, TX. In addition to serving as Conference’s Executive, Pr. Borghardt is the author of the 2009 Lenten Reflections.

by The Rev. Mark Buetow

People often think that the parables that Jesus tells are simple little stories about familiar things that He tells to illustrate a point. Except that the people in Jesus’ parables are always crazy and don’t do things like the real world at all! For example, what farmer sows seed willy-nilly all over the place? The farmers I’ve heard of plant the seeds in rows but the farmer in Jesus’ parable just throws seed everywhere, like he’s wasting it! And then there’s the story of the guy who owned the vineyard and rented it out and then sent his servants to collect his cut. But the tenants beat them up and even killed some. So what does the owner do? Send his son? What was he thinking!? Or how about the Father who gives his son his inheritance—before he’s even dead! Usually a parent says, “No, you have to wait ’til I’m dead to get whats coming to you.” Today we have a parable of the kingdom of heaven that does the exact same thing: It isn’t at all like real life. Today, companies are laying off! But here’s this guy who not only goes and hires people all day long but pays them all the same at the end of the day? That’s crazy! But crazy is what our Lord does! What He teaches us with the parable of the workers in the vineyard is, once again, that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. The Lord doesn’t think like we think and He doesn’t do things the way we do them. No, His way is what we call “The Gospel!”

The parable of the workers in the vineyard teaches us that God’s grace isn’t given out the way we would do it. Forgiveness of sins and salvation are given to us not because we’ve earned it. Not because we deserved it. Not because we’re good people. Not because we’re bad people. Not because we’re better Christians than the Baptists or Methodists. Forgiveness and salvation are ours whether we’ve been in the church our whole lives or only just come into it. Forgiveness of sins and salvation are given to us without respect to our race or color or social status or income or good intentions. No, the parable of the workers in the vineyard teaches us that the forgiveness of sins and our salvation are given to us for one reason: the goodness of the vineyard owner. God’s goodness is this: that He sends His Son to take our place and take away our sins. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, God’s goodness is that Jesus goes to the cross in your place. Whether you’ve been in the vineyard all your life or only an hour, your eternal salvation in Jesus Christ is a gift.

That’s how the Lord gives. Notice that the vineyard owner doesn’t say, “I’ll pay you what is fair.” He says, “I’ll pay you what is right,” or, literally, what is “righteous.” Remember what “righteous” means? It means, “Jesus takes your place.” So the gifts that the Lord gives are based on His generosity. Your salvation is a gift given based not on your work but upon Jesus’ work. It’s given based on what He has done. The forgiveness of sins is given to you because of Christ’s incarnation and birth, on account of His baptism and temptation, because of His arrest and trial and mockery and suffering and condemnation and death. Your forgiveness comes because Christ has borne your sins, bled and died for them on the cross and risen from the dead. Your forgiveness comes because of His resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. In the parable, the guys who worked all day were angry that the master made the guys who only worked an hour “equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day!” That’s the Gospel! In the Church, by your Baptism into Christ, God the Father has made you equal to Jesus who has done the work of keeping the commandments and suffering for our sins. We, who have done nothing worthy of God loving us or forgiving us are, by His grace, given what is Christ’s: what He has earned and deserved by His life, death and resurrection.

And what happens when the Lord gives such generous gifts? What happens when the owner of the vineyard is gracious and generous with his money? What happens when those who work an hour are given the same as those who work all day? Well, what God’s people usually do: they complain! They grumble! They murmur and mumble. Do those who work all day look see the generosity of the vineyard owner and give thanks? Do they say, “Wow! We’ve never seen such a thing! He’s given us all the same! No one has heard of such a thing before! What a generous, kind vineyard owner!” No, they complain. They grumble, “Hey! They only worked an hour! You made them equal to us! That’s not FAIR!” What happened when the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt? When by His mighty power He brought them through the Red Sea and destroyed their enemies? What do they do? They grumble: “Did you bring us out into the wilderness just to kill us? So we can die of thirst?” Wah, wah, wah! How about us? We come week after week and receive the forgiveness of sins and do we go out rejoicing or grumbling? Are we happy to receive the forgiveness of sins are annoyed at the pastor for doing something we don’t like? Are we full of joy at having heard God’s Word or are we upset about how the church is being run? Do we rejoice at being together with our brothers and sisters in Christ or are we angry or annoyed or upset with someone else for what they’ve said or done to us. Do we run in the door with our sins to let Christ have them or do we go back out, still grumbling about all the things wrong with our lives and all the troubles and irritations the Lord seems to send us? There’s repentance, there, brothers and sisters! For, after all, the vineyard owner finally tells the grumblers: “Is your eye evil because I’m good? Take your pay and get out of here!” Wow!

But wait. What does the Lord do for the grumblers? When those Israelites complained and whined in the wilderness, what does the Lord do? He tells Moses to strike the rock and water gushed out! That’s what you’ve got coming, grumblers: water from the Rock. St. Paul tells us that Rock is Christ. Christ is struck for you so that blood and water flow out. For all of our grumbling and complaining and murmuring, our Lord washes us at the font and pours His blood into us from His cup. The same rock that quenched the thirst of grumbling Israelites is the same Rock whose water and blood now wash and feed us. Paul writes that the Israelites were all baptized in the Red Sea and then fed from the Rock. Right there, we see that the Lord doesn’t leave us to starve and die in the heat of the day. Though we wander through the wilderness of this world and life, our Lord doesn’t leave us stranded to grumble and complain and die! He gives us food and water in His holy church. The water of our Baptism. The food of His Word and Christ’s body and blood. Paul warns us that the many of those grumbling Israelites died in the wilderness. There’s a warning not to despise the Lord’s gifts! But in every example of our sinful grumbling, we see that the Lord doesn’t treat us as we deserve but in Christ gives us what we never deserved or earned: He forgives our grumbling and more than that, strengthens and sustains us with His holy gifts.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, nobody does things the way the Lord does. Nobody hires people at different times of the day and pays them all the same! Nobody goes out looking for people to work for him who just stand around all day! But we’re not talking about the world here. We’re talking about God’s kingdom. And in God’s kingdom, He doesn’t do things the way the world does. The way of the world is selfishness and self-promotion, grumbling and complaining when our own standard of “fair” is not met. But in God’s kingdom, He gives gifts generously. Undeserved. Unearned. For Christ’s sake. On account of and because of what Christ has done for us and in our place. What joy that the Lord does not give us what is “fair!” Rather, He gives us what is righteous, and that means He gives us Jesus and all that is His. No matter how long you’ve been in the Lord’s vineyard, all that Jesus has is yours. Thanks be to God the Father that He is such a vineyard owner in Christ! Amen.

Rev. Buetow is Pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, IL. Pastor Buetow is Internet Services Executive and Editor of the Reflections. 

 

by The Rev. David Juhl

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit

Just when Peter thought it was good to be on the mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, Moses, Elijah, James, and John, he heard a voice coming out of the cloud that surrounded them: this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! The next thing Peter knew, he looked up and saw no one but Jesus only. Jesus then commanded Peter, James, and John to tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.

Why hide such a marvelous sight? Why not tell the whole world before Jesus suffers and dies an innocent death? There’s the rub. Jesus must suffer the worst punishment possible, even death, as a suitable sacrifice for our sin. If Peter, James, and John were to tell everyone what they saw immediately, there’s a chance Jesus may never make it to Golgotha with a crown of thorns on His head and a cross on His back.

It’s ironic that the sight of Jesus dying on a cross is one we would rather not see, even though His death brings us forgiveness, life, and salvation. We, like Peter, would rather focus on the happier events of our Lord’s life. It’s good to be on the mount of Transfiguration. It’s good to be in Bethlehem with the wise men. It’s good to be in Jerusalem seeing the “tweener” Jesus teach the doctors of God’s Law. It’s good to be at Cana. It’s good to be in Capernaum for the healing of the leper and the centurion’s servant. It’s bad to be at Golgotha when the Romans crucify Jesus on behalf of the Jews.

It’s good to focus on all the joy Jesus brings us. Yet that joy comes wrapped in a horrible event: Christ’s death. Sure, we know the ending is a happy one with the resurrection. But pondering the Passion of Jesus is not what we would call an enjoyable experience. So we hurry through Lent to get to Easter and all those resurrection hymns. It’s better to sing “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” than “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth”. White lilies brighten the church better than violet’s penitential mood. Who cares about the Suffering Servant? Let’s get to the happy ending and hang around as long as possible!

Perhaps that’s what Peter, James, and John might be thinking as they descend the mountain with Jesus. Why wait to tell about Jesus appearing with Moses and Elijah in all His glory. Why wait to divulge the content of their conversation; most certainly about the events that were about to take place in Jerusalem. Let’s make sure everyone knows that Jesus is the awesome God long foretold by prophets and patriarchs! Let’s spread the Word that Jesus is the Second Adam from God the Father Himself, ready to undo Adam’s horrible deed wrought by the crafty serpent!

Peter, James, and John do what we might think is unthinkable. They keep their mouths shut. They tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead. It’s hard enough for us to keep a secret several days before Christmas, let alone three disciples keeping the Transfiguration a secret for a longer period of time. When Jesus rises from the dead, these men and the other apostles cannot shut up anymore. They can’t stop talking about Jesus and what He did for the sins of the world. They cannot stop proclaiming His resurrection story. They cannot stop telling everyone what they saw and heard. What they once saw with their eyes, they now tell with their lips. The Word of the apostles creates and sustains faith in the Savior who shows His glory not merely in His transfiguration, but in His dying woes and His resurrection joy.

The Epiphany season draws to a close today. But there are two more big epiphanies yet to come. One happens on a dark Friday afternoon when Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, cries out it is finished and gives up His spirit. The other happens in the predawn hours that next Sunday when some women and later some apostles go to the tomb and find it empty, just as Jesus told them. All the wonders we have heard these last four weeks build to these long awaited climactic moments. The transfigured Jesus will shine brighter in glorious humility, only to outdo Himself with by shining brighter than a refiner’s fire with an empty tomb, while being mistaken by Mary for a gardener.

If you think the preceding glimpses of Christ’s glory were something, then the best is yet to come. What the unbelieving world describes as a cunningly devised fable we will see to be the prophetic word confirmed, which [we] do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place. Lent cannot extinguish the light of the world. Holy Week cannot extinguish the light of the world. These two solemn seasons prepare us to lament our sins, repent, and once again believe in the Good News that Jesus conquers the old evil foe once again, once and for all.

As we hear those familiar Lenten themes weave in and out of the Divine Service and Wednesday Vespers, we will be fed as always with Word and Sacrament. The next three weekends will prepare us for Holy Lent by fixing our eyes on how God deals with us: grace alone, Word alone and ultimately Christ alone. Ashes will smear our forehead as we make our penitential cry on Ash Wednesday. Wednesday Vespers will focus on the Penitential Psalms, encouraging us to pray these psalms while also teaching us more about Individual Confession and Absolution. If you’ve never received Individual Absolution, Lent is the perfect time to start!

The next thing we know it will be Holy Week. Jesus will institute His Supper on Maundy Thursday. The altar will be stripped bare for Good Friday. Muted joy reigns on Good Friday as the sacrifice for sin is complete. A dark church building comes alive with light during the Easter Vigil as the first proclamation of the Resurrection is made. Finally comes Easter Day as lilies represent the trumpet of the resurrection Gospel.

All this comes after the fantastic sight we see with Peter, James, and John today in the Transfiguration. Thanks be to God that Peter, James, and John told no one of this wonderful sight until the Son of Man rose from the dead. Their silence made it possible for Jesus to die for our sins and rise from the dead. God grant that we may see Jesus only as the humble and glorious Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit

Rev. David Juhl is Pastor of Our Savior Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Momence, IL. 

by The Rev. George F. Borghardt III

St. Matthew 19:27-30 – The Conversion of St. Paul

In the name of Jesus. Amen.   There is only one group that gets the Gospel right in Matthew chapter nineteen.  Just one group.  

The Jews blow it.  They wanna get rid of their wives.  The disciples follow with more cluelessness – trying to keep the children from Jesus. Then, comes the Rich Young Ruler.

You know one that asked Jesus how to earn salvation, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”   What must I do?  I.. Me…  You know… Me.. Me.. Me.. That makes me the center of my religion.  What do I do to earn heaven?  

Jesus responded, “Keep the commandments.”   “I’ve done that,” says the Lawyer, “since I was young.” 
Wrong answer.  There was something left, something undone.  The Law always has something that we don’t do, some place where we could improve.

And to the one who seeks to justify himself, Jesus says, “If you want to be perfect, go sell what you posses and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come follow me.”

The rich young man leaves saddened.  If that’s what it takes to be saved, how could anyone be saved?  The twelve apostles ask.  If you have to give everything away to the poor, if the Law has always something to demand of you, if you can’t be perfect, how can you be saved?  

What have you given up to follow Jesus?  Don’t dodge the Law.  Don’t lessen it.  What are you holding back?  Don’t try to escape in the “I’m only human.”  What have you held back from Jesus? How will you be saved?“With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” says Jesus.  

Impossible?  You betcha!  It takes the impossible to save you and me from our sins.  God sends His Son to die for us to save us.  

Jesus gave up everything – everything.  His throne.  He set aside His glory.  The glory of the only Son of God.  He took upon the form of a slave – God serving you by dying. 

Then, comes today’s Gospel.  We can’t understand it without what comes before it!  That’s the beauty of verse twenty-seven, it comes right after Jesus talking about how He does the impossible salvation!
The question comes from St. Peter.  He’s always got to open His mouth and say what He’s thinking.  
Jesus’ answer is perplexing for us Lutherans.  Your pastor told me in Indiana with a smile that it creates more questions than it asks.  He seemed to chuckle as if the poor young pastor from Texas had quite the challenge.

To the twelve, the ones that left everything – thrones and judging Israel.   And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Dear Saints of God, Jesus hasn’t forgotten that you are saved by grace alone.  He hasn’t forgotten that your works help and save you never.  

The key is in the rebirth.  You die, He raises you from the dead.  You do the dying.  He does the raising from the dead.  You then see just how deep His love for you is in Christ.

In the midst of all your suffering and pain, don’t doubt that what waits for you will leave you no regrets.  Count on it.  Hundredfold.  Jesus said so. 

When you suffer rejection – even from your own loved ones, know that your suffering is not in vain.  Your pain is going to come to an end.  Your longing will be satisfied in Christ. And heaven really be all it’s cracked up to be – more than you could ever imagine. 

This is not an if you do this, I will give you this.  But, you have done this, I know you have, not for salvation, but for my sake.  I can’t wait for you to see all that is waiting for you.

Not by earning like that young ruler wanted.  No one is earning anything in chapter nineteen.  No one is right enough to earn anything!   Jesus makes that clear with these words:  But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

You don’t get any first-er than St. Peter.  Top of the apostles, always the one who bursts in, gives his statement, his opinion.  Everyone thinks he’s top.  But, yet, here Jesus sets Him last. 

Don’t look for the rewards, Peter, that will always land you dead last.  You too, if you would push yourself forward.  If you want to play that Rich young man game, you will find yourself out.  

And today, especially we must remember that there was no one more first than Saul.  A zealot for Judaism.  He advanced past all his contemporaries.  He was on the fast track to synodical president or at least a district president.

Saul had it all!  He knew the Law back and front.  He had zeal.  He had works – big ones!  He loved Judaism and hated her enemies. 

It was Saul who sat at that stoning of the young deacon named Stephen. Why was the young pastor martyred?  St. Stephen dared to preach Jesus and so he had to be silenced.

In today’s Acts lesson, Saul had the orders he wanted.  Let me go put to a stop this Jesus.  That’s Zeal!  He asked for them to let him go persecute Jesus’ disciples.  And no one… No one was safe from his murderous threat.  He goes to Damascus to bind and jail anyone – man or woman – who belonged to Jesus, who is the Way.

Then… The impossible.  The Lord Jesus saved Him.  He knocked Him off his high horse – literally.  He called Him to repentance.  Blinded him.   

The first, became the Last.  Suffering.  Rejection.  Shipwreck.  Despised.  Slandered.  Jailed.  And finally most likely beheaded.

But Saul was saved – saved by the One who set Himself last for us.  Jesus, who put all of us before Him and died for us all.  Saul was given a new name, given new birth in Christ.  Jesus converted Him – changed his direction.  He once persecuted the faith and now preached the One He had persecuted.  
His gospel was not from men, but from above.  He was sent by Jesus, made an apostle.  Yet, Paul says, a different sort apostle – one born out of the regular way.   

God does twelve, but this one makes for what I learned in Louisiana as lagniappe – a baker’s dozen.  Not the bling and glory or St. Peter.  If there are twelve thrones and twelve apostles, there’s no spot for the left over one.

Yet, Paul preached.  He travelled and brought the Gospel to the ends of the earth – all over and then some!  And your New Testament is filled with his epistles – all of them pointing to Jesus.

For if Jesus could be such a savior, to save one who murdered His deacon and persecuted His church – how much more can He save you?  

If Jesus is for Paul, who says of himself is the chief of all sinners.  By grace, not by what you do.  Received by faith.  

So, eyes off Paul, back on Jesus.  Even when we talk of St. Paul’s Conversion, his being turned to Jesus.  

Which takes our eyes back to Matthew 19, doesn’t it?  What group gets it right in Matthew nineteen?  It’s not the Jews, not the disciples, certainly not rich young man and St. Peter.  Who gets it right?
The children!  The little children were brought to Him.  The ones that the disciples, the twelve who have the thrones, tried to stop! They get it right – they receive. Receive a blessing, receive from the Lord, from the God who saves them by dying. 

That’s the Christian faith – to receive from Jesus gifts.  In the waters of their baptism, Christ Himself washes them.  Takes their sins away, and brings the regeneration which Jesus talks about in today’s Gospel to them!

Care for your kids, dear Saints of God.  Put the Scriptures in their hands.  Take them to the services in God’s house.  Encourage your children to take their children to church.  Teach them the Faith, the Catechism and creed. 

Teach them that the Christian Faith is not one option amongst many.  They have tons of things to distract them – softball, baseball, football, band.  Make sure that of those priorities that the Word of God is key.   In Sunday School, in youth group, in church.

That’s what it means to give up everything to follow Jesus.  It means to have nothing that is more important than Christ.  Nothing.

And pray for them – pray that they hear the Word and as the children in the Gospel lesson, receive from Jesus.  His life, His forgiveness, His salvation.

For the children, they are the ones that get it right in Matthew 19.  Jesus blesses them.  You too.  So, have a blessed Conversion of St. Paul day.  Jesus for Saul.  Jesus for little ones.  Jesus for you and me.  In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Rev. George Borghardt is Associate/Youth Pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conroe Texas. Pastor Borghardt serves as the Higher Things Conferences Executive and hosts Higher Things Radio.