tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24472714895944350932024-03-17T06:02:25.718-07:00Surburg's blogSurburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.comBlogger1858125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-42713828118387496152024-03-17T06:01:00.000-07:002024-03-17T06:01:24.543-07:00Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent - Jn 8:46-59<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Lent 5<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>Jn
8:46-59<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>3/17/24<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Prior to our text,
Jesus has been engaged in a discussion with the Pharisees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has had told them, “I am the light of the
world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life.” As the Pharisees continue in a debate with our Lord he
says, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">You are from below; I am from above. You are of this
world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your
sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus has
set himself apart as the means by which there is forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he announces that this is so, because he
is carrying out the work of the Father. Our Lord says, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"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 just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with
me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are
pleasing to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Many
believed in Jesus because of what he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So Jesus said to them, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">If you abide in my word,
you are truly my disciples,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">and you
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">” Jesus
spoke of how he would give them freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, they objected to this. They replied,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How
is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Claiming their status as the descendants of Abraham, these Jews asserted
that they were free already.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin
is a slave to sin.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The slave does not remain
in the house forever; the son remains forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So if the Son sets you free, you will be
free indeed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus announced that he
was the true source of freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
Lord observed that they now wanted to kill him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this wish they were doing the work of their father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jews objected, “We were not born of
sexual immorality. We have one Father--even God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Jesus contradicted their claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “If God were your Father, you would
love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own
accord, but he sent me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
announced that he was here to carry out the Father’s will.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Jews listening to Jesus did not understand him. They could not bear his
word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Jesus explained why this was
so. It was because their father was not God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your
father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has
nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of
lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
Lord sets before us the spiritual truth this morning that there are only two
fathers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either God is your father, or
the devil is your father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Created in the
image of God, God is our true Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the entrance of sin into the world in the Fall changed all
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The devil became the spiritual Lord
of all who descend from Adam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus told
Nicodemus, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">That which is born of the flesh
is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sinful fallen nature gives birth to sinful
fallen nature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those
who have the devil as their father do not even recognize it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe that they are free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They think they are free to make their own
choices about what they believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
think they are free to use their bodies in any way they choose. They think they
have freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet
these are the beliefs, choices, and actions of slavery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the slavery of sin in which the devil
is pulling all the strings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
slavery that is death because true life can only be experienced in relation to
God who is the source of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
slavery that is death because it results in the eternal death of God’s
judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In our text
Jesus says, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">If I tell the truth, why do you not believe
me?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason
why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jews were not of God. They thought they
knew him because they were descendants of Abraham. But instead, their father
was the devil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">And this stood in contrast to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says in our text, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who
glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not
known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would
be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus, the Son, knew the Father. And he was
here to keep God’s word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John begins his
Gospel by describing the Son of God as the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says, “</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through
him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Then John tells us, “And the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his
glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace
and truth.” The Son of God became flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He did so in order to be the answer to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus told Nicodemus, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son
of Man be lifted up,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">that whoever believes in him may
have eternal life.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus came
to keep the Father’s word by being lifted up on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said during Holy Week, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this
world be cast out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And I, when I am lifted up from the
earth, will draw all people to myself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus overcame sin and the devil’s power by
dying on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus died
and was buried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on Easter he rose
from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our text Jesus says,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will
never see death.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said to
Martha, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I am the resurrection and the
life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and
everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> Because
of Jesus’ death and resurrection we already have life with God now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a life that will never end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a life that is ours because we have
been born again of water and the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The devil was our lord and we had no spiritual powers of our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God, our Father, has changed this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the
Father draws him. And will raise him up on the last day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has called us to faith through the work
of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have life with God
through Jesus. This is a life that death cannot stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the risen Lord has promised that he will
raise up our bodies on the Last Day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
our text Jesus says</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Truly, truly, I say
to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. The Jews are
offended by this and reply, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham
died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he
will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who
died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet
Jesus told them, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my
day. He saw it and was glad.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
Lord describes how Abraham looked ahead in faith to the fulfillment of God’s
promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Jews said to him, “You
are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus replied, ‘Truly,
truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
affirms that he is indeed God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
God, and yet he has served us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
given himself into death on the cross to give us salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus illustrated this fact for his disciples
at the Last Supper when he washed their feet. Then he said, “You call
me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord
and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's
feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I
have done to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
who have received Christ’s love now share it with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We who have been served by Christ now serve
those whom God has placed in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We do this in the vocations where God has placed us. We especially do it
towards our fellow Christians as we assist, support, and care for one
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I
have loved you, you also are to love one another.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">By this all
people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our text this
morning, Jesus says, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">Whoever is of
God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you
are not of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Born again of water and
the Spirit, we belong to God and are able to hear the words of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We listen to our crucified and risen Lord as
he says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will
never see death.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-41990143753057058132024-03-13T07:40:00.000-07:002024-03-13T07:40:40.798-07:00Fourth mid-week Lent services - What does such baptizing with water indicate?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What
does such baptizing with water indicate?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">3/13/28<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptize
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Following our
Lord’s mandate, the Church baptizes with water and the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the manner in which baptism has been
performed has varied over the centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
have no specific evidence about how baptism was performed at the time of the
New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s language in Romans
6 about being buried with Christ and then walking in new life as Christ was
raised from the dead may suggest that some churches used immersion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There may, in fact, have been a variety of
practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
we begin to find archaeological evidence at the end of the third, and during
the fourth and fifth centuries we find that the fonts are located in the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The individual entered water
that was up to about the waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
the shape and depth of these fonts would not permit someone to be immersed.
Instead, the person stood in the water, as water was then poured over the head.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
Christianity established itself and the population became Christian you no
longer had the great influx of adult converts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, Christian families were now having babies and bringing them to
baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the medieval period and
up through the sixteenth century, fonts become very deep bowl shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baptism was performed by immersion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor held the infant by the feet and
plunged it into the water and brought it back up three times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
the end of the sixteenth century and during the seventeenth century the
practice shifted to pouring water on the infant’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This did not require the same depth of water,
and so over time baptismal fonts became much more shallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, of course, the practice that we use
today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
background is important for understanding the fourth question in the Small
Catechism: “What does such baptizing with water indicate?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Martin Luther writes “such baptizing” he
is referring to <i>the way that baptism was done</i> in his time. He is talking
about the practice of plunging the child under the water and bringing it back
up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This manner of baptizing is
being used to illustrate what baptism means for our life each day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Small Catechism says that such baptizing with water “indicates that the Old
Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with
all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge to live
before God in righteousness and purity forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two movements here. First there is
act of returning to our baptism as we confess our sin and repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, there is the new life that emerges
and is made possible by baptism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
explaining this, the Small Catechism points us to Romans 6:4 where Paul says,
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too
may live a new life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul describes how
in baptism we share in the death of Jesus - we are buried with him into death. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During
Lent we prepare to follow our Lord to the cross of Good Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we will see him offer himself as the
sacrifice that won forgiveness for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His dead body was taken down and buried in a tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says that through baptism we have
received the saving benefits of Christ’s death for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But Lent and Holy Week lead us to
Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the third day the tomb was
empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God raised Jesus from the dead and
he appeared to his disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
apostle tells us that we have been baptized into the death of the <i>risen Lord</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this means that the power of Christ’s
resurrection is now at work in us because the Spirit who raised Jesus from the
dead is in us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Christian life is the ongoing
struggle with the old Adam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul told
the Galatians, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">For the desires
of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against
the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the
things you want to do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continue to
see the various ways that sin is present in what we do, say, and think.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And so
we need to return to our baptism each day in faith. We return to this source of
Christ’s forgiveness. We drown the old Adam as we confess our sin, repent, and
seek to turn away from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Large
Catechism says, “Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and
approach to baptism, to resume and practice what has earlier been begun but
abandoned.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When we
return to baptism, we are returning to the washing of rebirth and renewal by
the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are returning to the
foundation of the ongoing work of the Spirit in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are “plugging back in” as it were to the
Spirit’s power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Large Catechism
says, “In baptism we are given the grace, Spirit, and strength to suppress the
old man so that the new man come forth and grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore baptism remains forever. Even
though someone falls from it and sins, we always have access to it so that we
may again subdue the old man.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A daily
killing of the old man, and raising of the new man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is how the Christian life makes use of
baptism. That is the point the Small Catechism makes when it talks about what
such baptizing with water indicates. The Large Catechism says, “This act or
ceremony consists of being dipped into the water which covers us completely,
and being drawn out again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These two
parts, being dipped under the water and emerging from it, point to the power
and effect of baptism which is nothing else than the slaying of the old Adam
and the resurrection of the new man, both of which must continue in us our
whole life long. Thus a Christian life is nothing else than a daily baptism,
begun once and continuing ever after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For we must keep at it without ceasing, always purging whatever pertains
to the old Adam, so that whatever belongs to the new man may come forth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is the action that Paul described to the
Ephesians when he said they had been taught “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">to put off your old man, which
belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful
desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put
on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true
righteousness and holiness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baptism is
the focal point of this process because in repentance we return to the
forgiveness we find there, and we draw from it the Spirit’s continuing work in
our life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">This means that baptism needs to be part of every
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Large Catechism says,
“Therefore let all Christians regard their baptism as the daily garment that
they are to wear all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day
they should be found in faith and with its fruits, suppressing the old man and
growing up in the new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we want to be
Christians, we must practice the work that makes us Christians, and let those
who fall away return to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Baptism is water and the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works forgiveness of sin, rescues from
death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives these benefits to those who receive
them in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we use it in faith
each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put to death the old Adam
as we confess our sin and repent. We return to the forgiveness given us in
baptism. And we emerge to live as the new man which the Spirit has created in
us through water and the word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-29202915133995613712024-03-10T06:20:00.000-07:002024-03-10T06:20:41.167-07:00Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent - Jn 6:1-15<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lent
4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Jn
6:1-15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>3/10/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Gospels can be described as theological biographies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are biographies, in that they provide
accurate information about the life of Jesus. However, they are not providing
this information for its own sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, they were written to make a theological point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are teaching about the meaning and
significance of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
four Gospels tell the same basic account about Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they each have their own emphasis.
After all, the significance of Jesus can’t be exhausted in one telling. In
doing so, they include different material and arrange it in different
ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are biographies and they
tell us what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But their purpose
is not to start in the beginning and provide everything in a chronological
order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, they are arranged to
make a theological point – to teach us about what Jesus means.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Gospels tell us about the miracles that Jesus performed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there is <i>only one miracle</i>
that all four Gospels include. That is the feeding of the five thousand which
we hear about in our text today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Obviously, this miracle made a great impression on the disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning, John uses it to teach us about
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
learn in our text that Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John tells us <span style="background: white; color: black;">that a large crowd was following him, because they saw the
signs that he was doing on the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus was healing people and naturally this attracted a crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our Lord went up on a mountain and sat
down with his disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John is the
only Gospel writer to tell us about the timing of this event, for he says, “Now the
Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus saw the large crowd and asked Philip, “Where
are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that Jesus said this to test Philip,
for he already knew what he would do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Philip saw no way that this could be
accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “Two hundred
denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A denarius was a day’s wage, and even this
huge sum would not be sufficient. Andrew reported that there was a meager
amount of food present. He said, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves
and two fish, but what are they for so many?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus told them to have the people sit down. We learn that the crowed
numbered around five thousand men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed it to those who were seated. Then
he did the same with the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bread
and fish were never exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
provided the people with as much as they wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, he had them gather up the leftover
fragments and it filled twelves baskets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John tells us, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">When the people saw the sign that he had done, they
said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The miracle was a dramatic manifestation of
Jesus’ power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the people saw it,
they concluded that Jesus was the end times prophet sent by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were various expectations about this
figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was certainly expected to be part
of God’s reign and the rescue for Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John is the only Gospel writer who
tells us that the miracle occurred <i>at the time of the Passover</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This background helps us to understand the
response by the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Passover was
the remembrance of how God had rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had acted in a mighty way to free his
people, and this prompted the hope that he would act again to free Israel from
the Romans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spurred on by this kind of
expectation, the people were ready to act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John tells us, “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take
him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain
by himself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people had seen the
sign of the miracle, and they were ready to make Jesus their king in this
world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our text, John twice uses the word
“sign” to describe what Jesus does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a significant word in the Gospel. After Jesus has turned water into wine,
John tells us, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This,
the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his
glory. And his disciples believed in him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus’ miracles
are signs that reveal his glory and call people to faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the signs all point to the ultimate way
that Jesus will reveal his saving glory – they point to the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John tells us that the miracle took place as
the Passover was near. Holy Week would occur during that Passover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that time Jesus will say, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now is the judgment of this world; now
will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am
lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Then John
adds, “He said this to show – literally, to sign - by what kind of death
he was going to die.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The people follow Jesus because they are seeing the
signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet it becomes clear that the
signs are not leading them to faith in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They see the sign of Jesus’ feeding them and they conclude that Jesus is
merely a prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sign makes them
want Jesus as their worldly king – a king who will do the things they want and
expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet Jesus was not here to be the kind of king they wanted.
He was not here to provide the rescue they had in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he had come provide rescue from a
force far more powerful than any empire of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had come to deliver us from sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus described sin as slavery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is
a slave to sin.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This fallen world
is a place ruled by sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seeks to
draws us in and trap us in sin’s clutches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John said in his first epistle, “For all that is in the world--the
desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in
possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We see the presence of sin in our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the crowd, we have our own
ideas about how God should be doing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We know what we think our life should be like. And when God doesn’t
provide that we get frustrated and angry with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We allow lust to control our thoughts and
actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make the wealth of this
world our true god as it provides us with our sense of security and wellbeing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This sin brings death. It brings
physical death to every one of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
brings the eternal death of God’s judgment and damnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet in God’s love he did not leave us in
sin’s power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the incarnation, he sent
his Son into the world as he became flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Son of God became man, without ceasing to be God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When John the Baptist saw Jesus he
said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was the Lamb sent by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John tells us in our text that “the Passover,
the feast of the Jews, was at hand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus’ miracle is a sign – a sign that points to Jesus’ death. With this
reference John alerts us that we are to understand this sign in relation to the
Passover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, as he narrates Holy
Week he says, “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew
that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the
Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to
the end.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Israelites were slaves in
Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the Passover, God had the
Israelites sacrifice the lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
lamb’s blood was shed and it was placed on the doorposts and lintel of the
Israelite homes. The blood marked the Israelites residences, and when God
killed the firstborn in Egypt it caused him to pass over the Israelites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were spared as this tenth plague
prompted Pharoah finally to allow the Israelites to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God used the death of the Passover lamb to
free them from slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus was the Passover lamb who was
sacrificed on the cross to free us from slavery to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the shedding of Jesus’ blood,
God’s wrath has passed over us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
through faith in Christ we have forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have
forgiveness and we have life, because Jesus did not remain dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For this reason the Father loves me, because I
lay down my life that I may take it up again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No one takes it from me,
but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down,
and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received
from my Father.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Easter Christ rose
from dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through faith
in Jesus our life with God has been restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This life with God will have no end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of Jesus’ resurrection we know that physical death cannot hold
onto our bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should
have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In our
text Jesus uses bread to perform a sign that calls forth faith – a sign that
points to his death and resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This morning the crucified and risen Lord performs another sign that
calls forth faith as he uses bread and wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the Sacrament of the Altar Jesus takes bread and says, “This is my
body which is given for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes
wine and says, “Drink of it all of you, this cup is the new testament in my
blood.” These words call forth faith to receive what our Lord promises – his
true body and blood, given and shed for us for the forgiveness of sins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">By this
gift Jesus gives us life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We participate
already now in the eternal life that Jesus has won for us because we are
forgiven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we receive the promise
that our bodies will know life after death because Jesus will raise them up on
the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the
flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I
will raise him up on the last day.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This morning we
see Jesus feed the great crowd using five loaves of bread and two fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a sign that reveals his glory and
points to his death and resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a sign takes place as the Passover is near.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We rejoice that Jesus is the Passover Lamb who was sacrificed to free us
from slavery to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we give thanks
that the risen Lord will raise up our bodies on the Last Day.</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-39367271101865460732024-03-06T11:30:00.000-08:002024-03-06T11:30:42.542-08:00Sermon for the third mid-week Lent service - How can water do such great things?<p> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Mid-week
Lent 3</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">How
can water do such </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">great things?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">3/6/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It
works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal
salvation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what the Small
Catechism says about the benefits of baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those are lofty claims, especially when you compare baptism with what it
actually is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, baptism is water
being poured on the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
how can water do such great things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
we would expect, the answer is not to be found in the water itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we find the power of baptism in the
Word of God which is added to the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Small Catechism says, “Certainly not just water, but the word of God
in and with the water does these things, along with faith which trusts this
word of God in the water.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Notice
that this explanation points to <i>two</i> things. First, there is the expected
reference to the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
second, we also learn that for baptism to do these things faith must be
present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same way the Small
Catechism had said that baptism gives the benefits “to all who believe this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
word and faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of these must be
considered, but for different reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We begin with the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Small
Catechism says, “For without God’s word the water is plain water and no
Baptism.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We recognize that it is the
word of God that makes water to be baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where there is no word, you just have water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
the Small Catechism goes on to say, “But with the word of God it is a Baptism,
that is, a life giving water, rich in grace and a washing of the new birth in
the Holy Spirit.” The word of God makes the water of Baptism to be a source of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the Spirit who gives life,
and so the explanation goes on to quote Titus 3:5 where Paul says, “He saved us
through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured
out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been
justified by His grace, we might become heirs of eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a trustworthy saying.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism
is a washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word is never without the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no “Spirit-less word.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit has given us the word and
continues to work through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water
and the word of baptism become the means by which the Spirit is at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the means by which the Spirit works
rebirth and renewal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
addressed this work of the Spirit in John chapter 3 when he was speaking to
Nicodemus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First Jesus said, “Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see
the kingdom of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord declared
that to be saved a person needed to be born again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when Nicodemus was puzzled about how
this could happen Jesus said, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
enter the kingdom of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ
identified baptism as the means by which the Spirit causes a person to be born
again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism is the gift of water and the
word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works forgiveness of sins,
rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet like all of the Means of Grace these
blessings must be received by faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luther says in the Large Catechism, “Because such blessings are offered
and promised in the words that accompany the water, they cannot be received
unless we believe them from the heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The blessings of baptism are received
by faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that we must
believe what God has promised about baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And of course, this also means that we need to <i>think about baptism</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once baptized, baptism is always there. But
baptism does us no good if it never enters our mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a benefit if is not part of our
life of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Large Catechism says,
“For it is not the treasure that is lacking; rather, what is lacking is that it
should be grasped and held firmly.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we have faith in God’s gift of
baptism, we have faith in Christ, for it is Christ’s death and resurrection
that is offered to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During Lent we
prepare to ponder again the suffering and death of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear tonight in Luke’s Gospel that though
he was innocent, Christ was condemned to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The One who had no sin was offered as the sacrifice for us on the
cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won forgiveness for us by his
death. Yet we will also rejoice in remembering that Good Friday was not the
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Easter, God raised Jesus from
the dead in order to give us life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The benefits of this death and
resurrection are given through baptism, and are received by faith. But it is
here that a question arises for many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
receive the blessings of baptism requires faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the Church baptizes infants who cannot
confess faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact it is even denied
that infants can have faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We begin with the recognition that
baptism is God’s work and not ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is his saving work by which he delivers the forgiveness won by the crucified
and risen Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works forgiveness of
sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scripture teaches us that even the new
born infant needs this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The child does
because since the fall of Adam, all people are conceived and born as sinful
fallen creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus told Nicodemus,
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the
Spirit is spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fallen sinful nature,
gives birth to fallen, sinful nature. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
enter into the world as people who are cut off from God by our sin and face his
judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is able to change this
by their own power. Paul told the Corinthians, “The natural person does not
accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him,
and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually
discerned.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet
God’s saving intention extends to all people of all ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus expressed this when he told the
disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of <i>all nations</i>, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Our Lord
excluded no one as he spoke of all nations. And indeed when Peter told the
crowd at Pentecost to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, he added, “For the
promise is for you <i>and for your children</i> and for all who are
far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
baptize infants on the basis of God’s command and promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ has commanded us to make disciples by
baptizing and teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s Word
promises that the Spirit is at work through baptism, and that the benefits of
Christ’s death and resurrection are given in this way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
confess the power of God’s word to work faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peter said that “you have been born again, not of perishable seed
but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s word has the ability to work faith, and
we put no limits on its ability to create faith in infants before baptism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
bring infants to baptism confident that it is a means by which God works faith
and new life. The Holy Spirit is at work in baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is as Paul said, a “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the way that a person is born again of
water and the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If the creation of faith in infants
seems mysterious, it is because the work of the Spirit to create faith <i>in
anyone</i> is mysterious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus told
Nicodemus, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Do not marvel that I said
to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it
wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or
where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There are those
who say is it not possible for God to create faith in infants. But when the
disciples asked, “Then who can be saved,” Jesus looked at them and said, “With
people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has the power and ability to create faith
in infants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God establishes a
relationship with himself on account of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God works a trust in himself through Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God’s word
demonstrates that God can and does work in infants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the pregnant Mary met the pregnant
Elizabeth, John the Baptist leapt in her womb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">"Blessed are
you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is
this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For
behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb
leaped for joy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Faith is not purely an intellectual or rational
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a child grows, faith expresses
itself through these developing powers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
told us to make disciples by baptizing and teaching because the faith created
in baptism must be nourished and taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Baptism can never be separated from the teaching that occurs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">The water of baptism does great things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through baptism God works forgiveness of
sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the word of God in and with the water
that does these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith trusts
this word of God in the water, and receives the blessings of baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-38898561701715852492024-03-03T05:56:00.000-08:002024-03-03T06:17:45.178-08:00Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent - Lk 11:14-28<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 3.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lent
3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Lk
11:14-28<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> 3/3</span>/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Vladimir
Putin has been the driving force behind a series of wars in which Russia as
attacked it neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1999 he
launched the Second Chechen War as the Russians used brutal force to bring this
area back under its sphere of influence. In 2008 Russia invaded Georgia and
overwhelmed that country to do the same. In 2014 his forces invaded Crimea and
took that area to be Russian territory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
each case the Russian military was simply too big and too powerful to be
resisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They showed that they were
willing to use indiscriminate and overwhelming force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Russia was simply stronger than its neighbors
and so it could do whatever it wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
the beginning of 2022 Russia had marshalled forces on the border with Ukraine.
It seemed apparent that they were preparing to invade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Military analysts all agreed that Russia
would overwhelm Ukraine in a matter of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Russia was simply too strong for Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Of
course things didn’t go as expected for a number of reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ukrainian bravery, Russian incompetence, and
massive Western military aid allowed Ukraine to avoid total defeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet now Ukraine struggles to hold on against
its more powerful neighbor. Without further Western assistance the strength of
Russia will grind down Ukraine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
our Gospel lesson this morning, Jesus casts a demon out of man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shows that he is the strong one who
conquers Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord declares that
his action of casting out demons demonstrates that in him the kingdom of God –
the reign of God – has come upon the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
learn that Jesus cast out a demon that had prevented a man from speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the demon gone, the mute man now spoke
and the people marveled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, some
present said, </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“He casts out
demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These critics said that Jesus was able to
cast out demons because he was in league with Satan – he was on Satan’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This response illustrates the hardness of the human heart –
its desire to resist God’s work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
learn that others were testing Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This despite the fact that our Lord had just
cast out a demon!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We know the challenge of sharing the Gospel with others. We
often think: “If only Jesus were here doing his miracles today.” However, we
see in our text that Jesus performed miracles and people still refused to
believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability of people to resist
the Gospel has not changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
“other thing” that would help call people to faith. The only thing for us to do
is to speak the Gospel, for that it what we see Jesus do in our text.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our Lord knew their thoughts and said, “Every kingdom
divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if
Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” Jesus
pointed out the absurdity of their accusation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If Satan was using Jesus to cast out demons, then he was working against
himself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was working against his own
kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The opponents said that Jesus cast out demons by
Beelzebul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Jesus offered a
completely different explanation, and its implications were world
changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord said, “But if it is
by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God
has come upon you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus said that it was by the power of God that he was
casting out demons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this meant that
the kingdom of God – the reign of God – had come upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s end time power was present.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Holy Spirit had come upon Jesus at his baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning of his ministry he went to
the synagogue at Nazareth and read this passage from Isaiah: </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are
oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our Lord declared that he was
present to proclaim liberty to the captives and to set at liberty those who are
oppressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what Jesus was now
doing in his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Peter
described this in the Book of Acts he said: “</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">you yourselves know what happened throughout all
Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christ was overcoming Satan as he brought God’s reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s saving reign had invaded a world that
was trapped in sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was freeing
people from Satan because he was more powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our Lord says in our text: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his
own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him
and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted
and divides his spoil.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We can think of these acts by Jesus as being individual
skirmishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were signs that pointed
to the great and final work that our Lord was here to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our text Jesus says, “But if it is
by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God
has come upon you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reference to the
“finger of God” recalls what God had done through Moses before the exodus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the third plague, God commanded Moses to have Aaron
strike the dust of the earth so that it would become gnats over the land of the
Egyptians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Egyptian magicians
were not able to replicate this, they said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of
God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God had promised that he would raise up a prophet like
Moses. He told Moses, </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their
brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to
them all that I command him. A</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">nd whoever will not
listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of
him.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus was the prophet like Moses whom God had sent. He was
the great end times prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet when
you look at the history of God’s prophets you find that they were
rejected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They suffered. They were
killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what happened to John
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baptist, the Elijah sent by God who
prepared the way for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus had come to bring God’s reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he had come to win the ultimate victory
by dying on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they
approached Jerusalem, Jesus told the disciples, </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">See, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will
be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will
be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging
him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s saving reign arrived as Jesus hung on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There Jesus was cursed by God in our place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though without sin of his own, he received
the judgment for our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did this to
redeem us from sin – to free us from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He rescued us from the devil because no longer are we cut off from the
holy God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Paul told the Galatians,
Jesus, “</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">gave himself for our sins to deliver
us from the present evil age.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But as Jesus had said, his body did
not remain in the tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the third day
God raised Jesus from the dead. As Jesus told the disciples on the road to
Emmaus, “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By his
resurrection Jesus has defeated death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Death can no longer hold onto our bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead to die is to be with Christ, and our
Lord will raise up our bodies on the Last Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We must
continue to hear this Gospel – this good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need it because of the sin that still dwells in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than the fruit of the Spirit we find
the works of the flesh – things like </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">sexual immorality, idolatry, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger,
divisions, and envy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because of these things that are present in our life, we
repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We confess our sin. And we come
to those means by which the reign of God continues to be present for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We turn in faith to our baptism, for God has
promised that through water and the Word our sins have been washed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We come to the Sacrament of the Altar for
here the risen Lord gives us his true body and blood for the forgiveness of our
sins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We need this continuing work of God
in our life. We need to continue to receive God’s reign that frees us from the
devil and sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has made us his child
as we were born again of water and the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this doesn’t mean the devil has given up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was once our lord, and he wants to be so
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where faith is not fed, it atrophies
and eventually dies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The devil is
looking for this opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says
in our text, “</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When the unclean spirit
has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest,
and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">And when it comes, it
finds the house swept and put in order.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then it goes and brings
seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there.
And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When a woman in the crowd heard Jesus she said, “Blessed is
the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But our Lord
responded, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God
and keep it!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ’s words direct
us in how we are to live so that we may remain God’s children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First, we need to hear God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to make God’s Word part of our daily
lives. We do this by returning each day to our baptism in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do this through personal and family
devotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do this by making Sunday <i>the
day</i> of the week – the most important day because on his day we hear
Christ’s Word proclaimed and receive his body and blood in the Sacrament.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But our Lord does not only say that we need to hear the
word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says, “Blessed rather are those
who hear the word of God <i>and keep it</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christ has given us faith through his Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sustains faith so that faith can be active
in how we live.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Earlier in the Gospel Jesus said, </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But I say to you who
hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">bless those who curse
you, pray for those who abuse you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what Jesus has done for us. This is what it looks like when you
have received the reign of God in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It produces something that is the opposite of the world – something the
world can’t understand because it does not know Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However we know him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have received his saving and forgiving
reign. And so by faith we seek to keep his word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In our text
this morning Jesus says, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast
out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ was the presence of God’s saving
reign that was overcoming the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
carried out the great act of deliverance as he died on the cross for our sins
and rose from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His reign
continues to come to us now through the Means of Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we listen to his word and seek to keep it
as we share the love of Jesus Christ with others by what we say and do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-49612782701314970542024-02-28T11:27:00.000-08:002024-02-28T11:27:48.764-08:00Sermon for second mid-week Lent service: What benefits does baptism give?<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Mid-Lent
2</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>What
benefits does <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>baptism
give?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>2/28/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the Small Catechism, Martin Luther approaches the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in
a very simple and direct manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First,
he asks the question: “What is Baptism?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We learned last week that baptism is water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it is not just plain water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it is water that has been included
in God’s command and combined with God’s word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Having
established what baptism is, Luther then asks the next important question:
“What benefits does Baptism give?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, inherent in this question is the assumption that baptism <i>actually
does something</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was clearly the
belief of the early Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
certainly the belief of the medieval Church. For 1500 years this was the belief
of the catholic Church – the universal Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
know that in the sixteenth century the Reformation took place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Led by Martin Luther, this was a work to
return the church to the truths of Scripture alone, grace alone, and faith
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a reforming work of
removing those things that had crept in that were not from Scripture and were
contrary to Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was also a
work that retained all the that the Church had always confessed that was true
to Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
sadly, this is not all that occurred at this time. There were those who went
far beyond this. Instead of a reformation, they brought about a <i>revolution</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were Christians who began to deny that
God does anything in baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
maintained that baptism was only a symbol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In doing so they created something that had never existed in the life of
the Church. They created something brand new.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those
things that we must do are Law. That which God does for us in Christ is
Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If baptism is only a symbol,
then God isn’t doing anything through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, it is something that we do to indicate our faith or commitment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a matter of <i>our action</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is Law.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
baptism is not a matter of Law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead,
it is God’s Gospel gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the Small
Catechism explains, “It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the
devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and
promises of God declare.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In explaining
this, the Small Catechism quotes the Gospel of Mark which says, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">Whoever believes and
is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe
will be condemned.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God does something through
baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baptism saves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Large Catechism says, “This is the
simplest way to put it: the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of
baptism is that it saves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course,
when the Large Catechism states this, it is simply repeating what Scripture
says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter tells us, “Baptism, which
corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body
but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism now saves you. That’s what
Peter says in a direct and simple statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And this verse illustrates what we find elsewhere in Scripture about
baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In text after text, Scripture
says that <i>baptism does something</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t have to do any work to make the verses fit what the Small
Catechism says about baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, <i>they
just say it</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We confess that baptism works the
forgiveness of sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do because Peter
said on Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This is the same reason that early
Church confessed in the Nicene Creed, “I believe in one baptism for the
forgiveness of sins.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism works the forgiveness of sins
because it delivers what Jesus has won for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During Lent we prepare to remember Christ’s suffering and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week in our reading of the Lord’s
passion according to St. Luke we heard Jesus say at the Last Supper, “For I
tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was
numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its
fulfillment.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus quoted words from Isaiah chapter
53 which speak about the suffering Servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He identified himself as the One who took our sins in order to receive
God’s judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the cross of Good
Friday Jesus was the object of God’s wrath in our place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God offered his Son as the sacrifice for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he did, we now have
forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul told the Colossians, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">He has
delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the
kingdom of his beloved Son,</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">in
whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus died as the suffering Servant
for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was also raised up by God
on the third day for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw last
week that it was the risen Lord who instituted Holy Baptism as he told his
Church to “baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crucified and risen Lord
now uses baptism to give us the saving benefits of his cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>St. Paul told the Romans, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">D</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">o you not know that all of
us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his
death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order
that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been
united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him
in a resurrection like his.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Notice how Paul says that through baptism we have been
baptized into Christ’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says
that we were buried with him by baptism into death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostle says that something actually
happened through water and the word in baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have shared in the saving death of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His death has become ours and so we have
received the forgiveness that Christ has won. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet baptism is not only about Christ’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also about sharing in his
resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through baptism we have
shared in the death of the <i>risen Lord</i>. And so the apostle tells us, “For if
we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be
united with him in a resurrection like his.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your baptism is the guarantee that you will share in Jesus’ resurrection
on the Last Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And on this we can say even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul told the Colossians that </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">you have “been buried with him in
baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the
powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through baptism and faith you are in
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have been joined to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says that not only have you
shared in his death but you also already share in his resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Small Catechism says that baptism
rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baptism delivers forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It joins us to the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this we have
been rescued from death and the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have eternal salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul expressed this truth when he told
Galatians, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
baptism you have been clothed with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The saving righteousness that Jesus won by his death and resurrection
now covers your every sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When God
looks at you, he does not see your sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, he sees what Jesus has done for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have been cleansed by the washing of water
with the word. You are holy in his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Church does two things in order visually
to remind us of this fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, at
baptism we place the chrism gown on an infant. The white gown reminds us that
through baptism the child has put on Christ and his righteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then at funerals we place the funeral
pall on the casket at the beginning of the service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This white parament recalls the exact same
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through baptism the Christian was
clothed with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person was
baptized into Christ. Therefore, the individual died as a forgiven child of God
who is with Christ, and will be raised up on the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is true because baptism works the
forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal
salvation to all who believe this as the words and promises of God declare. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-8787738961586851502024-02-25T05:55:00.000-08:002024-02-25T05:55:59.819-08:00Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent - Mt 15:21-28<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lent
2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Mt
15:21-28<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>2/25/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
is Jesus doing up here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is Jesus
doing way north in the district of Tyre and Sidon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an area along the Mediterranean coast
that is north of Galilee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is outside
the region that was ever part of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, it had been the home of the evil Jezebel who worshipped Baal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
was pagan territory and it was not an area where Jesus conducted his
ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus denounced the
cities where most of his miracles had been done because they did not repent he
said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they
would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus has left the land of Israel
because he has just been in conflict with the Pharisees. The Pharisees and
scribes had come from Jerusalem </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the
elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” They had
travelled all the way to Galilee to confront this trouble maker.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus had disputed with them and
said at the end, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You hypocrites!
Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“‘This people honors me
with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Pharisees
were offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so as Jesus does on
several occasions like this when there is conflict, he withdraws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord is on a divine schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will die, but he will not die until it is
according to God’s timing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our text tells
us that Jesus withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was not there to do ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, his presence did not go
unnoticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew tells us, “And
behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, ‘Have
mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a
demon.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Whenever
Matthew wants us to note that something is surprising or remarkable, he says,
“And behold.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he describes is certainly
surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that a woman of
that region approached Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew
calls her a “Canaanite woman.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
an entirely anachronistic term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody
in Matthew’s day called people of that area Canaanites. However, it was a term
from the Old Testament that emphasized the pagan nature of the woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was
surprising that a pagan woman would approach Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet more surprising were the words that she
spoke. First, the woman said, “Have mercy on me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman came to Jesus asking for help. She
a pagan, appealed to Jesus – a Jew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then the woman
called Jesus “Lord.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Matthew’s Gospel,
this is the term that Jesus’ disciples use to address Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not expect to find it on the lips of
this pagan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But most
surprising is that she addresses Jesus as “Son of David.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew begins the Gospel by saying, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The book of the genealogy of Jesus
Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The term “Son of David” identified Jesus as
Israel’s Messiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This pagan woman –
this Gentile - calls out and addresses Jesus as the Messiah of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She called upon him and asked Jesus to help
her demon possessed daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
woman had said things exactly right: “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She had pleaded with Jesus to help her daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how did Jesus respond?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ignored her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not answer her a word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus ignored
her, but this did not stop the woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She kept crying out to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
reached the point where the disciples were annoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came to the Lord and asked him, “Send
her away, for she is crying out after us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently, they wanted Jesus to give her what she wanted so that she
would just be quiet and go away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">However, Jesus answered, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
said bluntly that he wasn’t here for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was Israel’s Messiah. We are probably surprised to hear this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is not an isolated statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus sent out the twelve apostles in
chapter ten he told them: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Go nowhere
among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather
to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our text
confronts us with the reality that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of God’s
promises to Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the Messiah
for those whom God had taken into the covenant at Mt. Sinai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was here, first and foremost, for Israel –
for the Jews. As Paul told the Romans, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the
power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, <i>to the Jew first</i>
and also to the Greek.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is a
humbling reminder that we as Gentiles have been included in God’s salvation
purely on the basis of his grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
no claim to God’s saving work in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But God in his mercy has extended it to us as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saving intention included us and he has
worked through Israel and her Messiah to give us forgiveness and eternal
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus
had provided no answer to the woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
the woman did not give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that
she came and knelt before Jesus. She pleaded, “Lord, help me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the woman directly before him, surely
now Jesus would help her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">However,
our Lord responded, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“It is not
right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” Not only did
Jesus refuse to help the woman, but he called her a dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are used to having dogs as pets that
we treat like part of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps the dog even gets to sleep on our bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in that culture dogs did not hold any
such privileged position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was deeply
insulting to be called a dog.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet rather than
being angered, the woman replied, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the
crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She didn’t deny her status as a Gentile who was not part of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, she asserted that the left overs of
what Jesus had to offer were sufficient to help her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then Jesus
answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you
as you desire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord praised her
faith, and told her that her plea would be granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that her daughter was healed
from that hour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In many ways,
it is difficult to listen to this text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is not the Jesus that we expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We know our Lord to be the loving and compassionate One. And yet he does
not seem to be so here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he
ignores the woman. He rebuffs her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
even insults her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet upon
further reflection, we recognize that sometimes this is the experience we seem
to have with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We trust and believe
in him, and yet problem after problem seems to arise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We experience continuing health difficulties
that weigh us down and wear us out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
face uncertainty about our career or school plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see family members experience challenges
and hardships and are pained by this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We turn to God
in the midst of these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ask for
help. And yet things don’t improve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps they even get worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
call out to God and yet he seems to be ignoring us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or worse yet, it seems like he is against us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At times like
this it is easy to waver in doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
begin to question God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even get angry
at God. There is the temptation to turn away from him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s text
speaks to this experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We begin with
the content of the woman’s cry: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not know how the woman had heard about
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The report about Christ had gone
throughout the region, and obviously it had even penetrated the area of Tyre
and Sidon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She addressed
Jesus as “Lord.” We understand in a way that she could not that Jesus is the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the Son of God who entered
into our world as he was sent forth by the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the
virgin Mary, he is Immanuel – God with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And he is the
Son of David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the Messiah promised
by God who fulfills his saving promises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is the One who brings rescue and deliverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet during this season of Lent we prepare to
remember that he did so in an unexpected way. Jesus the Messiah came to be
enthroned on a cross with placard over this head, “This is Jesus the king of
the Jews.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died as the sacrifice that
takes away our sin and gives us forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Buried in a
tomb, it appeared that Jesus had been a false Messiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet King David himself had prophesied in
Psalm 22, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For you will not
abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David spoke about the resurrection of Christ,
that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Easter God raised Jesus from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus
ignored the woman. He rebuffed her. He insulted her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet the woman kept calling upon Jesus in
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She refused to be turned
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She persistently came to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There
are times when this is how God deals with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God hides his “yes” under a “no.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He seems to ignore us. Yet he does so to lead us into deeper faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He forces us to ignore the circumstances and
what they seem to be saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leads us
to cling to his word – his word that speaks of Christ crucified and risen for
us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
Holy Spirit has provided the woman in our text as a model for us. She refused
to let go of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept coming to
him in faith. She would not be turned away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was so confident that Jesus could help that she said even his crumbs
were enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Like
the woman, we persistently turn in faith to the Lord who suffered, died, and
rose for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has revealed his love
in the death and resurrection of his Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has spoken his great Yes to us in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In him we have forgiveness and peace with
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In him we have life and the hope of
the resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of
course, this faith is not something that we created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is God’s gift – it is God’s creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so if we are to walk by faith in Jesus,
we need to focus our lives on where Jesus is present for us – on where we meet
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to continue to return to
those ways that the Spirit of Christ strengthens and sustains faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We come to Christ’s Word and his Sacrament
for these are far more than crumbs. They are the life giving means by which the
Spirit leads us to say, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-36614846097792210032024-02-21T11:12:00.000-08:002024-02-21T11:12:32.014-08:00Sermon for the first mid-week Lent service - What is baptism?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mid-Lent
1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>What
is baptism?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>2/21/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
once heard about a pastor who had visited the Holy Land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told that he brought back some water
from the Jordan River so that he could perform a baptism using it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was struck by the amount of effort he had
put into this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water was obviously
very valuable to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
I recall, the pastor had done this in the 1970’s or 1980’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things have changed quite a bit since then,
and so I got curious about whether now you can just buy water from the Jordan
River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, a quick search on
the internet revealed that this is easy to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can get 300 ml – about 10 ounces – for $9.45 at Amazon.com. If you
have Prime, there is even free shipping and you can receive it in a couple of
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are actually a fairly large
number of options and church supply houses sell it as well. It wouldn’t be
cheap to fill the font, but it also would not be hard to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
can understand why people value water from the Jordan River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as we consider Holy Baptism tonight we
recognize that the source of the water used in baptism does not make any
difference. The water used is water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
itself it is plain water no matter where it comes from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it is Christ’s command and the Word
of God that takes any water and makes it into a baptism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Water
is a material substance that is used by God. It’s not surprising that he chose
it since water has many prominent associations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Water is needed to sustain life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you don’t have water, you can’t continue living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water also brings death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can drown those who are caught up in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water brings cleansing. It washes
away dirt and filth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s
choice to use this material substance in dealing with us reflects the way God
made us and his creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn in
Genesis 1 about how God made his material creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a place of water, land, plants and
animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again and again we are told
that God saw that what he made was good. Finally, we hear at the end of the
chapter, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">And God saw everything
that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God looked at the material world he had made
and considered it to be good stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God created us as part of that
material creation. We learn in chapter two, “then the LORD God formed the man
of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created us as the unity of body and soul
joined together. Only in this way can we be what God intends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created us as people who are located at a
place and time in this physical world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they
brought sin into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin brought
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul tells us, “Therefore, just
as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin,
and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brought the rending of body and soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin also warped and twisted God’s
creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It brought upon it what Paul
calls a bondage to corruption.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet God’s answer was not to abandon
and give up on us and his creation. Instead, he did something remarkable. God
himself entered creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John tells us
about the Son of God, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among
us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
located himself in our world through the means of the flesh of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was God for us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ was God’s located means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Christmas Eve God was located in the
manger through the flesh of Jesus. That was where God was present for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus Christ
was not simply the means by which God was present with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the means by which God acted in order
to deal with sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We prepare during Lent
to remember that on Good Friday Jesus’ body – his flesh – was nailed to the
cross in order to win us forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paul told the Colossians, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil
deeds, he has now reconciled <i>in his body of flesh</i> by his
death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach
before him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul told the Corinthians, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For I decided to know nothing among you
except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christ crucified was the located means by which God won salvation for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was God acting on Good Friday
to redeem us from sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The forgiveness of sins was won as
Christ hung on the cross in first century Jerusalem. But it is not given to us
there and then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, God acts to
give forgiveness to us here and now. And we don’t have to wonder about how he
does this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He meets us where we are
at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does this through the located
means of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gives forgiveness
through water in the font that is applied to our body.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and was
buried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on Easter he rose from the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He appeared to his disciples on a
mountain in Galilee and told them, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christ commanded his disciples to apply water in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He instituted Holy Baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin Luther says in the Large Catechism,
“Observe first, that these words contain God’s commandment and institution, so
that no one may doubt that baptism is of divine origin, not something devised
or invented by human beings.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism is Christ’s gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It comes from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what is
baptism?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Small Catechism answers
this question by saying, “Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water
included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Baptism is water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is not just plain water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not just plain water because it has
been taken up by God’s command and combined with God’s word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ has commanded the Church to use water
in this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has combined this water
with his word to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul tells us that “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christ loved the church and gave himself
up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing
of water with the word.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is God’s word added to water that makes it baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this way it becomes God’s water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luther says in the Large Catechism, “What is
baptism? Namely, that it is not simply plain water, but water placed in the
setting of God’s word and commandment and made holy by them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nothing else than God’s water, not that
the water itself is nobler than other water but that God’s Word and commandment
are added to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Baptism is a wet word. It is water in which God’s word is
enclosed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this word and
commandment of God that sets it apart and makes it to be the means by which God
is at work. The Large Catechism says, “For the real significance of the water
lies in God’s word or commandment and God’s name, and this treasure is greater
and nobler than heaven and earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When you see a baptism being performed it does not look
impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is simply water being
poured on the head as the pastor says, “I baptize you in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But God has claimed that water as the means by which he works through
his word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Large Catechism says,
“Note the distinction, then: Baptism is a very different thing from all other
water, not by virtue of the natural substance but because here something nobler
is added, for God himself stakes his honor, his power, and his might on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God has chosen to use water in this way. He has set the
water of baptism apart by his command and word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And so the Large Catechism says, “Therefore it is not simply a natural
water, but a divine, heavenly, holy, and blessed water – praise it in any other
terms you can – all by virtue of the word, which is a heavenly, holy word that
no on can sufficiently extol, for it contains and conveys all that is God’s.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Holy Baptism God works through the located means of
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works through water in a font
that is applied to our body. He deals with us as a whole person – body and
soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know this because God has
included this water in his command and combined it with his word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-89057976343931073722024-02-18T05:57:00.000-08:002024-02-18T05:57:24.351-08:00Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent - Mt 4:1-11<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Lent
1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Mt
4:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>2/18/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the
LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, ‘Let my son go
that he may serve me.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the
words that God spoke to Moses as he was heading back to Egypt, after God had
called him at the burning bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
identified Israel as his son and told Pharaoh to let him go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pharaoh refused and so Yahweh brought
ten plagues upon Egypt. The last of these was the Passover as God killed the
firstborn of Egypt but spared Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pharaoh sent the people away, only to change his mind and send his army
after Israel. Yahweh delivered Israel as he brought them through the Red Sea
but drowned the Egyptians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God had rescued Israel, his son, in
the exodus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Israel immediately
proved to be an extremely unfaithful son. In the very next chapter after
passing through the Red Sea the people have no food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grumble against Moses and Aaron saying, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Would that we had died by the hand of
the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread
to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this
whole assembly with hunger.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In response
God gave them manna from heaven as he fed them on their journeys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But later they would complain about the
manna: “we loathe this worthless food.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the next chapter, as we heard
recently, the people had no water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with
me? Why do you test the LORD?” Yahweh had Moses strike the rock with his
staff, and water came forth for the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We learn that the place was called Massah, because there Israel tested
the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then, after they arrived at Mt. Sinai
and Yahweh had brought them into the covenant, Moses went up on the mountain to
receive the tablets of testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
gone for forty days, and during that time the people told Aaron to make them
gods who would go before them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made
the golden calf that the people worshipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only through Moses’ intercession did God spare Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Israel was God’s son, then it was a very
unfaithful son from the beginning. That unfaithfulness continued throughout the
nation’s history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than being a
light to the nations bearing witness to Yahweh, they brought shame upon God’s
name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is the background against which
we need to hear our text this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Israel had been an unfaithful son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet now God had sent his own Son to take Israel’s place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the
virgin Mary, Jesus Christ was the descendant of David because Joseph had taken
him to be his own. When Herod sought to kill Jesus, Joseph had been warned in a
dream and had taken Jesus and Mary to Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Matthew tells us, “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the
prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The prophet Hosea had written these
words as a description of what God had done for Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now they found their fulfillment as God
brought Jesus – who was Israel reduced to one – out of Egypt in the return to Palestine
after Herod had died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus now stood in
the place of the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Just as Israel passed through the water of the
Red Sea, so now Jesus passed through the water of his baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and the
Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quoting words from Isaiah chapter 42, God
identified Jesus as the Servant of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Servant in Isaiah is at times the nation of Israel. But on other
occasions he seems to be an individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus Christ was designated as the Servant of the Lord – the individual
who stood in place of the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">During the season of Epiphany we considered
Jesus’ baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned that at his
baptism he took on the role of the suffering Servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though without sin, he entered the water of
baptism to take up our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became
the One who would fulfill the words of Isaiah chapter 53: “All we like sheep
have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD
has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From the moment of his baptism the purpose of Jesus’ ministry was to
obey the Father’s will by serving us – by offering himself as the sacrifice on
the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israel passed through the water of the Red Sea
and then entered the wilderness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
immediately after Jesus’ baptism we hear in our text, “Then Jesus was led up by
the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit who had come upon Jesus at his
baptism now leads him into the wilderness to be tempted. Israel, God’s son had
failed. Now Jesus, God’s Son goes forth in place of the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We learn that after fasting forty days and forty
nights, Jesus was hungry. So the devil approached him and said, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If you
are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel had failed when they were hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the devil tempted Jesus to use his power <i>to
serve himself</i> when he was hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But Jesus was here
to carry out the Father’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
here to serve us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord answered, “It
is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
comes from the mouth of God.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quoted
words from Deuteronomy that expressed how God had used the manna to teach
Israel to trust in God. Jesus replied that he was here to keep God’s word as he
trusted in the Father’s will.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Next the devil took Jesus
to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said to him, “If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels
concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike
your foot against a stone.’” The devil tempted Jesus to force God to rescue him
in a dramatic way that would call attention to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even quoted Psalm 91 in order to justify
the idea.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But Jesus said to
him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God
to the test.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel had tested God at
Massah when they had no water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus
would not put God to the test in order to gain glory. The psalm spoke of
trusting in God’s protection and care, not provoking God to rescue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord trusted in the Father as he walked
the way that led to the cross.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Finally, the devil
took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world
and their glory. He said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall
down and worship me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The devil offered
Jesus the quick and easy way to glory. But Jesus said to him, “Be
gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your
God and him only shall you serve.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Israel had worshipped the golden calf, but Jesus would only worship and
serve God. Then we are told that devil left him.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Where Israel was the
unfaithful son, Jesus remained the faithful One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not submit to the devil’s temptations.
This is good news for us, because we aren’t that different from Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fail to trust God to provide us with daily
bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We question whether God really
cares for us as we put God to the test. We worship and serve false gods as we put
a host of different things before God.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The devil tried to
derail Jesus’ ministry through the temptations. But unlike Israel – and unlike
us – Jesus was faithful to the will of the Father. He overcame the devil as
continued in the way of service – as he continued in the way of the cross. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus went to the
cross as the suffering Servant who gave himself as the sacrifice in our
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “The Son of Man came not
to served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fulfilled the words of Isaiah, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But he was wounded for our
transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the
chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”
He won forgiveness for us and freed us from sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus gave himself into suffering and death on
the cross for us to fulfill the Father’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But God’s saving will did not end in death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Easter, God raised Jesus from the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He vindicated Christ as the
Servant who had faithfully carried out God’s will. Because of Christ’s
resurrection death cannot hold onto us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eternal life is already ours because to die is to be with Christ. And
Jesus will raise up our bodies to be like his on the Last Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The devil tried to offer dominion
and glory to Jesus in a quick and easy way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But for Jesus the way that went through the cross led to those very things.
After his resurrection Jesus said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the one who possesses all authority Jesus
instituted Holy Baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You have been
baptized into the death of Jesus the risen Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His victory is now your victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus overcame the devil in his temptation.
He defeated sin and death by his death and resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christ, you are already on the winning
side. Through faith in God’s gift of baptism your sins are washed away and you
are a saint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a child of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through baptism
the Spirit of Christ has given you the washing of regeneration and renewal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a new creation in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is
now at work in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why Paul
told the Romans, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too
might walk in newness of life.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is the
Spirit who now leads and enables us to resist temptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see sin for what it is and seek to turn
away from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus becomes our example
as we seek to trust God and do the will of the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as Jesus served us, we now serve those
whom God has placed in our life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The nation of
Israel was an unfaithful son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not
fulfill God’s saving purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God
sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to do what the nation could not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was Israel reduced to One - the faithful
Son who trusted in the Father and carried out his will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the suffering Servant who gave himself
for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the
temptation of Jesus, we see Christ overcome the devil as he continues on the
way to the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faithful and obedient
he died for our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the cross led
to resurrection as Christ gives us life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Baptized into the death of the risen Lord, the Holy Spirit now leads us
to resist sin and to share Christ’s love with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-68186136970689595892024-02-14T07:58:00.000-08:002024-02-14T07:58:28.115-08:00Sermon for Ash Wednesday - Joel 2:12-19<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ash
Wednesday<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Joel
2:12-19<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>2/14/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
year billions of cicadas will emerge from the ground in Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The state will experience a rare occurrence
as two different broods of cicadas emerge at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One brood is on a thirteen year cycle, while
the other is on a seventeen year cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The simultaneous emergence only occurs once every 221 years. The last
time it happened was 1803.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
good news is that the two broods will emerge in different parts of the
state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one brood will be centered in
northern Illinois, while the other is in southern Illinois and Missouri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only in the center of the state is there the
possibility of an overlap between the broods.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cicadas
don’t bite or sting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part
they are considered harmless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one
thing they do is make noise, which can be substantial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they die they can leave a mess to
clean up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
our text tonight, Israel also faces billions of insects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the locusts that are coming upon the
nation are far from harmless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead,
they are like an army that consumes everything edible before it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joel says in the previous chapter, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">What the cutting locust
left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust
left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust
left, the destroying locust has eaten.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The prophet laments: “The fields are destroyed, the ground mourns,
because the grain is destroyed, the wine dries up, the oil
languishes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yahweh had sent the locusts upon the
land because of the sin of the people. This event was described as the day of
the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joel says, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Blow a trumpet
in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants
of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, a day
of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
locusts were the presence of God’s judgment against the people’s sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, God did not want them to be his
final action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted them to prompt
repentance among the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear in
our text, “‘</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Yet
even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with
fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and
not your garments.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yahweh called the people to return to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted them to turn from their
sinful ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want them just to
go through the motions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “rend
your hearts and not your garments.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The whole nation needed to
repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear in our text, “Blow the
trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the
people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the
children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the
bride her chamber.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The urgency of the
occasion would prompt even those in a wedding party to interrupt the normal
course of things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The disaster of the locusts made it
look as if Israel was not God’s people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And so Joel instructed: “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Between the vestibule and the altar let the
priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, "Spare your people, O
LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the
nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, God was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was calling his people to repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was speaking through his prophet. Through
Joel he urged them to repent and he provided the reason that they should do
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “Return to the LORD your
God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in
steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The call to repentance was grounded in
the character of God himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
description of God is repeated again and again in the Old Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is almost like a “creedal” statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is gracious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives people blessings that they do not
deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is merciful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shows compassion towards those who are in
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is slow to anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is patient and does not respond
immediately with judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He abounds in
steadfast love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is characterized by abundant
faithful loving kindness. And he relents over disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants to forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to turn away from judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The people did repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as Joel had declared, Yahweh was gracious
and merciful to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end of our
text says, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Then
the LORD became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. The LORD
answered and said to his people, ‘Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine,
and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach
among the nations.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We hear the text from the prophet Joel
on Ash Wednesday because we are entering into a season of repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ash Wednesday marks the start of the season
of Lent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enter into a time of the
church year when we confess our sins that caused God to send his Son into the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We prepare to remember the
suffering and death of Jesus Christ for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s word addresses us just as it did
Israel: “‘Yet even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with
fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and
not your garments.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Return to the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rend your hearts and not your
garments. God calls us to repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
calls us to confess our sins in an honest and humble fashion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This leads us to the Ten
Commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the diagnostic
tool for the Christian. They reveal the sin that is present in our life – the
sin that we wish to ignore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how have
you feared, loved, and trusted in things other than God? What are the things
you place before him as they receive more time, effort, and attention?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have you turned to God in prayer to
give thanks, or do you take his blessings for granted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you faithfully use and receive his Word on
a daily basis? Do you obey your parents, or do you cause them difficulties by
your attitude and behavior? Do you hold on to anger and hatred toward those who
have wronged you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you lust for one
who is not your spouse and use pornography? Are you lazy at work? Do you pass
on gossip and hurt your neighbor’s reputation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you covet the wealth, status, and success of others?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These questions pierce each one of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They show how we all have sinned and
fallen short of the glory of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through this law comes the knowledge of sin. Our every mouth is stopped
and we find that we are accountable before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have no excuse for we are sinners who deserve God’s wrath and
judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet when there may seem to be place
for despair; when there seems to be no hope for dealing with the holy God, Joel
says to us: </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Return to the
LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and
abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God calls us as sinners to repentance
because he wants to forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
indeed gracious, merciful and abounding in steadfast love. These are not just
words. They are words that have become flesh in the incarnate Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have received God’s grace, mercy, and love
through Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At Christmas we celebrated the fact
that God sent his Son into the world as he became true man without ceasing to
be true God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During Epiphany we saw that
the One who is true God and true man entered the water of his baptism by John
in order to take our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the
Servant of the Lord upon whom God lay the iniquity of us all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We prepare during Lent to follow Jesus
to the goal and purpose of his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Joel described God’s judgment in the locust plague as the day of the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called it </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">a day of
darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day of the Lord in the Old Testament is
God’s action of judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
experienced the day of the Lord on Good Friday. He hung on the cross in the
darkness as God poured out his wrath against our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?” as he received God’s judgment in our place.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus’
death has given us redemption, the forgiveness of sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of Christ we no longer fear God’s
wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are justified before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We already know the verdict of the Last Day.
Paul told the Romans, “Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have
peace with God, and we have the peace of knowing that death as been
defeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lent will bring us to the
darkness of Good Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will bring
us to the darkness of the sealed tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Christ did not remain dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
the third day God raised Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tomb
was empty and the risen Lord appeared to his disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the beginning of our resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he has been raised, we will be too on
the Last Day.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus’
death and resurrection means that repentance leads to forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his resurrection Jesus told the
disciples, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on
the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness
of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all
nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We repent and return to our God who has shown in Jesus Christ that he is
gracious, merciful, and abounds in steadfast love.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-24766055142760626182024-02-11T05:59:00.000-08:002024-02-11T05:59:34.566-08:00Sermon for Quinquagesima - Lk 18:31-43<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Quinquagesima<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Lk
18:31-43<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>2/11/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those
who can see are blind, but the one who is blind sees. That is the contrast that
we find in our Gospel lesson this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The disciples who can see, don’t understand Jesus as once again he
predicts his passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man who is
blind calls out in clear faith as he asks Jesus for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this contrast we learn to follow the blind
man and his faith in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
text begins by saying, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And taking the
twelve, he said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will
be accomplished.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked
and shamefully treated and spit upon.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And after flogging him, they will kill him,
and on the third day he will rise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is the third time that Jesus has predicted his
passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the most detailed of the
predictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord says that he will
be delivered over the Gentile who will mock and treat him shamefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He describes how he will be flogged with a
whip and then killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, he
adds that on the third day he will rise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What is significant and new is that he describes how
through these actions everything that is written about the Son of Man by the
prophets will be fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’
suffering and death accomplishes what God has set forth in the Scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is something that is necessary because God
has revealed that it will happen in this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is God’s saving plan and purpose that is being worked out in Jesus
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In very clear and specific terms, Jesus has set forth what
is going to happen in his passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However Luke tells us: “But they understood none of these
things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was
said.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that the meaning of
Jesus’ words was hidden from them and they did not understand it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is not the first time the disciples have been obtuse
as Jesus predicts his passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
previous occasion Jesus had said, “Let these words sink into your
ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” Then
we learn: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But they did not
understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might
not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The meaning of Jesus’ statement has been hidden from them
and they don’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disciples
are unwilling to ask Jesus what it means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has been hidden from then and they don’t understand because our
Lord’s passion is the opposite of everything that they expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the next chapter we learn that as they approached
Jerusalem </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">they supposed that
the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The disciples don’t understand that
God’s saving work will occur in the way of the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will occur in the midst of suffering and
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be the opposite of what
they expect, for they think that God’s Messiah will act in might, power, and
victory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Like the disciples we often don’t
understand that God works in the way of the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want the Christian life to be one of
might, power, and victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as
we learned last Sunday, the Gospel is something that people can reject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is even something that people can believe
for a time but then fall away from it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our lives as Christians are lived
under the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is true as we face
the world’s pressure not to confess Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We face the pressure to live in the way of the world and not that of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are surrounded constantly by our culture’s
multimedia assault which seeks to indoctrinate us in the way of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The disciples didn’t understand. But
as they approached Jericho there was a blind man who saw clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He believed that Jesus was the answer and
trusted in him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
learn that there was a blind man sitting by the roadside begging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A blind man in the first century world had no
options. He could only rely on the compassion of others who would give him
alms. So there he was begging.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When
the man heard a crowed going by he asked what this meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was told, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing
by.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this word, the man began to cry
out, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not know how the man had learned about
Jesus. But he expressed a very clear faith. First, he addressed Jesus as “Son
of David.” This was language that identified Jesus as the Messiah descended
from David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he cried out “have
mercy on me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a plea for Jesus
to help him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Those in front
rebuked the man and told him to be silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man would not allow his faith to be
silenced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he cried out all the
more as he asked Jesus to help him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our Lord
listened to his cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus stopped and
commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What do you want me to do
for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Jesus said to him, “Recover your
sight; your faith has made you well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man immediately recovered his sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had called upon the Lord in faith, and
Jesus had healed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now his faith
continued to be active as he had sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We learn that the man followed Jesus glorifying God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In our text we
see Jesus heal a blind man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This action
helps us to understand what Jesus is doing in his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the start of his work, Jesus went to
Nazareth on the Sabbath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scroll of
Isaiah was given to him and he read this passage: ‘The Spirit of the
Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to
the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are
oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Jesus said, “Today this Scripture has
been fulfilled in your hearing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus declared
that after being anointed with the Spirit at his baptism he was now bringing
God’s reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit of the Lord was
upon him as he proclaimed good news and liberty to the captives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was giving recovery of sight to the blind
and was setting free those who were oppressed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus gave
recovery of sight to the blind man because he was the presence of God’s reign
bringing freedom and release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
bringing God’s salvation to the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had come to overcome all that Satan and sin had caused. In our
translation Jesus tells the man “your faith has made you well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an accurate translation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the verb used here is literally
“saved you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This leads us to recognize
that the healing of the blind man is part of something even bigger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our text begins
with Jesus saying, “‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will
be accomplished.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked
and shamefully treated and spit upon.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And after flogging him, they will kill him,
and on the third day he will rise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our Lord’s work
to bring God’s saving reign culminated in his suffering and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus had come to be bring release and
liberty from sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was numbered with
the transgressors as he took our sin upon himself at his baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on Good Friday he died as the sacrifice
for our sin. Through his suffering and death he has won forgiveness for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus had said
this would happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he also predicted
that this would not be the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
declared that on the third day he would rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Easter God raised Jesus from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resurrection of Christ was the
vindication of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His death on the
cross was not God rejecting Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead it was God working through the cross in order to give us
forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As the risen Lord said to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus,
“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ
should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Risen and
ascended, Christ has entered into his glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has poured forth his Spirit who has called us to faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In baptism he has washed away our sins and
made us the children of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We now walk by
faith like the blind man in our text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We call upon Jesus the Messiah who has
fulfilled God’s Word by his death and resurrection. When we stumble in sin we
cry in repentance, “Have mercy on me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We return to our baptism in faith knowing that baptized into Jesus’
death we have forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As we face the
cross in the world we cry out to the Lord, “Have mercy on me!” We turn to him
for help trusting that through his Spirit he will strengthen us in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that God will sustain us in the
midst of challenges, and that according to his will he does provide help, deliverance,
and escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The blind man
called out in faith because he had heard the word about Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for us to continue to speak in
faith, we need to hear this same word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need our Lord’s Means of Grace by which he comes to us with his life
giving Word. Our cry, “Have mercy on me!” is always spoken in response to the
word that comes from Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His word –
both the read and preached Word, and the visible word of the Sacraments – calls
forth faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It enables us to call upon
Christ in faith each day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When the Lord
ascended, the angels said to the disciples, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Men of
Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up
from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go
into heaven.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These words assure us that
the way of faith and the way of the cross will come to an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walk by faith now, but our risen Lord will
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer will we say in faith
“Have mercy on me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But instead by sight
we will say “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-21911839024392289992024-02-04T05:53:00.000-08:002024-02-04T05:53:31.331-08:00Sermon for Sexigesima - Lk 8:4-15<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sexagesima<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Lk
8:4-15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>2/4/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Just after Christmas we had an
unfortunate discovery. We learned that the sewer line that runs from our house
out to the street had decayed to the point that it had to be replaced. As you
can probably guess, this was not an inexpensive problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can think of few ways that are less
enjoyable to spend money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, once
you have a problem you discover that a working sewer line is fairly high on the
list of priorities in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many aspects
of daily life depend on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The sewer line was replaced and in
doing so the yard was dug up from the house all the way down to the street. We
now have a dirt scar that runs through the whole yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on the area will be leveled off and
seeded with grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be working
with a very specific area as they seek to repair the damage that was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully it will grow back and blend in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The seeding of the strip of ground
in our yard is very different from what we hear about in our Gospel lesson this
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There the farmer is dealing
with a large area as he casts seed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He casts seed everywhere, and not all of it lands in the right
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Jesus tells the parable of the
sower, he teaches us about the different ways in which God’s word is
received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that we need to hold
fast to God’s word because there are many threats to the life of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our text begins by telling us, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">And when a great crowd was gathering and
people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word parable has a rather broad range of
meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, here we have the classic
form that we expect. Jesus tells an account that bears a meaning that goes
beyond the story itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact we will
learn that in an allegorical fashion, different elements of the story each convey
meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus
described how a sower went out to sow his seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sowing was done by casting seed out onto the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that some of it fell along the path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worn walking paths bordered fields or
sometimes even went through the midst of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We learn that this seed was trampled underfoot and the birds ate it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Some
seed fell on the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It landed where
the ground was not good. This seed grew up, but because it had no moisture it
withered. Some seed fell among thorns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the seed and the thorns grew up together, the thorns choked it out.
However, other seed fell on good soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This seed grew up and yielded a hundredfold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It produced a great harvest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When
Jesus had finished the parable he said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was a signal that there was more going on here than an interesting
story. The disciples asked Jesus what the parable meant and he said, “To you it
has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others
they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they
may not understand.’” Our Lord described how the parables revealed and
concealed at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those
who had faith in Jesus they revealed understanding about God’s reign. However,
for those who did not believe they were simply interesting stories.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus then
explained the parable. He said, “The seed is the word of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parable is sharing the secrets of the
kingdom of God – the reign of God – so this word of God has a specific
content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the next chapter Jesus will
predict his passion for the first time as he says, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected
by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the
third day be raised.” Then a little later we read, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he
set his face to go to Jerusalem.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus is the sinless Son of God who entered the
world to be numbered with the transgressors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paul told the Romans, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">For while
we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one
will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one
would dare even to die--<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">but God
shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christ died for us to redeem us from
sin – to free us from its slavery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
as our Lord had predicted, he did not stay dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the third day God raised Jesus from the
dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought life that overcomes
death and gives us the promise that we will share in his resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This word – the word of the death and
resurrection of Jesus - is the seed that that is cast into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord explained, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The ones along the path are those who
have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so
that they may not believe and be saved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus’ words teach us that the world
is not a neutral spiritual place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead it is a setting where God’s reign in Christ has invaded a world
that was trapped in sin and under the devil’s rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the lord for those who do not believe
in Christ, and the devil does not want to surrender his subjects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works against the Gospel to prevent people
from believing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You have probably had the experience
of speaking the Gospel to someone who will not give it a hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps they have already decided that they
“don’t need religion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps they view
Christianity as nothing more than a myth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps they have no interest in believing anything that is going to
change their life. The devil uses these opposing worldviews to take the word
from their heart so they are not saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are saddened by this, but we should not be surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said it would be this way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next Jesus explained, “And the ones on
the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But
these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of
testing fall away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord’s
words do not only describe the rejection of the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also include those who believe but then
fall away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is not enough to start in the
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One must finish in the faith as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Paul faced the likelihood of
death he told Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus warns us about believing and then falling
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He describes this seed as having
no root so that in time of testing or trial a person stops believing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little earlier Jesus had said, “Blessed are
you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you
and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Belief in Jesus Christ will bring testing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world says that everyone should be loving
and accepting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says that there is no
absolute right or wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rejects and
attacks all who say that there is only one right way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is what Jesus claims to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact he said, “I am the way, the truth and
the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” To confess Jesus
Christ as the only Lord and Savior will bring testing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will bring trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must be prepared for this as Christians.
We must expect it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will need to
persevere in the faith as we face these challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then Jesus said, “And as for what fell among the
thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are
choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does
not mature.” Once again, our Lord describes those who have begun in the
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they have not
finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They live for awhile as
Christians, but then their fruit does not mature.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christ says that faith is choked out by the cares
and worries of life. We face challenges and difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things are a burden on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wear us down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust in Christ can die as we face these
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People focus on the worries
instead of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time, they lose
sight of Christ altogether and faith is lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus tells us that riches choke out faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He warned, “No servant can serve two masters,
for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to
the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wealth is a dangerous false god that competes
against Jesus. The material riches of this world attract attention and draw us
away from Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They become more
important and skew our vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over
time, they choke out faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Finally, our Lord says that the pleasures of life
threaten faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a world that
says sexuality can be used in any way a person wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord tells us that sex is to be shared
only between a husband and wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So a
couple begins having sex outside of marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next, they choose to live together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In doing so they reject Christ and drive out faith as they live in
unrepentant sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The parable of the sower warns us about the
threats to faith that exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is
not something we can just take for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, it must be something that has the highest priority in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must care for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus explains, “As for that in the good soil,
they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart,
and bear fruit with patience.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In order to remain in the faith we must hold the word fast. This means
that we need to receive the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
must hear it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must think about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So what role does God’s word have in your life?
You are here at the Divine Service receiving the Means of Grace. That is a
great start!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But is this the regular
pattern of your life, or something that is somewhat hit and miss?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does Sunday mean for you that you attend
church, or does it sometimes mean something else?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Do you attend Bible study on Sunday or
Wednesday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you taking the time to
learn more about God’s word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you
going deeper into God’s revelation? Or are you content with a superficial
understanding?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What about your personal devotional reading of
Scripture? Does God’s word have a regular place in your daily life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you taking time during the day to read
God’s word and be fed by it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are
to remain in the faith, then we must hold fast to the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be in God’s word so that the Holy
Spirit nurtures and strengthens us in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus says that faith “bears fruit with patience”
or “endurance” as it also can be translated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where faith in Christ is present, it produces fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It carries out works of love, care, and
compassion for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It serves in the
vocations where God has placed us. And it does so with patience. Sustained by
Christ, faith is in it for the long haul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This morning Jesus warns us about threats to our
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clearly teaches that this is
not a matter of “once saved always saved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christians can lose faith and he describes some of the things that bring
this about. Instead, we must hold fast to God’s word for there we continue to
meet Jesus Christ, our crucified and risen Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-27642862111694492312024-02-02T07:27:00.000-08:002024-02-02T07:27:07.314-08:00Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcF7GJEbQgSGZldMizymMyf2M1pJuXNTgpRTexyaZHnKp63Ml05G4o2meumxv6jo_OVD0OvxBmK5CMBWNZZMuMU1Qc4d9xp7F7VYFj5Ud8ArlUlzylJKy-u0Bxr7vvgwxxkTkBuVA7RZDa9H36HiA5m_KjDoaTOXbuYldsu48xQX33q4lsfl42BORPNc/s685/Purification%20of%20Mary%20and%20Presentation%20of%20Our%20Lord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcF7GJEbQgSGZldMizymMyf2M1pJuXNTgpRTexyaZHnKp63Ml05G4o2meumxv6jo_OVD0OvxBmK5CMBWNZZMuMU1Qc4d9xp7F7VYFj5Ud8ArlUlzylJKy-u0Bxr7vvgwxxkTkBuVA7RZDa9H36HiA5m_KjDoaTOXbuYldsu48xQX33q4lsfl42BORPNc/s320/Purification%20of%20Mary%20and%20Presentation%20of%20Our%20Lord.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today is The Feast
of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Leviticus 12:1-8 the Lord instructed that
when a woman gave birth to a child, she was ritually unclean for forty
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of that time she was to
come to the temple and a sacrifice was to be made for her purification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exodus 13:11-6 also taught that the people of
Israel were to redeem by sacrifice the first born male as a reminder of God’s
rescue in the Passover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary and Joseph
faithfully live according to God’s Word and we find that even as a baby Jesus
Christ is the fulfillment of the Torah.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is the
fortieth day since Christmas, and so we remember and give thanks to God that
the Son of God entered into the world in the incarnation and fulfilled all of
the Old Testament as He carried out God’s plan of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This plan included salvation for the Gentiles
and so Simeon calls the child in his arms “a light for revelation to the
Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We continue to sing Simeon’s words in the canticle, the Nunc Dimittis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This day in the
Church year is also known as Candlemas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as Christmas is short for “Christ Mass,” so Candlemas is short for
“Candle Mass” (Mass was the medieval name for the Divine Service).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this day the congregation processed into
church carrying candles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light of
the candles recalled Simeon’s words about the light for revelation to the
Gentiles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Scripture
reading:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And when the time came for their
purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every
male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to
offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a
pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in
Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout,
waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it
had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before
he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and
when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the
custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord,
now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for
my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all
peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people
Israel” (Luke 2:22-32).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Collect of the Day:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Almighty and ever-living God, as Your
only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our
flesh, grant that we may be presented to You with pure and clean hearts;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-77721832830019330262024-01-28T05:55:00.000-08:002024-01-28T05:55:54.828-08:00Sermon for Septuagesima - Ex 17:1-7<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Septuagesima<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Ex.
17:1-7<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>1/28/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
and I never think about water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just assume
that we will go to the tap in the kitchen for water to drink. We will have water
for cooking. We can turn on the shower and there will be water for bathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The washing machine will have water for
washing our clothes. During the summer we can water our flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water is simply a given in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
only time we think about water are those rare occasions when there is a
problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When there is a leak, we are
reminded about how much we don’t like plumbing problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When there is a boil order, we are annoyed by
the brief inconvenience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, many
of us had to remember to let the faucets drip to make sure that our pipes
didn’t freeze.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
the situation is very different in other parts of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is estimated that around 800 million
people in the world do not have access to safe water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between two and three billion people
experience water shortages for at least one month per year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For hundreds of millions of people, acquiring
water is a time consuming job that occupies each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People in places like Africa have to walk
miles in order to get water and then carry it back home. Water is a central
concern upon which life depends.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
our Old Testament lesson we find that water was a crucial issue for the
Israelites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had no water and the
situation seemed to be life threatening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, rather than trusting in God they complained and put him to the
test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They questioned whether the Lord
was among them or not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
text begins by saying, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">All the
congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by
stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but
there was no water for the people to drink.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is important to recognize that the journey was made according to the
Lord’s direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in charge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the previous chapters the
Israelites had encountered water that was not drinkable. The people had
grumbled against Moses, and God had told Moses to throw a log into the water to
make it drinkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when the people
had no food, God had begun to give manna in order to feed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord had provided for their needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now the people had no water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet rather than trusting Yahweh to provide, they
quarreled with Moses and said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Give us water to drink.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moses was
not just any individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the one
Yahweh had used to bring Israel out of slavery in Egypt. After God brought
Israel through the Red Sea we are told, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the
Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD
and in his servant Moses.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Quarreling with Moses was rejecting
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moses said to them, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Why do you quarrel with me? Why do
you test the LORD?” However, the people chose to ignore what God had just
done for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people were thirsty
and so they grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of
Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The real issue here is not water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a question of whether Yahweh was with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear at the end of our text, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And he called the name of the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the
people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD
among us or not?”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yahweh had delivered them from
Egyptian slavery in the Passover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
rescued them from the Egyptian army by bringing them through the Red Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was providing manna for the people to
eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, when faced with this new
challenge the people questioned whether Yahweh was among them. In fact they
quarreled with Moses and grumbled against him because they believed he was not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yahweh had allowed this circumstance
to arise. It was a moment when Israel was called to faith in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an opportunity for them to trust that
God was with them, and that he would continue to provide as he had in the past.
But Israel failed to trust. They failed to believe that Yahweh was among them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This experience is not unique to
Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is something that we face as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encounter times when we need to
trust the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Health problems bring
hardship to life and we wonder how long we will have to deal with these
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Financial concerns cause worry
and uncertainty. Questions about employment and other decisions in life produce
anxiety.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God allowed Israel to encounter the
circumstance of no water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did it so
that the people would be called to faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God allows the situations I have just mentioned for the same
reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They become occasions that call
us to trust in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lead us to turn
away from ourselves and toward him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We don’t want to hear it, but this is
something that we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old Adam in
us doesn’t want to trust in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wants to rely on himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to
ignore God and sail through life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God uses these circumstances to
crucify the old Adam in us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses them
to force us to turn away from ourselves and towards him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leads us toward himself. We recognize as
parents that sometimes the best thing for our children is not what they
want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes situations they don’t
want are the best things for them in order to help them grow and develop. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Scripture
teaches us that God acts like a father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Proverbs says, “My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary
of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in
whom he delights.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The writer to the Hebrews
quotes this text and then adds: “Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who
disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the
Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it
seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his
holiness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Israel
was facing one of these moments as they questioned whether God was with them.
They quarreled with Moses and he said to Yahweh, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What shall I do with this people? They are
almost ready to stone me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God told
Moses to take his staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the
staff with which Moses had struck the Nile Rivers as God turned it into
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the staff he had lifted up
when God parted the Red Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yahweh told
Moses, “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you
shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will
drink.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God said that he would be
present and would demonstrate this fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had Moses strike the rock with his staff, and water came forth for
the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people had tested God
saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God had shown them again that he was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Is the Lord among us
or not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the question that
confronts us when we experience challenges and difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has answered this question once and for
all in an eternal way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During Christmas
we celebrated the fact that God sent his Son into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The angel told Joseph, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">“Joseph, son of
David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in
her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his
name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Matthew tells us, “All this took
place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘Behold,
the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his
name Immanuel’(which means, God with us).”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus Christ is Immanuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is God with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was God with us as he entered his baptism in
order take our sins upon himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
made his way to the cross in order to be the sacrifice for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter tells us in his first letter that we
were “ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not
with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood
of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of Jesus’ death, you have the
forgiveness of your sins. You are forgiven for the times you have failed to
trust in God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Buried in death, God raised Jesus up
on the third day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through Christ’s
resurrection God defeated death forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peter said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great
mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The risen Lord declared that all
authority in heaven and earth have been given to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he promised his disciples, “And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Ascended and
exalted into heaven Jesus Christ is still Immanuel – God with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has poured forth his Spirit who has called
us to faith in the waters of baptism and now sustains us as the children of
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The life giving Spirit is the
presence of the risen Lord among us. He comes to us through the Word he
inspired as we hear the good news about Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And our Lord continues to be among us
in a tangible way. The Lord is still the incarnate One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is still true God and true man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Sacrament of the Altar he comes into
our midst bodily as he gives us his true body and blood to eat and to drink.
Through this body and blood he delivers the forgiveness that he won on the
cross. Here he feeds the new man so that we are strengthened in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Is the Lord among us or not? Yes he
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has revealed the presence of his
love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christ continues to be with us through His Spirit and Means of
Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christ we find the
demonstration of God’s love and care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of Christ we find that we can trust and believe in God no matter
what is happening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We do this as we walk by faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the resurrection and ascension of
Jesus we have the promise that the walk of faith will become one of sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John wrote, “Beloved, we are God's
children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know
that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see
him as he is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We trust and believe in
the Lord who will return in glory on the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is among us now, and we look forward
to the day when we will share forever in his resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-74132443046118357332024-01-21T06:02:00.000-08:002024-01-21T06:02:03.793-08:00Sermon for the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord - Mt 17:1-9<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Transfiguration<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Mt
17:1-9<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>1/21/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“<span style="background: white; color: black;">And after six days Jesus took with
him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain
by themselves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our text begins by
telling us that the trip up the mountain occurred “after six days.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The natural question is, “Six days after
what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an important question
because it is only by looking back that we can understand the events in our
text.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We learn that when Jesus and the
disciples came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked them, “Who do people
say that the Son of Man is?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">They answered, “Some
say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one
of the prophets.” Then Jesus asked them the really important question as he
said: “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But who
do you say that I am?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Simon
Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus praised Peter as he said
that Father had revealed this to him.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
Matthew tells us, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">From
that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem
and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and
be killed, and on the third day be raised.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord had just been confessed as the
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he said that he was going to
suffer and die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was too much for Peter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First century Jews had a number of different
expectations about the Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one
thing they all had in common was that the Christ would be mighty, powerful, and
victorious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter took Jesus aside and
said, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Far be it
from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get
behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not
setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus had spoken about his suffering and death. Peter had
objected to this. So Jesus went on to say that suffering and death was not
something that was only true of him. He told his disciples, “If anyone
would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and
follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for my sake will find it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our Lord had said that he would suffer and die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had told the disciples that following him
would mean suffering and even death. This was not exactly an encouraging
message!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in our text Jesus leads
Peter, James, and John up by themselves on a high mountain. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There Jesus was transfigured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face shone like the sun, and his clothes
became white as light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Christmas we
celebrated the mystery of the incarnation, as the Son of God became man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became man, but he did not cease to be
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was – and still is – true God
and true man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the transfiguration
Christ revealed his divine glory as true God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While our Lord was transfigured, there appeared to them
Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moses and Elijah had both encountered Yahweh at Mt. Sinai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now they appeared on a mountain speaking with
Jesus as the Son of God shines in glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Always ready to speak first, Peter said, “Lord, it is good
that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and
one for Moses and one for Elijah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peter suggested that he should make the kind of booths that were made
for the celebration of Tabernacles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet while Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud
overshadowed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A voice from the
cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bright
cloud indicated God’s presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
voice of God the Father directed their attention to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter’s statement seemed to place Jesus on
the same level as Moses and Elijah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, the Father’s voice clearly indicated that all of their focus
should be given to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The disciples were terrified by the voice and fell on their
faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Jesus came up and touched
them saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” When they lifted up their eyes they
saw no one but Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then began
making their way down the mountain and Jesus commanded the disciples, “Tell no
one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Six
days earlier Peter had correctly confessed that Jesus was the Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had said that Jesus was the fulfillment of
God’s promise to send rescue and salvation for his people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the One of whom Isaiah had said, “but with
righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of
the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet Jesus had then said that he was
going to suffer and die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could this
be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter certainly didn’t understand as
he tried to correct our Lord. But Jesus had rebuked him saying he was the voice
of Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus had declared that the
things of God were directed toward his suffering and death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus has just spoken of his suffering
and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he shines with divine
glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The transfiguration of Jesus
shows us that his suffering and death does not mean the absence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suffering and death is not a contradiction of
God’s saving work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it is the
very way in which God accomplishes it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Father’s
words should sound familiar. We heard them two Sundays ago at the Baptism of
Our Lord. We saw then that these words refer to Isaiah chapter 42 where God
says, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At Jesus’ baptism he was designated as
the Servant of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Servant of
the Lord in Isaiah is also the suffering Servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was identified as the One who would
bear our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the One upon whom
the Lord laid the iniquity of us all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God the Father sent the Son into the
world to bear our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did this in
love because often we do not love him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He did this in love because often we do not love those around us. We
selfishly turn inward as we focus on me, myself, and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We put ourselves before God and our neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">At his
baptism Jesus took up our sin in order to be the sacrifice on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostle Paul tells us, “For our sake he
made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus received God’s wrath and judgment in our place as he hung on the
cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By his death he has redeemed us
from sin – he has freed us from its power.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus
has just predicted his Passion. God the Father again speaks the words that
identified him as the sin bearer – the One who would be the sacrifice for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet this occurs as Jesus stands
there transfigured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reveals his
divine nature as he shines in glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The glory
of the transfiguration points forward to Christ’s resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shows us what awaits on the other side of
the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ died on the cross as
he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing glorious about the
cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did not look like anything was
happening except the tortured death of an innocent man. It did not look like
God was anywhere to be found as a terrible injustice took place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But on
Easter God raised Jesus from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this event he showed that the cross had actually been God’s most
powerful action to bring us salvation. The cross was not the absence of
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was instead God working through
his Son to give us forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know
that because of the resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through his action God defeated death and gave us life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Suffering
and death were not the contradiction of God’s saving work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was instead the way that God worked
through the Son in order to give us forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God worked through the cross, and Christ’s
way of the cross led to resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
led to glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christ’s
cross was the means by which he won salvation for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the cross is more than just the means of
forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also describes the life
of those who believe in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
Peter objected to Jesus’ cross, our Lord went on to say, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“If anyone would come after me, let
him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever
would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christ calls us
to take up the cross and follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
calls us to follow him, even when this involves suffering and loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells us that following him will bring
suffering and loss for that is why he calls it a cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is hard to
confess Christ openly in this world – to let others know that you are a
Christian by what you say and do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
brings the world’s disdain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It causes
division – especially in families – because one either believes in Jesus or
rejects him. There is no middle ground when it comes to faith in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus declared
that it would be this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Do not think that I have
come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a
sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter
against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a
person's enemies will be those of his own household.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But we follow
Jesus and take up the cross because in his resurrection he has already shown us
where the way of the cross leads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
leads to resurrection and eternal life with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a way in which Christ’s Spirit
strengthens us in faith through his Means of Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a way in which Christ’s resurrection
gives us the living hope that sustains us as we look forward to the day when
the Lord will raise us up as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus Christ
shines forth in divine glory this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He does so after predicting his Passion for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glory of the transfiguration points
forward to Christ’s resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
shows us that suffering and death do not contradict God’s saving work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, this is the very means by which
Christ won forgiveness for us. Christ passed through the cross in order to
redeem us from sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he rose from
the dead as he brought us life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Confident in this we now take up the cross and follow Jesus because
Christ’s resurrection has shown us that this way leads to resurrection and
eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-40751582964172289592024-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:002024-01-14T06:00:54.893-08:00Sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany - Jn 2:1-11<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Epiphany
2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Jn
2:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>1/14/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
past summer my niece was married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was, as you would expect, a big family event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wedding was lovely and the reception was a fun affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things went well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
that does <i>not</i> mean there was an absence of stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of the family I saw all the behind
the scenes preparations and activities. I saw the pressure that was there for
things to go well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman has
expectations and dreams about what she wants her wedding to be like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents want the day to be special for their
daughter. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There are so many different aspects
that go into a wedding. There is food for the wedding rehearsal dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are the flowers for the wedding and
wedding reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the dress
for the bride and bride maids. There are the tuxes for the groom and the rest
of the wedding party. There are the details of the wedding ceremony
itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the food and the timing
of the wedding reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the
music and the d.j.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many moving
pieces, and those involved want them all to be just right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In our Gospel lesson this morning we
hear about a wedding where things definitely did not go just right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, there was a disaster as the wedding
party ran out of wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Jesus
was there and this provided the occasion when our Lord performed his first
miracle that John tells us about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this miracle, Jesus revealed his glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our text begins by telling us that</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> on the third day there was a wedding
at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was also invited to the wedding along
with his disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weddings are great
social events, and this one was no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People had been invited from surrounding towns.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">However, at the
marriage feast things did not go well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wine ran out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we like
wine, but wine played a larger role in the first century world than it does in
ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A diluted version was consumed as
a regular drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for celebrations,
wine was essential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was associated
with the joy of the occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To run out
of wine at a wedding would be the greatest possible embarrassment for the
family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When the wine
ran out, Mary said to Jesus, “They have no wine.” Mary knew about the unique
status of her son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She obviously
believed that he could do something about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, Jesus replied, “Woman, what does this have to do with
me? My hour has not yet come.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We are probably
surprised by Jesus’ reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
sound very helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in the word
“hour” we learn that what is happening here is about more than wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In John’s Gospel we learn twice that those
opposed to Jesus were unable to seize him “because his hour had not yet
come.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’ hour is the time of his
death – the time when he accomplishes the mission that the Father had given to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During Holy Week Jesus said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now is my soul troubled. And what
shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this
purpose I have come to this hour.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus
would carry out his work in his own timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mary trusted our Lord and so she said to the servants, “Do whatever he
tells you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that there were </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">six stone water jars there for the Jewish
rites of purification. They each held twenty or thirty gallons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the
jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Next Jesus said
to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” They
took it to him and he tasted the water that had now become wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not knowing where it came from, the master of
the feast called the bridegroom and said, “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.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus had turned
the water into wine – and not just wine but very good wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then John tells us, “This, the first of his
signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory.
And his disciples believed in him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">John calls
Jesus’ miracle a sign. He tells us that it revealed Jesus’ glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear about this miracle on the Second
Sunday after the Epiphany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word
Epiphany means “to appear.”<br />
At Christmas we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ as the Son of God entered
into the world. During Epiphany we see that Christ’s glory began to be seen in
the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began to be revealed as
the One who had come to bring God’s salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">John said about
the Son of God, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his
glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace
and truth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the incarnation of
Jesus Christ God’s glory was revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John tells us that the miracle was a sign by which Christ began to do
this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">John
narrates seven signs that Jesus performed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The signs reveal Jesus’ glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the signs point us to the paradoxical way in which our Lord finally
did this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning of Holy Week
Jesus said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he made his way to the Garden of
Gethsemane he said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that the Son
may glorify you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus’ hour is the hour of his
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is glorified by his
death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reveals his glory by dying on
the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now is the judgment of this world; now
will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am
lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Then John
adds, “He said this to show – literally, ‘to sign’ - by what kind of death
he was going to die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The sight of a
man dying on a cross did not look glorious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it is in this paradox that God revealed his saving glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away
the sin of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was God
giving his Son into death in order to save us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As John tells us in his first letter, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all
sin.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This revelation of God’s saving
glory is good news for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is because
we are sinners who need forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
warns us in his first letter, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Do not love the
world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the
flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from
the Father but is from the world.” These things infect our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are turned away toward the desires of the
flesh, and the desires of the eyes, and pride in possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are enticed by the world into the way of
sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus was
glorified on the cross. His saving glory was revealed as he died for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus’ glorification did not end
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John says about the events of
Palm Sunday, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“His disciples did not understand these things
at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that
these things had been written about him and had been done to him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’ glorification continued as he rose
from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This too was a sign by which Jesus
revealed his glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus had
cleansed the temple </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">the Jews said
to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered
them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was speaking about the temple of his
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus lay down his life, and on
the third day he took it up again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus’ signs
revealed his glory. They revealed the saving glory of the One who would die on
the cross for us and then rose from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John says that Jesus’ disciples saw the sign and believed in him. The
sign called forth faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We continue to see Jesus’
signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see them in Holy
Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord promised the
disciples that the Holy Spirit would be at work in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “But the Helper, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all
things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promised that like the Spirit they would
bear witness about Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But when the Helper comes, whom I will
send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the
Father, he will bear witness about me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And you also will
bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We receive the Spirit’s witness through the words of John’s
Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We behold the sign of Jesus
turning water into wine as he reveals his glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see Jesus glorified as he dies on the
cross to give us forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see
Jesus glorified as he takes up his life again in the resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through these signs the Spirit
sustains us in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John says near the
end of his Gospel, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now Jesus did
many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written
in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have
life in his name.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The signs
narrated in Scripture are the Spirit’s means of creating and nurturing saving
faith in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Spirit gives us faith and life
as we see the crucified and risen Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
shares God’s love with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John said in
his first letter, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In this the
love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the
world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we
have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love
one another.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God loved us by sending his Son into the world to suffer
death in order to take away our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
love now prompts you to love those around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It moves you to support others who are in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It causes you to put the needs of others
ahead of your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It leads you to serve
others as you become the means by which God’s love passes through you and on to
those around you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our Gospel lesson this morning Jesus turns water into
wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works a miracle which John
tells us is a sign that reveals his glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our Lord’s miracles reveal the saving glory of Christ who was in the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They point to the glory that was
revealed as Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through this action Christ has won us
forgiveness and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the Spirit
uses the signs of Jesus’ miracles to give us faith as we continue to see his
glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sustains us as we look forward
to the final revelation of Christ’s glory on the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-39699987670495078222024-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:002024-01-07T06:00:52.668-08:00Sermon for the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord - Mt 3:13-17<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Baptism
of Our Lord<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Mt
3:13-17<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>1/7/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">In those days John the Baptist came preaching
in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s how Matthew introduces
John the Baptist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John announced that
the reign of God was about to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
preparation for this, there was one thing to do: repent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John called people to repentance, and
he gave them a way to demonstrate this fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He administered a baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
received his baptism and this action showed that they repented of their sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It indicated that they were prepared for
God’s reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John’s ministry evoked a great
reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew tells us, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then Jerusalem and all
Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were
baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice how he describes this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They received John’s baptism confessing their
sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a baptism of repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a baptism for sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was baptism for people who confessed their
sin as they sought forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our text begins by telling us: “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then Jesus came from Galilee to
the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was very intentional act by Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It required him to make a trip of some sixty miles – a trip that would
have taken several days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus made the
journey with a purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As a reader of
the Gospel this trip and its purpose seems very puzzling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph had thought that Mary’s child had been
conceived in sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the angel had
told him in a dream, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Joseph, son of
David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in
her is from the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">She will bear a son,
and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from
their sins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joseph learned that Jesus
had been conceived by the work of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not sinful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, his purpose was to save others from
their sins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John the Baptist perceived that something was not
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have prevented </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus, saying, “I need to be baptized
by you, and do you come to me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was
Jesus doing at a baptism for sinners?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But our Lord replied, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Let it be so now, for thus it is
fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the Old Testament the word “righteousness” is used to describe God’s saving
action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was telling John that this
baptism was necessary in God’s action to save.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They each had a role to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John was there to baptize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
was the there to be baptized.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John
consented and baptized Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus
had been baptized </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">he went up from
the water. The heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of
God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. And then a voice from
heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The events of Jesus’ baptism fulfilled what God had
revealed in Isaiah chapter 42.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There the
prophet had written, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Behold my
servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have
put my Spirit upon him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit
descended upon Jesus and God the Father declared that he was well pleased with
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of
his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the moment when he
took on the role that would accomplish God’s saving action. He was identified
as the Servant of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet this
happened as he received a baptism for sinners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A baptism for sinners was the means by
which Jesus was identified as the Servant because his role as the Servant was
to be the bearer of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus entered
the water of baptism in order to take on your sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He entered the water because you speak angry
words with your family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
did so because you covet the wealth and success of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus entered the water because you are
sinners in thought, word, and deed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus had no sin of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He submitted to a baptism for sinners because
in that baptism he took all of our sins upon himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was identified as the Servant of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah is also
the suffering Servant of chapter 53.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There Isaiah said, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the
iniquity of us all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus entered the water of his baptism
to take on our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His baptism was the
beginning of his ministry. From that moment Christ’s mission and purpose was
directed towards the cross. Our Lord declared this to his disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Peter had confessed that Jesus is the
Christ, Matthew tells us, “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders
and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be
raised.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On several different occasions,
Jesus told them that this would happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus reached
the goal of his baptism on Good Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had come to save his people from their sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had come to save us from our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was the Servant of the Lord upon whom
God had laid the iniquity of us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isaiah said about the Servant: “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him
stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our
transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the
chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus suffered and died for our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ said, “the </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By his sacrifice he has won forgiveness for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has freed us from sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus took on our sins in his baptism
in order to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death is the result of
sin and the judgment for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there
would be no victory and no hope if Jesus had remained dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord had come to win forgiveness. He had
also come to defeat death itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Easter, God raised Jesus from the
dead</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> The angel announced to the women, “Do
not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not
here, for he has risen, as he said.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then later the risen Lord met the women and said “Greetings” as</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">they came up and took hold of his feet
and worshiped him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In Matthew’s
Gospel we learn that the risen Lord met the eleven disciples on mountain in
Galilee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The risen Lord gave the gift of Holy Baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not the baptism of John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, our Lord has taken water baptism and
transformed it as his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the
means by which the Lord applies to us the forgiveness that he won on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus entered the water of baptism in order to take upon
himself our sins. He became the sin bearer as the suffering Servant who went to
the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he calls believers to
receive baptism because it is the means by which he washes away sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the means by which he applies his cross
to us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You know that
you are forgiven because you have been baptized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your baptism was a one time event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the defining event of your life. There
God attached his word and promise to water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He cleansed you by the washing of water with the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This forgiveness is always ready to be
grasped in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through faith and
trust in what God did in baptism, you have forgiveness of all your sins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God has given
you forgiveness in baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is
not all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through baptism you have
received rebirth by the work of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>St Paul tells us “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">he
saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,
but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration
and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your baptism is the continuing source of the Spirit’s work in your life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You are
a new creation in Christ through baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And now the Spirit leads you to live in ways that share what Christ has
done for you. You have received forgiveness before God. So share this
forgiveness with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul told the
Ephesians, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The forgiveness we have received in Christ is
the same forgiveness we speak to others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the world people look out for
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is not so with us
who have received the Spirit’s work in baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now we seek to serve and help others because of Jesus. When Jesus talked
about his saving work for us he said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their
great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But
whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be
first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We hear this
morning how Jesus the sinless One came to receive a baptism for sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He received John’s baptism because it was the
means by which he took our sins upon himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Spirit descended on Jesus and God the Father said, “This is my
beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” God identified Jesus as the
Servant of the Lord who would suffer and die to win forgiveness for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Risen from the
dead, Christ has now given us Holy Baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through this sacrament he has washed away our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He calls us to return to our baptism in faith
for there we have the assurance that we are God’s forgiven children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reborn by the Spirit’s work in baptism,
Christ leads us to share his forgiveness with others and to serve those around
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-44666602988896693572024-01-06T10:41:00.000-08:002024-01-06T10:41:02.050-08:00Sermon for the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord - Isa 60:1-6<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Epiphany<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Isa
60:1-6<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>1/6/24<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
you like light, this is a dreadful time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 6:0 p.m. it is already dark outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night has arrived and the daytime is
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arrival of the night makes it
feel like the time is later than it really is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It may be only 7:00 p.m., but when you look outside it feels like it is 10:00
p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
days leading up to Dec 21 had been getting shorter and shorter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The darkness arrived earlier and earlier, and
the nights became longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, December
21 was the winter solstice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the
shortest day of the year and now the days will slowly begin to get longer again
as we get more light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Darkness
is a prominent theme in our text this evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God describes how the world is one of darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he announces that a light has come.
This light draws all people to itself as God reveals his saving glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our text is from the prophet Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prophet wrote in the eighth century
B.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He addressed problems of his own
day as Judah faced the threat of the Assyrians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet in the second half of the book he looks down the road and speaks
about how in the sixth century B.C. the nation will be taken into exile in
Babylon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He writes a message of hope
because Yahweh will act to bring them back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He describes this in language that leads us to recognize that this
action points to something even greater that God will do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah
begins our text by saying: “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Arise, shine,
for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For behold, darkness shall
cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon
you, and his glory will be seen upon you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The prophet
says that darkness covers the nations. This darkness is sin and all that it
causes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the previous chapter the
prophet expressed the sin of the people when he wrote: “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">For our
transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for
our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: transgressing, and
denying the LORD, and turning back from following our God, speaking
oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words.”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">This darkness covers us as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know the sin in our lives as we put God
second behind our false gods – the things we love and trust in more than
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know the sin that is present as
we speak angry words with others and seek to get revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see the sin as we gossip and share
information that hurt another person’s reputation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Darkness is the way of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet Isaiah announces that God is going to
act. He says, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Arise, shine,
for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He declares, “but the LORD will arise upon
you, and his glory will be seen upon you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord and his glory would come and they would pierce the darkness
with light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah
tells us that God will do this through his Servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In chapter 42 God had said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon
him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few verses later he said to the
Servant, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">I am
the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand
and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light
for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners
from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The prophet speaks of God’s rescue and
salvation for Judah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he makes it
clear that God’s action has as its goal more than just his covenant
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says in chapter 49, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is too light a thing that you
should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the
preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Israel is identified as the Servant in
some parts of Isaiah, such as the first time when God says, “But you,
Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of
Abraham, my friend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet we are
left to wonder how the sinful nation – a nation with Israel’s track record -
can be a light for the nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can
this people have any part in breaking the darkness?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At Christmas we celebrated the birth
of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The angel Gabriel had
told Mary that the child to be born </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">was the promised Messiah descended from David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yahweh had declared that the nation of Israel
was his Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then announced that the
kings descended from David were his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were Israel reduced to One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus descended from David, but he was far more than a “son” in an
adopted sense like the other kings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was the Son of God, begotten of the Father from eternity. And he was the
Messiah, not because he had been anointed with olive oil, but because he was
anointed with the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In chapter 61 the Servant says, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he
has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” God anointed Jesus
with Spirit at his baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
identified Jesus as the Servant of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus is Israel reduced to One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is the Servant who acts in place of the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is what the nation should have been.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus Christ did not just bring good
news. He <i>was</i> the good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Son of God entered into the world as the Christ – the Servant of the Lord – in
order to offer himself as the sacrifice for our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to break the darkness by winning
forgiveness for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He submitted himself
to the cross as he hung in the darkness of Good Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buried in a tomb, on the third day God raised
him from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light of Easter
Sunday revealed that the tomb was empty. The risen Lord appeared to his
disciples and demonstrated to them that he had conquered the darkness of sin
and death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Lord Jesus had done this for
Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he had not only done it for
the nation. Had done it for all people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a light for the nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isaiah says in our text, “And nations shall come to your light, and
kings to the brightness of your rising.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our text, Isaiah describes how
nations will bring their wealth and riches to Israel as it shines with the
glory of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then you shall
see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the
abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations
shall come to you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A multitude of camels
shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those
from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and
shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We have learned
that Jesus Christ is this Israel who shines with the glory of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the One to whom the nations come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fulfillment of Isaiah’s words began in
the first century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear in our Gospel
lesson how magi from the east had seen a star at its rising – they had seen
some new astronomical event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took
this to mean that the king of the Jews had been born, and set out on a journey
to see him.</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First, they went to where they expected to find this king:
in Jerusalem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet there, instead, they
met Herod the Great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They learned from
the prophet Micah that the Christ they sought was to be born in Bethlehem. They
departed and Matthew tells us “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">the
star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest
over the place where the child was.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rather than signaling the start of the journey, this star now actually
guided them to the place where the Christ child was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There they offered homage to him, and gave
gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The visit by the magi is the beginning
of the Gentiles coming to the light of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It signals that Jesus Christ has come as the Savior and Lord of all
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fulfills God’s intentions for
Israel which had always been to bring salvation to the nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had promised Abraham, “in you all the
families of the earth shall be blessed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ God has brought the
blessings of forgiveness and life to all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, the
risen Lord gives the command to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and
teaching what Jesus has commanded. That mandate is being carried out around the
world as the good news about the death and resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because of that mandate, you now
believe in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of you do not
descend from Israel. You are not Jewish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But through the Gospel God has called you to faith in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah’s words are true of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You come to the light of Christ and bring
with you gifts to the Lord in your offering.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah’s word are being fulfilled, and
they point us toward the great and final ingathering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They point to the time when Christ returns in
glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great multitude that no one can
number will gather before the throne of Christ – a multitude from <i>every </i>nation,
from <i>all</i> tribes and peoples and languages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No longer will
there be any darkness at all. Instead we will dwell in the presence of the Lord
forever. As Isaiah says later in this chapter: “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for
brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your
everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-88193622781160198612023-12-31T05:56:00.000-08:002023-12-31T05:56:52.225-08:00Sermon for the First Sunday after Christmas - Isa 11:1-5<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christmas
1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Isa
11:1-5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>12/31/23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
have always enjoyed the First Sunday after Christmas. The Sundays in Advent are
such a busy time as all the preparations are made for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are presents to buy and events to
attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are travel plans to make
and trips to take as we gather with family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
time builds to a crescendo on Christmas Eve as we celebrate the birth of Jesus
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nave is decorated with the
Christmas tree and poinsettias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
the Christmas Eve candlelight service as the light of the candles pierces the
darkness and we sing “Silent Night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
gifts that have been the object of so much attention are then opened that
evening or the next morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
First Sunday after Christmas is very different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hoopla of Christmas is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The guests have probably left, or we have returned home. The world is
done with Christmas, but that is not so in the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, our Christmas celebration
continues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a quiet time that
focuses our attention on the baby Jesus and what he means to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The First Sunday after Christmas was a
quiet time for Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The previous nine
months had certainly been a whirlwind for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The angel Gabriel had announced to her that she would give birth to the
Christ – the descendant of David promised by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told her, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">And behold, you will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will
be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him
the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of
Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mary would give birth to the descendant
promised to David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also learned that
this child would be more than just a king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although she was a virgin, she would conceive and give birth because the
Holy Spirit would come upon her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
this reason, the child to be born would be called holy – the Son of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mary had learned that her relative
Elizabeth had become pregnant as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though barren and too old to have a child, Elizabeth had conceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Mary visited, Elizabeth had been filled
with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted
to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Roman registration had forced Mary
and Joseph to go south to Bethlehem at the worst possible time – just as Mary
was due.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There she had to give birth to
Jesus in a stable as she placed her newborn child in a manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as if the circumstances were not
eventful enough, shepherds arrived who reported that an angel had announced to
them that Jesus was the Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
Christ the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All of that was now in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not yet time for sacrifices to be
offered for Mary’s purification after giving birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a quiet time after the birth of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her child had been acclaimed as
the Son of God, the Savior and the Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Mary and Joseph remained nobodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus was merely a helpless infant who depended on his mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing about him that was
impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He certainly does not seem to be the
fulfillment of our Old Testament lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isaiah speaks of what God is going to do in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing in the eighth century B.C., the prophet
addressed a time when Judah was threatened by Syria and the northern kingdom of
Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted Judah to join them
in an alliance against the threatening power of the Assyrians. But Judah had
refused and so the two nations were going to attack it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah had told King Ahaz that Yahweh
would protect Judah. He called him to trust in God as he said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If you are not firm in faith, you
will not be firm at all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Ahaz, who
descended from King David, would not trust in God. Instead he set in motion his
own plan as he asked the Assyrians for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a disastrous move as the Assyrians kept rolling south and
conquered much of Judah – laying siege to Jerusalem itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The line of David had been
unfaithful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was powerless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in our text God promises a future
descendant of David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says, “There
shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his
roots shall bear fruit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God promised
that the Spirit of the Lord would rest upon this One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would delight in the fear of the Lord and
judge his people righteously. God promised that he would rule in might as he
said, “and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The baby with Mary does not seem to be
the fulfillment of these words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
nothing mighty about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not
seem to be God powerfully at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly,
he is not God at work the way we want him to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in this he seems to fit with the way we
sometimes feel about God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look at the
difficulties in our life and wonder where God is at. We want God to do
something now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want God to act in
might and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want victory and
vindication now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, the appearances of the baby
are deceiving. What we need is patience as God works through him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we need is faith in this One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because Joseph has taken him as his son, Jesus is
the shoot from the stump of Jesse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next
Sunday we will celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that event the Holy Spirit descended on
Jesus – he was anointed with the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of this event, Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words: “And the
Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the
LORD.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus’ baptism will be the moment when he begins
his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Endowed by the Spirit he
will delight in the fear of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His desire will be to carry out the work that God the Father has given
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That work will seem surprising.
This powerful figure who has received the Spirit did not come to judge.
Instead, he came to be numbered with the transgressors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came as Paul says in our text “to redeem
those who were under the Law.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The child held by Mary is the Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him,
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because he does, he will offer himself on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will be the sacrifice that frees us from
sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will win us forgiveness and
peace with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Good Friday did not look that
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ died on the cross cursed by
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed that Jesus had failed in
his work and that he had been completely rejected by the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, through the work of the Spirit God
raised Jesus from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
vindicated Christ as the One through whom he defeated death and began the
resurrection of the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because Jesus has risen from the
dead, we can now see that his suffering and death was the saving work of God
for us. As the risen Lord said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the
third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of
sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning
from Jerusalem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus Christ
has ascended into heaven and been exalted to the right had of the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the One who came in humility will return
in might and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the One who
will judge righteously as he declares the meek - all those who believe in him -
to be justified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the Last Day he will
“</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">strike the earth with the rod of his
mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will destroy everyone and everything that
has been opposed to him as he gives victory to his people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He will
give us a share in his resurrection as we live in the new creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah says immediately after our text, “The
wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young
goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little
child shall lead them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It would have
been easy to be disappointed by the baby Jesus as we read Isaiah’s words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we live as those who have seen how
God worked through Jesus to fulfill them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The One who was anointed by the Spirit died on the cross for us and then
was raised by the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the
risen Lord who will return as he judges and gives us resurrection life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When we feel
that God is doing nothing – that he is not caring for us – Jesus Christ reminds
us that appearances are deceiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What we need is patience as God works
through him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we need is faith in
this One.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God has
revealed his love for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The One who was anointed by the Spirit and
raised by the Spirit, has now poured forth the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit always points us to Christ and
sustains us in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit
strengthens our trust in God because of what we have seen him do in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit helps us to have patience as we
believe in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know what
God has done in Christ for us, and we know what he will yet do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This
First Sunday after Christmas is a quiet time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a time that sets our attention upon the baby Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The child held by Mary does not look like the
fulfillment of our text from Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
God poured out his Spirit upon Jesus at his baptism, and acted through his
death and resurrection to show that he is. God will act yet once more when
Jesus Christ returns in glory to judge and bring the final peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because
of Christ we can trust that God is at work in the present. We have seen in
Jesus that appearances don’t tell the true story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The God who has acted to give us forgiveness
in Christ continues to give us his love in the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Spirit strengthens us in faith as we
wait patiently on the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-60883725490009244532023-12-25T07:03:00.000-08:002023-12-25T07:03:40.305-08:00Sermon for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Day - Ex 40:17-21, 34-38<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christmas
Day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Ex
40:17-21, 34-38<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>12/25/23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Amy’s
flower hobby/business – or is it business/hobby, I am not exactly sure these
days – has continued to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has
had me add raised beds so that she can grow more flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has bought tools that she needs for
working the flower beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole
enterprise has reached the point where she needs a “she shed” – a dedicated
barn building where she can store all of her flower stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
with three kids in college, the barn will have to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finances don’t allow it right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as a temporary measure, Amy ordered a
small and rather inexpensive metal shed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The shed arrived in a box and it was our job to assemble it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Building
the shed was quite an experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes you do get what you paid for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plans for the shed were quite unclear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parts didn’t all fit exactly as they
should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hot weather didn’t help as
we struggled to build it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end,
everything turned out fine and the shed serves its purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was not an experience I would want to
repeat again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
learn from Exodus that Israel’s experience was completely different when they
built the tabernacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tabernacle was
built from the best materials that had been donated by the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plans for the tabernacle could not have
been more certain because Yahweh himself provided the pattern for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the builders were certainly more skilled
since God filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God so that he had ability,
knowledge, and craftsmanship for constructing the tabernacle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
our Old Testament lesson for Christmas we hear about the day when Moses set up
the completed tabernacle for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God had commanded that the tabernacle should be made for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">And let them make
me a tabernacle, that I may dwell in their midst.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tabernacle was to be the means by which
God would dwell in the midst of his people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Israel would not have to wonder where God was present for them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The pattern God had given described
not only the tabernacle itself, but also all of its furnishings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most important among these was the ark of the
covenant, and its cover, the mercy seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moses set up the tabernacle and placed the ark of the covenant inside
the rear third of the tabernacle that was set off by a curtain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next we learn, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Then the cloud covered the tent of
meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was
not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the
glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God had said that the tabernacle would be the means by
which he would dwell in the midst of his people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the tabernacle was set up, he
demonstrated the truth of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cloud
filled the tabernacle as the glory of Yahweh filled the structure. This glory
was the perceptible presence of God. And because of God’s presence, Moses was
not able to enter it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even after the priests were able to enter the tabernacle,
it would continue to be the place of God’s presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cover – the mercy seat with its
overarching cherubim – was described as God’s throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enthroned upon the cherubim in the Holy of
Holies, God was present in the midst of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The tabernacle itself was set in the very center of the camp, and so
Yahweh was literally in the midst of the nation. God had given his located
presence in the midst of his people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s action in the Old Testament pointed forward to what
he would do in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
therefore not surprising that the central feature of Israel’s religious life
finds its fulfillment in the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
makes this clear in the Gospel lesson for today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He begins the Gospel by saying, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He was in the beginning
with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing
made that was made.” With the language of “the Word” the evangelist refers to
the Son of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn that the Son is God, just as the
Father is. He is the creator of all things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet then John adds, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“And the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his
glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace
and truth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He announces that the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Son of God became man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In order to describe this John uses
the language of the tabernacle since the Greek verb used here is based on the
same root that is used to translate the word tabernacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with this he employs the word “glory,”
just as we hear about the glory of Yahweh in our text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John is telling us that all that had been
true of the tabernacle is now fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The tabernacle had been the located
presence of God in the midst of the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This role was later taken on by the temple as the ark of the covenant
was placed in a permanent structure. But at Christmas, the fulfillment of the
tabernacle entered into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s
located presence was found now not in a structure but in the flesh of the baby
in Bethlehem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God demonstrated that he
truly is Immanuel – God with us – for in Jesus Christ we meet the incarnate Son
of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The tabernacle pointed forward to what
God did at Christmas as the Son of God became flesh – as God became man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet it also prefigured the reason that Christ
was present in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tabernacle
was the location where the Old Testament sacrifices were offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In particular it was the place where the sin
offering was made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through this means
God provided forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God dwelt in midst of his people by
means of the tabernacle. However, Israel was a sinful people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The presence of their sin was like a
contagion that infected the tabernacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The people’s sin and the holy God could not permanently dwell
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So once a year the high priest
entered the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sprinkled the blood of a sacrifice on the
cover of the ark – on the mercy seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
this way the impurity of Israel’s sin was removed so that the holy God could
continue to dwell in the midst of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Like Israel, we are a sinful
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of our sin, we cannot
dwell with the holy God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul told the
Colossians, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Put to death
therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality,
impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On
account of these the wrath of God is coming.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our sin evokes God’s wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
brings God’s judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Son of God
became flesh in order to remove this sin and rescue us from judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became man so that he could be nailed to a
cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to be the sacrifice for
our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Paul used language related
to the mercy seat when he said, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For there is no distinction: for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace
as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom
God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received
by faith.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Son of God
became man in order to offer himself as the sacrifice for sin and win us
forgiveness. But that was not the end of his saving work. He also entered into
the world to free us from death. The dead body of the incarnate One was placed
in a tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on the third day, God
raised him from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rose with a
body transformed so that it can never die again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus Christ, God has begun the
resurrection of the Last Day and we will share in that resurrection when he
returns in glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We now wait the
return of the risen and ascended Lord. Yet in the incarnation God has shown us
how he continues to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The God who
acted in the located means of the flesh of Christ continues to use located
means in our midst. He does this through his Sacraments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through water
and the word of Baptism we have shared in the death of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were baptized into his death – we were
buried with him – and so we are forgiven. God has given us something in which
we can believe – something we can hang onto. He gives us baptism as the object
of faith – faith that trusts his promise attached to water. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And in the
Sacrament of the Altar our Lord continues to locate himself in our midst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The One who became true God and true man
works the miracle of giving us his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comes to us as he delivers the forgiveness
that he won on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today we hear
how the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle when Moses set it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God located himself in the midst of his
people, and the tabernacle became the place where sacrifices were offered to
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God acted in this way because it
pointed forward to what he did at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Word became flesh and dwelt among us as the Son of God became man
without ceasing to be God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He entered
our world to be the sacrifice for our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now the risen Lord continues to give us forgiveness through means that are
located in our midst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He deals with our
whole person – body and soul – as we look forward to the final victory of the
resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-52692266561354387902023-12-24T16:29:00.000-08:002023-12-24T16:29:24.439-08:00Sermon for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve - Tit 2:11-14<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Christmas
Eve<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Tit
2:11-14<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>12/24/23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
time is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the question Paul
wants us to ask. That’s the key truth he wants us to recognize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the one hand, the apostle is very clear
about the time in which we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
describes in our text how we should live in “<span style="background: white; color: black;">in the present age” – more literally, “the now age.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This now age has a very specific
character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is something that Paul in
Galatians calls “the present evil age.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Biblical thought recognizes that the
world as we know it is an age ruled by Satan, sin, and death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been since the fall of Adam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now of course, that’s not the way the world
views itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It thinks everything is
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People think they have the right
to believe whatever they want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
think they have the right to do whatever they want. They can choose to be
“spiritual” but not religious as they create their own god.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can live in agnosticism – as they just choose
not to deal with the ultimate questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They can use sexuality however they wish and celebrate this fact.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s exactly what the god of this
age wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the life that is
alienated from God and leads to judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a life of sin which brings harm as it ignores the ordering God has
given to his creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a life that
ends in death for all people because that is the result of sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What time is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says in our text that it is the time
when God has acted in a dramatic way to rescue us from the now age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He begins our text by saying, “For the
grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grace of God is the unmerited love and
favor of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what was revealed
when he sent his Son into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tonight we begin to celebrate the
birth of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We celebrate the
birth of the child in Bethlehem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
Paul wants us to know that this is an event of cosmic significance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the arrival of the new age that frees
us from Satan, sin, and death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Make no mistake. We too belonged to
the now age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says in the next
chapter, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray,
slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy,
hated by others and hating one another.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were sinners for whom the devil was Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But at Christmas, God himself entered
our world in the person of his Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
told the Galatians, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his
Son, born of woman.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the
Gospels we learn that the virgin Mary conceived by the work of the Holy
Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She carried in her womb the One
who was true God and true man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on
Christmas Eve she gave birth to Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The grace of God appeared which brings salvation to all people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus brings salvation because of what he had come into the
world to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says in our text that
Jesus is the One </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“who gave himself for us
to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a
people for his own possession.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Son
of God entered into the world with a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He came to redeem us. He came to free us from the slavery of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
in order to do this, Christ gave himself into death on the cross. There he died
for us – in our place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul explained it
this way to the Corinthians: “<span style="background: white; color: black;">For
our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might
become the righteousness of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus Christ had no sin of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But he took our sin – he became sin for us – as he received God’s
judgment in our place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God condemned
sin in the flesh of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin brings
death – it has since the sin of Adam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And so to rescue us from the now age that is ruled by death, God raised
Jesus from the dead on the third day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paul told the Corinthians, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits
of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man
has come also the resurrection of the dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of our resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the guarantee that death has been
defeated and we will share in this victory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God did
this for us in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he
applied this saving work to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
next chapter Paul says, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">he
saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,
but 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.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
water of Holy Baptism God gave us regeneration. He gave us new life and made us
his children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul told the Galatians that Jesus “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">gave himself for our sins to deliver
us from the present evil age.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through the baby born in Bethlehem “the grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation for all people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God has rescued us and made us the people of his own possession.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What time is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the time when God has acted
dramatically to save us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when you
look around, you will see that the now age is still quite present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are wars in Ukraine, Israel, and other
parts of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The murder of the
unborn continues, as in our area another abortion facility just opened in
Carbondale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We struggle with the
presence of sin in our own lives and it often gets the upper hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s reign has arrived in Jesus
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And still, there is a not yet
character to what we experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new
age has broken into the old, but the old is not yet gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an overlap of the ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a time that is characterized by
the now and the not yet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our text, Paul tells us the good
news that it will not always be this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He says that we are “waiting for our blessed hope,
the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The risen Lord ascended into heaven and was
exalted to God’s right hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our blessed
hope is that he will return in glory on the Last Day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tonight we celebrate the humble birth of Jesus as
he entered into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We think of
him as the cute baby in a manger scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But there will be nothing humble or cute about our Lord when he
returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will return as the almighty
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will raise the dead and
transform our bodies to be like his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will pronounce the final judgment as he strikes the “spiritual” and
“agnostic” with the fact that there is one truth, and he is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All people will have to confess that Jesus is
Lord as he welcomes those who have believed in him into eternal fellowship with
God in the new creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We live as people who have been rescued from the
present evil age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are a people of
God’s own possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet for fo the
present, we are also still living in the now age. We face the battle against
Satan and sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord is ascended, but
he has not left us alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he
has given us gifts by which he is present with us giving forgiveness and
strengthening us in the faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The words of Scripture are not just words. They
are the Spirit breathed revelation from God. They are the means by which the
Holy Spirit continues to come to us in the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through them we receive the Gospel as he
gives us the forgiveness of sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through this gift he nurtures faith and sustains us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In a few moments we will celebrate the Sacrament
of the Altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, Jesus Christ comes
into our midst as he gives us his true body and blood to eat and to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives us his body and blood, given and
shed for us for the forgiveness of sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through this food he nourishes us so that we can walk by faith in this
world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is easy for the world to ignore and reject
these gifts. Yet that is the nature of how God works until the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The baby in the manger did not look
impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet he was the Son of God in
this world as God’s reign invaded the now age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man on the cross did not look powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet that was God’s dramatic action to break
sin’s power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These gifts – these Means
of Grace – are Christ bringing his saving reign to us. They give the
forgiveness won on the cross and sustain us in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God has
rescued us from the now age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has made
us his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he keeps us in the faith
so that we can live in ways that reflect what he has done for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says in our text, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For the grace of
God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to
renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live
self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or as Paul adds at the end of our text, Jesus
“</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">gave himself for us to redeem us
from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own
possession who are <i>zealous for good works</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">These
good works are not self-chosen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead,
God has placed you in callings in life – in vocations – where you carry them
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Husbands and wives are to love,
support, and sacrifice for one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Parents are to raise their children in the faith as they share the
Scriptures at home and bring the family to the Divine Service each Sunday.
Children are to obey their parents and to give thanks for all the ways they
provide for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Employees are to do
their work as unto the Lord and not unto men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Employers are to be fair and honest at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Above all, we forgive others in every
setting, just as God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. This is how we live in
the now age because of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Tonight
we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we do, Paul tells us what time it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is the time when “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for
all people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the birth, death,
and resurrection of Christ, God has rescued us from the present evil age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has given us forgiveness and life. He has
made us a people of his own possession.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Through
his gifts of the Means of Grace our Lord sustains us in the faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does this so that we can live in this
fallen world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of what Jesus has
done for us, we “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">live
self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">waiting for our
blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-11601891230187068982023-12-24T06:04:00.000-08:002023-12-24T06:04:04.129-08:00Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent - Jn 1:19-28<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Advent
4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Jn
1:19-28<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>12/24/23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last Sunday we talked about how John
the Baptists arrived on the scene and became the object of attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew tells us, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Then Jerusalem
and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and
they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John showed up and became a kind of religious
celebrity. He made such an impression that the Jewish historian Josephus,
writing almost sixty years later, mentions John the Baptist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John’s ministry excited people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for the religious leaders, that was cause
for concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prophetic figure was a
powerful force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people were looking
for God to act and rescue them from Roman rule, just as he had freed them from
slavery in Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone like John
could stir up those desires and cause them flash into a rebellion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know the Romans certainly had these
concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On several occasions they
acted by attacking a prophetic figure and the group that had gathered around
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We learn in our text that priests and
Levites had been sent to learn more about John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John immediately answered what he knew was their first question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He confessed, “I am not the Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John announced that he was not One sent by
God who would fulfill all his promises to Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then the questioners began to run
through their list of end-time figures who were expected by the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked, “Are you Elijah?” God had
promised through the prophet Malachi, </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before
the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
John responded, “I am not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not
Elijah himself returned to Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then they asked, “Are you the
Prophet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear Moses say in our Old
Testament lesson, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you.” This had
caused various expectations about a prophet whom God would send. But John
answered that, no, he was not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Frustrated, the questioners finally
asked, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Who are you? We
need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had run out of guesses about John’s
identity and so they asked him directly about how John described himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">John replied, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am the voice of one crying out in the
wilderness, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Make straight the way of the Lord,</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> as the prophet Isaiah said.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard these words last
week in our Old Testament lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah
chapter 40 says, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A voice
cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight
in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every
mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the
rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all
flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah announced that God was coming to his people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was coming to rescue them from exile and
every obstacle needed to be removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God’s glory would be revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now John declared that he was the one who prepared the way for the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the one prophesied by
Isaiah because the Lord was going to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His reign was about to arrive in a new and greater way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Isaiah’s words continue to address us
today. They tell us to make straight the way of the Lord. They call upon us to
remove every obstacle that stands in God’s way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They urge us to receive God’s reign by repenting of all those things
that we place before God. They lead us to consider those things in our life
that receive more time, attention, effort, and money than God. God is to be God
in our life, and we must confess all those things that compete with him. God
must come first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We know John as “John the Baptist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noted last week that John bore this title
because his baptizing ministry was so unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jews administered various ritual washings to themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, John was completely different
because <i>he baptized other people </i>– he administered the washing to
others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This unique action required an explanation. So the
questioners asked him: “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">Then
why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the
Prophet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John answered them, “I
baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who
comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John announced that his baptizing prepared
the way for One who came after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
One was so powerful that John wasn’t even worthy to untie his sandal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In a world
filled with self-promoters, John stands out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was not about himself. Instead, his mission and work was dedicated to
the One who came after him – the One for whom he prepared the way. John tells
us in our text that this is the witness or testimony that John the Baptist gave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He begins his Gospel by saying, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There was a man sent from God, whose name
was John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came as
a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe
through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John came to bear witness about Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gospel of John tells us that John’s work
of bearing witness did not end after he had baptized Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued to point to the One who was
greater than he. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Immediately after our text we read, “The next day he saw
Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After
me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John declared that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away
the sin of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin is the
fundamental problem that afflicts each person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Truly,
truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be enslaved to sin is to have the devil as
your Lord. It is to be living in death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
leads to physical death for each person and results in the eternal death of receiving
God’s wrath and judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During Advent we prepare to celebrate
the birth of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will
celebrate the fact that God sent his Son into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gospel of John tells us that the Son –
the Word – was God and made the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet the Word became flesh and dwelt with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Son of God entered into the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John says in his first epistle, “You
know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no
sin.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though sinless, Jesus offered
himself as the sacrifice for us on the cross. The cross was the purpose for
which he entered into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
said during Holy Week</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">,</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Now is
my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this
hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.’”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Then he added, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now is the
judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people
to myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jesus was lifted up on the
cross as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus gave himself into death on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But death could not hold him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord announced, “For this reason the
Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up
again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I
have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up
again. This charge I have received from my Father.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our Lord took up his life
again as he rose from the dead on Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Because of Jesus’ resurrection we
know that we already have eternal life now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have life with our Lord that will never end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we also know that Christ will give life
to our bodies on the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
said, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I am the resurrection and the
life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">and everyone who lives and
believes in me shall never die.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus offered himself on the cross as the lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took
up his life again as he rose from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now we have been born again of water and the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has given us new life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And Christ tells us how we are to live in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “A new commandment I give to
you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also
are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christ’s sacrificial love for us now becomes the model and
pattern for how we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love others
by putting their needs ahead of our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John said in his first epistle, “By this we know love, that he laid
down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ calls you to live in ways that
support, care for, and help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
has placed others in your life so you can share his love with them by what you
do and say.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our Gospel lesson this morning, John the Baptist gives
his testimony about Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He points
away from himself and towards the One who comes after him – the One who is more
powerful than he.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John points to the One
who came as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ offered himself on the cross for
our sins, and then rose from the dead to give us life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he sends us forth to share that love with
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-22639948764907239002023-12-20T08:24:00.000-08:002023-12-20T08:24:37.243-08:00Sermon for third mid-week Advent service - 1 Thess 5:1-11<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mid-Advent
3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>1
Thess 5:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>12/20/23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
you drive through your area at night right now, you probably notice a
difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nighttime is brighter
than it normally would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is because
of the Christmas lights that decorate the houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only are houses themselves decorated, but
in many places you see lit inflatable decorations on the front yard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is estimated that the light intensity increases by around thirty percent during
the time that leads up to Christmas. All those lights make a difference – so
much so that NASA reports that they can be seen from space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They brighten the landscape in a way that is
not seen during the rest of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
take it for granted that we have light at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Electricity makes it possible to light up the
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can illuminate a football
field so that we can do the same activities there that we would during the
daytime.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
it was not so in the ancient world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
night was a time of darkness. Oil burning lamps provided little
illumination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the night arrived, it
was dark.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>St.
Paul draws upon this profound connection between the night and darkness in our
text tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses it to characterize
those who do not know Jesus Christ, and to contrast them with those who do. Those
who are waiting for Jesus’ return live differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During Advent we prepare to celebrate our
Lord’s first coming at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
season reminds us that that the Lord who came once will come again. We are
waiting for his return.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul
begins our text by saying, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now
concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have
anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day
of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostle begins by saying that the
Thessalonians are fully aware that Jesus Christ’s return will be sudden and
unexpected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>People can reject Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They can think that everything will remain the same. But they are
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostle writes, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While people are saying, ‘There is
peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as
labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, this does not describe
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But you are not in darkness, brothers,
for that day to surprise you like a thief.</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For you are
all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night
or of the darkness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We are not of the night or of the darkness because we know
Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know the events for
which Advent prepares us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that
God sent his Son into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
told the Galatians, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent
forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem
those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We were alienated from God because of our sin. Not only are
we fallen because of Adam’s sin, but we demonstrate this in our thoughts,
deeds, and deeds as we continually churn out sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But by his death on the cross Christ redeemed
us. He freed us from sin and reconciled us to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of Christ we now have received the status
of being sons and daughters of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Through Holy Baptism God has made us his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are now children of light, children
of the day. And this means that we live with Advent expectation. Advent holds
before us the truth that the Lord who came once, will come again. To prepare to
celebrate our Lord’s first coming, is to prepare and be ready for his second
coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The apostle says</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So then let us not sleep, as others do,
but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at
night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who do not know Christ are sleepwalking
their way through life. They are stumbling in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They embrace the sinfulness of the world as
they make idols out of possessions and engage in fornication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They accept the murder of the unborn in
abortion. Their so called enlightened attitudes are the utter darkness of
denying the difference between male and female, and of accepting homosexuality.
The world is in darkness, and it only seems to be getting darker.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, we are not in darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has called us out of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We belong to the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so we need to live as those who have this
status.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul says, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">But since we
belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate
of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We are protected by faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live by trust in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that we are justified before God by
faith in Christ and not anything that we do. We live our days trusting that we
are God’s beloved children and that he cares for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This faith is then active in
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We care for the needs of others
and put their interests ahead of our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We support those around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
Paul told the Galatians, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Bear one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Living by faith in Christ we
become Christ to our neighbor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally,
we have the hope of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Peter
wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According
to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the hope of salvation because Jesus
Christ has risen from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live
in the confident expectation that the Lord who rose from the dead and ascended
will return in glory on the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
know that he will raise and transform our bodies to be like his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will renew creation and make it very good
once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is the salvation that awaits us and this encourages us each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We press on in faith because the Lord who has
begun his work will bring it to completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The end has already started in the resurrection of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have received the downpayment – the
guarantee of its fulfillment – in the gift of the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul
assures us at the conclusion of our text: “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">For God has not destined us for wrath,
but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;">who
died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ we know that we will not receive God’s wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we will receive salvation, and death
itself cannot prevent this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Advent reminds us that we are waiting
for the return of Jesus Christ. We wait for the Lord who came once as the One
who offered himself into death on the cross for us. He has redeemed us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Risen and ascended he will come again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wait for his return and live as those who
belong to the day and the light as we live in faith, love, and the hope of
salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-50151456582050572342023-12-17T05:57:00.000-08:002023-12-17T05:57:02.002-08:00Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent - Mt 11:2-10<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Advent
3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>Mt
11:2-10<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>12/17/23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last
Sunday’s Gospel lesson talked about Christ’s return on the Last Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned that it will be a dramatic event
that no one can miss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From other texts
in Scripture we know what will accompany our Lord’s return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will raise the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will pronounce the final judgment, and
those who have rejected him will be consigned to eternity in hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will transform creation and make it very
good once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So
what if the One who brings the Last Day arrived … and things still looked like
this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if you thought the One had
arrived and things didn’t look any different?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Worse yet, what if you personally experienced a great injustice that
brought suffering?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
is the situation that John the Baptist finds himself in this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He believes the One who brings the Last Day
has arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet nothing seems to have
changed. And in fact, his own situation has gotten much worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John
the Baptist burst onto the scene and was instantly the object of
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">came preaching in the wilderness of Judea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wore a garment of camel's hair and a
leather belt around his waist – he dressed in a way that recalled the prophet
Elijah.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">John had a clear and direct
message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He proclaimed: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John announced that God’s reign
was about to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to prepare
for this, people needed to repent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">John called
people to repentance, and he did something very unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He baptized people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now ritual washings were very common in first
century Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But John’s was unique
because it was not self-administered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, he applied it to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People submitted to his baptism in an action that demonstrated their
repentance in preparation for the arrival of God’s reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew tells us, “Then Jerusalem and all
Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">and they were baptized by
him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">John proclaimed that God’s reign –
his kingdom – was about to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
he left little doubt what this meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
declared that an individual was coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I baptize you
with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier
than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and fire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
proclaimed the coming One, and announced that he would bring the final
judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He declared: “His winnowing
fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his
wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable
fire.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The coming One showed up in a surprising way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to be baptized by John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus received John’s baptism and then began
his ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew summarizes this by
saying, “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues
and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease
and every affliction among the people.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus began his ministry as he worked miracles by healing
the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, John continued his
ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John was a prophet, and like
the prophets of the Old Testament he spoke the truth of God’s word to everyone
– including the powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King Herod
Antipas had divorced his wife in order to marry Herodias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Herodias had been married to Herod’s brother
Phillip, but she divorced him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John
condemned the sin by Herod. Herod Antipas was king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he decided to show John who was boss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had John thrown in prison.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John sat in prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He heard reports about Jesus’ miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he was deeply confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
wasn’t what was supposed to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
Jesus was the coming One he had proclaimed, why wasn’t he bringing God’s
judgment? Why hadn’t the Last Day arrived?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why was someone like Herod Antipas still in power? Why was John, God’s
prophet, in prison?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John didn’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So from prison he </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">sent disciples to Jesus with the
question,</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for
another?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus replied: “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Go and tell John what you hear and see:</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">the blind receive their
sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the
dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And blessed is the one
who is not offended by me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus’ words summarized his miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they did so by drawing upon language from
the prophet Isaiah about the end time salvation of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Lord’s answer was that yes, he was the
One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His miracles bore witness to the
salvation that had arrived in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
then Jesus acknowledged that things did not look like John expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “And blessed is the one who is
not offended by me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are getting ready to remember
that the Son of God entered into our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But when he did so, it was not as a powerful king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not come bringing fiery judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he was born as a helpless baby and
placed in a manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He entered in humility
because he had not come to bring God’s judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he had come <i>to be judged by God.</i>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended
upon him in the form of a dove and God the Father said, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is my beloved Son, with whom
I am well pleased.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These words from
Isaiah chapter 42 identified Jesus as the Servant of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At his baptism Jesus took on the role of the
suffering Servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ took his place
with sinners in order to suffer and die for us.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He received God’s
judgment against our sin as he died on the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did this to rescue us from God’s judgment
on the Last Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus’ death looked like defeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared that God had abandoned him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus passed through death because God
was working in him to defeat it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
third day God raised up Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised
Jesus as the second Adam in whom the resurrection of the Last Day has
started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Jesus has been raised,
death cannot hold onto our bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will be raised and transformed to be like our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus told John the Baptist that he was the coming
One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His miracles demonstrated that he
was the presence of God’s reign that was overcoming Satan and sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus added: “And blessed is the one
who is not offended by me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
Lord acknowledged that things did not look like John expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told John to have faith that God was at
work in him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our Lord’s words speak to the situations that are present
in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world describes this
time leading up to Christmas as the “season of joy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But maybe you aren’t feeling so joyful right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe there are real problems in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you are dealing with chronic or even
life threatening health problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps you need to find a job, or are not happy in your current
employment. Perhaps there are tensions and problems in your family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These things can make us wonder: “Is this what it is
supposed to look like when the kingdom of God has arrived?” They can make us
doubt that God really is at work in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They make us want to ask Jesus, “Are you the coming One, or should we
look for another?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus brought God’s
reign in a way that John the Baptist did not expect. He did it through the
humiliation and suffering of the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He did it by working in the midst of a sinful world, not by destroying
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But the truth
of his saving work has been demonstrated by his resurrection from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus brought God’s reign by freeing us from
sin and defeating death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know this
because of his resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ’s
resurrection is the great “Yes!” that God has spoken in answer to his promises.
Because of the resurrection we now know that God’s saving reign has arrived and
that the final victory will be ours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We now see
everything in light of Jesus’ resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His resurrection is the guarantee that we are saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His resurrection tells us that God’s love for
us is certain and sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His resurrection
gives us hope because we know that the final victory will be ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His resurrection enables us to live by faith,
trusting in the love God has given us in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We live by
faith in the risen Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sustain us
in faith, Christ has given us his gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He gives us the proclamation of his word as the Holy Spirit uses these
words to strengthen us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives us Holy
Baptism for there we have shared in the saving death of the risen Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gives us the Sacrament of the Altar where
Jesus offers us his true body and blood as food for the new man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our Lord
sustains faith so that we do not take offense at the present
circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we recognize
that we are the dearly loved children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We live with confidence knowing that we already have eternal life now
and that the final victory of resurrection on the Last Day will be ours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This faith
moves us then to look beyond ourselves and our own situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have received God’s love in Jesus Christ. Now,
that love moves us to help and assist others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who in your life needs support, encouragement, and care?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you assist your family members,
friends and co-workers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has called
you to faith so that this faith may be active in serving others. God has
blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In our text,
John the Baptist faces a situation that does not match his expectations about
how God is going to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asks, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Are you the one who is to come,
or shall we look for another?”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus answers that, yes, he is the
presence of God’s reign bringing salvation. And he adds, “Blessed is the one
who is not offended by me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our experience
in a fallen world is often one of hardships and difficulty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus’ death and resurrection is the
demonstration of God’s love for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
resurrection gives us hope in the midst of all circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that our sins are forgiven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that God loves and cares for us in
the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we know that we will
share in the final victory on the Last Day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-24602255483922626832023-12-13T11:30:00.000-08:002023-12-13T11:30:05.549-08:00Sermon for second mid-week Advent service - Isa 43:16-21<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mid-Advent
2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Isa
43:16-21<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>12/13/23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
dad lived in Nebraska, and then did his Masters degree at the University of
Nebraska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this connection, I
grew up rooting for Nebraska in football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s this was a fun thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nebraska won conference titles, finished in
the top 20 and vied for the national championship – winning it five times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However,
things changed at the end of the 1990’s when their coach, Tom Osborne,
retired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nebraska has now had six
coaches since 1998.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They last competed
for a national championship in 2001.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the 2000’s the program went from being elite to just good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then a rapid decline occurred as during
the last seven years they have never won more than five games.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today
Nebraska fans have their tradition – they have their past history – but little
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard when you have nothing
but your past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to wait for the
future when you are living in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
our text tonight, God speaks to Israel. He declares to them that his action is
not something that is trapped in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is going to do a new thing to rescue them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can wait in hope because he is the God
who does amazing things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah
wrote in the eighth century B.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his
prophecy he confronts Judah’s sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
began by saying, “<span style="background: white; color: black;">Ah, sinful nation,
a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal
corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy
One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because of their sin and
unfaithfulness, Judah would be taken into exile by the Babylonians in the sixth
century B.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his prophecy, Isaiah
looks ahead to this event. He offers hope to the people who will wait in exile
as he promises that God will bring them back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our text begins with the words: “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in
the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse,
army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched
like a wick.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord introduces
himself on the basis of what he has done in the past. He is the God who brought
Israel out of Egypt in the exodus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
brought Israel through the Red Sea and destroyed the Egyptians in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But God is not trapped in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a God who acts in the present and gives
hope to those who wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so he goes
on to declare,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things
of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not
perceive it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was going to carry out
a new act of rescue for his people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We hear in our text, “I will make a way in the
wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor
me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the
wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people
whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In poetic language God describes his action
as causing rivers in the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will
give drink to his chosen people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
declares that he is going to do something brand new.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, Judah had sinned. But God says later in this chapter, “</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I, I am he who blots
out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your
sins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God would forgive his people and
he would act to bring them back from exile. There was reason to hope as they
waited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God did act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did the unexpected. In chapter 45 Isaiah
names Cyrus as God’s anointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
declares to Cyrus, “For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my
chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cyrus was the Persian king who
unexpectedly defeated the Babylonians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 538 B.C. he issued a decree that the Judahites could return to their
land. God used Cyrus to bring his people back from exile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s act of bringing Judah back to
their land was an act of deliverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And this action pointed forward to an even greater action that God would
accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God says in our text, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Remember not the former things, nor consider
the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you
not perceive it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God did a new thing as he sent his Son into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah speaks of this One. This was a new
thing, but it was a thing that God had promised in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hear this in Isaiah’s prophecy as he says,
“</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Behold, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During Advent we prepare to celebrate
the fact that God did this new thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
did something that had never happened before. The virgin conceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary became pregnant through the work of the
Holy Spirit. The child she carried in her womb – the One to whom she gave birth
– was Immanuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was God with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This was new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God in the flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet the reason Jesus Christ was in the world
was surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would expect that God
would come into the world to bring judgment. After all, we are no less sinful
than Judah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have weighed down God
with our transgressions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But God had not sent forth his Son to
judge us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, Jesus Christ had come
into the world to be judged by God <i>for us</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said, “the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ offered himself on the cross as the
sacrifice for our sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus was buried in a tomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But God was not done doing his new
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he did something
completely new. Death had entered into the world through Adam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, through Jesus the second Adam, God
worked the resurrection of the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
carried out the action of the Last Day as he raised Jesus with a body
transformed so that it can never die again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God has done this new thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because he has, he has also done
something new to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has caused us to
be born again. Through water and the Word he has given us new life as we
received regeneration in baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now
live as those who are a new creation in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This new thing defines our
present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have received the love and
forgiveness of God through faith in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we have, we are able to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can wait on God in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can be patient as he works out the course
of our life. We can trust in God because we are not trapped in the sins of our
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we have received this new
thing that God has done for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
saints – we are the forgiven children of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In our
text God says, “</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Remember not
the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new
thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God did the new things for Judah as he
brought them back from exile in Babylon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This act of deliverance pointed forward to an even greater new thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">During Advent
we prepare to celebrate the new thing that God had done in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the incarnation of the Son of God,
God has acted to redeem us from sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
Christ’s resurrection he has begun the new life that will be ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the work of the Spirit we are a new
creation in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in the
confidence of what this new thing means for us. And we wait in hope as we look
for God to do his final new thing when Jesus Christ returns and gives us a
share in his resurrection.</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Surburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.com0