The Body [Resurrection Sunday; St. Mark 16:1-8]

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO HERE.

The risen Jesus speaks to us, even today, and we hear,

“Why do you seek the Living One among the dead?”

This Jesus is much more dangerous, now that He is dead. For now people will be after His body. They will cry out for His Blood in vengeance. They will rob His grave and make up a completely impossible story of how He has risen. They will steal it, maybe even eat it, in order to make His Word come to pass at all costs.

Do you believe the women’s story, St. Peter, you who denied Him three times? Do you believe the news, St. Thomas, you who doubted? Do you believe the Romans and priests, Judas, who betrayed Him?

Do you believe or do you also seek the Living One among the dead?

It is easy to determine the truth of the report: go find the body. You can follow where the body went as well as you can follow a body in a funeral procession.

Jesus was in the Temple day and night. He was teaching in the synagogues. He was eating, drinking, healing, preaching. His Body was a public spectacle. The only places He could hide was on top of mountains or walking on water and even there the crowds chased after Him.

Read the police report. His Body was taken into custody. His Body was found guilty. His Body was scourged by whip and rod. His Body was transported to hill and cross, where He was fastened, inescapably, to die, never to move again.

Please sir, tell us where they have taken Jesus. Go ask Joseph of Arimathea. He had Him last. He wrapped Him up in burial cloths and closed the tomb. Go ask the guards. They sealed the tomb tight and set a 3 day watch in front.

The Romans and the Priests keep strict vigil; they keep watch in your place. His death is not enough. Either the Apostles steal the body and claim to have seen the resurrection or the priests stand watch and the followers claim the religious establishment just denied it.

The Body is important. Likewise, at a funeral, the entire service, from start to finish, is focused on the body. We come to it, we offer our respects to it, we pray around it, we sorrow around it, we follow it to the grave, and we place it so securely in the ground that we always know where it is in order that we might return to it.

What a testament Christian burial is to the death and resurrection of Jesus! Better yet, what a testament the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus is to us in how we treat our own bodies.

So, if you have been paying attention since Advent, the focus of all Holy Scripture has been, and still is today, the Body of Christ. Where is it? It is not here? Tell us, where may we find it? You find the Body of Christ where He has promised in His Word.

Every single popular religious leader has a headstone at which their worshipers pay homage, in despair. But we have nothing like that for Jesus, so what is it we do?

We follow the Body.

Now with the Apostles, eating, drinking, and breathing and talking. Now with 500 disciples proclaiming. Now with Thomas. Now with James. Now with Paul.

What about us today? Now the Body of Christ; the Body of a man is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Does that mean He is far away? No. This means that He can be even closer than what we know is physically allowable.

Now, at the right hand, Jesus can be everywhere at once WITH His body and blood. This means that He can appear and dwell among His people and be one with them. This means that each and every Altar that calls upon the Name of the Lord this Easter morning feasts and communes upon the one, holy, true Body of Jesus.

The Body that was on the cross purchasing forgiveness and salvation; the Body that was resting in the tomb from all the work He had done; the Body that appeared and is risen from the dead.

This Body dwells forever with His Church washing Her, speaking to Her, and feeding Her. As your own cardiovascular system carries life to your entire body in the blood, so now does the risen Christ nourish you in the one true faith, to life everlasting.

We follow the Body and the Body goes to Church, is revealed in the Gospel, and is received in the Sacraments. Do not doubt, but firmly believe. The Church holds not the Body of Jesus in a memorial, but in a living Feast of Heaven on Earth, given and shed for you.

Hidden [Palm Sunday; St. Matthew 27:11-54]

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO HERE.

It is a glorious witness to the power of God when we hear the same Gospel reading from Advent 1, on Palm Sunday. Glorious, because Jesus is coming; not just to a Silent Night in Bethlehem, but to fallen creatures singing His praise today, but shouting “Crucify Him” on Friday.

Thus, Jesus speaks today, saying:

“But [Jesus] gave [Pilate] no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”

Why Advent on Palm Sunday? The same conundrum should also come to your noodle when you see the cross veiled and the church dressed in black on such a joyful Sunday.

The Lord declares to us, through the true prophet Isaiah, that He is truly a God Who hides Himself (Is. 45:15). Because, as my 5 year old loves to point out, she can’t see Jesus because He is invisible, but she wished He was here and Jesus gives her no direct answer.

But He doesn’t. Indeed it appears as if we are left to fend for ourselves and search under every rock for the Lord. Maybe we should just take the advice of those who wish to tell us that true prophets are the poor and the oppressed who rise above their circumstances and give lip service to God.

Its either that or stare at this blank wall another Sunday and pretend that we feel Jesus here. Its either that, or [pretend that God is with us and fumble with some words of positive thinking to offer as proof to those who ask.

And there is some truth to this. St. Paul tells us in a few places that “…we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)

The Lord also says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

So we are left with a God that appears on the scene as much as a flying spaghetti monster and is just as believable as a unicorn. What do we say then to Jesus Who tells us to love this invisible God with all our hearts, mind, soul, and strength? What answer do we give to St. Peter who says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Pet. 1:18)?

Repent! Yes, God hides Himself. He is hidden in every rock, in every tree, in every stream, in every fractal, in every quantum singularity, and in every one of your neighbors. But, He Hides Himself in such a way that you will not find Him, no matter how hard you look.

You may find pieces of Him, or traces of His attributes, but you will never, ever find God in the places where He has hid Himself. Even when He hides behind the death of a son.

Because that is exactly what the Lord of all Creation does: He hides behind His own death on a cross. He will not be found by you as a miracle king, a bread king, a creator king, or a palm king. He is the bloody king, handing over both body and soul to atone for the Father’s wrath against sin.

Though the splendor of creation lies all about us, God is hidden. Though the effects of the Flood still affect the earth, God is hidden. Though Egypt reels from pestilence and plague from heaven, God does not answer. Though Israel conquers the Promised land, God remains silent.

Though Jesus heals the sick and casts out demons and rides with pomp and fervor into the city of Jerusalem; His City, in joy and triumph, the joy and triumph is not that of earth, but of the cross. God hides Himself in Jesus and Jesus hides His one and only greatest work in His sacrifice on the cross.

Though we joyfully and loudly sang out “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” and flitted our own palms through the air in praise and adoration, did you think that this royal march had a happy ending?

Indeed it does, if seen with the eyes of faith. For faith does see a triumphal entry; a conquering march by a victorious hero from eternity. Faith sees the Mighty One, strong to save, on His Warhorse with His legions upon legions of immortal angel warriors; swords unsheathed, spears glinting red, boots tramping; thousands upon thousands marching upon the way.

With the one single mission in their briefing folders: take that hill. The hosts then advance, unrelentingly, and take the hill, the hill of Golgotha. They incite the people, they place Barabbas in prison, they agitate the High Priests, they ignite the Pharisees and Sadducees, and they urge on Judas.

The Palm Sunday crowd is worked into a fervor, clearing the way of naysayers and non-believers, in order that Jesus’ way would be prepared; that His highway in the desert would be made straight. Such that every valley be lifted up and every mountain made low; that the crooked be made straight and the rough places plain. (Is. 40:3-4)

Then, then shall the glory of the Lord be revealed (Is. 40:5). Then shall the true goal, the real God shall unveil Himself in all His glory. The God Who can suffer; the God Who can bleed; the God Who can die.

The reason Jesus hides Himself, never to be found; the reason the Church veils her art for Passion and Holy Weeks is because Christ will be found nowhere else except in His Gospel and in His Sacraments.

The Joy of Palm Sunday is that the King has triumphally entered this place and has conquered. The exaltation of Palm Sunday is Jesus tramping over sin, death, and the devil in your life. The splendor of Palm Sunday is found, not in rapture, but in receiving. Receiving the Word, remembering the Baptism, and taking the Body and Blood given and shed for you.

Jesus hides behind the cross, answering all prayers, all cries for mercy, and all sorrow with His own death and burial. Jesus hides on Palm Sunday in plain sight, to the eyes of faith. Jesus hides in your own life, but in the very place He has promised to be found: His Church, purchased and won not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious Body ad Blood and with His innocent suffering and death.

That is where Jesus answers Pilate’s questions and that is where Jesus answers your questions as well.

"Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior… I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’

I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right. Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together… Turn to me and be saved;” (Is. 45:15, 19, 20, 22)

He Who Is [Lent 5; Passion Sunday; St. John 8:46-59]

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO HERE.

Jesus speaks to you today, saying:

“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

The part of the text we are focusing on today is “whoever is” in the phrase “Whoever is of God…” The reason for this is because “whoever” is a modern attempt at translating the Bible in a gender neutral, PC way in order to sell more copies. What they miss in translation is a very important sacred name for Jesus.

The “whoever is…” should read “He who is…” and I want you to know this because in the ancient church, if you were to find and icon or a crucifix, you would most likely find the two Greek words translated “whoever is…” in the cross-halo of Jesus. They will look like an “o” by itself, followed by a “wv”. (Or "O WN", in capital lettering)

Now, if those two words in Jesus’ halo stood for “whoever is” then that would be very confusing, at least to me. What does “whoever” have to do with Jesus and His cross? What does “whoever is” mean? Does that mean whoever could be on the cross or whoever could be just as holy and sacred as Jesus?

No. The words there are “He Who is” and we hear the rest of the message of the Bible to back us up. In John 6, the One that has seen the Father is He Who is from God (v.46). In Revelation, St. John gives peace from He who is, He who was, and He who is to come (1:4,8).

In the same book, the four living creatures bow down giving glory, honor and thanks to the Lord God almighty, He Who was, and is, and is to come (4:8, 11:17). This is not just idle naming or correct grammar, but a revelation to Who Jesus is. God is the only One Who is, was, and is to come. He is eternal. Thus, this sacred name equates Jesus with God; a necessary Christian belief.

So, what we miss in the English is Jesus. It is not “whoever” on the cross, but it is Jesus. Jesus Who is from God, Who hears God, because who are we? It may make you uncomfortable to hear the demons ask you that question, yet they do in Acts 19.

There, certain Jews were attempting to get back into the exorcism market by using Jesus’ Name, whom Paul preaches, they said. The seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this and the demon they encountered said, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:13-16)

They were then possessed themselves and failed in their attempt at the exorcism.

Who are you? Or as we heard today, who do you make yourself out to be? Are you popular? Are you amazing at what you do? Does everyone look up to you and compliment you? Do you have no need for anything except you? Who are you?

Repent. We fill our entire life trying to answer the question to who we are and think that some magical-peace-rainbow lies in wait for us when we finally figure it out. If we could just get to know ourselves better, then our lives would not be the mess we make them.

Indeed, some people spend their entire lives looking for that answer and never find it. Others destroy many lives in their quest for the answer and still are not satisfied.

Who is Jesus? He was and is and is to come, but He is also your brother in the flesh. He is your captain at the helm. He is your God on the cross. He is Lord in the tomb. He Who Is will be the one to not only save you, but give you a real identity in Himself.

Jesus is the man Who is washing away your old self and giving you a new self: Himself. Jesus is the man Who is giving you new words to speak and new songs to sing, which are His Word. Jesus is the Man Who is transforming this lowly body to be like His glorious body (Phil. 3:21).

Jesus is He Who Is and Jesus recreates you to be just like Him. Your identity is now Christ, the only Son of God, inheritor of heaven and earth, eternal Life and eternal wisdom. You may not know how this will be, but by His Word and Sacrament, you will be like Him when He returns for you.

Now, the real question is not, “Who am I”, but “Who am I, in Christ?” and who I am in Christ is exactly like Him: forgiven, sanctified, justified, comforted, loved. This is the comfort we take along with us wherever we go. This is the courage that sees us through the agonizing nights and days of sorrow.

This is the reason for our hope, because He Who Is has given us His life and His Name forever. He Who Is of God hears the Word of God and whoever believes and is baptized is of Jesus.

Jesus is not a “whoever”. He is the most high God, crucified for your sins. In Christ, you are not a “whoever” either, but a beloved heir to the Son’s Kingdom. There is no ambiguity in the Bible. Jesus is the recipient of all the promises of God; every single good thing goes to Jesus alone.

In Jesus, you are assumed into the Godhead that we confessed today. In Jesus, you are now an integral part of the Body of God; the Trinity in unity and unity in Trinity; the uncreated, the infinite, the almighty; He Who Is.

But, you don’t go around saying, “I am He Who is’s” or “His Who Is is”…because the Pharisees, the princes of this world, and the demons will most certainly accuse you and interrogate you concerning your sin, asking, “Who are you”.

However, when that happens, and it will, you already have your answer: “I am a Christian”. For, Christ Who Is has made full atonement and satisfaction for my sins. Christ is He, Who died and shed His blood for me, for the forgiveness of my sins.

Breadness [Lent 4; St. John 6:1-15]

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO HERE.

Jesus speaks to you today, saying:

“Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.”

In the Gospel according to St. Mark, there is a place where Jesus commands His disciples to make a boat ready for Him to cross the sea in order to escape the crowds. Quite literally, He asks them to make the boat persevere or continue steadfast.

This does not seem like such a great detail, because what does the boat persist in but sitting there. Pretty meaningless in the eyes of the world, but to the eyes of faith we see great faith in this boat. No, boats cannot have faith, but they can persist in what they were made for.

The boat waits as a boat. It persists in its boat-ness, simply waiting to be used properly, content in its lot in life. It remains steadfast in that which it was made for: floating. This shows forth an intelligent creator where, what He creates, works.

Wood floats, water is wet, and crafters ply their craft making use of the constant way wood floats on water to constantly make boats. God has made all of Creation to work in a certain way. Creation works.

This becomes extremely important when we hear about Jesus feeding the 5000. In this miraculous feeding, we get to see creation beginning to work as it was intended. Food is supposed to feed, to nourish, to fill up. However, we find ourselves eating at least 3 meals a day.

So when five loaves of bread and two fish are unleashed upon 5000 people actually produce leftovers, we are beginning to get a glimpse of what food was originally supposed to do: actually feed us. However, this is not the end of the story for bread. It is not just made to feed us so that we will never be hungry again, but it will be pointing to its greatest and perfect use.

This finally comes to fruition in Acts chapter 2 when we hear the disciples persisting in “…the Apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Teaching; every teaching ever, all fellowship, all prayers, and all bread has been waiting since the dawn of Creation, persisting steadfast in the ways they were made for, all in order to bring Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, true God and true man to your eyes, your ears, your nose, your fingers, and your tongues.

Now that all of this has been elevated to its true purpose in the Kingdom of Christ Crucified, it is your turn, because Christ did not come as a boat or a piece of bread. God has taken the form of a man. A real man. Like you in every way, in order to accomplish His greatest work: your salvation upon the cross.

40 days after Easter, Jesus ascended into heaven. 50 days after Easter, Jesus sends His Holy Spirit to save and guide His baptized believers. And with this divine guidance of infinite wisdom freely given to them, they go to Church.

In faith, with the Holy Spirit, the Apostles and disciples and every believer persisted in; continued steadfast in, what they were created for: communion with God. And they did not seek Jesus in mystic, ethereal paradigms, they did not work towards Jesus through progressive sanctification, and they did not find Jesus in their neighbors or their neighbors’ hearts.

They sought Jesus out in His Word, the Word that was handed over to the Apostles with the Holy Spirit causing them to remember all that Jesus said. They worked at congregating and found Jesus in the breaking of the bread, not because they felt like Jesus was there in their hearts or that He magically appeared, but because Jesus promised to be there and was.

Repent. Not only do we seek love and trust in earthly things, but we believe that when we find the Lord, that it is purely a spiritual and emotional experience. That boats, bread, and prayers are the spiritual places where we meet with God and feel overcome by His presence, instead of where Jesus says He will be.

When Jesus promised that His Name would dwell forever with His people on earth, everyone thought He meant in Jerusalem and in the Temple. But these were simply temporary things pointing to that which would actually fulfill His promise.

It would not be a temple made with hands. It will not be a city that could be plundered and destroyed. It will not be in bread which rots and wastes away and it will not simply be a meal that memorializes a past event that has nothing to do with today.

Or nothing to do with you in your suffering. Ideas, thoughts, and emotions do not hold up in difficult times. Memorial meals do not alleviate pain and loss. Earthly things do not give heavenly comfort, until Jesus.

Now water covers a multitude of sins. Now words produce everlasting salvation. Now bread and wine give the forgiveness of sins. Now a man can proclaim the Word of God in all these things and that Word brings all these things to pass for the Christian.

From the beginning, Jesus had in mind to leave His Spirit with His holy Church and by the Apostle’s example, they understood that too. For it was right after Pentecost that they steadfastly devoted themselves to hearing the Word, Communing, and praying. Not because they are nice things to do, but because in these things Jesus promises His presence.

In Jesus, we see humanity come to its full purpose: communion with God. Not just communing with God, but communing on God, Body and Blood. Not just being with God, but being in God, Body and Soul. Your true purpose in life; what you were made for comes to pass when the Gospel in preached in its purity and the Sacraments administered according to it.

I am the Bread of Life (Jn. 6:35), Jesus says, and death is swallowed up forever (Is. 25:8) when this meal is placed in front of you. For we are not simply eating here, but are being made a part of the Body of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, because this is what you were made for.

Good doggie [Lent 2; St. Matthew 15:21-28]

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO HERE.

Jesus speaks today, saying:

“Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

It was Jesus Who also said, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matt. 7:6)

So right off the bat, dogs have a bad rep and you can attest to that. Dogs do not belong inside. They do really disgusting things with their biles and they have gross habits and tendencies. Its amazing that we keep them around.

Even the philosopher’s use dogs to describe a man who is of an impure mind. We actually carry this thought in our own language today, when we talk about unfaithful or wayward husbands. And it is true when St. Peter quotes the Proverb speaking of fools, “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” (2 Pet. 2:22)

However, despite all that dogs are called man’s best friend. They are fiercely loyal, even to those who beat them and mistreat them. They remain constant and persevere under harsh conditions, continuing to wag their tails in front of evil masters, though not out of intelligence.

So what do we say then of one of Jesus’ harshest comments made to a suffering person? Do we say that this is how God is, Almighty first, demanding perfection and worship before He performs mercy? Do we say that Faith given to us is given solely to strengthen us to face a bipolar God?

If your only answer to this event is that Jesus is Almighty and He can do what He wants, then you are dead wrong. Although you would be half right. For in this exchange we do see what power faith has. That it can take God by the scruff of the neck in prayer and hold Him accountable to His Word saying, “Your Word promised me this. Where is it?!”

Faith bites into God like a dog, not letting go until it has received a blessing, even though it is buffeted and shaken. Faith hangs on till the end and receives its reward.

Thus, your faith will hang on to this Gospel reading until the end, until it finds peace, like a dog. For in it, we do not find only a woman being insulted, but something greater than the woman.

We look to 2 Samuel for this answer. In it we find that Saul has died and David is king. Saul’s son, Jonathan has also died. He was David’s best friend and David wished to show the Lord’s kindness to Jonathan’s family and household.

The last person David encounters is one of Jonathan’s sons who is crippled in both feet. The son says to David, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” (2 Sam. 9:8). And David commences to restore all the lands of his grandfather to this boy and commands that he regularly eat at the king’s table.

And another place which says, “But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.” (Eccl. 9:4)

Repent. You are the person with the impure mind. The dog of war, against God, that is never at rest, never satisfied, and never grateful. What more of an apt description for a person with a rebellious, unclean heart that makes petition before a holy God.

And since Jesus is using the phrase, He agrees. Even the Greek word for “worship” is eerily similar to the word for dog, meaning to bow down to the position of a dog: face in the dust. But, a living dog is better than a dead lion. We just want to know how that is.

Jesus says, “But I am a worm and not a man,

    scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

 All who see me mock me;

    they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;

    let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” (Ps.22:6-8)

On His cross, Jesus claims mastery. He does this by assigning Himself the position beneath the dog, that of worm. Are we bowed down to the dust? Christ is down in the dust, eating it. Are we severely oppressed by demons? Christ has taken them all upon Himself and judged them. Are we beggars in front of God? Christ was judged and found guilty by God.

Here now we see quite clearly, that the first is last and the last is first. The woman is not the dog. Jesus is talking about Himself. Jesus is the man Who would rather be a doorkeeper in the House of His God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (Ps. 84:10)

Jesus has come down to exalt the sinners bowed down in the dust. Sinners that have been killed beneath the weight of their sins are now lifted up to the status of sons. Jesus returns to the vomit that is sinful creation and produces a lavish banquet at the King’s table.

Christ’s sacrifice upon the cross; being made a dog on your behalf, purifies every sinful thing. When He wrestled with Jacob, He did not beat Him down to prove a point, but lifted him out of his sins. In dealing with the crippled prince: he was also lifted to the status of king.

Now we can answer that boys cry. What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I? The Lord has revealed to you that you shall be king. In the Blood of Christ you shall inherit a kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world (Matt. 25:32). In the sacrifice of the only begotten Son of God, you will be high and lifted up (Isa. 57:15) discarding dust and ashes for flesh and blood.

In the Kingdom of Christ the Crucified, the dogs never had it so good, because their Lord became like them in every way except without sin (Heb. 2:17, 4:15). There is no High Priest or Friend greater or more sympathetic, because He has been there and done what you have been through. He has suffered, He has been betrayed, and He has died.

But even the dog that takes on the sins of the whole world, eats at the master’s table. Even the Lamb Who was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8), lives and reigns to all eternity. And because of His suffering and death on the cross, this woman need not be ashamed that she is called a dog, for she is a child of God.

In C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, the last story describes the end of the old heavens, the old earth, and the old Narnia, which came to a close in war and strife. But those who were to be saved were rescued and brought to the heavenly Narnia. One man that was saved was astonished that he was there with everyone else and said this:

[He spoke to me, saying], "'Beloved…unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek'...And since then…I have been wandering to find him and my happiness is so great that it even weakens me like a wound. And this is the marvel of marvels, that he called me Beloved, me who am but as a dog.”

To the repentant sinner who confesses his sins, wishing to do better, who trusts in His Lord’s promises, and believes that God sent Christ Crucified for him; no purer words of the Gospel were ever spoken. It is true you were dogs in your sins, but today you are kings in Christ.

Learn the Gospel [Sexagesima Sunday; St. Luke 8:4-15]

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO HERE.

Jesus speaks to you today, saying,

“And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away,because it had no moisture.”

It has been said that those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it and for those of us baptized into the ancient Church of Christ, our business is nothing but the past; nothing but Christ Crucified for us. Thus, being a part of the Church is a lifetime of learning.

Dr. Luther said, of the small catechism, that even though he wrote it, he would never have enough time in life to master it, even with two lifetimes. The same is said of Holy Scripture. You may hear the same Bible stories year in and year out, but you will never exhaust the Word and there will always be something new.

So, it is not enough for you to be at Church. You must learn at Church. You. Personally. Just as no one can take your A.C.T.’s for you, no one can learn for you. Of course the Divine Service is a teaching Service along with a life-giving Service of God, but you don’t learn how to apply it, the Hymn of the Day is not on your lips all week, and the Gospel is not in front of all you do and say.

History teaches us that in order for a culture to survive, a fertility rate of 2.11 children per couple must be born. Anything less, and you are a part of a dying culture. The current European fertility rate averages at 1.3. Historically, no culture or country has ever reversed a fertility rate below 1.9. The US comes in at a 1.87.

Muammar al-Gaddafi (Lybia) is quoted saying, “There are signs that Allah will grant victory to Islam in Europe without swords, without guns, without conquest.” The Muslim fertility rate in Europe is 8.1 children per family.

Repent. The seed that fell among the rocks 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 they stop coming to Church and stop learning in Church.

There are two important things here: the rocks and the roots. Geologists have a saying - rocks remember. This is because rocks can be porous and absorb the air around them or they can give evidence of major events like floods or lava flow.

They can also remember blood. The stones cried out for God to avenge the blood of Abel after he was murdered by his brother and still cry out to God for the multitude of martyrs. Jesus says, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling,and rock of offense;” "And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”. Roots can break through stone and God’s Word is like a hammer that breaks the rock.

Thus, if the seed is the Word of God and Jesus is our Rock, then He is broken. And the seed that falls among the rocks is killed. Look at the parable again. This is suffering, death, and resurrection. Here is your teaching moment. The Parable of the Sower; the heavenly wisdom you are to gain from it, is Christ.

There is a stone that heralds life for the entire world. A stone, not so much covered with blood, but guarding it. This stone is the stone rolled away at Easter. This stone, wherever it is now, has the memory of the hand of God grasping it and rolling it away from an empty tomb.

And the root that was hiding away in there has sprouted to full bloom, full of grace and truth, and never to die again. The Gospel of God is preached and binds what the Law of God smashed like a hammer. The Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection awakens the crushed, dead spirit to new life.

Christ is the seed that gets planted among the rocks, immediately grows tall and doesn’t whither away. Christ is the seed that falls among the thorns, and no matter how tight that crown gets, it cannot choke the life out of the Lord of life. Christ is the seed that even falls upon the trampled pathway and does not get stamped, but trips those who would walk past.

Your preaching and teaching heritage is Christ Crucified in every verse of the Bible. The stone hurled from heaven crushes sin and death, but brings new life. The root from the stump of Jesse springs forth in righteousness and salvation. The Spirit of the God-man thusly deals with you.

The millstone is hung around the neck of the old Adam and daily he drowns so that the new man in you would rise to live a new life of hearing God’s Word and believing it. Did the plants have no moisture among the rocks? Jesus provides you with an everlasting moisture in baptism.

Did the plants have no root to hold them in times of testing? The Lord gave the Word which endures forever. Were they unable to withstand the scorching heat of testing? Jesus gives nourishment that strengthens and aids the Body to life everlasting.

Jesus is Lord of the Church, not us, and He provides an everlasting population of it. He is the one to gather the lost with His Word of Forgiveness, seeking them and saving them. Even in the face of apparent dwindling culture, the Church is never empty and will not be overcome by earthly things.

The cup of the Lord overflows. In a backwards way, people losing interest in Church is doing the Lord’s work. America may have become the rocky soil, but that does not mean the Word of God is false. It only means that sinful hearts have grown cold and stony, but the seed is the Word and when the Word takes root, it breaketh the rock.

Such is the constant change of heart for the Christian. Daily the Christian heart hardens against the Lord and against His Church and daily it is broken. Each time th Gospel is preached, sin and death are drowned once again and the new life of the fertile soil arises.

Herein lies the importance and centrality of the Gospel. It is not something you think about everyday so it must be brought to your attention. For it is not just words that bring life, but the Gospel which is the means of Salvation for you, but you must be reminded of it.

The Law surrounds you every day. Whether you see it in morality or mortality, this is what you grasp at. The Gospel is what is handed out in Church. That oft forgotten, oft mishandled free forgiveness of sins is what is needed and the only person handing that out is the Holy Spirit of Jesus in His Church.

The waterquakes [Epiphany 4; St. Matthew 8:23-27]

LISTEN TO AUDIO HERE.

From the Gospel heard today, Jesus speaks, saying:

“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.”

First of all, this was no ordinary storm at sea. The word translated as storm actually is used everywhere else in Scripture as “earthquake”. But, I’m sure the translators thought, you can’t have an earthquake on land. What would you call it, a waterquake?

However, this is important for two reasons: first, with an underwater earthquake or the water acting like an earthquake, the water is all roiled up like tsunamis. Second, the other places in Scripture that use this word are important to give us the broader picture of what Jesus is really doing here.

On the second day of Creation, God separates the waters from the waters, or the heavens from the earth. Thus, the earth at this point appears to be nothing but deep water. Even before the first day, however, the Spirit is said to be hovering over the face of the deep waters. Then, on the fifth day, God fills the deep with all the sea creatures, even the sea monsters (Gen. 1:21).

“Thou hast broken us in the place of sea dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.” (Ps.44:19) “You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters.” (Ps.74:13)

Finally from Isaiah we hear, “In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.” (27:1)

The point is that there is something in the depths of the sea and it is the dragon, the old evil foe. Down there, the eternal prison of hell awaits his final imprisonment. Down beneath the waves is death, so you can see why the disciples cry out in such drama. Even today, the deep places of the oceans lie beyond our reach and without special, rare equipment, death is still there; sometimes even with the equipment.

Thus, when the Son of God steps out onto the waters, the devil is roused. Like piranhas smelling the blood of their prey, the sea rears its ugly, rebellious head at the Lord and His followers, ready for the feast.

And God sleeps.

You don’t need to be on the seas though, for this same violence to be directed at the Church today. Oh no. You don’t even have to take this as a metaphor. Between natural disasters and personal disasters, life is as tumultuous as this great waterquake.

The great German theologian, Helmut Thielicke, described the Evangelical church of the 1950s as a ship on whose deck the Divine Service was being celebrated with the highest solemnity, while the clergy were blissfully oblivious that the ship had listed to the side and that the waves were already lapping at the deck.

Today, at both coasts of the USA, the Lutheran church dwindles to a very sparse minority and those that stay enact unionistic practices so that you can’t tell they’re Lutheran at all.

On the 200^th anniversary of the Reformation in 1817, there was a celebration in Prussia. All the princes had given up Lutheranism and were violently forcing the 7000 Lutheran congregations under Calvinism. The magnificent sermon was about the great honor due both Luther and Calvin while the Service denied the real presence of Jesus. So, they put up a statue of Luther to mark this point in history.

Especially in this year of significant celebration for us, it appears to be more a time of remorse and repentance, than victory and celebration.

And Jesus sleeps.

Repent. The Lord predicts many earthquakes and shaking of the seas in our future, but He also has St. Matthew record two great earthquakes for us (27:51 and 28:2) and they occur at two key moments. This first is after Jesus has died on the cross. The Temple veil was torn in two and the earth shook and the rocks split, even opening graves.

The second earthquake comes when an angel descends to roll away the stone revealing an empty tomb on Easter. The reason this is important, is because we are not just hearing about the storms and strife of our lives. We are seeing Christ in action, revealing His death and resurrection.

Jesus sets out on the boat intentionally, just as He offers Himself up for suffering and persecution. He willingly places Himself square within the old dragon’s sights. This of course is to take his eyes off you. He joyfully sleeps the sleep of death on your behalf, but He raises Himself and quiets death, the devil, and sin forever.

We take comfort in the fact that God never sleeps. That He is always watching and guarding and protecting. But, Jesus sleeps. He sleeps the sleep of death. He rests in the tomb from His greatest labor: your salvation. He does not stay asleep, though, and raises Himself to new life.

Yet, even though He sleeps, His heart is awake, King Solomon says (Song of Songs 5:2). It is in this place where Christ comes to calm the storms. Outside of here, the waves lap at the windows, the winds buffet the roof, and fiery darts ricochet off the walls.

But here, Christ says, “Peace”. He says Peace to our hearts where sinful thoughts are raging. He says Peace to this world, its endless wars engaging. And at the Word of the Creator; at the Word of Jesus, the storm stops here. At the declaration of forgiveness, at the imputation of grace, and at the installation of salvation, a lull in the storm manifests.

“Peace be with you” and the world is still. “Peace be with you” and the storm is calmed. “Peace be with you” and peace is made with God and man that you hold in your hand.

Jesus stays in the boat, His Church. You say that world is going to hell in a hand-basket, but that’s where the Church is. No matter who you meet, we are all in the same hand-basket in need of Christ’s boat.

We are the new Noah. But where Noah couldn’t save anyone except his family, we have flotation devices galore, even for when that one wave hits you. There is forgiveness with the Lord and He gives it out free today. Christ is in the boat, giving peace, giving life, and giving it all free to you. He comes into your presence and manifests the glory of His salvation in Word and Sacrament.