“The Resurrection of our Lord,” Acts 10:39b-40

^39b “They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day.” (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matter of factly – unashamedly – not at all hesitatingly – to the point – openly – clearly – Peter – to Cornelius and to his household – and to the Gentiles with whom he was speaking – spoke these words of Jesus’ death and resurrection. And the text follows with the account of what happened as a result of the Word of God being spoken – the truth being heard. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word” – And they were baptized (Acts 10:44, 47-48 NKJ).

The message of the early Christians centered on Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection. This they confessed – even unto death in martyrdom. They were unashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). They boldly preached and taught that the Jesus of suffering – cross – death – and resurrection – was He of Whom the Old Testament spoke – was He Who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah to come – was He – Himself – the Messiah – the Savior of the world – apart from Whom there is noother.. He – Jesus – Christ crucified – and resurrected – this Jesus is preached in faithful congregations universally. And there – there are God’s people – gathered around Word and Sacrament – being fed with the Word of life – believing the very Word and promises of the living God – having the comfort of sins forgiven – the surety of peace with God – the confidence of the resurrection unto life. They have these – we have these – not because of us and who we are – because of Who Jesus is – in Whom we believe – according to His Word.

Sadly, however, unlike those of Cornelius’ household and those who heard the unadulterated Word of God gladly – increasingly – itching ears and those seeking something other than the pure Gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection are on the rise. A growing number of they who call themselves Christian do not take the Bible seriously. They do not believe the Bible to be entirely true. They do not believe the Bible to be historically accurate. Some say that the words might be true – but not the accounts behind them. So also, concerning the resurrection of Christ. That Jesus rose – they will claim. That He rose bodily from the dead – this they will deny.

It cannot be both ways. If the words are true – so is the meaning true. If the words are not true – neither is the meaning true. The resurrection of our Lord is true – not because I – you – or anyone else believes it. The resurrection of our Lord is true because Jesus – literally – not figuratively; truly – not apparently; really – not supposedly – physically – bodily – rose from the dead.

Listen to what St. Paul says of the matter.

“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up– if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:13-21 NKJ).

The resurrection accounts as recorded in St. Matthew’s Gospel – and Mark, Luke, and John – all of them – each one – do not allow any room for any other explanation for the resurrection of Jesus except one – that Jesus physically was dead no more. The angel knew what he was talking about. Angels do not just appear to anyone at any time. The angel that appeared to Mary Magdalene and to the other Mary that Easter morn had a message – a message to the women – a message for the disciples. There was no trickery – no deception – no game. His words were true. Jesus was not in the tomb – not because his disciples had taken the body – not because Jesus had not died and somehow escaped the enclosed tomb – not because some one had died in Jesus’ place – and not because of any other fictitious theory seeking to discredit the events of that resurrection day.

Unbelievers will speak in such ways – not because the biblical text – or biblical texts themselves – anywhere suggest otherwise. Unbelievers will speak against the resurrection of Jesus – denying the truthfulness of the Bible’s Words – making excuses of how Jesus is not risen – that the things of Holy Scripture are not true – not because the Word says differently – but simply because they do not believe. All kinds of excuses and empty arguments they will make in rejection of the truth – because they do not accept it – and do not want to accept it.

The fight that the church is today facing is a spiritual one – as it always has been. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12 NKJ). All the craziness that is going on in the world – increasingly clearer – individually – societally – universally this is not just about personal tastes and wanting to do one’s own thing. All the craziness going on – and its exponential rise and acceptance – is the rejection of truth and all that is good and godly.

St. Paul says it this way. “In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1-4 NKJ).

In the same letter, Paul writes, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4 NKJ).

In still another place, the same apostle says, “In latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth” (1 Tim. 4:1-3 NKJ).

These words of our Lord through His appointed apostle reveal the origin of what we see today – what the church has contended against since her beginning – what God’s people – saints Old and New – have struggled with since the Fall – enmity with God (Genesis 3:15). Such enmity against God and His Word – against the truth and God’s people – will not be met by allowing everything and anything that people want in denial of reality – in rejection of God’s order of creation – in hatred for what is good – in silencing the truth – in seeking to destroy the church – Christ’s body. The false church will allow for this. It will compromise – as it is – the truth – for the sake of expediency and perceived acceptance by the world.

Yet – our Lord says: “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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life– is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn. 2:15-17 NKJ).

Jesus Himself says, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (Jn. 15:18-19 NKJ).

It is not over dramatic to say that today’s struggle of Christ’s church in the world – and therefore – also its members as they seek to live as God’s people – through faith in Christ – is the struggle of life and death. Many will mock these words. Others will minimize them. Still others will be and remain apathetic and unconcerned.

The Church – however – Christ’s people – have been called about of darkness into His marvelous light. “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim” Christ’s praises (1 Pet. 2:9 NKJ). In Christ’s resurrection is the sure and certain hope of our resurrection on the last day. Deniers and unbelievers cannot overturn the Words of our Lord, “That there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15 NKJ).

Nor can they undo the Word of Christ. “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (Jn. 3:17-18 NKJ).

The Word of Jesus stands – believed or not. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (Jn. 11:25-26 NKJ).

So also these. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ … Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’ … These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46 NKJ).

People will say and believe what they will. But the Christian cannot but say what Christ has said. The Christian cannot but confess the Lord – and His Word – and His Work – our Salvation – our redemption. The Christian is not given to compromise the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any other gospel is no gospel at all. There is only one. This one Gospel – revealed in the Person of Christ – is the only hope for our dying world – our only confidence as things get worse – our only consolation – as we grieve and sorrow the state of the world – and our own sin.

The resurrection of Christ from the dead is the Church’s proclamation – is the Christian’s confidence – is his certainty that Jesus’ death on the cross sufficiently fulfilled the Law’s demands – sufficiently paid sins debt – means our eternal inheritance. The church cannot – must not – preach any other message than what God has already made known in His Holy Word. She preaches another message to her peril and to the peril of all who hear such message. Doing this, she stops being Christ’s church – for the proclamation of Christ preaches sins forgiven in the Jesus crucified and resurrected – nowhere else – and salvation in nothing else.

The message of the faithful is that which is “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20 NKJ). Such message cannot be undone. Because it is God’s – go forth – continually – it will. The world will oppose it. Many will reject it. False Christians and churches will distort it. But Christians – God’s people – the Church – will continue to speak – confess – glory – and praise the Name of Christ – risen from the dead. He – and He alone – is life – their life – your life – now and into eternity. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

Collect of the Day

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“The Day of Pentecost,” Acts 2:1-21

¹When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹²And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

¹⁴But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. ¹⁶But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; ¹⁸even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

¹⁹And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;11 ²⁰the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. ²¹And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Acts 2:1-21 (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

On that blessed day of Pentecost, our Lord Christ brought about what He promised to do. The promise of the Holy Spirit upon His disciples Jesus fulfilled. As a a result, the disciples, now apostles, spoke and proclaimed the mighty works of God (ta. megalei/a tou/ qeou/). This they would not have done if it was not for the Spirit.

On the day that the Lord first appeared to the disciples after His glorious resurrection, the disciples were behind closed doors “For fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). The disciples were too afraid to talk to anyone after the Lord’s death about Jesus. And even after seeing the Lord, “Some doubted” (Matthew 28:17). Neither did they go and tell the good news of Jesus until after the Spirit came upon them – for Jesus had told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had “received power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

So, they waited. In their waiting, they were joyous. They worshiped the Lord. They blessed God. They praised Christ. The Lord’s promise of the Helper came to fruition. His sure Word alone which they had to go on came to pass. They had nothing else to go on. Jesus fulfilled His Word. Just as He said. He would send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit He sent. From that time on, from that Day of Pentecost, the apostles went out preaching the Gospel, the Good News of Salvation in Christ. From timid, fearful, and weak men, they became bold, fearless, and powerful preachers and servants of the Most High God.

This came about not by their own doing, but by means of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent, as St. Peter says, “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh’” (Acts 2:16-17). Even though the apostles, and later Paul, and now, still, faithful preachers today, might appear timid, fearful, and weak in appearance, in their preaching you will find a boldness, a fearlessness, and a power that is not of men, but of God. They preach not themselves, nor of men, but Christ, Christ who died and rose on the third day.

The world will hear this kind of preaching of Christ as weakness and nonsense. In truth, the preaching of Christ is salvation, salvation to those who hear and call on His Name, the Name of the Lord, in faith. “There is salvation in none other”; only in Christ (Acts 4:12). Him we preach. No other preaching leads to eternal life. He who preaches Christ, him you are to hear, not because of the him, but because of the Word he preaches. Where Christ is preached, there the Holy Spirit is doing His work, for the Holy Spirit points to Jesus.

The speaking in tongues on the Day of Pentecost was not for the purpose of drawing attention to the speaking in tongues. The speaking in tongues by the apostles by means of the Holy Spirit was not to draw attention to the Holy Spirit. The speaking in other languages, other languages that the hearers could understand, was for the purpose of declaring the wonderful works of God, that those who spoke other languages would hear and believe.

What was before unknown was now heard. It was heard because the Lord sent the Word to be heard. That is the Word of Christ, and salvation in His Name. The content of the apostles’ preaching on that Day of Pentecost was Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 1:23).

The Spirit being poured out on the disciples meant that the message of sins forgiven was then to go out into the world, beginning at Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and into all the world (Acts 1:8). This is what was done. This is what is being done. This is what will be done. The Holy Spirit continues to do His work of pointing to Christ, creating faith, and sustaining faith, through the Word of our Lord given to preach, proclaim, and make known.

We need not worry that the Lord will bring to Himself all who believe and call on His Name. Whether that be through us or through others, it is not we who save the world, but Christ, who already has accomplished and completed that we which we are not able.

Making unbelievers into believers is not your job. Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit, when and where He pleases. Our concern is to remain faithful to Christ and to His Word. They who love Christ will keep His Word. They who love Christ who will confess His Name and what He has done, and what He continues to do today.

Doing these things will keep us busy enough. These things will also bring trouble and challenge enough. Many do not want to hear the truth, the truth of God’s Word, the truth of how God works through what is so unspiritual and so ordinary, even God becoming flesh. Many scoff at Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as God’s means of grace. Many do not want to hear what is despised of man and foolishness to human wisdom. But here our Lord says through the Apostle Paul, “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:25).

You need not worry that the way God works and the means through which the Holy Spirit brings about faith and keeps in the faith be despised, rejected, and trampled down by others. Through those very things God will accomplish what He will.

God works by His Word and according to His Word, not according to our will or how we think things should be. His Word will not return void, but will accomplish the very thing that He gives it to do (Isaiah 55:11). God knows those who are His. He knows them by Name (Isaiah 45:3-4). He also knows who will be His through the Word preached and proclaimed. It is the preaching, the proclaiming, the confessing Christ’s Name that Christ’s Church is about doing. It is through these, His Word, that the Lord converts and brings about faith in Him. These are not our doing. These are the work of the Holy Spirit.

It is true, as we pray, “Thy kingdom come” – that the Lord’s kingdom does come. God’s kingdom comes “When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and there in eternity” (Small Catechism, 2^nd Petition).

Also does Luther write in his Large Catechism, concerning the Third article of the Apostles’ Creed, having to do with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit’s work in sanctifying, “The Son receives dominion, by which He wins us, through His birth, death, resurrection, and so on. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit causes our sanctification by the following: the communion of saints or the Christian Church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. That means He leads us first into His holy congregation and places us in the bosom of the Church. Through the Church He preaches to us and brings us to Christ.”

³⁸ Neither you nor I could ever know anything about Christ, or believe on Him, and have Him for our Lord, unless it were offered to us and granted to our hearts by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Gospel [1 Corinthians 12:3; Galatians 4:6]. The work of redemption is done and accomplished [John 19:30]. Christ has acquired and gained the treasure for us by His suffering, death, resurrection, and so on [Colossians 2:3]. But if the work remained concealed so that no one knew about it, then it would be useless and lost. So that this treasure might not stay buried, but be received and enjoyed, God has caused the Word to go forth and be proclaimed. In the Word He has the Holy Spirit bring this treasure home and make it our own. ³⁹ Therefore, sanctifying is just bringing us to Christ so we receive this good, which we could not get ourselves [1 Peter 3:18]” (Large Catechism, 3^rd Article, ¶37-39).

Luther also later writes, “⁵⁴ We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin, which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution [Matthew 26:28; Mark 1:4; John 20:23] and through all kinds of comforting promises from the entire Gospel. Therefore, whatever ought to be preached about the Sacraments belongs here. In short, the whole Gospel and all the offices of Christianity belong here, which also must be preached and taught without ceasing. God’s grace is secured through Christ [John 1:17], and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Spirit through God’s Word in the unity of the Christian Church. Yet because of our flesh, which we bear about with us, we are never without sin [Romans 7:23–24].

⁵⁵ Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is ordered toward this goal: we shall daily receive in the Church nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs, to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here. So even though we have sins, the ‹grace of the› Holy Spirit does not allow them to harm us. For we are in the Christian Church, where there is nothing but ‹continuous, uninterrupted› forgiveness of sin. This is because God forgives us and because we forgive, bear with, and help one another [Galatians 6:1–2].

⁵⁶ But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is not found, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness. Therefore, all who seek and wish to earn holiness not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their works, have expelled and severed themselves ‹from this Church› [Galatians 5:4]” (Large Catechism, 3^rd Article, ¶54-56).

Whether there be few or many who heed the call to repent of their sin and believe the Gospel, you are given to continually do so, to contend for the faith, to confess Christ, to endure, and to remain in the that which God gives, even in His Word and receiving the blessed body and blood of our Lord.

Through these, God strengthens and preserves you in the one true faith. God would have you trust Him and entrust yourself to Him who is the Church’s Head. God knows how to take care of His own body. God knows how to bring others into His fold. The Lord gives boldness and direction in the way you should go. God does not give the Spirit of timidity and fear. God gives the spirit of power, and love, and of sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Sending His Spirit on that Day of Pentecost, the apostles, receiving power from on High, preached boldly the Name of Christ. They did not flinch at what might have been. They did not heed the warnings of the naysayers and those who doubted the Lord’s Word. They pressed on. During hardship, they continued, God giving the strength for them to do so. Of threats to keep silent, they spoke more clearly – and courageously. “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

The strength to press on, to proclaim God’s only Son as only Savior, to stand firm amid opposition, the strength was not their own. These things they did because the strength was given them by Another. The words that they spoke, the things they declared, these were not of men. They were of God. God was their confidence; His Word—their sure hope.

That same Word of the same God is also your own. The Psalmist writes, that “The help of man is useless” (Psalm 60:11; 128:12). He also says, “It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8). Man will fail you. God will not. Your confidence is the Lord. Your confidence is His Word and His promise. Do not fret and worry, nor be anxious. Trust in Christ Jesus, your help and your salvation (Psalm 79:9).

In him you have your Savior, in Him, and not in you or anyone else. This was the message of the apostles on that Day of Pentecost, that Day where the Lord gave utterance through the mouths of the apostles.

It is still that message proclaimed by God’s faithful today: salvation from sin and death, in Christ alone.

The Lord grant the power of the Spirit to ever have Christ’s Name boldly proclaimed, and to give us not only to continue in the faith of our Lord, but to sing His praises always.

“Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord,

with all Your graces now outpoured

On each believer’s mind and heart;

Your fervent love to them impart.

Lord, by the brightness of Your light

in Holy faith Your Church unite;

From ev’ry land and ev’ry tongue

This to Your praise, O Lord our God be sung.

Alleluia, alleluia.” (LSB 497 “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” st. 1)

Amen.

Collect of the Day

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Believing…Confessing,” John 20:19-31

¹⁹On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²²And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”

²⁴Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

²⁶Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

³⁰Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹but 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. (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

“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” (John 20:31).

These words recorded by St. John the Evangelist apply generally to all of his written Gospel. They also apply specifically to the text before us – that of Jesus’ appearance to His disciples that first day of the week – and of Jesus’ appearance to them again later – and to Thomas – who of Jesus – later confessed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Such a belief in the risen Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, cannot remain silent. It speaks – sings – confesses – what God has made known. Such a faith expresses itself in Word and deed – in song and praise – in life and way. It rejoices in the Word of God – in the work of God. Faith and confession go together. They continue. The Word of the living God – the revelation of His Son – does this.

“We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20 NKJ). And as St. John writes in his first epistle, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life– the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us– that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 Jn. 1:1-4 NKJ).

Silence might be golden in the movie theater – but not in the church – nor in the life. In the church – God speaks. We listen – and respond – saying back to God what He has spoken to us. In the life – this is also where we confess – by what we say. This is where we love – by what we say and do. The two go hand in hand: believing and confessing. God has given ears to hear. He has given mouths to speak. So, Christians do – both.

On that first day of the week – Jesus – to His disciples – speaks peace. This is the first word they hear. With that Word – Jesus gave peace in the speaking of it. Peace is what the disciples had. For fear of the Jews – the doors had been locked. But behind those locked doors – Jesus stood. Jesus spoke. The disciples saw the Lord – the Lord risen from the dead. Showing them His hands and His side, the disciples saw that it was Jesus – alive – dead no more. That Word of peace from Jesus’ lips they had heard before. They believed it. Standing in their midst, the disciples could not deny their Lord and their God.

In the midst of this appearance of Jesus to His disciples – Jesus speaks of sending – and of forgiveness – and of withholding – of sins. After Jesus ascension – the disciples would apply and use what is called “the Office of the Keys,” “That special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent” (Luther’s Small Catechism). This authority – given by the Lord – the disciples used – the church continues to apply – for the salvation of souls – for the condemnation of the wicked – that sinners repent of their sins – that hearers believe the Gospel of sins forgiven in Christ.

It is no coincidence that these words of forgiveness and withholding of sins are here in the account of Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to His disciples. Jesus does not just appear to show Himself alive and that’s it. He here breathes on them and gives the Holy Spirit – to carry out the work of forgiving the penitent and withholding forgiveness from the impenitent. This is the work of the church. This is what the church is about doing. In the preaching and in the teaching – in the Baptizing and in the administration of the Sacrament of the Altar – the Lord’s Supper – in the absolving – in the warning and the admonishing. The Church – centered on Christ – is about doing the things Jesus has given her to do – not that she find a place in the world or be accepted – but that she be faithful to the Lord and to His Word. The Church is His body – not her own. She is in the world. She is not of the world. The way of the world is something different – far different from the way of Christ.

The way of the world is seeing – like Thomas – who did not believe the testimony of his brethren. It was he who said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe” (John 20:25 ESV). Demonstrated by Thomas here is not mere doubt or uncertainty – but unbelief – plain and simple. Unbelief needs to see. Belief – on the other hand – takes the Word spoken – as it is – not just any Word and testimony – the Word and testimony of the Lord – and those sent in the Lord’s Name.

Christians do not just believe anything or everything said to them. We discern. We distinguish. We make distinction. When it comes to God’s Word – we take it as it is. Though we might question – wonder – debate – according to what is natural to us and apart from God’s revelation – God’s Word – that stands – that Word of peace – sin forgiven in Christ. Though we might not feel peace or see it – or feel that we are forgiven – what makes these things so is not the feeling or the sense – or the seeing or the sight. What makes for peace with God and forgiveness of sins so is the Word itself – the Word incarnate – Jesus – He Who conquered sin and death – by His own death – He Who on the third day rose from the dead – He Who speaks to the disciples – He Who spoke to unbelieving Thomas saying, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:27).

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Thomas did not just believe because he saw the risen Lord. Thomas believed – not just because Jesus was standing before Him. Thomas believed because of the Word of the Lord spoken – said – worded – to him. “Peace be with you…Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:26, 27). These words were those of the risen Lord. Thomas could not deny them. Many do today. But when the Lord returns in glory – His Word – His appearing – all will acknowledge. Until that day, the Lord gives us His Word – His Word of peace – His Word of forgiveness – His Word of Law and Gospel – His Word of repentance – His Word of mercy and grace.

Seeing is not believing. Believing is seeing. “Hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Rom. 8:24-25 NKJ). “We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18 NKJ).

Note what Jesus says in verse 29 of John 20. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Jesus is also talking about us. We have not “seen” Him – but we know Him – as He has made Himself known – as He makes Himself known – in Holy Scripture – in the preaching – in the absolving – in the baptizing – in the Lord’s Supper. We are blessed – you are blessed – of God – believing His promises. These are yes to you in Christ. God is faithful (2 Corinthians 1:18-20). God is not to be doubted. His Word is not uncertain. It is sure – without a doubt – certain – true.

As God’s mercy and kindness extended to Thomas – who professed unbelief until given eyes to see – so also does God’s mercy and kindness extend to you – that you, too – believe – and continue believing in the Christ – God’s Son – your Savior. Such is the abundance of God’s love for you in Christ – Whose love He demonstrated by His own death – on the cross – Whose love He continues to reveal to you in His Holy Word – that you believe that love in Christ to be for you – that you believe – and continue believing – “that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (Romans 5:8; John 20:31). Such faith – such believing – is not self-derived – originating from within. Such faith – such believing – comes from God – Who reveals to you your salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord – by His Word. This you could not see or come to on your own. But God opens the eyes and blesses – that you see Jesus for Who He is. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“The Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19

¹⁶Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ 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, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

In the Name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. These words were spoken at your baptism. Into this Name were you baptized. These words are spoken at the beginning of the Divine Service. The true God is One in Three Persons and Three Persons in One God. Though the word Trinity or Triune are not found anywhere in Holy Scripture, its teaching is. The Father is God. The Son is God. The Spirit is God. But there are not three Gods. There is one God. God has revealed Himself this way, Three Persons, yet One God. What God has made known about Himself through the Bible, this we confess, ‘I believe in God the Father Almighty…And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord… I believe in the Holy Spirit…’

We confess what is common to all Christians, not only on this day called Trinity Sunday, but every Sunday. It is common to all because all Christians believe that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.

Believing in Jesus is what saves, this is true, but believing in the Jesus of the Bible means also believing His Word, even where He says, “I and My Father are One” (John 10:30) and “Whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me” (Mark 9:37). The Christ of Scripture cannot be divorced from His Father, by whom He was begotten.

Whoever receives Jesus receives also His Father. Whoever does not believe in Jesus does not believe in the Father. This was and is the problem of all who speak of a ‘belief in God’, but who do not acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son. You cannot have the One apart from the other.

Many claim to have the true God – but these same many do not believe in Jesus. They do not give Him His due honor as God – nor do they recognize Him as Savior and one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They therefore do not have the true God. They deny the divinity – the Godhead – of the Son – and thus have a false God – not the true God. Jesus says, “You believe in God; believe also in Me” (John 14:1). To not believe in Jesus is to believe in something other than God – another that is not God – no matter how many adjectives or assertions given to the contrary.

Such words contrast with our world and many in Christendom today who do not know or do not really care about the truth because they rather live in their own self-made reality – where they can personally believe what they want – regardless of what the Bible says – even concerning the Triune God. The Holy Trinity is not an insignificant teaching. Nor can it be dismissed if one wants to remain Christian.

This is the spirit of our times, as it has always been: to dismiss God’s Word and to follow one’s own ways – to minimize the Godhead according personal opinion – to sift through the teachings of the Bible – to accept only those things that are liked – to pick and choose what is agreeable, a “buffet style Christianity,” as some would call it. The temptation is to do this with God, too.

But God speaks differently. God speaks the truth of our waywardness and our corrupt hearts and the truth of our salvation in Christ. He Himself reveals what you are to believe and how you are to live, by faith and not by sight.

In the preaching and in the teaching according to God’s inspired writings, you hear God’s Word to sinners, bringing down because of sin, but lifting up in the light of God’s forgiveness.

The Law of God shows you your sin and how you stand condemned before God because of it.

The Gospel of God shows you your Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, the very same Who we confess as the Son of the Father, who now sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty since His ascension into heaven.

On account of Christ, you are no longer under God’s wrath and condemnation. Christ became the sinner for you, “that” you “might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

You do not believe whatever you want to believe or follow whomever you want to follow – because you are Christian. You follow Christ. As His sheep, you listen to His voice (John 10:3, 16, 27). You go where He leads. The inclination to go one’s own way is not of God. This is one of the crosses we continue to bear as God’s people, even our own sinfulness, which would lead us away from God’s goodness and grace. But denying ourselves, we follow Jesus.

God speaks and teaches only the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This might not always be what we want to hear – but God says what we need to hear – that we might repent and be saved. God says what He says in order that you hear Him – listen to Him – be humbled – and that He lift you up.

The way that God leads – the doctrine that He gives – the Word that He speaks – the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – these are for nothing less than your salvation.

He gives you all these that you believe Christ to be your Savior from sin and death and that you continue in this faith – the Christian faith – faith in the Triune God.

Jesus Christ is both God and man – for you – dying your death – crucifying sin – and giving Life – even His own life – that you live in Him and He in you – now and forevermore.

For this reason – for your salvation – Jesus sent His Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

Jesus preaches His Word, that you be in the faith of our Lord Jesus and remain in Him to the end. For your salvation did Christ die and live again. This is why God the Father sent Him into the world in the first place, that you not perish, but have everlasting life.

God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). This is the truth that the world does not see: first, that it needs salvation, second, that God desires this, and third, that God brings about that salvation – not through man’s work – but through His – through Jesus Christ Whom He sent.

The world does not acknowledge that it needs salvation. It is not willing to admit how bad things really are. We are at a crossroads, with only One to help. This One is revealed only in the Gospel of Christ. God reveals this Gospel in His book.

Through Christ, your sins are forgiven and you have peace with God. This is the ‘how’ of God bringing salvation – through Christ: on the tree – in the tomb – rising from the dead – ascending into heaven – sending His Spirit – preaching His Word – baptizing with water in the Name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – giving His body and His blood in bread and wine.

Through God’s Christ and by His means, God gives life and salvation. And this life and salvation is God’s desire for all people. This life and salvation is the desire of God’s people.

All that we know of God’s salvation in Christ God reveals in His Holy Word. This is called the revealed knowledge of God – distinct from what we can generally know of God from observation – called the natural knowledge of God. But the natural knowledge of God does not save. Only the revealed knowledge of God does. For this purpose was the Bible given, so writes St. John, “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31).

There – in the Holy Scriptures – we see Jesus – living under the Law – fulfilling the Law for us. There – we see Christ – paying the price for our sin with His own death – though He was sinless.

There – we see Christ – giving His promise through means of Word and sacrament – giving life where there was only death – giving health where there was only sickness – giving knowledge where there was only ignorance – giving wisdom where there was only foolishness. There – in the Bible – Jesus reveals Himself to be God’s Son – One with the Father – and One with the Spirit – the Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

Today’s Gospel text from St. Matthew’s points to the Lord’s desire for your salvation, for Jesus Himself says to His disciples before leaving them, “Going, 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” (Matthew 28:19-20). The church is in existence even now to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s authority is now given to the church, the authority of God to proclaim the truth of sin and forgiveness, to make disciples, to baptize, and to teach. This is the work of God, the very work that God works through His church, ushering in new life through His Word, and keeping and sustaining that new life through that same Word.

Where that Word of God is preached – there God’s Spirit will be – calling by the Gospel – enlightening with His gifts – and sanctifying and keeping in the true faith. There also is the Triune God. Where the Spirit is – there will also be Christ. Where Christ is – there will also be the Father.

There is no God without the Son. There is no Spirit apart from the Son. There is no faith apart from the Spirit. And there is no salvation without faith in the Son.

Where Father, Son, and Spirit are – God undivided – One God – yet Three Persons – there is salvation – for God the Father Sent His Son to save you from your sins – and the Spirit of truth testifies of the Son (John 15:26). Amen.

Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“Their eyes were opened,” Luke 24:13-35

¹³That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ¹⁴and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ¹⁵While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. ¹⁸Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. ²²Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, ²³and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

²⁵And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. ³²They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” ³³And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Though the disciples of our Lord had had the Lord’s Word spoken in their ears, even that very Word by which He revealed to them what was to come, that Word of His death, and that Word of His glorious resurrection, the disciples had not first believed.

Time after time Jesus told them of what was to come, but they did not understand, they hadn’t believed, what He said.

After the third day, the words of the women declaring to the 11 that Jesus was alive seemed like an idle tale (Luke 24:11).

When the Lord first appeared to the 10 behind closed doors that Easter Sunday night, Thomas was not there.

When the disciples had told Thomas that they had seen Jesus, Thomas declared, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger, into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

It was not until Jesus Himself appeared to Thomas, spoke to Him, and showed Him His hands and His side, that Thomas then believed, confessing, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28).

Like Thomas before he saw Jesus and believed, the two men on the road to Emmaus in the today’s Gospel reading also did not believe.

They had heard the reports of others, but they did not make the connection between what Jesus had said before and then believe that it would be just as Jesus had said.

They had not put two and two together, Who Jesus truly was, that the words of Jesus spoken were as good as done.

Though Jesus truly did die, as He had said before that He would, so would He truly rise from the dead on the third day, also just as He had said.

If it was, and is, any other way, then Jesus is not God and you are still in your sins.

But Jesus is God. He is risen!

His resurrection shows that all that Jesus did and said was true, that you are not your own Savior—Jesus is.

Death is undone.

In Christ, life reigns.

In the post-resurrection accounts, we have examples of those, like Thomas and the two traveling to Emmaus, who did not believe the testimony of others.

Yet, Jesus revealed Himself to them that they not be uncertain, but certain of His resurrection – certain of His triumph over death and the grave – certain of His victory over sin.

The post-resurrection account drawing our attention today offers another example of some whose eyes remained closed to the glorious resurrection until the Lord made Himself known by Word and Sign.

Though Jesus was right before the two, and talking with them, the text says that their eyes were restrained from recognizing who Jesus was, that is, until their eyes were opened when Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them” (Luke 24:30).

Then they recognized the man before them for Who He was.

We might be able to understand why those disciples were down and out concerning the events of the Lord’s suffering and death.

They had hoped that Jesus of Nazareth would be the ONE to redeem Israel. Their expectations went unmet. Sorrow and grief filled the day. Bewilderment and confusion took root.

Reason tells us that the dead remain dead, that the dead do not rise, that death is final.

Reason also tells us that miracles do not happen – that what we see is what is true – that we must be able to understand for something to be true.

God says differently.

God reveals that we are created beings (Genesis 1), created by the Creator who is above us – by God who transcends our thoughts and our ways (Isaiah 55:9) – yet God who also becomes flesh – taking the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of men – humbling Himself – obedient to the point of death – even the death of the cross – not to be served – but to serve – and to give His life as a ransom for many (John 1:14; Philippians 2:7; Matthew 20:28).

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus had heard the news of the women who were at the tomb and came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive.

But they did not believe it.

Even with Jesus before them, they did not recognize the risen Lord.

As we go by only what we see or only by what reason tells us, and not by the Word of the Lord, Jesus remains obscured, and His promises remain hidden.

Like Peter who began to sink when He took His eyes off Jesus as he walked on water, so also our attention to Christ is off where we give attention to that which is not according to the Lord’s Word. Such is the temptation when experiencing trouble, trial, and tribulation. Though God’s Word be right in front of us as it is today – at those times – God’s promises might distant and far off from comforting. This is not because what God says is ineffective. This is the struggle to believe what God says – especially when everything else suggests otherwise.

Everything that those two disciples in the Gospel knew to be true to their experience testified against the Lord’s resurrection, everything except the Lord’s Word and work.

Though the two did not recognize their risen Lord, Jesus did not turn from them in anger or bitterness.

Instead, He walked with them, even asking the reason for their sorrow.

Even though He already knew, He asks for their sake, that He point them to Himself.

“We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 14:16).

The Lord made known to them that Christ’s suffering and death was foretold in the Old Testament and that Christ was indeed the Messiah, the ONE who would redeem Israel.

Indeed, Jesus is the redeemer.

He redeemed us “not with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with” His “precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

All that the Old Testament had prophesied of Jesus was fulfilled in Him – Even His death and resurrection, all according to Scripture.

What the two had not yet understood was that it was through Jesus’ own death that He Himself would put sin to death and usher in new life by means of His resurrection.

Where sin has ceased, so has death.

There, the hope of life remains.

As Jesus spoke concerning Himself, beginning with Moses and the prophets, the hearts of those two burned within them.

Here, Jesus points the way to interpret the Old Testament and all of Scripture, through Himself.

Earlier, Jesus had declared to the Jews, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).

Here, Jesus is talking about the Old Testament Scriptures.

In another place, concerning “the Holy Scriptures,” it is written that they “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

The reason this is so is because the Old Testament is about Christ, as is the New Testament.

Jesus is the center.

He gives you His Word, that you believe against what you only see, contrary to what your eyes alone tell you, that you take Him at His Word, before and in the present, and into the future.

It is significant that on the road and talking with Jesus, the two disciples had not recognized the risen Lord.

Only as Jesus took bread and blessed it and broke and gave it to them, then their eyes were opened.

We have seen similar words spoken before, as had the disciples.

In the upper room with the Lord’s disciples, on the night when He was betrayed, “Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it”(Matthew 26:26).

In the feeding of the 5000 (Luke 9:16), then in the feeding of the 4000 (Matthew 15:36), Jesus did the same thing. He took bread, blessed it, and broke it.

When Jesus did these things before the two, they recognized Jesus for who He was.

It was Jesus, alive from the dead, just as the others had said.

In the breaking of the bread, their eyes were opened.

With them all along was the risen Lord, preaching His Word, giving comfort, testifying to the truth of His salvation. Then He vanished from their sight.

Right then and there, Jesus left them, not in doubt, but believing.

His Word and the blessed bread were sufficient to bring about the recognition of Christ the Lord, to quicken faith, and to cast away any doubt.

The Lord continues to give you His Word and to bestow upon you His grace, that you believe and remain believing in Him who died and rose again, and that you, with the two on the road to Emmaus, recognize Christ for who He is, your Savior from death and the giver of eternal life, indeed, the Messiah. 

By means of His Word, and in the sacred meal, the Lord Jesus strengthens the weak and gladdens the heart.

The Lord continues to make Himself known that you hold fast to him, in life and in death.

In the Lord’s Supper, Christ gives His own body and blood for you to eat and to drink, and there, makes Himself known to you as your Savior and strengthens your faith.

Do not ignore the Lord’s Word or His promises, nor stay away from them, as growing numbers continue to do.

God calls you not to despair of Him, but to place your confidence in Christ alone.

Cast all your burdens upon Him, for He cares for you (Psalm 55:22).

Wait on Him and believe His Word. It is as He says. It will be as He promises. Amen.

“That they may have life ” John 10:1-10

¹[Jesus said:] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. ²But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. ⁷So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

The last few words of today’s gospel reading from John 10 are these, where Jesus says, ^“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:9-10).

Entering by Jesus – through Jesus – is life – eternal life. For this reason did Jesus come – that those who enter by Him – through Him – have life and have life abundantly. Such words sound too good to be true – abundant life – in Jesus. Some immediately take these words – abundant life – to mean to have material possessions, worldly success, earthly riches beyond compare, more than we have now. Undoubtedly, many a false preacher and teacher references these words of our Lord in support of what is called the prosperity gospel – the false teaching that God will materially bless you all the more – that God will give you earthly riches and wealth – if you just – do for Him – give more to Him – sacrifice your all – in order to get. The prosperity gospel – so called – is not Gospel at all. It teaches giving to get – sacrificing to earn – doing for blessing in return – Quid pro quo – give to get.

The Gospel – in stark contrast – does not teach you doing anything. The Gospel teaches you doing nothing to merit – earn – or work – for anything – but God doing the giving – freely – not because of you – but because of Him and Who He is – the gracious – giving God – Who forgives the sinner and gives mercy to the underserving. Those who believe themselves worthy in God’s eyes are not. Those who know themselves to be unworthy – and seek God’s mercy in Christ – these have God’s favor and good will toward them.

The prosperity gospel teaches abundance of things – materially speaking – but these things are gotten conditionally – dependent on you. Others, too, use the word “abundance” as the world defines it. But abundance of earthly things and wealth and success and power are not the kind of things in abundance Jesus is speaking about and referencing in today’s text.

As is the case with what is heavenly and godly, Jesus’ meaning is not according to what the sinful nature teaches – nor what the world says. Recall that in about the middle of today’s reading from John, John records the words, “They did not understand what He (Jesus) was saying to them” (John 10:6). So, it goes with all Who look to grasp the Lord’s Words apart from context and without using God’s Word to understand God’s Word – using Scripture to interpret Scripture.

Jesus is talking about life – and having it abundantly. Such life does not come by way of earning or doing. It is life given – life given by the Giver of life – by Him Who is Himself Life – and the Way – the and the Truth (John 14:6). Such life is not merely temporary. It is eternal. It is also, therefore – abundant – forever – without end – continuing – everlasting. This kind of life comes from the Father through the Son. No other way – through Jesus – Who alone saves from sin and death by His death. No other way – Who alone by His resurrection makes known His victory over death and the grave – His victory over sin and its consequences – His victory over weighted consciences and troubled hearts.

The abundant life of which Jesus speaks is not “having more” in the sense of worldly things. But it is having what God gives – in His son – now – and into eternity: Peace with God – salvation – a clear conscience, free from anxiety – confidence before God – new life – out from the burden of the Law – thankfulness for all God does and gives – the recognition that all which God does is for our good – that we stay in the faith – repent – continually – of our sins – and trust in Him alone for our everything.

God gives you life – eternal life – now – in the present – through His Son – the Door – by Whom – through Whom – you go to the Father. We have no merit of our own to claim before the Father’s throne – but to the throne – in Jesus’ Name – we boldly place all our trust and confidence – in Jesus and in His Name – and approach God’s throne of grace, “That we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16 NKJ). In Jesus – we are sure of these – not because of our asking – but because of His promising.

The surety of God’s favor and of His mercy – you have – because of Jesus. His shed blood is your confidence before God. In Jesus – in Jesus alone – you have life. As His sheep – you hear His voice. That voice – His Word – you know and follow. The voice – the word – the preaching of another – you do not know – nor do you follow – because it is not Jesus’ Word – Whose Word alone is that by which you know your sins are forgiven you – by which you know God is not angry with you – by which you know that you have od’s good favor toward you.

The words of a stranger you do not know – as you are the Lord’s. False teaching and false preaching you avoid and stay away from – for these are not according to the truth. That which is according to the truth make Christ and His Gospel known. It is He – Jesus – Who gives life. Those who say differently – who lay the burden on you to get God’s favor and blessing – these are strangers and thieves and robbers. God’s favor and blessing – His love and forgiveness and mercy – these are yours in Christ. Only in Him – by Him – through Him. Such is your confidence. In Him – In Jesus – you have certainty and no doubt that you are His. Baptized into His Name – and the Father and the Spirit – your identity is in Him. His Word endures forever – stands the test of time – is for always – and always is for you.

Thieves, robbers, strangers – want something different for you than God does. Those who preach a different gospel want something from you. Jesus, on the other hand – gives. Jesus gives you what you do not have and can never have of yourself. You cannot earn forgiveness for your sins. But Jesus has won for you complete forgiveness for your sins by His death on the cross. You deserve death and eternal judgment – but for you – Jesus suffered these – that you live – that you have eternal life. Jesus’ Word gives life – is life – that you be His sheep and follow Him. So, you are. Jesus leads you to the heavenly pasture. Him you follow. Jesus calls you by name. Him alone you hear. You rejoice in His teaching – in His leading – in His Word – in the life that He gives you – now – and forevermore. Amen.

“The Ascension of our Lord,” Ephesians 1:15-23

¹⁵For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²²And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s sermon text comes from the epistle reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he, in part, writes, “²¹ What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. ²²And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:19-23, ESV).

This evening, we rejoice in Christ’s Ascension. Indeed, as hymn 492 states, and as we sing,

On Christ’s ascension I now build                                                                          
The hope of my ascension;
This hope alone has always stilled

All doubt and apprehension;
For where the Head is, there as well
I know His members are to dwell
When Christ will come and call them.

(492 “On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build”, v1)

                            Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110004001

This is just the first verse. There are two more – pregnant with meaning. Gifts Jesus has obtained for us. Rest in Him alone. Thanks for our redemption. These things – and more – spring from Christ’s ascension. Rightly so do we emphasis Christ’s death and resurrection – the crucifixion and Jesus’ rising from the dead. Also do we acknowledge all of Christ’s work as gift – reason for our hope – certainty of rest – now and into eternity. Jesus’ death and resurrection reveal the certainty of our salvation. Christ’s ascension means, as St. Paul makes known – that He is seated at God the Father’s right hand. This is not a seating of physicality. It is a position of authority. Jesus – at God’s “right-hand” is “Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21, ESV). “All things” are “under his feet” (Ephesians 1:22, ESV). Jesus is “Head over all things.” And “to the church, which is His body,” Christ is given as Head.

Listen to how Luther – in his Large Catechism – expresses the Lord’s ascension in the 2^nd Article of the Apostles’ Creed – in relation to Jesus’ title of “Lord.”

³¹ Let this, then, be the sum of this article: the little word Lord means simply the same as redeemer. It means the One who has brought us from Satan to God, from death to life, from sin to righteousness, and who preserves us in the same. But all the points that follow in this article serve no other purpose than to explain and express this redemption. They explain how and by whom it was accomplished. They explain how much it cost Him and what He spent and risked so that He might win us and bring us under His dominion. It explains that He became man [John 1:14], was conceived and born without sin [Hebrews 4:15], from the Holy Spirit and from the virgin Mary [Luke 1:35], so that He might overcome sin. Further, it explains that He suffered, died, and was buried so that He might make satisfaction for me and pay what I owe [1 Corinthians 15:3–4], not with silver or gold, but with His own precious blood [1 Peter 1:18–19]. And He did all this in order to become my Lord. He did none of these things for Himself, nor did He have any need for redemption. After that He rose again from the dead, swallowed up and devoured death [1 Corinthians 15:54], and finally ascended into heaven and assumed the government at the Father’s right hand [1 Peter 3:22]. He did these things so that the devil and all powers must be subject to Him and lie at His feet [Hebrews 10:12–13] until finally, at the Last Day, He will completely divide and separate us from the wicked world, the devil, death, sin, and such [Matthew 25:31–46; 13:24–30, 47–50]. (LC, 2^nd Article of Creed, ¶31, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (CPH, 2005), 402)

Luther notes – correctly – that Jesus – in His ascension – “assumed the government at the Father’s right hand.” Another translation – instead of the word government – has the word “dominion” (Tapper). Luther also notes that the devil and all powers must be subject to Him and lie at His feet until finally, at the Last Day, He will completely divide and separate us from the wicked world, the devil, death, and sin.

These things are true. Concerning Jesus, the apostle Paul writes to the Christians in Philippi, “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11 NKJ). 

To the Colossians, Paul writes that God “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:13-20 NKJ).

And in the book of Hebrews, God says that “He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:5-9 NKJ).

This Jesus – He suffered – died- rose – and ascended. He continues to rule in all His glory. That this does not appear to be so is contrary to the truth. We still live in the world. We struggle with sin – our own sin and the sin of others. This side of heaven – we are beset by woes – within and without. We see things as they are since the Fall. We ask – as saints before us, “How long, O Lord?” “Why, O Lord?”

Yet, the Lord does not answer the way that we want Him to answer. We want explanation. We want reasoning. We want to understand. We want insight. We want to know. But instead of answering us according to our questions and inquiries – God reveals – not an answer according to what we want. God reveals His Son – His Son Jesus –– crucified for our trespasses and sins – now risen from the dead – ascended on high. One day – Jesus will return for all to see. All will see Him in all of His glory. But that time is not yet. That day is not now. Now – we see and know Jesus only according to His Word – His Word that does not fail – His Word that does not lie – His Word – revealing Jesus alone to be Lord over sin and death – for you.

That Word is what God gives to go on as we journey on this pilgrimage toward our heavenly home. He baptized you to be His. He forgives you your sin. He strengthens you with the bread and the wine – Christ’s body and blood – as you await His return – as you await your redemption – as you await His taking you from this veil of tears into His everlasting kingdom. But even now, of that kingdom you are heirs. Now – through faith in the risen and ascended Lord – God’s promises are “yes” to you; “Yes” and not no – today.

In Him – you really have nothing to fear. Since all things have been put “under His feet” – the question is not if His promises will come to pass – but when and where they find fulfillment. Such words call for trust and confidence – not according to what we see, feel, or experience – not according to what the government tells us or in what people promise – but according to what God says – according to our Lord’s Word and work – which is Christ’s – and His – God’s.  That same “immeasurable greatness of God’s power” spoken of in tonight’s text is also that which worked in Christ when God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:20, ESV).

Included in that petition prayed by Paul – that the Christians in Ephesus know that “immeasurable greatness of” God’s power toward them that believe – Paul also prayed – going in reverse – that they know the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints – the hope to which He had called them – and that they be given a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

Such was Paul’s concern for those saints in Ephesus. He had heard of their “faith in the Lord Jesus and their “love” (Ephesians 1:15). He gave thanks for them, remembering them in his prayers. In remembering them, he petitioned the Father that He give wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him – that they know the hope into which God had called them – the riches of His inheritance – and the “immeasurable greatness of God’s” power toward those “who believe, according to the working of His great might.

Note that these are not earthly things for which Paul prayed. What Paul prayed for concerning the saints are not those things found in the world. These are gifts of God – gifts from God. Thus, are they certain – not at all doubtful. According to His Word – through His Son – God keeps you – sustains you – upholds you. According to God’s Word – you know His provision – His mercy – the riches of His glorious inheritance. Having been adopted into God’s family through the waters of holy baptism – your identity is in Him. You are Christ’s – and He is yours.

The world and its ways – sin and its ways – these do not define you. God does. And that “great might of God which worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one come” – that same great might of God is that which worked in the saints of Ephesus – that same great might of God is that which worked in all the saints before and will work in those after us. That same great might of God works also in you.

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.” (Small Catechism, Explanation of 3^rd Article)

“The Word of God is living and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12) – changing the mind – converting the soul – making the timid courageous – making the bold weak – exalting the humbled – humbling the exalted – calling sinners to repentance – condemning the self-righteous. The Word raises the dead – gives life – forgives sins – gives peace – produces hope – a hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). The Word of God works confidence in God’s promises – through Christ. That He will never leave us or forsake us is sure (Hebrews 13:5) – just as Jesus is God and man – still – revealing Himself in Word and Sacrament – that you take Him at His Word – that you look to Him – the author and perfecter of your faith – continuously – and readily – not to the shifting sands of our day or to the changing tides of emotion or the roller coaster ride of life in this world. No – that which is of the world is passing away. That which endures forever – that is your confidence. Jesus Christ is your hope. And that power of God which worked in Christ, raising Him from the dead and seating Him at the Father’s right hand – this great power also works in you – keeps you in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ – sustains you in the faith – and gives certainty of your hope – now – as heirs of His kingdom – and of that which is to come – that which is yours – now. Amen.

“That They May Be One,” John 17:11

¹When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, ²since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. ³And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.⁴I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. ⁵And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. ⁶“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. ⁷Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. ⁸For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. ⁹I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. ¹¹And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

“Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:11 ESV).

This prayer of our Lord Jesus reveals Jesus’ care, concern, and compassion for His disciples. He was nearing His departure from them by crucifixion – resurrection – and ascension – and – for His beloved – Jesus prayed. Just before, Jesus had said, “I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours” (John 17:9 ESV). Jesus loves His own. Jesus loves all sinners. This is true. Yet here – Jesus does not petition God the Father concerning all people. Jesus petitions the Father about those given to Him by the Father – those who belong to the Father – those who belong to Him.

Note the significance of these “give” and “given” words in today’s Gospel. In verse 11, Jesus prays, “Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, which You have given to Me” (John 17:11 ESV). In the beginning of today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him” (John 17:1, 2 ESV). Likewise – in verse 6, Jesus says, “I have manifested Your name to the people whom You gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to me” (John 17:6 ESV). And again, in verse 9, Jesus says, “I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours” (John 17:9 ESV).

The Father is the One giving. Those of whom Jesus speaks – those given to Him of the Father – these are they who had not come of themselves. These are they whom the Father has given to the Son. It is not the 12 disciples who chose Jesus. It is Jesus Who chose them – whom the Father gave. The disciples did not come of their own will by their own choice – by their own doing – by their own decision. Earlier – Jesus had even told them this, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (Jn. 15:16 NKJ). Jesus also had said, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me” (Jn. 15:19-21 NKJ).

Holy Scripture abounds with passages about these things. And we are not able to readily dismiss them or pass them over as insignificant matters. Just a few references will have to suffice for now.

Earlier in John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn. 6:37-40 NKJ).

Jesus also says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (Jn. 6:44-47 NKJ).

As recorded in St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him” (Matt. 11:27 NKJ).

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14 NKJ).

And, to Nicodemus Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (Jn. 3:5-8 NKJ).

When and where He pleases – God creates faith – by His Word. “Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Those who heard Jesus’ Word – the Word that the Father gave Jesus to speak – whom the Father had given to Jesus – for these – the disciples – Jesus was praying. And how was He praying for them? What was the content of Jesus’ prayer in this last verse of our text? Two things: that the Father keep them in His Name – and – that they be one.

Jesus was soon to leave His beloved. He would go away. They would remain. His prayer was that they remain in the faith of their Lord – that – as the text indicates – and as Jesus prays – that the Father – His Father – keep them. As with those words give, given, and gave – so also here. It is not the disciples who first give themselves to Jesus – nor to the Father. It is – rather – the Father who gives the disciples to Jesus. So also, here. Jesus is not praying that the disciples keep themselves in the Father’s Name. They are not able. Rather – Jesus prays the Father – His Father – His father Who had given to Jesus – that the Father Himself would keep them. Will power – discipline – self-confidence – these are not sufficient to preserve the faith or to persevere in the faith. Our flesh is too weak; the mind – not strong enough.

On the night of His betrayal – where Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane – Jesus had said to Peter, James, and John, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41 NKJ). Though Peter and the other disciples were determined to stay with the Lord, when push came to shove, they all fled. Peter denied Jesus three times. And Thomas – he would not believe the word of his brothers unless he saw for Himself the risen Lord.

St. Paul also speaks of this human propensity – even after conversion – where he says, “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (Rom. 7:18-19 NKJ). In another place, He also says, “The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17 NKJ).

We would like to think that we do not need help – that we are self-sufficient and independent – without need for others – that we are capable of managing ourselves – and this even in spiritual things and heavenly matters. But skills and abilities concerning the every days of daily life are far removed and distinct from matters having to do with God – eternal life – faith – and its preservation. These are areas that we – because of sin – are not able to maintain or keep. As you know – you do not save yourself. There is one Savior – Jesus the Christ. And He alone is also He Who keeps you in God’s good stead – in the faith. It is He Who prays for His own – we ourselves not excluded from our Lord’s petition to the Father – as Jesus will pray later, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (Jn. 17:20-21 NKJ).

How the Father keeps His beloved in His Name is by the very same means through which they became His in the first place – through the Word of God – the instrument of the Holy Spirit bringing about faith in the heart – creating new life from that which was dead – and sustaining that faith – that the believer continue in it and not depart from it.

Helpful here is the explanation of Dr. Luther given to the 2^nd Petition of the Lord’s Prayer in his Small Catechism, “Thy kingdom come.” To the question, “How does God’s kingdom come?” Luther answers, “God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity” (Small Catechism, Lord’s Prayer, 2^nd Petition). Also, helpful here is his answer to the question, “How is God’s will done?” concerning the 3^rd Petition, “Thy will be done.” “God’s will is done when he breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will” (Small Catechism, Lord’s Prayer, 3^rd Petition).

Notice the direction of the kingdom coming and the origin of God’s will being done. Neither are dependent on you. Neither originate with you. The direction of the kingdom coming is from God to us – from God to you – not from us to God – not from you to God. So also, the origin of God’s will being done. Not from you to God – (but) from God to you. God’s will being done – His kingdom coming – these have to do with God to us – God to you – not the other way around. Even the petitions themselves draw attention to this order. It is not God petitioning us. It is we petitioning God. He has the say. In these petitions, we are asking of our Lord to do what He says He will do – according to His Word – and in the praying – we entrust ourselves into His care and keeping – not demanding of God – but submitting to His will – His Word – His good kindnesses – which we have come to know – which we have come to believe – in Jesus.

Such a prayer of our Lord that His Father would keep His disciples in the Father’s Name is not a prayer of futility. It is a fervent plea that the Father sustain and keep those who are His. Jesus would not be with His disciples as He had been. Hard times were a coming – including rejection – persecutions – and martyrdom. Jesus knew what was forthcoming. And it is immediately before today’s Gospel reading that Jesus says to His disciples, “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:32-33 NKJ).

The disciples would not have an easy go of it. “In the world but not of the world” is so for Christians everywhere. The struggle to live by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ according to His Word is not easy. We battle with our own sinful flesh that wants its own way – our own sinful desires that want to be met – as do the world’s and the devil’s – from which we are not immune. We need help – help from outside of us. And no spouse – no parent – no other can fulfill this role that only God – in the Person of Jesus – meets.

God keeps His people in the faith by the working of His Son – in the Word – in the Word with the element of water and in the Word with the elements of bread and wine – the body and the blood. Despise these – you despise God’s gifts – God’s gifts for preserving you in the faith and strengthening you in that faith. Rightly make use of them – and there you have the certainty of sins forgiven and peace with God – because of God’s work – which is certain – not your own – which is uncertain.

And how we are given to uncertainty in the world – to temptation – to weakness – and to cynicism – also for that which is good! Things do not seem to be getting better. Our struggles continue in the world. – There is One Help Who does not and cannot fail you. The risen Lord – Whose work God the Father accepts as your own – Whose overcoming of death is your confidence before the Father – and the world. Christ’s life means your life. He sustains you – the Father sustains you – He keeps you His own by the very Word He speaks – by the sacrament He gives.

And through His Holy Word – Jesus’ prayer to His Father, “That they be one” is answered. There is that oneness of faith in Christ that all Christians have in common. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:5-6 NKJ). Of course – not all who call themselves Christians truly are – but those who believe the Word – who believe the Christ of Holy Scripture – these are members of the una sancta – the Holy Christian Church – the Communion of Saints. These are they who have their sins forgiven in Jesus and have peace with God – having been justified by faith (Romans 5:1). These claim no worthiness of their own before the Father but have Jesus as their hope and their Savior and salvation. These are members of the body of Christ – by virtue of God’s work and God’s keeping them. “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” (1 Cor. 12:26 NKJ).

These concern themselves with the doctrine of Christ – for they know that Christ is their life and their help. They abide in Christ’s Word – knowing that by His Word the Father keeps them and preserve them a people for Himself. “If you abide in My word,” Jesus says, “You are My disciples indeed” (Jn. 8:31 NKJ). Also does our Lord say that “the Holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:15-17 NKJ). And to Timothy does St. Paul write, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:16 NKJ). If such goes for the preacher, so also is the hearer to hear – and to discern truth from that which departs from it.

As the Lord’s people are His – through faith in Jesus Christ – according to His Word – and He – theirs – so also do they seek in Him to remain – all their days – and in His Word – there they are – for the Lord Christ is there – as are His people. Amen.

“He Who Loves Jesus,” John 14:15-21

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, ¹⁷ even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

The words that serve as the basis for today’s sermon are those of our Lord from the first and the last of those from today’s Gospel. Verse 15 reads, “If you love me, you will keep my commandment” – and these – from verse 21, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (John 14:15, 21).

[The following was not in preached sermon…]

Couched between these two bookends of loving Jesus – keeping His commandments – are words of promise – concerning the Holy Spirit – Jesus coming to His disciples – the disciples seeing Jesus, whereas the world does not – knowing that Jesus is in the Father. they in Him and He in them – and living – because Jesus lives. 

Word spoken – Word fulfilled. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit – the Helper – the Spirit of Truth – that Day of Pentecost. As He promised – so Jesus did. And still, His Spirit He sends – working through the Word – creating faith when and where He wills – according to the Word – that nonbelievers become believers and that believers be strengthened and mature in their faith. Gathered around Word and Sacrament – so the Lord does – and so His people He nourishes and sustains. God’s kingdom comes. The disciples did see Jesus “resurrected from the dead” – just as He said. They recognized – and confessed – Jesus to be one with the Father and the Father in Him. The Lord opens our eyes to see Jesus for Who He is – God’s Son – Savior from sin and death. Him we confess – Him we trust. The disciples of our Lord lived in Jesus – emboldened by the Lord to so be and to say – to confess and to abide – in Christ – “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). As they lived in Him – so do we – by faith – according to the Word. So, we – too – are emboldened to confess – to abide – in Christ.

Just as Jesus had said – so He did. He kept His promises. He was faithful to all that He had spoken. Jesus is faithful to all that He says. Jesus keeps His promises. Every one of them. Unlike us, Jesus follows through. Intentions are not enough. Jesus means what He says and says what He means. We often say one thing and do another. Jesus fulfills His Word. What we think about such things has no bearing on Jesus’ Word being fulfilled – His promises being kept – His being faithful. The apostle Paul writes, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:11-13 NKJ).

The certainty of our hope – the confidence of our trust – is Jesus – His Word – His work – His promise – His doing. Resting on these – there is no doubt. Jesus is faithful and true to all that He says and does. His Word He keeps. His promises – He fulfills. So, it is with Him sending the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. So, it is with Jesus giving His Spirit in Word and Holy Baptism – convincing of sin – creating faith – sustaining His people. So, it is with Jesus rising from the dead – the disciples seeing the risen Lord – Jesus coming to them – they living – because Jesus lives.

Because Jesus lives – so do you live – not just breathing and walking and talking – but living – abundantly. In Jesus, you have the surety of eternal life – the confidence of the resurrection – the comfort and consolation that your sins are forgiven you – which means peace with God. Having been baptized into Christ, you “were baptized into His death” (Rom. 6:3 NKJ). “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4 NKJ). “In newness of life” – you now walk. In newness of life – you now live. All who love Christ Jesus live this new life. No longer for themselves. Unto God – for others. The old is gone. The new has come. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17 NKJ). This new life looks just like what Jesus says in today’s text, bookending what is in-between.

[…The preached sermon resumes here]

 All who love Jesus Christ will also keep His Commandments. Similarly does Jesus also say, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me” (Jn. 14:23-24 NKJ). Jesus says these words to His disciples. These words He also speaks to you – through them. “If you love” Jesus, you will keep His commandments. You will keep His Word. You will believe what He says. You will hold Him to what He says. That is faith.

The keeping of Jesus’ Word follows the loving Him. Here – especially – we recognize the difference between saying and doing – between loving and doing. Many, for example, claim to be Christian – of Christ. But of these many – not all believe in the Jesus of the Bible as their sufficiency before God. Some believe that God does His part. We – then – must do ours. Some believe that we must first do our part – then God does His. Both – however, err in claiming that we must do something – either initially or later – for God’s acceptance – approval – favor. Both betray a position that is not biblical – and therefore – not Christian.

The Bible teaches – not only that sinners cannot contribute to how God views them. The Scriptures teach that we are inherently – originally – by nature since the Fall – at enmity with God. In Genesis chapter 8, for example, God says, “The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. 8:21 NKJ). Likewise does King David confess, “My sin is always before me” (Ps. 51:3 NKJ) and “I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me” (Ps. 51:5 NKJ). Later, he also says, “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning– Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption” (Ps. 130:3-7 NKJ).

Since the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden – the world – God’s good creation – including the descendants of our first parents – us – are not righteous – holy – innocent – or good – before God. Before God’s throne of judgment – in our sin – we stand condemned. Apart from Jesus and His work of redemption for us by His death on the cross, sinners either despair before God – believing all to be lost – or they exude a self-righteousness – believing themselves able to meet God’s demands – either by lowering the bar of God’s expectations – or by raising themselves up in a kind of delusion of grandeur – thinking themselves to be better than they are. They thus reject the Word revealing the extent of man’s sin and the world’s fallenness – just as much as the one who does not believe that Christ’s death on the cross is sufficient satisfaction for sin. Either way – unbelief shows itself and the sinner – not God – takes the helm – leading the way to death – not to life. The Way to life is through Christ – Him suffering – dying – and rising from the dead.

Wanting to take matters into our own hands before the Lord is not the way given by the Lord – whether that way be not trusting His promises or that way be not trusting what He says about sinners in need of salvation from outside of themselves and not from within. As sinners – we fight against these temptations to either deny our Lord His promises or what He says about us. We are sinners – poor miserable sinners. The moment we stop believing this – confessing this – that is the moment that we are saying to God, “I don’t need Jesus anymore” – or – at least all of Jesus as revealed in the Word. Doing that – we make our own Jesus. And our own Jesus does not save. A jesus of our own making is not Savior. He leads – not to heaven – but to hell. Similarly, not trusting in Him Whom God the Father sent – Who was crucified for us – this is unbelief – however one cuts it.

The Good News is – you do not save yourself. God does – in Christ. You cannot make amends to God for your sinfulness. Your guilt – your shame – these are either on you or on Christ. If these are on you – you alone must bear them – unto judgment. If your sin and your guilt and your shame are on Christ – these are no more held against you – for on the cross – He crucified them. “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God” (Rom. 8:31-34 NKJ).

Because God is for us – because God is for you – because it is God Who alone justifies – and not you or anyone else – you – before God – stand not condemned – (but) justified by God – having your sin not against you – therefore – having peace with God – in Christ – the Lamb without blemish – the Lamb of God Who takes away your sin and the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus took your sin away. Him taking it away means that it is no longer held against you. God does not hold grudges. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:8-12 NKJ).

He who believes these words – he who believes that he is reconciled to God in Christ – freely – unconditionally – no strings attached – he and he alone truly loves God – not in order to get – not to barter or to bargain with God, as if he has something to offer other than his sin. He who loves God is He who loves God because God has freed him from his sin – from his lovelessness – from his conditionally trying to do what God says to earn anything good from God. Trying to appease God for His favor is not the way of the Lord. It is the way of an unbeliever to try to get into God’s good graces by doing or not doing – by what we do or do not do. The way of the Christian is to believe God’s promises in Christ – for you – that you are in God’s good graces – not because of you – but because of Christ. In Him – all is well with your soul – and not because of how strongly you believe – but because of the One Who you believe in – Jesus the crucified and resurrected Christ.

You cannot placate God’s just judgement yourself – either by what you do or do not do. Be wary when someone boasts in loving God – but does not keep His Word – does not believe what He says – does not do what He says – and continually does what God forbids. Such a one might claim to love God – maybe even to love Jesus – but a different God – a different Jesus – they have than the God enfleshed as revealed in the Bible.

The love of God in Christ is not conditional on you. It is not true to say that God loves person A more than person B because of how person A lives or because of how person B does not live. That is not the Gospel. The Gospel reveals that God loves sinners – not because of what they do or do not do – but in Christ. God’s love for you is not dependent on you. If I do more – this does not mean that God will love me more. If I do less – this does not mean that God will love me less. God’s love for you is founded on Christ – Whom God the Father sent because He loved the world (John 3:16).

God’s love for You in Christ is not at all conditional. Likewise, the kind of love that keeps the Word and Commandment of Jesus is the kind of love that loves – not to get in return – not to placate an angry God – not to get more grace – not to merit more of God’s favor – but because such is what God’s love does. It does not do to get. It freely gives. Freely does. “As the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28 NKJ), so do the people of God – they who love God and His Word – Jesus and His Word and work – likewise serve – serve the Lord and serve others – not in the way that they want to serve – but in the way that God has given to serve according to His Word.

One who has been changed from within – who has nothing to give – but everything given – and who has been changed from hating God to loving God because of God’s goodness and kindness in His Son – such a one cannot help but seek the Lord’s Word – and there – in God’s Word – see His revealed will – what to believe – how to live – not conditionally loving others based on what they might be able to get in return – or loving another based on expectations met – but loving others independent of expectations met or conditions reached. God does not love sinners only if they try to meet His expectations or meet certain criteria or conditions. He loves them – God loves you – through His Son. In Him – you are sure of God’s love and mercy and favor. Outside of Jesus – you will only know God’s love for you if things are good – or His anger if things are bad. But in Christ – you are certain of God’s favor – whatever your circumstances. And such confidence is what Jesus gives – always.

The one who loves Jesus – not merely in word – and by confession – will also keep the Word and Commandment of the Lord Jesus – not according to one’s personal view or opinion – but according to what the Lord Himself says. Here, it is true that many – maybe even “most” – even outside the church – might say that they love God. But which God? A god of their own making, or the God Who made heaven and earth? Many – if not most – in the church – will say that they love Jesus – but do they keep His Word as recorded in the biblical text? Do they approve what God forbids and forbid what God commands? Do they “call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20)? Are they “wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:21)? Do they call sin what is not sin and accept what is sin? Jesus says, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16 NKJ).

To say that one loves God – loves Jesus – God in the flesh – to say this and to believe it – is to keep Jesus’ Word and commandments. As Jesus says earlier in John’s Gospel, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32 NKJ). Being a disciple of Jesus means following Jesus and not one’s own way – Jesus first – abiding in Jesus and His Word – holding fast to Him – to what He says – and not to self – the devil – or the world. There is one – and only one God. It is not you. He Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit – was born of the virgin – suffered – was crucified – died – was buried – and on the third day, rose again from the dead – this is the One Who also said, “Believe in God; believe also in Me” (John 14:1).

This One – and what He has done – what He does – and what He has given – what He gives – this One alone is your Savior – your hope – your peace with God. He is your everything. In Him, you lack nothing. In Him life – abundant life – eternal life – is yours. In Him is your peace with God. No more “rat race” of trying to get on God’s good side. You are already in it. You already have God’s favor – in Jesus – in Whom the Father is well-pleased (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). In Jesus – because of Jesus – His heavenly Father is well-pleased with you – because of Him. No doubt. No uncertainty. No condition. No dependence on you. All has been done – Your salvation won through Him – Jesus – God’s own Son.

You are now free to keep His Word – His Commandments – not out of expectation or hope for something in return. God’s people keep His Word – they abide in Jesus and what He says – because they know that in Jesus is their Salvation. They believe Jesus alone to be their sufficiency. They do not add to or subtract from His Word and work. Instead – believing Him – they love Him. Loving Him – they know God the Father is pleased with them – because of Jesus – Who loves unconditionally. Because He does – so do His people. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we 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” (1 Jn. 4:9-11 NKJ).

Not only do we love one another – freely and unconditionally – so do we – first and foremost – above all – love Jesus and His Word – for these are life. That we still say and do contrary to the Lord’s Word and will is evidence that we still live in the world and struggle with our sinful flesh. Yet – we do not want to do that which is contrary to our Lord – that which is against His Word. Those who continue to do what God has not given – and continue to believe something other than what God has said – these show whose they are. But those who love Jesus – not just saying the words – they believe Jesus – they believe what He says. They will seek to do and live as Jesus says. They will be in His Word. They will pray. They will be His people – for so they are. All the while the trust fully in God’s mercy – yours in Christ – revealed in the Word. To this they hold fast – and they find their rest in Him Who says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30 NKJ). Amen.

“Jesus, the Son of God,” Luke 4:31-44

³¹[Jesus] went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, ³²and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

³³And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” ³⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.

³⁶And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” ³⁷And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

      ³⁸And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. ³⁹And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

      ⁴⁰Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. ⁴¹And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

      ⁴²And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, ⁴³but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” ⁴⁴And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. (ESV)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

With authority Jesus spoke, Jesus preached, and Jesus taught.  Jesus spoke. It was so. Jesus said. It was done. Today’s Gospel text reveals to us that Jesus’ spoke authoritatively.  Jesus spoke with power, astonishing the people.  His Word did.  With Words, Jesus spoke. What He said came to pass. Jesus cast out demons with a word.  He healed the sick, laying His hands on them.  He rebukes fevers, and the fevers went away.  Jesus spoke with authority.  He speaks with authority—not as the Scribes or Pharisees.

Jesus spoke—He speaks—in such a way that His Words literally are, and do, what they say. This truth demonstrates who Jesus is.  With Jesus comes the Kingdom of God.  With Jesus comes the forgiveness of sins. With Jesus is eternal life. All that Jesus said and did, from the beginning of His ministry to His death and resurrection, and from His ascension into heaven at the right hand of His Father to now, all these manifest the identity of the Lord—our God and our Savior.

Jesus & The Demons

Jesus exorcising (casting out) demons with a Word shows His Godly authority, His divine authority, over all evil spirits. From our Gospel reading, note what the demon, speaking through the possessed man, said concerning Jesus. As Jesus was teaching—with authority—the unclean demon cried out saying, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God” (v34). That demon—that evil spirit—knew who Jesus was.  He knew where Jesus had grown up, Nazareth. He knew Jesus’ identity—that Jesus was the Holy One of God. In the latter half of today’s Gospel, we have other demons, too, who knew who Jesus was. They had called Jesus, “The Son of God.” They knew Him to be the Christ (v41).

What’s telling here is that of these accounts, and of the other accounts in St. Luke’s Gospel where one gets Jesus right, other than the Heavenly Father Himself calling Jesus His Son (at Jesus’ baptism, Lk 3, and at Jesus’ transfiguration, Lk 9) and the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that Jesus would be “The Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32) and “called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35), other than these places, we only have two other places where Jesus’ identity is clearly confessed in words—that account where St. Peter confesses Jesus to be “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:20) and the accounts of Satan and the demons, as in today’s text.

With reference to St. Peter’s confession, we know from St. Matthew’s Gospel that what Peter had rightly confessed about Jesus was not revealed to him by flesh and blood, but by Jesus’ “Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). With reference to Satan at Jesus’ temptation, and the demons in our text and elsewhere, the Father didn’t need to reveal to them who Jesus was.  They already knew. They already knew because they know God. They know who God is.  And they know Jesus to be the Son of God. This is also why the demons in today’s text had asked Jesus the question, “Have you come to destroy us?” (v34).  They know that their time is short.  They know that their leash goes only so far, as God will allow.  They know that they don’t have authority over God, but that God has authority over them.

Remember Job?  All in one day his seven sons and three daughters had died, as well as most of his servants.  He also lost his animals and his livestock, all on the same day. Job then suffered “painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7). All these things happened to Job, but these were not from God.  They were of the devil, also called Satan, Lucifer, Adversary, and Tempter.

But the devil could only do as much as God would allow and no more. The devil is under God’s authority, as are all the evil spirits.  They are not equal in power to God, nor are they able to do whatever they please.  They can only do what God allows, and only for a time. God has authority over them. 

This devil and these demons are real spiritual beings, as today’s text reveals.  But they don’t have the upper hand.  Jesus does.  Jesus casts them out.  They are cast out. He silences them.  They are silenced.  He sends them away.  Away they go.

Though evil is in the world, though Satan and his dominion are still at work, though temptations to sin abound, and though many continue to be deceived and even deny the existence of the Devil—though sin is still in the world, and though the wicked have their day, their days are numbered. The wicked have their limits. The Devil can only do so much. 

Judgment awaits the devil and his dominion. Their disobedience and their deceptions will not last. Though the pains and the troubles caused by the enemies of God and even our own sin may seem to prevail and increase as the days continue, Christ rules over sin, and death, and the dominion of the devil. Jesus casting out demons shows His rule over them.  And on the cross where Jesus died, there Jesus judged the ruler of this world (John 16:11). 

The devil and the demons have their day, but Christ reigns supreme.  They can no longer accuse, condemn, or separate from God’s love in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37-39). Though they have power to do many things, God is mightier. Therefore, as St. Paul writes, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12).

The Word of our God is not ineffective.  It is authoritative. God’s Word is powerful.  It is given you that you be in it, believe it, make use of. Just as the demons were subject to Christ, so must they be subject to His Word, according to Christ and His Name, into which you believe. 

Your sin does not rule over you, for you “Were buried with Christ through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so” you “also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). “You died” with Christ, “and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Your “sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

Jesus, in casting out those demons, showed Himself to be the Christ.  He showed Himself as not only having God’s authority, but being God in the flesh, and as being the ONE who frees you from Satan’s hold and from every power that is against God. Jesus’ Word is authoritative because His Word is God’s Word. His Word is authoritative, not only over demons and the spiritual realm, but also over things physical.  This we see in Jesus’ word healing the sick and laying His hands on them and healing them.

Jesus & Sickness

Peter’s mother-in-law was sick.  She had a fever. But Jesus’ word heals the sick.  His Word cleanses the leper.  His Word raises the dead to life. At Jesus’ command, illness gives way.  Jesus rebuked the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law.  The fever left her. The authority of Jesus’ word extends to the physical and to the spiritual.  His Word extends over what we see and over what we don’t see.  His authority extends over the heaven and over the earth.  

Jesus, God’s Son, rules over all things, as it is written, The Father “Put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23). The problem is not that these things are false.  They aren’t.  The problem is not that demons and sickness have authority over Jesus. They don’t. The problem is that we don’t believe these things to be so because we don’t see the demon cast out.  We don’t see the sick healed as we want and hope. 

We believe that Jesus really did those things because they’re in the Bible, but do we believe that Jesus still has authority over demons and the devil, and over every evil of body and soul, when we see all kinds of evil in the world, the devastation of an earthquake or flood, the tragedy of death, the bloodshed of war, the growing apathy to God and His Word, the acceptance of things ungodly and perverse, the increasing silence of the truth, the abandonment of the faith due to oppression and persecution from the world, as well as the pressure to compromise?

Do we believe that Jesus has authority over all kinds of sickness, disease, and death when we see it all around us; when loved ones die or as we suffer, when we pray and pray and pray, and things don’t seem to improve or get better?

To those who don’t believe who Jesus is according to Scripture, accounts of Jesus healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead will be nothing else than fantasy. TO those who do believe, there might seem to be a disconnect between what the bible says and life as we experience it. Even we might be led to ask, “If God had the power to do so, why doesn’t He end the suffering, heal the sick, give a cure, stop death? We too ask the questions, “If God is love, why does evil exist?”  “Why do bad things still happen?”  “Why doesn’t God ‘help us out’?” We too are tempted to doubt and question the promises of God because of life in this godless and wicked world, what we see with our eyes, and what we know from first-hand experience. It’s hard to see the work of God in a messed-up world—in a fallen world—in a dying world! 

Jesus & The Kingdom

But it is just into such a messed-up world—a fallen world—a dying world, that Christ came, and that Christ comes. This doesn’t mean that all sickness will be immediately cured, that all evil will abruptly end, that wars will cease, or that bloodshed will stop. There is real and ugly sin and godlessness in this world and in us.

The work of God remains hidden to the world.  Even we don’t always acknowledge it, not because it’s not there, but because we don’t see it, because we don’t believe it. The work of God is according to the Word of God; not according to sight. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Only according to the Word of God do you know who Jesus is. Only according to His Word will you truly have confidence in Jesus when things don’t change the way you would like them to, or when the suffering continues, when the sickness doesn’t seem to end, when the temptations increase, and when lawlessness and immorality abound. Only according to the Word of God will you know who Jesus is amid all these things. 

It is by that very Word that Jesus makes Himself known to you.  It is by that Word that you know God to be the loving God, who does seek your well-being, not only temporally, but eternally. Therefore did Jesus come, and therefore does Jesus continue to come to you in His Word and promise, even giving you His body and blood in the bread and wine, that you believe and not doubt, but believe that He is your Savior; that He does and that He will deliver you from all that ails you; that He cleanses you of Your sin, even if you still feel it; and that He continues to speak with authority, the authority, not of man, but of God.

Jesus’ Word is that same Word which created light from nothing. Jesus’ Word is that same Word that gives life to all who hear and believe. Jesus’ Word is that same Word cleansing you of your sin and giving you new life, in Him—in this world, and into the next.  Amen.