We just want to be sure. Does a fabric facemask truly prevent spreading the coronavirus or is a fabric facemask virtually worthless? Should the economy reopen or should it remain closed? Can a reopening economy keep life safe or does a reopening economy threaten life? Will a second wave be worse or manageable or nonexistent? Will school meet online or in smaller class sizes or as normal? Will a vaccine come out in summer or fall or winter or longer? Are children dying from a covid-caused illness or from a completely unrelated syndrome? Perhaps now, more than ever before, we want clear answers for life. We want assurance that our decisions will not put our lives or the lives of others at risk.
The truth is we lack definite, tested answers for some very legitimate questions. The lack of knowledge fosters fear. And fear shoves two very unwelcome facts in your face, facts we try so hard to stifle: (1) You do not know everything and (2) You cannot control everything. Since you do not have every answer to every question, it means a decision could be wrong. Since you cannot control everything, it means that you might experience unpleasant results. That means, especially in these coronavirus days, we grapple with uncertainty— or do we? If you and I and the rest of the world do not have unlimited knowledge and unlimited power, then the assurance we want will not be found in people. We need a more certain Source. A Source that knows all things. A Source that controls all things. A Source that provides real answers for life— and we have that Source. In a world chocked full of the unknown, Get a Grip on God! Turn from misguided ignorance and turn to certain proof. In Acts chapter 17, you find proof— proof that the city of Athens lived completely oblivious to the most important answer for life’s most important question. That much is clear just by walking through the city. You find shrines and monuments and temples everywhere. A thick, imposing structure houses Zeus, father of all Greek gods. A petite, ornate shrine holds Aphrodite, goddess of love. You can pay tribute to the grain god, Demeter, or to the god of metalworkers, Hephaestus, or to Poseidon, god of the seas. Crowning the city itself is the (still-standing) Parthenon, a house built for Athena, goddess of war and wisdom. It’s no secret, the people of Athens are in every way very religious. They love debating spiritual ideas and discussing new philosophies. To them religion was like collecting baseball cards— you aim to get the complete set. Just to make sure they did not miss any god or goddess, they even [built] an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. You can almost see their smug smirks for being so clever. They cover all their bases! In reality, despite all the gods and goddesses honored, the Athenians reveal just how uncertain they are. You see, the very fact that you have an altar made out ‘to an unknown god’ reveals a fear that you (1) missed a deity and (2) can expect trouble from a snubbed deity. So, to counter that fear, where do you look? The natural response? You! To what (1) you know and what (2) you control! The Athenians know this: (1) people like acts of kindness and (2) you can perform acts of kindness. So, their entire way of worship revolves around doing something good for the gods in the hopes of receiving something good from the gods. I mean, have you ever wondered why the ancients sacrificed the virgin to the volcano gods? A volcano erupts. People think the mighty deity controlling the volcano is angry. So, toss the young virgin into the volcano and maybe the god will turn it off. Sounds ridiculous, right? Then how do you describe what you see today? A store owner gladly donated unsold groceries to the Lutheran Seminary pantry because (in his words): ‘In case God is angry with my Catholic beliefs then I can point out how I helped the Lutherans.’ The wife discovered his flirty text messages. The husband, who spent age-zero to age-sixteen in church, promised to return. ‘I need to get straight with God,’ he said. ‘I need to bring my daughter too. I’ll be there Sunday.’ He never came. Why? Because his marriage got fixed before Sunday! The self-professed spiritual, but unchurched man lived by his favorite Bible passage: ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ (Disclaimer: That is not found in the Bible. This man did not read the Bible enough to know that.) Each one knew they stood accountable to God— but they had no solid answers. Their best guesses boiled down to: doing good, being kind to others, and live a good life. Even worse— they were content living this way! Like the Athenians, they were content making up beliefs and then living by them! Do you know what that attitude is called? Ignorance! Acting in a wrong way due to the lack of information. Not having the right information does not suddenly make your beliefs correct. I believe my muck clothes are appropriate evening attire for a five-star Michelin restaurant. When I arrive, I am refused service because I do not meet the dress code. My made-up beliefs do not make me right. It makes me ignorant, a fool who failed to measure up to their standards! No wonder we wrestle with nervous uncertainty! Our hearts dabble with treating God with made-up human standards! The fear of entering public places paralyzes you. Why? Because we treat God like limited, mortal man! If I cannot keep myself safe from a virus, then maybe God cannot either. If I cannot guarantee a cure, then maybe God cannot either. If I die, I cannot bring me into heaven, and maybe God cannot either. You promised to give up swearing, but covid-19 still here. You promised to pray more, but God does not let you be with people yet. You promised to read the Bible more, but your marriage is still difficult. You did your part, why doesn’t God do his? If you feel overwhelmed by the unknown, it’s because you (and I) are drifting into ignorance. We are treating God not as he reveals himself, but as we think he operates! Put another way, you making up beliefs about God! You are placing trust in what you make up! You are circling back to yourself! You are placing trust in you! That is called ‘superstition.’ What ignorance! God does not instantly morph into my wants. It is God who morphs me to see him. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth… The Almighty God breathed into existence the entire universe and all the wood and stone in it. He created all things— and since he did, he does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything… If God brought all things into existence and rules over his creation, then why would he suddenly depend on humanity’s help? [B]ecause he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. Not just that, the God who stands in control over all things is the One who controls even kingdoms rising and falling. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. He did all this so that men would seek him. Do you grasp the implications of this? You are able to know the true God with certainty. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Understand, ignorance is not innocence. God is patient. He did not wipe the arrogant, godless Athenians away, but provided another opportunity to Get a Grip on God by turning from misguided ignorance. Get a Grip on God by turning to certain proof. In Acts chapter 17, you do find proof. In fact, you confront one undeniable reality that affects all people everywhere regardless of gender, race, age, income, education, family makeup, whatever— every single person in the entire world faces their last day. [H]e has set a day when he will judge the world with justice… How do you execute justice? According to a law. God examines and exposes your life (and mine) according to his perfect standards. As he stretches you (and me) out against that ruler of perfection, he says: ‘Not enough.’ Yet, there is one man who was enough. A man who never made up fantasies about God. A man who held his mind and heart captive to the Word— meaning, whatever God spoke in Scripture, he treated as truth. Call on God in the day of trouble (Psalm 50:15), and so Jesus prays in Gethsemane for God’s help (Mark 14:32-42). God sits on a just throne of judgment (Psalm 9:4), and so Jesus does not open his mouth when soldiers mock him and enemies insult him (1 Peter 2:23-24). God willed to crush his Son and cause him to suffer (Isaiah 53:10), and so Jesus suffers the punishment reserved for us (1 Peter 2:21). God measured Jesus against his ruler of perfection and says: ‘Enough!’ He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Yes, Easter preaches three profound promises. (1) Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). (2) God accepted Jesus’ perfect life for us (Romans 4:25). (3) Because Jesus lives, we will live (John 14:19). The Word from God’s own mouth provides certain proof in world full of the unknown. The One raised, the who re-ascended his throne, the One who sits with earth as his footstool is not far from us. You do not have to wander through Michigan’s northwoods or stare at Lake Michigan’s gentle, rolling waves and hope that you figure out God’s plan for your life. You do not have to do more good than bad in the hopes that you have actually tipped the scale in your eternal favor. You do not have to scrounge through the local paper and find someone who committed worse crimes than you. When guilt overwhelms, the answer is not found in your knowledge or your ability. Point to the cross. Hear— not God’s opinions— but Jesus crucified and risen for your eternal advantage. Get a Grip on God by turning to certain proof. Keep that Grip on God by clinging to certain proof. The truth is our world will always be chocked full of the unknown. You (and I) simply (1) do not know everything and (2) cannot control everything. That’s fine! If we could have that ability, then God would grant us that ability! But he has granted us something better. He gives you his Word. The Word of God keeps yanking attention off of ourselves and puts attention on Jesus. Only Jesus has unlimited knowledge and unlimited power. Only Jesus has proven that every promise he makes, he keeps. Only Jesus makes us acceptable before God. Keep hearing and reading the Word. Take its promises to heart. Write passages down if you wish. Memorize them. As you step out into the unknown you will not be overwhelmed. You will have a Grip on God, clinging to certain proof that he handles everything. In these coronavirus days we still lack definite, tested answers for some very legitimate questions. It will remain that way for some time. The world would want you to panic. The devil would want you to despair. Your own self panders to self-trust. Yet, answers will never be found in you. That’s because are not the source of all answers! We already have Source that knows all things. A Source that controls all things. A Source that provides real answers for life. In a world chocked full of the unknown, Get a Grip on God! Live confidently fearless by turn from misguided ignorance and by turning to certain proof.
Hiroo Onoda was a second Lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army. HIrOn December 26, 1944 he assumed his post in the Philippine mountains. His orders were simple: hinder American advancement by targeting airstrips and ports. Under no circumstances was he to surrender. Yet, American forces crept further and further inland, forcing Onoda deeper and deeper into the mountains. He carved out a new position and, all on his own, continued repelling police forces and local resistance. Onoda never surrendered. There was just one problem: the War was over. In fact, the War had been over for 29-years.
Can you imagine carrying on your life as though war still rages all around you, when in reality, it does not? Can you imagine living in constant fear of the unknown? …will the enemy overwhelm you? …will you live to see another day? Can you imagine the stress? …your responsibility of making snap decisions? …always standing alert for sudden danger? Can you imagine the sheer frustration? …why no one ever comes to help you? …why no one ever shares updates about the ‘big picture’ of the war effort? …why this war never ends? …is this war really worth fighting anymore? Hiroo Onoda lived in a completely unnecessary way. The War was over! He could enjoy peace and prosperity! The good news never sunk in. The war is over! (And I’m not talking about World War II.) Jesus lives!— snapping the stranglehold of death. Jesus lives!— holding in his hands the spoils of new life. Easter blazoned an incredibly enormous change for life, but we can lose sight of the victory. We can live as though nothing changed. So, go back to the empty tomb. Peer inside. Listen to the angels. Recall the events. As you do, Easter Makes Life Make Sense. You Hear God’s purpose for Jesus and you can Apply the facts for life. In Acts chapter two you find this smattering of people from all over the known world gather in Jerusalem to celebrate the annual thanksgiving festival. Not terribly spectacular, right? Except they gather fifty-days after Easter and still wait for God to send his Son into the world. They live completely oblivious to what Jesus already accomplished for them! So, [the disciple] Peter stands up, raises his voice, and speaks loudly and clearly to them: Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man recommended to you… Well, that name rings a bell. Some watched this ‘Jesus the Nazarene’ teach; others heard the fantastic events attached to this Man. Yet, what the crowds associate most with the [the name] ‘Jesus’ is ‘crucified,’ ‘died,’ ‘buried.’ Just another man who met his end and can be visited in the cemetery. Their attentions have moved on from his ministry! Peter says, ‘Stop! Think back to Jesus. [He] was a man recommended to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know. Do not overlook the obvious: miracles, wonders and signs are visible, you see those sights with the eye. What is seen does not require interpretation. Either you blow out the birthday candles or do not. Either you drive the car or not. Either you get up from the chair or not. You cannot debate if an action happened or not. Many eyes saw mighty acts. Jesus strengthens the crippled, cures the diseased, multiplies food, and raises the dead. No one could debate if those acts happened or not. On top of that, no one could deny these mighty acts surpassed human ability. The point is this: You cannot simply disregard what is seen. Miracles make you wonder (1) who this Man is and (2) for what reason he does these things. Peter says these signs point to something definite: Jesus is recommended by God, which means, God sent Jesus for a specific purpose. You cannot dismiss the One God sent without consequence. You would be opposing God. But that is precisely what happened! This man, who was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, you killed by having lawless men nail him to a cross. Some of those standing in front Peter were the ones who chanted: ‘Crucify! Crucify!’ (Luke 23:20-21) Others gave silent approval as they watched the Romans nail Jesus to the cross. Whatever the participation this much clear: The crowds rejected the only Savior God sent. They completely ignored God’s purpose for Jesus. In spite of rejection God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. God Almighty, the One who knows all things, also knew that Jesus would die. After all, this is the purpose for Christmas, right? The sinless Son of God is delivered to the world. This is the purpose for Jesus’ circumcision and baptism, right? He shoulders the responsibility of obeying God’s commandments (Galatians 4:4-5). God marks Jesus as his sacrificial Lamb. A Lamb not for some, but for the whole world. A Lamb needed because something is morally and mortally wrong with us. A Lamb God sends for a purpose: to save us! One thousand years before Easter Sunday King David revealed God’s purpose for Jesus. He said: I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon my life to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. Yet, David is not describing himself. That much Peter makes clear. Gentlemen, brothers, I can speak confidently to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day… For all his accomplishments and success, David still could not grasp victory over death. He died— and his tomb remains. Since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath that he would seat one of his descendants on his throne [that is, Jesus], he saw what was coming and spoke about the resurrection of Christ, saying that he was neither abandoned to the grave nor did his flesh see decay. These many Jews gathering in Jerusalem acted as though Jesus the Nazarene impacted their lives in no way! That Jesus’ ministry flamed out and could be forgotten. Friends, Hear God’s purpose for Jesus. Go back to the empty tomb. Peer inside. Listen to the angels. Recall the events. Apply the facts for life. You know, throughout this entire pandemic one phrase keeps repeating like a broken record. A phrase smeared on commercials, the media, and governor reports. The phrase? ‘We’ll get through this.’ Says who? Have you thought about that? Who can make good on that promise: ‘We’ll get through this’? We have no guarantee that we will [automatically] conquer this virus. Yes, we hear terrific news that the [virus] curve is flattening (and slowing), but we have no guarantee that a second “wave” does not strike. We have no guarantee that a new disease does not erupt next year. We have no guarantee that the economy instantly recovers or that grocery store shelves are always stocked or the virus just fizzles out. Yes, it stands highly likely the virus goes away— but because of what reason? Because human beings are so smart and we will triumph by our own ability? (We were the ones who could not prevent this whole mess in the first place!) You see, the human heart places an incredible amount of trust in its own abilities. It grows over-confident in what it can manage and control that it thrusts God off the side! That does not bring any peace, does it? Thoughts of death overwhelm us because you (and I) cannot stop life from ending. Panicked hysteria ripples through your body (and mine) because we cannot make all things work for our good. Feelings of despair keep us awake at night because cling to our own behavior— our helpful actions or kind generosity, thinking this is what God wants from us. Self-reliance treats Jesus as some impotent man who lived, died, and remains dead. Completely unable to help you! That Easter is this onetime celebration stuck in the past. That it remains up to you to obtain real peace. That kind of living fails to apply Easter to life. Hiroo Onoda hid in the mountains, lived off the land, and fought locals. He was living a war that had been over for decades! He was living in one way of life that was completely unnecessary. He did receive whispers of a new change of life. General Tomoyuki Yamashita of the Fourteenth Area Army dropped leaflets announcing Japan’s surrender, but Onoda did not believe the news. His own family dropped pictures from the sky, pleading for his return, but he thought it was a trick. Finally, his commanding officer, Yoshimi Taniguchi, flew to the mountains and ordered Onoda to surrender. He did. Onoda could finally live under the results of peace that had already been in place for 29-years. Peter shares God’s declaration peace so that you may live under the completed work for the risen and living Christ! This Jesus is the one God has raised up. We are all witnesses of that. The miracles, wonders, and signs testify that Jesus is the God-approved Son sent for the world. Sent to live in your place (and mine). Sent to carry our fears. Sent to confront our self-reliance. Sent to give us new life. Never once does Jesus question God’s care for him. Even has he hangs on the cross, he commits his life into hands of heavenly Father because he trusts with this unshakable trust that he will not see decay. His body will not lay in a tomb and get stinky and break down. He knows the Father would restore his perfect life as promised— and the Father does! Apply the facts of the resurrection to life! Jesus has won the victory!— and you get to live under the results. Not cowering in fear over guilt, but certain of God’s forgiveness. Not facing conflict alone, but relying on a God who watches, guards, protects, and keeps you in his hands. Never afraid to confront death alone, but certain that God will open your grave and you will see his face. The war is over! Jesus lives!— snapping the stranglehold of death. Jesus lives!— holding in his hands the spoils of new life. Easter blazoned an incredibly enormous change for life, a change that remains in effect today. Easter will continue getting further and further behind us. Yet, go back to the empty tomb. Peer inside. Listen to the angels. Recall the events. Hear God’s purpose for Jesus. The Man crucified now lives! Lives to brings you peace in this life and the life to come now and always. Apply the facts for life. Open your eyes to results Christ wins for you. Easter Makes Life Make Sense.
Do you feel like rejoicing and being glad today? It’s Easter Sunday, but it really does not feel like it, does it? At this moment, you are confined inside, either reading these words off a couple pieces of paper or watching service on a screen. (Probably not your normal Easter habit.) You do not sit in sanctuary beautifully adorned with fragrant lilies and blazing white linens. You cannot feel the piano pound its sweet songs. You probably are not dressed in your snazziest, prettiest, newest outfits. You will not enjoy the classic Easter brunch at church with all those familiar faces and glowing conversations. You will not rejoice with your friends in the presence of your God. The celebration just seems to lack fullness, doesn’t it?
Then, you have those timeless traditions that always happened after worship. Easter dinner with family. Easter egg hunts. Easter basket presents. Those festivities will not take place. This year is different. Instead of creating light-hearted memories of happiness, you may just feel without cheer. So much has been taken away so quickly. Over the course of just one month, we have gone from no Irish Parade to cancelled sports to cancelled school days to cancelled schoolyear to limited gatherings to no gatherings to no going out (unless necessary) to wiping down your groceries and wearing a facemask. That’s a lot to process in a very short amount of time. All this massive adjustment— on top of everything else you already had going on. The strained relationship. The financial stress and retirement planning. The upcoming wedding. The graduation festivities. Moving out on your own and the empty nesting. The first Easter without a loved one. Yes, there will be brighter days in the future, happier days, days that present a reason to rejoice and be glad, but maybe just not today. To rejoice and be glad feels too difficult when there are so many challenges in the world at this moment. Much like that first Easter, right? You do not see Mary Magdalene and the other women skipping on over to the tomb. No one relishes the fresh morning dew and fragrant lilies. No singing. No brunch. No cheer. That first Easter is dominated by loss. So much has been taken away so quickly. One sight changes everything: Jesus lives! Just like that, joy! Excitement! Worship! Still, the world in which those women and disciples find themselves has not changed one bit. Jesus lives!— and Jewish leaders still want Christianity snuffed out. Jesus lives!— and the Romans will do anything just to stop hearing the name ‘Jesus’ (Matthew 27:62-66). Jesus lives!— and life is still threatened (John 20:19). That first Easter audience does not rejoice and live glad because their every single struggle suddenly vanishes. They rejoice and are glad because Easter changes the very foundation of life. Despair No More! The Lord lifts you up from depths of death. The Lord anchors you to his salvation. One man experiences those words firsthand. Today, Easter Sunday, the day when Jesus Christ breaks out of the prison-hold of death, we focus on Jonah. You probably best know him as the guy swallowed by a great fish. Remember how he gets into that situation? God hand-selected Jonah for a special mission: ‘Preach against the great city of Nineveh so that they might turn to me’ (Jonah 1:1-2).That’s a problem. Nineveh is the capital city of Assyria, and Assyria is the capital enemy of Israel! In no way whatsoever would Jonah ever want to help enemy number one. The mission is so repulsive that Jonah literally runs away from God. Instead of heading east to Assyria, he boards a ship sailing due west, travelling in the complete opposite direction. Jonah has absolutely no desire to set his mind on the things of God. He acts only to satisfy self-interest. For a moment, Jonah gets what he wants! Until a storm rips away his control. Billowing waves heave, rain pelts, whipping winds gust. The sailors strain for shore, but make absolutely no headway. They dump heavy cargo, but the swells swamp the ship. Certain death confronts the crew. Jonah finally admits: ‘I am running away from the God of heaven, who made the [now-storming] sea and the land… Pick me up and throw me into the sea, and it will become calm.’ … Then the sailors took Jonah and threw him overboard (1:9-15). How does Jonah find himself inside a fish? He disobeyed God. God spoke and Jonah literally ran away. That behavior comes from a rebellious heart. Spiritually speaking, Jonah did not want to hear God. He did not want to obey God. He wants God gone. So God grants his wish. Jonah is banished from God’s sight! He plunges into the heart of the sea, sinking lower and lower, the sheer weight of water presses down on him, squeezing him tight, crushing him. His fate is sealed: He would sink into the open jaws of his grave. That’s nothing to rejoice about, is it? Death is no friend. Perhaps that truth has taken on fuller meaning. This coronavirus puts people at risk of death. There remains a possibility that you can infect loved ones with a life-threatening illness. There remains a possibility that you yourself could become sick and even die. Today’s medical technology has made incredible, but doctors still cannot guarantee to automatically save life. That’s unsettling. At this moment in time you (and I) are getting a close-up view of the grave. What makes it even more unsettling is that all the comforts which we considered so important are not delivering us. (1) How often sports took priority over Sunday worship. Cheering on a child from the sideline or letting your mind drift onto the big game while at church. Our hearts considered a simple score so important that it attaches value to that activity. (2) How often jam-packed schedules shove time with God (either in prayer or devotion) off to the side! Your prayer-life shriveled up because the television show came first. Your children do not know what happens when a person dies because you did not think it important to teach them. (3) How often self-worth is invested in money and fading milestones. I mean, just one month ago you could list what you considered important, but the whole list is almost wiped out. All those things our hearts consider so important that it sacrificed God— they’re all gone and you (and I) are still here. What good do those priorities serve you now? Is it any wonder you witness fear and hysteria and panic? Run from God and face eternal death alone. If you find it difficult to rejoice and be glad this morning, then reset your focus. Listen to Jonah speak: To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. Jonah’s actions tossed him into death, but God, in his infinite mercy did not let Jonah get what he deserved. Instead, the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights (1:17). Do you realize from where Jonah prays? Inside the fish! He does not mourn, he gives thanks. The Lord lifts him up from depths of death. He has done the same for you! Jesus has stepped into Jonah’s life, into your life (and mine). He is sent to preach to the world— including to those who hate him and would kill. He is tempted to cherish the treasures of this world, to elevate wealth and status and power. He sees disease and deformity and death. Never does he run away from God. Instead, he comes to do his will (Hebrews 10:5-7). God’s will set Jesus on the Good Friday cross. There, Jesus marches after your heart that had wandered into death, after my heart that had wandered. He sinks into the pit of death. His life stops. God makes Jesus pay for our despair. Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man [was] three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40). Early Sunday morning, the stone rolls away from the tomb and out steps Jesus— fully alive! He holds your life brought back from death. ‘Because I live,’ he says, ‘you also will live’ (John 14:19). Despair No More! The empty tomb means the Lord lifts you up from depths of death. Christ has risen! Risen to bring us from death to life! With that good news the Lord anchors you to his salvation. That word ‘salvation’ means ‘deliverance.’ When applied to God it describes the only deliverance that truly matters (or the best deliverance there is): ‘deliverance from death in hell.’ When you (and I) hear: ‘The Lord anchors you to his salvation,’ it means, God ‘delivers you from death in hell.’ This where you stand today, you stand delivered from death in hell. That’s why Jonah sings: But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation [eternal deliverance] comes from the Lord. Does it feel like it? Christ rose, but the world is far from perfect. You hear about disease and sickness, death and despair. Even in the past, you heard war and unrest, financial collapse and frayed relationships. Christ rose, but struggles did not suddenly vanish. Not to mention all the personal challenges you face. The upcoming wedding. Moving out on your own and the empty nesting. The first Easter without a loved one. Christ rose, but these significant milestones still exist. So does Easter. The fact that Jesus leaves his tomb means your guilt before God has been wiped away (Romans 4:25). A room is prepared for you in heaven (John 14:2-3). At the right time, God’s angels will carry you to your heavenly home (Luke 16:22). Your future changed. Christ rose and that means you will live forever on high. That reality is fixed. Firm. Steady. Constant. It never changes. The Lord anchors you to his salvation (his saving work). That means, even in tears you have a firm footing. Your husband who died trusting in Jesus as Savior spends this Easter with his triumphant Lord. One day you will too will gather around the triumphant Savior! Not just that, nothing will stop Jesus from raising you (and me) from the dead. Jesus himself makes clear: A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out… those who have done evil will rise to be condemned… and those who have done good [those who believe] will rise to live (John 5:28-29). The Lord anchors you to his salvation (his saving work). That means, even when all these activities are stripped away, you really have lost nothing. Parents, God has handed you the opportunity to teach your children about the God who holds the keys of life! No child fears knowing that Jesus will bring them to heaven. Even with older children you can connect the victory of life more closely to today’s settings. Much is taken away, but that allows you (and me) to focus on what is truly important in this world. Prioritizing life with God! The Lord anchors you to his salvation (his saving work). That means, you hold open access to approach the Almighty for anything, anytime. The God who gave his very own Son into death for our eternal benefit, why would stop caring about you now? I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Despair No More! ‘The Lord anchors you to his salvation.’ Just like that, joy! Excitement! Worship! Still, the world in which generations of those celebrating Easter has not changed one bit. Jesus lives!— and you still encounter challenges. Jesus lives!— and you still confront death. Jesus.’ Jesus lives!— and life is still threatened. We do not rejoice and live glad because every single struggle suddenly vanishes. We rejoice and are glad because Christ defeated every single fear, every single enemy once and for all time. He hands you that victory! Despair No More! The Lord lifts you up from depths of death. The Lord anchors you to his salvation. (from the Wednesday night Lent 2020 series: The Truth Opposed)
It all started out fun, but it went so wrong so quickly. Giggling turned into laughing and laughing turned into sheer carelessness. You see, mom went to run some errands and left the kids home. Since she was gone, it meant they could not go outside. So, they decided to bring the outside inside. A kickball somehow appeared, and even though kicking it around inside was forbidden, they did it anyway. It was fun; they were careful— until the sound of shattering glass broke through the air. He wound up his leg, focused on kicking to his brother, but the minute the ball left his foot, his heart sank. Like a slow motion movie, the ball left the ground, started veering right, almost attracted to his parent’s wedding picture. The frame tumbled off the wall. Glass broke, its shards tore into the picture. He broke the rules; he became enslaved to the consequences. Still, he tried to escape them. He scrambled to piece the glass pieces together, but nothing held them in place. He taped the picture up, but it was obviously destroyed. He even went so far as to punish himself by sitting on his bed in his room. Try as he might, nothing could silence his screaming conscience. Why? Because, he did not have the power to free himself from punishment. Throughout Lent we meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but fights against its judgments. A man confronts his crime against the blameless and tumbles into despair. ‘I Have Sinned by Betraying Innocent Blood.’ Who could have ever imagined the situation would reach this point? Think about how it all started. Judas Iscariot serves as keeper of the moneybag (John 12:6). (Really, he manages the bank account for Jesus and the disciples.) Wherever this group travels, crowds gather. They flock to hear this marvelous Teacher from Nazareth. He preaches with divine authority. His words penetrate and heal the heart. Jesus brings real peace with God. So, many want to support the expenses associated with his travels. Women give fistfuls of coins. Men slip financial support. Judas handles that money. He pays the dinner bills and the hotel bills. He gives the beggar money for food and helps the financial needs of widows and orphans (John 13:29). Yet, one day, something catches his eye. New sandals. A fine leather belt. Extra dessert. Those little luxuries promise pleasure— and a few coins from the moneybag covers the expenses. At first, the conscience burned. He should not have used church funds for personal expenses, but he promised to repay everything. I mean, no one would ever know the money was gone. You know what? No one ever did. Since no one knew the funds were missing, it did not seem pressing to repay. After all, money not missed must not be all too needed. So, no one gave much thought when Judas said, ‘You go ahead without me, I’ll settle our lunch bill’ or ‘I saw a beggar back by the clothing department, I’ll give him something’ or ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ (John 12:5) The inkling of greed blossomed into stealing (and stealing more!), and lying (and lying more!) and conniving (and conniving more!) Then an easy opportunity for quick cash appeared. Judas approached some powerful Jewish officials. “What are you willing to give me if I hand [Jesus of Nazareth] over to you?” (Matthew 26:14). Remember the price? Thirty silver pieces. Three months wages. Judas could take a luxurious vacation to Sicily or buy the fancy camel or get the AD30-Judean-Summer wardrobe collection. He seized the opportunity. After all, Jesus will probably be arrested, roughed up, and then released. Never did Judas ever imagine the situation would reach this point: [He] saw that Jesus was condemned. How did that happen? Judas had travelled with this man for three years! He spent time in his circles, listening to his preaching! Yes, Jesus could condemn the greedy heart and that could be annoying, but he never committed a crime deserving death! When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” That’s how every temptation ends, isn’t it? You see, the devil loves setting up his classic one-two punch. First, he promises that life will become more satisfying, more fulfilling by following your heart. (After all, it cannot be wrong if it feels good, right?) Take the extra drink, finish the bottle. After all, you had a stressful day. Vent your unfiltered frustrations, make unreasonable demands. Your daughter should clear her work- and family-schedule to drive you all over town. Your son should call daily and spend at least one hour on the phone. You are the parent, right? You raised those kids and you have need; your grown children cannot just ignore you. Dig in your heels. I mean, you dedicated years to this congregation. If no one welcomes your help, then let them taste your anger. Criticize. Gripe how you would handle matters differently (and better). Make those who overlook you beg for your unsurpassed value! The devil promises life gets better by dabbling with wrong! Once we stumble into that snare, he pulls it tight! We get caught in terrible consequences. The drunk nights damages relationships and the yelling hurts your daughter and getting revenge does not make you wanted. What makes it worse is not just the consequences, but the devil’s painful reminders. ‘How could you say such horrible things?’ ‘Why did you turn your back on your friends?’ ‘You drank too much again— and you call yourself a Christian! God can’t love someone like you.’ You know what, he’s right! The devil’s absolutely right! We Have Sinned, and Jesus is Innocent. Even Judas realizes that! Compared to Jesus, his greedy heart was one enormous cesspool of filth. Oh, the bone-crushing, strength-sapping guilt! [He] was (1) seized with remorse and (2) returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. (3)“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” Judas attempts what so many do: He tries undoing the crime! Feel bad! Return the money! Receive instructions! Those solutions never erase guilt, do they? The devil’s whispers still lingers: ‘Not enough. Do more. Be better.’ Guilty hearts confront a very undeniable truth: We Have Sinned, but Jesus is Innocent. The devil love emphasizing that first point: ‘We have sinned.’ If that is all we hear, then we become The wayward heart that has no answer for guilt. We do not have the power to free ourselves from punishment. Jesus, as he always has, emphasizes the second point. We Have Sinned, but Jesus is Innocent. We stand drenched with guilt, but Jesus has none! He stands faultless, without blame! Judas never quite understands that. You see, Jesus knew about the embezzlement. He knew about the betrayal. He knew Satan filled Judas’ heart. Three times Jesus makes no secret about Judas’ plot (Matthew 26:21-25). He speaks so that Judas can admit: ‘I’m wrong, but Jesus is perfectly right!’ He speaks so that Judas finds complete, restoring forgiveness. He speaks so that we find The Innocent One becomes accountable for us. Greed puts Jesus on death row. Yes, Judas’ action puts Jesus in peril. It brings a death-sentence. Still, greed brings an eternal death-sentence. So does arguing and drunkenness and revenge and lovelessness and arrogance— and every sin. It all demands accountability, that the guilty person carry the consequences. Instead, Jesus carries that heavy baggage up Mount Calvary and makes himself accountable for it all. He hangs before God Almighty and says, ‘Punish me instead. Hold me accountable.’ God does exactly that. He charges all sin to Jesus and makes him pay it off with his life. The Innocent One becomes accountable for us. You know what God finds in Jesus? No guilt. No arguments and regrets and anger and revenge. He finds innocence. He finds a life he loves, a life he raises to be with him, a life that lasts forever. The truth is undeniable: I Have Sinned, but Jesus Is Innocent. The Innocent One becomes accountable for us. Remember that truth the next time the devil comes slinking your way. His reminders burn. ‘How could you say such horrible things?’ ‘Why did you turn your back on your friends?’ ‘You drank too much again— and you call yourself a Christian! God can’t love someone like you.’ How do you end the torment? How can you actually remove the guilt? Point at Jesus; the devil has no answer to that. Go to the cross. Point at it and ask: ‘What happened there?’ [Answer:] Jesus died. For what reason did Jesus die? [Answer:] He died for your crime, for my crime. If God punishes Jesus for our crime, then what does that mean for us? [Answer:] The consequences of sin forever removed. In other words, we stand forgiven! You see, the answer for guilt is not to study guilty people. The answer is found in the One not-guilty. God the Father accepts that innocent life for your (and my) advantage. Jesus literally rises from the dead to say to you: ‘Your sins are forgiven’ (John 20:21-23) Return to him again and again and say, ‘The Innocent One became accountable for me.’ Throughout Lent we meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but fights against its judgments. Judas confronts his crime against a blameless Jesus and plunges into despair. ‘I Have Sinned by Betraying Innocent Blood.’ He fixates so much on self that he failed to grasp the glorious truth of his sentence. Jesus is innocent! The wayward heart has no answer for guilt. Nothing we do can unlock nagging guilt. We do not have the power to free ourselves from punishment. Yet, Jesus does and he has. The Innocent One becomes accountable for us. His life is more than enough. That’s a truth no one can deny: ‘I Have Sinned, but Jesus is Innocent!’ What soul-satisfying peace! (from the Wednesday night Lent 2020 series: The Truth Opposed)
Ethan Couch suffered from a serious case of ‘affluenza.’ His condition was so severe that it was to blame for the events of June 15, 2013. That evening, on a country road just outside Fort Worth, Texas, Breanna Mitchell’s SUV had broken down. A homeowner saw her distress and went out with her daughter to help Breanna. Another driver had also pulled over to lend a hand. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart security cameras caught 16-year-old Ethan stealing two cases of beer. He dashed out of the store, hopped behind the wheel of his father’s enormous Ford F-350 dually, and along with seven other passengers, sped off, sailing 70-miles-an-hour in a 40-miles-per-hour zone. Ethan and his buddies burned through the beer. They race home, flying 70-miles-an-hour down the same country road where all those busy hands work on Breanna’s SUV. By the time Ethan saw them, it was too late. He loses control, careens into the disabled SUV, flips his truck, rolls across the road, wipes out Breanna and the helpers. He kills them all. He sends four other bystanders to the hospital. His seven passengers survive with injuries, although one friend is completely paralyzed. Police on the scene immediately arrest Ethan for driving with a suspended license, drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, intoxicated assault, and intoxicated manslaughter. On the day of the trial, the defense lawyer points at Ethan’s serious case of affluenza. The judge studies those debilitating conditions, the effect it has on Ethan, and drops the charges. Ethan goes free! Do you know what ‘affluenza’ is? ‘Affluenza’ is the condition of thinking that wealth buys privileges. The lawyer argued that Ethan “didn’t know boundaries because his rich parents didn’t give him any.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Couch) That left Ethan unable to process consequences. Therefore, he could not be blamed for underage drinking, driving while intoxicated, speeding, and manslaughter because his parents never taught him those actions are wrong. You realize, pride gets in the way. Pride— holding yourself accountable to no one. Ethan used wealth, status, and influence to escape the consequences of his crime. Pride protects ego at all costs even if that means rejecting truth and denying responsibility. In our Wednesday meditations we meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but still refuses to bow under that truth. A courtroom advisor pleads with a judge: ‘Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man!’ That’s what the judge is trying to do! Pontius Pilate presides as judge over Judea. Before him stands Jesus. Hours earlier, angry Jewish leaders had arrested him. They charge him with conspiracy to overthrow the Roman Empire. Now, they want Pilate’s approval for the death sentence. Yet, look at this pitiful man! He does not fit the mold of an influential figure or charismatic leader. No crown, no rings and fine clothing, no fancy haircut and expensive lotions. No army fights for his release. No loyal band of supporters storm the courtroom demanding freedom. This beaten, bruised, bound man poses no threat to Rome. The charges are obviously false; Pilate clearly sees that the Jews arrest Jesus out of jealousy (Matthew 27:18). He stands innocent! Even Pilate’s wife knows that. She sends an urgent message to her husband: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” Literally she says, ‘Let there be nothing between you and that Righteous One.’ She does not merely call Jesus ‘innocent,’ but ‘righteous.’ Not only is Jesus empty of guilt, but he is full of moral purity. Never greedy for world power. Not devouring wealth at the expense of the weak and vulnerable. He carries no faults. No one can dredge up a past regret. Jesus is un-accuse-able! That’s why she pleads: ‘If you wrong this perfect Man, then you owe a debt you can never repay!’ If Pilate condemns an obviously innocent Jesus, then Pilate commits a great injustice! Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man? Pilate’s trying! Every Passover Festival he pardons a criminal (27:15-17). This year, he presents an offer no one can refuse. He can either (1) set Jesus free or (2) he can release Barabbas, a man who rebelled against Rome and murdered Jews. (Really, the choice is like releasing Charles Manson or Mother Theresa. Who would you want free in your community?) You realize, even this attempt sidesteps the truth. Jesus is innocent. Enough said! Why doesn’t Pilate simply set Jesus free? Because the crowds stand on the verge of rioting. If the Jews riot, then Rome will take notice. Rome will march its armies and quash the riot. Rome will also remove an incompetent Pilate from power. Pilate cannot have that happen. To prevent losing power, Pilate prevents a riot. To prevent a riot, Pilate caters to Jewish demands. The guilty set free. The Innocent condemned. Pride protects ego at all costs even if that means rejecting truth and denying responsibility. Ethan Couch refuses to think the law applies to him and denies responsibility for his crimes. Pilate refuses to admit to be Jesus innocent in order to protect power, status, and pride. The Jews would rather condemn Jesus than to hear him expose their proud, corrupt hearts. Have Nothing to Do with That Innocent Man? That’s what the proud heart wants! It does not want failures exposed. Each Sunday (even today!) we speak our faults. ‘God, I confess that I am by nature sinful. I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, with my words, and with my actions. I have failed to help the helpless. I have not defended the vulnerable. God, I plead for your mercy.’ Yet, inside is this little voice, this little tug that excuses behavior. Pride denies the truth that that mocking the husband was wrong …that shaming the wife was wrong. Pride denies the truth that your less-than-encouraging words about politicians are not words to be used. Pride puts you above others. It sets you on top of God’s commandments. It even creates excuses why what God calls ‘Wrong’ is acceptable! Pride denies truth so that criminals are not exposed. That proud heart does not even want shortcomings highlighted. Each Sunday (even today!) we focus on Christ. Still, a little part of us wants credit. How often do the fingers bend back at us— pointing at ourselves for confidence? Pride pushes Jesus aside, crying, ‘I do not need you! I am a good person. I am do good. I am enough on my own!’ So many refuse to hear the truth that we can never stand right with God. Instead of hearing accountability, it is easier to ‘Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man!’ Have Jesus stand trial so that we do not have to confront responsibility. You realize Jesus does just that, he stands there. Who would even tolerate such injustice? Who would stand there while people literally chant for your demise? Who would stand there in the place of people that clearly do not want you? And if we do not want our (actual) faults exposed, who would stand there silent while fingers lie about you? Jesus could let people have their wish. ‘Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man?’ Fine! Tear open the heavens, step up onto his glorious throne, and tower as Judge over every single heart. Instead, he stands condemned by the proud, for the proud. For their benefit. For their advantage. Pilate’s wife speaks truth: Jesus is innocent. God reveals that in a dream. That dream gives Pilate a chance to consider what his own heart is fully capable of doing. Pilate thirsts for political power and control, but Jesus hungers for God’s teaching. That dream gives the Jews a chance to consider what they want. Barabbas actually killed and murdered; he stands red-handed guilty. Jesus physically heals people and even heals hearts with forgiving words. That dream gives you (and me) a chance to compare the condition of our hearts to the heart Christ. Pride arrogantly thinks no need for a Savior, that we are God’s gift to the world. Yet, Jesus is actually God’s gift— because he alone is righteous. He leaves a heavenly throne and lays aside his powerful status as Almighty God. He takes on the greatest injustice of all: sentenced for a crime he did not commit. Christ marches to the cross as our pride is heaped on him. He willingly carries all of it away and disposes of it forever. As the righteous Son of God, Jesus purges pride. He stands condemned for the proud and now we will never be condemned for our pride. Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man? Never would we ever want to say such a thing! Instead, we want this Innocent Man! We confess our sins, we can lay out each failure one by one, knowing that Jesus drapes his righteous life over every crime. When someone asks you: ‘Are you sure you will enter heaven?’ you do not need to stare in the mirror. You can point at Jesus, the Righteous One. He has wrapped that righteous life around you (read Galatians 3:26-27). Jesus stands condemned for the proud, for your benefit, for your advantage. That is our pride. In our Wednesday meditations we meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but still refuses to bow under that truth. No one wants to hear what is true. A courtroom advisor pleads with a judge: ‘Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man!’ He doesn’t want to! He does not want Jesus to take away his earthly power and status. The Jews do not want Jesus taking away their power and position over the people. Pride protects ego at all costs even if that means rejecting truth and denying responsibility. So, Jesus stands condemned by the proud. Jesus stands condemned for the proud. He literally removes all boasting. We have life with God! Not because of our awesome efforts, but because of Jesus’ morally pure life. ‘Have Nothing to Do with that Innocent Man?’ Never! Jesus had everything to do with us so that we can live by this Innocent Man! It remains the largest aircraft carrier battle in world history. June 19, 1944. The mighty United States Navy sails fifteen carriers loaded with 900-aircraft into the Philippine Sea. The intimidating Imperial Japanese Navy send out nine carriers and 500-warplanes. The future of sea and air power hangs in the balance. Victor claims control in the region.
The battle is completely lopsided. The Imperial Japanese Navy races to ambush American forces. Yet, two American submarines and multiple radars detect the secret efforts. That’s why The Battle of the Philippine Sea is nicknamed ‘The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.’ Japanese forces unleash over 500-aircraft at the ready and waiting American fleet. At one point, the Americans literally shoot down planes as they take off. The Japanese lose over 400 warplanes, while the Americans lose only thirty. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Philippine_Sea#Early_actions) In no way did the Japanese even come close to matching American firepower, machinery, or strategy. Instead, they lose almost all of their aircraft, much of their naval fleet, and more importantly, influence in the region. The Americans cut off supply lines and heavy bombers could now reach mainland Japan. Completely overwhelmed. That best describes this battle. That best describes the battle we confront today. Completely overwhelming! Satan’s ambush on Adam and Eve unleashed devastating results. The same battle he launched against them is the same battle that daily overwhelms us! We never stand a chance for victory— but Christ does. He makes that victory known. Christ Overwhelms Overwhelming Enemies! Sin condemned us to death, but Grace sets us free for life. Do you really know what that is— life? Adam and Eve have life. They have life in Eden’s paradise. Hearts pump blood throughout the body. Lungs breathe in fresh, pure air. Brains command muscle movement. Eyes gaze at beautifully lush vegetation and marvelous fruits. Ears absorb chirping birds and babbling brooks. Yes, Adam and Eve function— they live— but that’s only part of life. Adam and Eve have life with God. Every fiber of their being cherishes him! Absolutely content with all God provides. Totally dependent on God’s care. Entirely willing to approach God for anything at anytime. No barrier exists. No cringe-worthy, regrettable shame. Just this effortless openness. That is real life. Rejoicing as a child under the King’s loving care. That life blows up with just one act. God gave a crystal-clear command: ‘You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil’ (Genesis 2:17). That command may sound like God is too strict and needs to lighten up. Understand, that command allows Adam and Eve to demonstrate love in a very visible way. For example, your spouse tells you on your wedding day: ‘Love me!’ So you do. Not because you are a slave, but because your love prompts you to love. You hold your newborn child in your arms. Those baby blue eyes pierce deep into your own and command: ‘Love me.’ You do. Not because you must, but because your love for this child pulls you to love in ways never before imagined. Your God tells Adam and Eve: ‘Do not eat.’ They do not. Not because God drains fun from life, but because he loves them. His love fuels their love. Breaking that command demonstrates love for self, not love for God. That defiant act we call ‘Sin.’ Literally, [the word] ‘sin’ means ‘miss the target (or, mark).’ A 12-point buck stands in front of you. You carefully aim your rifle at the heart, pull the trigger, and fire. Does it matter if you miss? Of course it does! The point of hunting is to hit the mark, to strike the bull’s-eye. Miss the mark and you fail! If it is a big deal to miss shooting your 12-pointer, then be sure, it is a big deal missing God’s target for complete obedience. Adam makes it quite known: ‘God, I do not need you!’ That defiant cry for independence brought consequences. [S]in entered the world through one man, and death through sin[.] Sin results in death. And what is death? How is it best defined? Death separates. Death separates people from life. Death separates husband from wife and wife from husband. Death separates grandma and grandpa from family. Death separates child from mom and dad and mom and dad from child. Death separates people from life. Even worse, death separates all people from life with God! That terrible consequence engulfs world like a wildfire and is more unstoppable than the coronavirus. [I]n this way death came to all men, because all sinned[.] All people! No one stands exempt. You inherit the genetic makeup of your parents (the hair color, facial features, your body-shape). That’s not all. You also inherit their sinful heart. I did not teach my daughter to be stubborn. I did not teach my son not to share his toys. I did not teach my daughter to throw a fit when she does not get enough attention. I look at them and see a piece of me; I see my selfishness in them. ‘Sin’ passes down from generation to generation and with it, death. From the moment of birth the clock of life begins counting down. Every single person in the world reaches a day when the heart will stop, the lungs cease, and the brain dies We stand completely powerless to stop it! ‘Sin’ sits on us like a terrible overlord, only pointing at the inevitable grave of death. [D]eath reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam[.] Centuries before God wrote out his ‘Right’ and ‘Wrong’ on two tablets of stone, people sinned! Corrupt hearts protect self above all things! (For proof, just consider how everyone ever born died!) No matter how good we try to be, no matter what efforts we try to undo the wrong, we can never escape the deadly consequences of our sin. Sin condemned us to death. We have lost the battle. We cannot reverse the terrible results. ‘Sin’ and ‘Death’ domineer life like two enormous bullies. Those enemies overwhelm us— but those enemies cannot overwhelm Christ. God makes that explicitly known. At the Jordan River, God identifies Jesus as his appointed Warrior. The Father announces Jesus as his perfect Son. The Holy Spirit strengthens Jesus for battle. Immediately after his baptism, Jesus marches off to war to set us free for life. He marches out into the wilderness. There, Jesus confronts Satan head-on. Hungry and thirsty he absorbs temptation after temptation. Doubt God’s constant providing care? Question God’s presence in time of need? No, he will not. Jesus relies on God through every trouble. Take a Bible verse and challenge God to keep his promise? No, Jesus will not dare God with foolish choices. Blatantly replace God’s commands with personal preference? No, every fiber of Jesus’ being loves God too much to commit such evil. (Matthew 4:1-11) For forty days and nights the devil tries to crack the armor of Jesus. He tries to penetrate a mind fortified by the Word. He tries to strike down a heart bound to God— but cannot. Satan is entirely outmatched; he never has a chance of winning. The sinless Son of God drives the devil away. Then, on the cross, he obliterates Satan’s power once and for all. Satan could always point at our ‘sin’ and rightly say that we deserved death. Our enemy ‘Sin’ marked us as rebels. Yet, Jesus covers over every ‘missed mark’ with his innocent blood. Our enemy ‘Death’ demands consequences. Yet, Jesus marches out of death’s grave leaving its filthy, disgusting grip behind. Christ Overwhelms Overwhelming Enemies with his faultless life. He marches into war and never sins, never deserves death. He comes out victorious! Turning to you, he binds up all his work, ties it with a ribbon, and presents it as a gift. Do you grasp what Christ has done? Jesus does not strike down sin, death, and the devil, and leave us to do our part. Our reading says: But the gift is not like the trespass The ‘trespass’— the crossing the forbidden line— meant us paying the penalty. Yet, the ‘gift’? The ‘gift’ is that Jesus paid our penalty. He frees us from an eternal debt! Remember, a gift is something given without any conditions. Your past is not erased because you try hard to be a good person and live a good life. God does not give you a gold star for eating fish during Lent or for giving up caffeine and sugar. God does not put a checkmark into your spiritual record because you worship on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Thinking that you contribute in order to earn God’s favor means that you push away this gift. God makes it very clear: For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace [his undeserved love] and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Christ Overwhelms our Overwhelming Enemies. More than that, he shares that victory with us! Picture it: You are thirsty and ask for a glass of water. Jesus does better, he sets you under a raging waterfall. Jesus does not merely empty the heart of sin, but he drenches it overflowing with new life. (1) Jesus strikes down death. Death died— meaning, death can never separate a believer from God (read Romans 8:38-39). Your believing husband walked from earth and stepped into heaven. Grandma, who worshipped Jesus her whole life still worships, but in person. A believer’s life cut short on earth runs eternal in heaven. Death cannot bully you to think otherwise. It has lost its grip. One day you, too, will close your eyes only to open them to the face of God (Job 19:25-27). (2) Jesus stripped sin away. Listen to our closing verse: For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Yes, you are not perfect. You carry regrets. Stupid, foolish decisions haunt you. Terrible words torpedoed relationships. Yes, you are not perfect— but God does not see sin, he sees righteous! That’s what the verse says: so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. At your baptism Jesus set his ‘right,’ obedient life on you (read Galatians 3:26-27; Titus 3:5). In the Lord’s Supper Jesus promises you: ‘You are forgiven. You are righteous!’ This is what you are now! ‘Right’ with God! One day you will see in its fullest reality because you will actually stand around the throne of God in heaven. Friends, this is the purpose for Jesus coming. Satan’s ambush on Adam and Eve unleashed devastating results. The same battle he launched against them is the same battle that daily overwhelms us! Without Christ, Sin condemned us to death. We never stand a chance for victory. Grace sets us free for life. God makes that victory known so that we live confident. Death is defeated. Sin removed. Satan powerless. The most lopsided battle in world history—and the results belong to us! Christ Overwhelms Overwhelming Enemies! (from the Wednesday night Lent 2020 series: The Truth Opposed)
He ranked highest in authority second only to Adolf Hitler. He helped orchestrate the ‘Night of the Long Knives,’ a night when Nazi police forces murdered political rivals. He approved torching Jewish businesses and synagogues, arresting tens of thousands of Jews, and imposing massive financial penalties on Jewish communities. He even helped craft the ‘Final Solution to the Jewish Question’ by establishing and feeding concentration camps. As Reichsmarschall of the Luftwaffe, he led bombing missions against Poland, Austria, France, and Britain. Now, he stood trial in Nuremberg, Germany, accused of committing crimes against humanity, war crimes, and waging a war of aggression. When asked ‘How does the defendant plead?’ Herman Goering barked at the judge: ‘Nein! Not Guilty!’ You see, according to Goering, the Third Reich achieved much. The Nazis reunified Germany. Massive unemployment became massive employment. The standard of living improved. Germany’s flourishing economy gained worldwide respect. Goering even claimed to have served as a peace-promoting diplomat. So, the reason for his plea of innocence? As a Nazi officer of an organized government, he simply obeyed orders. That, Goering claimed, is not illegal. His perceived criminal activity must be permitted because the one who gave the orders committed the crime. His flimsy defense fell flat. Goering’s rationale may get some chuckles— but, for a moment, dig into his logic. What drives him to spew out such worthless excuses? The question is easier to answer than you might think. For the next six Wednesdays we will meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but still denies accountability. A man named Caiaphas tries covering over evil with seemingly innocent advice: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’ Listen to his argument: Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” Caiaphas (and the rest of the Jewish council) battle a crisis! Jesus just raised a dead man to life! Lazarus had died. Doctors declare him dead. Morticians prepared a body. The undertaker set a lifeless body inside the tomb. Relatives mourn for three days. Still, Jesus commands: ‘Lazarus, Come out!’— and Lazarus walks out alive! (read John 11:17-44) No one can deny these events! Attentions zip from Lazarus to Jesus. That powerful miracle demonstrates that Jesus holds power over life and death, just like God does! If God controls life and death and Jesus controls life and death, then you reach this conclusion: Jesus is God. So, many put their faith in him (11:45). Many clung to his teachings, relied on his Words, and set their hearts around his forgiveness. The Jewish council watches this wave of support wash over to Jesus. Instead of joining Jesus, they complain: ‘If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation’ (11:48). Do you see the reason for their hesitation? Not only do these leaders lose the support of people, but if Jesus is truly God, then they must obey him. Caiaphas and everyone else must submit to Jesus’ teachings and his authority. They resent that! Jesus does not meet their preconceived notions of what they want from a Messiah. Catch that? The leaders already had their minds made up as to what they expect from God. They want a politician, not a teacher who exposes their proud, corrupt hearts. They want power and respect, not accusations targeting their greed for wealth and power. They want influence, not submission to God’s condemning Law. Every single opponent confronts this undeniable truth: Jesus is God. Still, every stubborn heart rejects that truth. Personal desires sit on top of God. As for Jesus, he interferes with their quest for pleasure. So, out comes Caiaphas’ foolish defense: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’ It sounds innocent. Kill Jesus and save the nation! Protect the people! Yet, really, it is far more convenient to kill what you do not wish to hear. It seems an effective way to silence undeniable truth! After all, God’s truth stands quite clear: ‘Live self-controlled.’ Confront that undeniable truth and out comes flimsy excuses: ‘Yes, I know, I’m not perfect, but God, you should see my alcoholic neighbor. You should visit the meth-head. My parents fight. My brother really loses his temper. God, there’s a lot worse people than me.’ God’s Word convicts hearts, but the heart tries to squirm out from under that crushing law. We may actually believe that God is happier with us because others have more noticeable weaknesses— and because of that, God suddenly should overlook our failures. We can silence God’s convicting Word by fabricating seemingly-acceptable reasons as to why we had to break God’s commands. ‘Yes, God, you want marriage, but …we don’t much money …our arrangement works the same as marriage …our parents divorced.’ ‘Yes, God, I should rely on you to provide, but I just don’t have the money I think I should.’ ‘Yes, God, you want gentle words, but my kids are to blame for fueling my anger.’ What about this? Are you here tonight because it is Ash Wednesday, a significant day in the Lenten season? Do you feel as though this day is very important to God? Do you feel you fulfill some religious obligation? No? Then, will you be here again next week (and the week after, and so on)? Or, are you making excuses as to why that is not possible? The heart actually thinks God accepts excuses— he accepts excuses because we want that to be true! Since we have determined this is how God functions! Then, we can keep doing evil and still look morally good! The heart fights to remove an inconvenient Jesus from our lifestyles. It feels as though he interferes with our fleshly pursuit for pleasure. We do not like hearing that we are wrong. We do not like hearing Jesus condemn us. We do not want consequences for our foolish choices. Our stubborn hearts heart refuse to bow under our undeniable shortcomings. It refuses to accept God’s accurate accusations. Instead, we want God to conform to our list of demands. Like Caiaphas, the heart cries: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die!’ How foolish! Get rid of Jesus and live however you wish in this world. Get rid of Jesus and you remove the only One able to bring life with God! The foolish rebel removes Jesus. Denial does not make truth go away. God knows about this secret meeting. He controls this secret meeting. He even put his words in Caiaphas’ mouth: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’ The willing Substitute gathers his children. [Caiaphas] did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. God’s plan always involved Jesus. That’s the reason Jesus comes. From Adam and Eve up to this very moment, hearts have wandered from their heavenly Father. Just like sheep, each of us has gone astray, even believing our disobedience carries no consequences. Just like sheep, each of us has turned to his own way, even thinking that God takes orders from us! This way of life brings a terrible reality: separation from God! That’s an undeniable truth. That’s the undeniable truth from which Jesus rescues us. He allows himself arrested, falsely accused, and sentenced. He allows himself rejected, thrown away, crucified. He willingly sets himself under God’s angry fury in our place. He absorbs the entire punishment, hanging forsaken and cut off from God. He is thrown into death, laid in a tomb with a stone sealing the door shut. Caiaphas wanted Jesus dead for the good of many. In his mind, he is willing to extinguish the Light of the world for his own self-interests. In reality, Jesus dying means our freedom. Because here’s another undeniable truth: Jesus is God. He powerfully dominates death, he rises to life. Jesus even powerfully dominates our death, making our lives eternal. Even more, he gathers our once-scattered hearts into his one believing nation. Although rejected, the willing Substitute gathers his children. Us gathering tonight is evidence of God’s kept promise. The Holy Spirit has brought our hearts into one united trust that Jesus alone cleanses moral filth and makes us acceptable before the Father. That same Holy Spirit creates in us a new heart. Not a heart chasing self-centered pursuits, but a heart that pursues God’s commands. Not a heart excusing actions, but a heart broken over sin and rejoicing in God’s healing pardon. Not a heart making up what it wants from God, but a heart which loves listening to the Lord of love. What a reason to be here tonight! To once again be reminded that God does not accept excuses. He does not accept ‘close enough.’ He accepts Jesus. He accepts you (and me) because of Jesus. The willing Substitute gathers his children. For the next five Wednesdays we will continue meeting opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but still denies accountability. A man named Caiaphas tries covering over evil with seemingly innocent advice: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’ Only the foolish rebel removes Jesus. This is the purpose for Lent; this is the reason we are here. We, too, were once those foolish rebels, but now, everything has changed. The willing Substitute gathers his children. Ash Wednesday might be behind us, but Lent is not. As those gathered to Jesus, we keep gathering to thank our God! What a wonderful truth God has us hear: ‘It is Better for One Man to Die.’ Josie Laures and Antoine Senni sat in darkness. Not just darkness, but deep in the belly of a cave. The two did not huddle together. They sat far apart, each in their own cave alone, in sheer silence. No lights. No windows. No friends. The experiment tested the effects of isolation, loneliness, and darkness on the human body. Josie lasted 88 days; Antoine stayed 126 days. (http://thescienceexplorer.com/brain-and-body/isolation-dark-drives-humans-brink-insanity-studies-find)
The study reveals how darkness affects the human body. For starters, Josie and Antoine physically adjusted to the darkness that when they walked out into beaming sun, they needed dark goggles to protect their eyes. Maybe more astounding is that they lost all track of time. Since neither knew when the sun rose and when it set, they did not know when one day ended and another started. What Antoine thought a ‘quick nap’ was actually a straight thirty-hour marathon of sleep. Josie left the cave March 12th, but she felt it was February 25th. Antoine came out April 5th, but thought it was February 4th. Time was months off. Then, feeling forsaken, both smeared jelly all over the floor, hoping to attract mice for pets. Can you imagine living in completely isolated in absolute darkness? Cut off from care and communication? Completely clueless to the length of life, to what happens to your life? To feel forsaken, forgotten? Darkness prevents seeing life as it truly is. Even though you (and I) live above ground under the sun’s brilliant light, darkness can enter— and it can keep us from seeing life as God intends it to be. So, God shines through the unknown. His brilliant word eradicates questions and fears. He makes clear constant care. The Light has Dawned shining on those in darkness and rejuvenating burdened hearts. After all, that is what light does, right? Rejuvenates! The sun does not shine much during winter. Clouds block out dazzling sunbeams, leaving this whitish-gray landscape of nature’s dormant death. When the sunbeams break through the clouds, you whip open the curtains, pull a chair up to the window, and sit in that light sucking in energy and cheer. That’s what people in Isaiah’s day needed. In the two verses right before our reading, Isaiah describe dreary state of northern Israel: Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness (Isaiah 8:21-22). Not really a heart-warming picture, is it? Israel’s northern tribes are collapsing. The Assyrian Empire camps just outside the northern tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. This Empire dominates the ancient world. Assyrian generals marched troops right up to the city wall. Those soldiers piled up earth, making this enormous ramp. The, they wheeled massive towers up that earth-ramp. Archers on the top shot down at people on the other side of the wall. The middle of that tower had a battering-ramp. So, while archers shoot at you, you hear a *thud,* *thud,* *thud* — the enemy will soon break in (https://www.ancient.eu/Assyrian_Warfare/). So the name ‘Assyrian’ ignites heart-stopping, stomach-dropping fear. (Ready for the grizzly reason why?) The Assyrians had a reputation for impaling captives— like, stick a pole up through you and out your mouth and plant that pole into the ground. If done right, you would die— days later. They also could skin you— and so perfected the technique that they could keep you alive to the end. That’s pretty horrifying. Now that terrifying army stands just outside your city wall— and you know your puny army cannot stop them. Are you beginning to understand why Isaiah uses words like ‘gloom’ and ‘distress’ and ‘darkness?’ Stand in darkness and you cannot see danger or obstacles or even a path out of that room. Darkness robs the known. Israel’s future is unknown. How can you stop an unstoppable force? How can you escape such horrifying torture? How can you stay safe? You do not know. Where do they turn? To darkness. Assyria marches closer and Israel turns to its gods. Not ‘God’ but ‘gods.’ Some pray to stones. Others bow down to telephone [Asherah] poles. Still others take their toddlers to a furnace, drop them in, and hope for protection, safety, and peace (2 Kings 17:16-17). The Israelites do not know how to escape destruction, but they also did not see that sticks and stones and fires cannot save them! The people God rescue from Egypt, the people he led through a desert and into this Promised Land, the people who could see God fill the temple with his presence turned away. Hearts refused to see God’s mighty power. Do you wander in that same darkness? Do you know what ‘worry’ is? Doubting God’s ability to act. You worry about Christianity’s future because you question God’s power to change hearts. Sadness relies on inspirational sayings instead of memorizing a Bible verse and keeping it close to the heart. How often you do feel ‘empty’ and ‘unfulfilled’ because you search for lasting happiness in all the things that fade away and die? How much heartache do you suffer because you digest the world’s selfish advice? ‘Hold grudges! Don’t forgive!’ ‘You deserve money! Don’t give it away!’ ‘Make yourself happy! Don’t listen to what you Pastor (or Bible) says! Do what you want!’ That’s darkness! Complete, utter darkness! The heart can wander away from what please God, supposing that somehow all will be better! The truth is, it is not! Listening to the world’s godless advice might put a smile on your face, but it will not put a smile on God’s face— and it certainly cannot keep the smile on your face. Trusting yourself gets you nowhere because you (and I) are not all-powerful; we have limitations. A darkened claims that you can live without God. If that sounds harmless, then study closely what happens to northern Israel. The Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence (2 Kings 17:18). Spiritual darkness cut us off from God’s care and communication. Spiritual darkness makes us completely clueless to what happens to your life. Spiritual makes leaves us forsaken. Spiritual darkness prevents us from seeing life as it truly is. So God takes action. That darkness is so dark that we can never find God. We do not sense a need for a Savior, we do not figure out how to accept God (read Ephesians 2:1-8; Romans 3:9-24). In the thick, gloomy darkest darkness of unbelief blasts a piercing light. The people [walking] in darkness have seen a great light; those [living] in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Did you catch that? People walking, but a light ignites! People living, but a light shines! People do nothing! No one asks for light. No one chooses light. The light chooses to shine. In world of pain and shattered dreams God blasts a beam onto Bethlehem. God’s glorious angels shine in a brilliant song: ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy… in the town of David a Savior has been born to you’ (Luke 2:10-11). God’s radiant star leads wise men to an even greater Star (Matthew 2:1-12). God shatters darkness by sending Jesus. Just like the beaming sun brightens gloomy hearts, Jesus cheers gloomy hearts. The very first words he ever preaches echo throughout Zebulun and Naphtali. Lands once decimated, seemingly forgotten hear God’s good news of restoration (Matthew 4:15-16). God kept the promise Isaiah told. The Light has Dawned and it shines on those in darkness. Light has an effect. Light rejuvenates burdened hearts. Jesus does not arrive as some rally-figure. Remember, he is ‘anointed,’ ‘set aside’ for a purpose, to complete a mission. Isaiah reveals that mission: You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. People rejoice just like they rejoice when God dominated Midian. Centuries before the Assyrians, the Midianites plopped down in central Israel. They camp in your backyard. Their cattle eat your crops, leaving you nothing. They push you away from water, your roads, your property. No one can stop them! God used Gideon and 300-fighting men to rout that smothering army (Judges 6-7). God brought victory. He restored freedom— and the Israelites rejoiced. Jesus breaks the stranglehold sin had on us. Self-reliance condemned us. Like a heavy yoke set put on your back, judgment crushes body and soul. Turning from God reaps eternal punishment. Like a short rod, regret strikes us. Guilt hits us. Failure preaches death. Yet, Jesus lifts that burdensome yoke of guilt and regret and frustration and sets it on his shoulders. He allows God’s judgment crush his body and soul. God’s rod strikes Jesus dead. Jesus marches into the darkness of our grave, into our death, and out with our new life. Easter Sunday shines with this awesome truth: ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). That’s what you have: life. Life with God forever in heaven. Life with God now— him beside you. The Light has Dawned to rejuvenate burdened hearts. That is why we confess our sins right at the beginning of each worship service. Any fear that God turns from us vanishes with God’s burden-shattering words: ‘I forgive you.’ What a gem you carry: The certainty of God pardoning guilt! Those words prepare you for what comes next. You can listen to Scripture knowing God speaks comfort to you. You can hear a sermon that does not condemn you, but reveals the Savior. You can sing hymns, thanking God for sticking his Word to your life. The Light has Dawned to rejuvenate burdened hearts. With that light, life becomes clearer. Just last week the news mentioned impeachment rules and trial, and Second Amendment Gun Rights. Prince Harry (can we legally call him that?) and Meghan targeted the nagging paparazzi. Every single headline tries to draw you in, get your opinion, and then suggests that your opinion can change things for the better. Maybe you can stop harsh words and protect rights— but it will not end those things for good. Many still wander in sin’s darkness. You see the life as God makes it to be. A life where you forgive others, even those do not ask forgiveness, because God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). A life where you cling to God’s promises, because unlike the world, God actually keeps his word. A life where you find comfort and strength because Jesus conquered death, because Jesus works in you patience and wisdom in conflict (Romans 8:31-39). The Light has Dawned and Jesus (and his Word) shines in you. Jesus rejuvenate burdened hearts. Even scientific studies reveal the harsh effects of darkness. God’s Word reveals the deadly effects of spiritual darkness. So, God shines through the unknown. His brilliant word eradicates questions and fears. He makes clear constant care. The Light has Dawned shining on those in darkness and rejuvenating burdened hearts. Feeling better now? Today is January 12th. That’s nineteen-days after Christmas. At least nineteen days since last scouring the internet for the perfect gift. At least nineteen days since pacing from store to store for eggnog, ham, cordial cherries, peanuts, meats and cheeses for all those family gatherings. Yes, a few sweet treats might remain, but for the most part, the half-dozen family Christmas parties are over. The Christmas tree is gone. The decorations down, packed, and stored away for another year and with them the stressfully frantic unending to-do list of every. single. responsibility. If you are like me, you find yourself standing in this strange intermission. Two major holidays stand behind us (along with all of the planning and prepping) and the next major holiday lies months ahead (Valentine’s Day? …the Irish Festival?... Easter?). School schedules and snowy weather prevent long road trips; that frees up personal time. No back-to-school sales, no school concerts, no graduation parties, nothing really consumes your attention. For a few weeks we have this rest from pressing deadlines. Rest feels nice, doesn’t it?
This morning a deeper rest, a rest far more soothing than this quiet. God points you to that baby in Bethlehem. He points you to the purpose of his birth. He points you to the peace Jesus brings. Christ Comes on a Mission! To heal you from the devil’s oppression. To make you acceptable before God. Listen to our reading from Acts, chapter 10:36-38. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. You know those accounts too. You heard the Christmas angels sing Jesus’ birth announcement: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests’ (Luke 2:14). You know that after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, wise men [Magi] from the east tracked Jesus down. They worshipped him, they presented gold, incense, and (fine-smelling) myrrh (Matthew 2:1-12). You saw Jesus leave Galilee for the Jordan River. He found John the Baptist and was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17). You know these accounts, we read each one over the past few weeks. Yet, these accounts are not mere facts. God includes each account in Scripture for a reason. God uses each account to highlight this truth: Christ Comes on a Mission. That is clearly seen by the events at the Jordan River. There, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth. To ‘anoint’ means to ‘set someone aside’ for a specific mission (or purpose). You pour oil on their head and that individual felt the oil, the people see the oil. Everyone understands this one single person carries a specific responsibility. In the Old Testament, God could select a man (like Elijah) and anoint him as prophet; Elijah has a specific, God-approved mission as God’s messenger. God selects David and anoints him as king; David is no longer a shepherd, but has the purpose of leading God’s people. You saw that at Jesus’ baptism God anoint[s him] with the Holy Spirit and power[.] God sets Jesus aside for a specific mission. What is that mission? To do good and heal all who were under the power of the devil[.] That is what Jesus is born to do. Christ Comes on a Mission! To heal you from the devil’s oppression. You know that. You Jesus went around healing and teaching. You know wicked men arrested him out of jealousy. You know Jesus is whipped and beaten, slandered and insulted, nailed and crucified. You know he suffers death at the hands of God for your benefit. To heal you from the devil’s oppression. You also know something else. The devil, although mortally wounded, remains hard at work. He appears in the quiet of the night, when you sit in the La-Z-Boy alone, when you stare at the ceiling in bed, and he whispers: ‘Do you really think God loves someone like you?’ ‘Do you think God forgets your addiction? The hurt, the abuse you inflicted on others?’ ‘Do you think God is pleased with the care you provided for your spouse? Did you try your hardest? Did you give up?’‘What about your divorce? After all, doesn’t God say: “I hate divorce”?[Malachi 2:16] Then, doesn’t God hate you?’ The devil pokes the heart, ‘Do you feel saved?’ ‘Remember your past? How you chose friends over family? How you hoped the darkness could hide your secret? Does God forgive that? ‘Look at who you are! Do you feel ‘good?’Does your heart leap and are you brimming with joy? Do you think you will go to heaven?’ What torment Satan brings! You know Jesus beats him, but still he still afflicts you! Do you know why? That ancient serpent wants to lead you astray (Revelation 12:9). He tries to lead your heart away from Christ. So, he brings up your past. He asks what you will do to fix your crimes. He wants you to rely on you. That way, you think you saved yourself, you are the savior. If you are the savior, then you no longer see the real Savior. Yes, that ancient serpent, mortally wounded, wants to steer your heart away from Christ. Do you know that sly trick? Christ does— and He Comes on a Mission to heal you from the devil’s oppression. Jesus stands here, in the Jordan River. John pours water over his head. The instant he does the Spirit of the Lord rest[s] on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). God the Father trumpets: ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased’ (Matthew 3:17). Christ is clearly identified as faultless, blameless. The devil cannot point at past regrets— because Jesus has none! He cannot stir up guilt, he cannot steer Jesus into despair— because he commits no crime! Jesus shoulders God’s Holy Commandments and God says: ‘I am pleased with you! You, my Son, are perfect!’ Which is precisely the purpose for Jesus’ birth. Christ Comes on a Mission! To heal you from the devil’s oppression. He marches to the cross and puts down that faultless, blameless life. The Father reaches down from heaven and accepts it. The Father uses that holiness like a key and unlocks us from hell. He holds that holy life and destroys the devil’s every sneaky lie. You (and I) have been set free from the devil’s grip. This is the reason Christ is born. Christ Comes on a Mission! To heal you from the devil’s oppression and to make you acceptable before God. Can you be sure that God accepts you? That God does forgive your addiction, your divorce, your hurt? That you are saved? God uses the disciple Peter to answer that question: Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Did you hear that? Another Bible verse that makes clear that you did not accept God, God accepted you.) God accepts you. How do you know? Well, what did you hear moments ago? We died to sin… don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:2-3). Baptism has connected you to the results of Jesus’ work. The results? Jesus Christ died to wash away the consequences of sin. Baptism washes away the consequences of your sin. Just as Christ rose from the dead sin-less, you also rise out of the water sin-less. God cannot make it any clearer: Baptism connects you to Christ. Baptism makes you acceptable before God. Still, the devil tries to lead you astray. He whispers questions about baptism so that your ego puffs up and you rely on ego more than the Bible. I know many opinions exist about baptism— but they remain just that: opinions, a made up thought. Some teach that you do not need to be baptized. Why then does Jesus say, ‘Go and baptize all nations?’ (Matthew 28:19). Others teach that baptism is when you decide to become a Christian. Why then does Scripture always associate forgiveness of sins with baptism? The apostle Paul says: ‘Be baptized and wash your sins away (Acts 22:16). The apostle Peter says: ‘Be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins’ (Acts 2:38). The devil knows that baptism makes you God’s child. So, he tries to get you to place made up opinions over what God clearly says so that you trust yourself. So that you doubt that God saves you. Friends, God drowns your doubts. This baptismal font stands front and center so that you always remember: God accepts you. You might have been baptized decades ago. Great! Do not pack away its significance with the Christmas decorations. Its impact resounds every single day. When the devil leads you into a guilt trip, point at your baptism. Point at that Bible verse telling what baptism does: [B]aptism now saves you also… [it gives] the pledge of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). Point at the Bible verse testifying that you are God’s child: [A]ll of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27). Drown the devil’s lies with God’s truth. Keep pointing others to the lasting peace God gives in baptism. You cannot bring a little child for baptism, never, ever teach this child about the Savior, and then expect this child in heaven. Baptism is not a ‘good luck’ charm. The faith started must be fed and nurtured because faith can be lost. Keep pointing that little child to Christ. Point to the Christ killed by evil men, but raised by God (Acts 10:39). Point to the forgiveness of sins unleashed that first Easter (Romans 1:4). Point to the paradise God gives to those who believe (Mark 16:16). Christ Comes on a Mission to make you acceptable before God. And he accomplished that mission. He completed his purpose. He met the goal. You now stand with the results of his victory. Morally pure. Spiritually stain-less. Pleasing and acceptable in God’s sight. What sweet peace! God points you to that baby in Bethlehem. He points you to the purpose of his birth. He points you to the peace Jesus brings. Christ Comes on a Mission to heal you from the devil’s oppression. The guilt carried, the worry if a loved one is in heaven, the fear that you might not make heaven all melt away because Christ puts his innocence on you. Can you be sure? Christ Comes on a Mission to make you acceptable before God. You realize that God never asks your thoughts about Jesus’ mission. Instead, God tells you Christ Comes on a Mission so that you can see what he has done for you. Live in peace. Your sins are forgiven. You are at peace with God. Because Christ Comes on a Mission! To heal you from the devil’s oppression. To make you acceptable before God. Well, if the study is accurate, about 130-million Americans (40%) made a New Year’s resolution last Wednesday. That’s about one out of every three Americans. One out of every three people formed a firm commitment to change at least one area of life.
You realize, change reacts to the past. You may reflect on the year past, identify a particular behavior, recognize how harmful it might be, and set out to change it. You look back and see the fast-food adding weight. That is not good. So, you set out to replace junk-food with healthy food. You discover strained relationships and set out to be more patient and forgiving. You identify a lack of strength and so you schedule daily exercise. A resolution strives to end harmful behavior and start a beneficial lifestyle. We could call this process: ‘Vision.’ ‘Vision’ lays out a plan to reach a goal. With a goal set, vision sees what lies ahead. Vision provides guidance. Do you have a clear vision on what the future holds? Do you have a clear vision of the impact of your day-to-day life? Do you have a clear vision on your identity? In this particular year, you gain perfect vision. On the one hand, I can use the cheesy line: ‘The year is 2020! You have perfect eyesight for everything that lies ahead!’ With all joking aside, God Gives You 2020 Vision. With his Word he provides perfect sight for the year ahead. See God choose to adopt you and See God enlighten your future. That is such a vital truth that God does not wait to reveal it. Immediately after the opening greeting (‘From Paul, to the Ephesians. Grace and peace to you.’) erupts this praise: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places[.] ‘Blessed be God,’ that is, ‘Praise God!’ Why? Because he showers never-ending blessings on you. Understand, God is not pointing at your Christmas presents or your children and grandchildren or your house or car, job or retirement. Things on earth may benefit you; they may touch your emotions, but they cannot touch your soul. (And if they cannot touch your soul, then how valuable are those earthly things?) God zeroes in on spiritual blessings streaming down from heaven. Spiritual blessings, like, the benefit of spending eternity in paradise, completely content and satisfied, free from pain and heartache. Spiritual blessings, like, having peace in the face of death, joy in the midst of misery, strength in trouble. These tremendous blessings belong to you because of the supreme blessing found in verses 4 and 5. [H]e chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will[.] God aligns our focus on this magnificent reality: God chose to adopt you. That means, at one time you (and I) did not belong in God’s family. You (and I) were outsiders, people who shared no ownership with God. For example, it would be weird if I gave you a big hug and called you ‘Mom’ or if I opened up your shed, fired up the snow blower, and said, ‘I got your driveway dad!’ or if I walked into your bedroom and said, ‘I’m going to play with some of your toys, sis.’ I am not part of your family. I do not share rights to your property. No intimate, emotional bond or physical bond exists between me and you. That is how we started life: Having no possession of God’s love. Our future was dark and dead. So, God illuminates this tremendous truth: Before the creation of the world, before life began, God chose you to belong in his family. Understand that well: You did not chose God (read also John 15:16). Do you find any mention about you ‘choosing’ Christ or you ‘accepting’ Christ here? No! Holy Scripture makes it explicitly clear: [H]e chose us. God selected you out of the world’s orphanage. He gave you the family name: ‘Christian.’ He dressed you in new, clean clothes and shoes. He hands you a key to heaven and a cellphone with his number in it. He readies your heavenly room. God chose to adopt you. That is the vision God holds before your eyes (and mine). This is what God wants you (and I) to see. He wants you to see your identity as a child of God. He wants you to see this because so much blurs that vision. For many the new year focuses on self-improvement. (What can you do to better your life on earth?) That thinking can easily consume your attention. So many consider church as a self-help place. Some hope to hear a message that will instantly heal strained relationships. Others think that being here will provide good luck for the week ahead. Still others seeking moral improvement (that is, how to be better person). Do you realize the Bible never obsesses about those matters? The purpose of the Bible is not to reveal how to live happy and wealthy today. It never teaches ‘7-Steps for a Stronger Marriage’ or ‘5-Secrets to Greater Wealth’ or ‘Unlock a Better You Now.’ It never teaches: ‘How to Make America Great’ or ‘What Has Happened to Families?’ God gives the Bible in order to give you vision— and not just any vision, but a vision for heaven. Still, there always remains a little part of us that exchanges the eternal for the worldly. A little part of us that considers the temporary more valuable than the eternal. A little part that makes life all about ‘me,’ and ‘my’ pleasures, and ‘my’ pursuits. Friends, real purpose is never found without God. Without God stands death, life outside his family forever. That is why God immediately stresses where Christians have their standing. In fact, God repeats it four times in four verses! He chose us in Christ. He adopted you through Christ. He gives you grace through the Beloved Christ. God cannot stress life’s fullest vision enough. He points you (and me) to Christ! That Christ-Child born Christmas Day does not come so that the poor have some money. He does not arrive so that the arguing religious leaders are silenced. He does not come so that families get along. He comes to make you (and me) (1) holy and (2) blameless. He holds the cross before your eyes so that you clearly see that point. Eternity is so important that God wraps himself in human flesh, takes off our filthy life and washes it with his innocent life. His innocent blood scrubs away worldly ambition. His single-minded focus on heaven covers over every instance our hearts fall in love with this world. He removes every spiritual stain so that God sees you ‘holy,’ that is, without fault. God sees you ‘blameless.’ As the Judge of the universe, God stares at you, but finds no charges. He slams the holy gavel and cries out: ‘Innocent!’ This is how you stand before God today. How do you know this applies to you? Well, a few minutes ago you heard: [Y]ou also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). God stamped you with a seal. In baptism, he stamps you with his name— the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Baptism is a pledge, the contract God signed to adopt you. You now belong to him. God Gives You 2020 Vision. He takes Jesus’ birth and the cross, pieces them together so that you gain a clear vision of identity. Because of Jesus God chooses to adopt you. That is your identity today. Since this is who you are, it shapes where you go from here. The future is no secret. God Gives You 2020 Vision as God enlightens your future. Our closing verses say: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that 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[.] God reveals your adoption, but repeats it. He repeats it so that you might (1) remember it and (2) better understand it. For example, in grade-school you might have memorized every state with its capital. You remembered it so well, but now you have forgotten. What you once knew, you forgot. God does not want you to lose sight that you are his adopted child. So, he sends the Holy Spirit to fill you with wisdom and revelation. Real wisdom acknowledges the poisonous devastation sin wreaks on the world and how Christ is the antidote. God reveals this truth in the Bible. You will sharpen your vision for a heavenly future by remaining in the Word of God. That might mean carving out time for a devotion each day or spending a few moments with God in prayer. You get to center your thoughts, your heart, your mind on what God teaches is right and true. That means you get to evaluate your time and consider if you might attend Bible Class. In class, you get to examine life’s questions through the scope of the Word. You will lose nothing by attending; you will only grow more. That means, as God’s child, you keep worship your priority. As someone who loves God, why would you want to make excuses to stay out of worship? Instead, as God’s adopted child, you want to make reasons to be with your heavenly Father. As you remain in the Word, your knowledge of God grows and your trust in him strengthens. You have 2020 vision that sees heaven as your eternal goal and you, a child of God, who walks towards that goal. God, through his Word, enlightens your future. [I pray that] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints[.] Unending life with Jesus lies ahead— and you can see it clearly. Yes, this year happens to be 2020. So I can use the cheesy line: ‘The year is 2020! You have perfect eyesight for everything that lies ahead!’ In all seriousness, God Gives You 2020 Vision. He provides perfect sight for the year ahead. (1) See God choose to adopt you. In sheer love, he brought you into his family. Jesus lived a perfect life and the Holy Spirit applies it to you. So, you stand as God’s adopted child. Since this is how you now appear, (2) See God enlighten your future. God uses his Word to sharpen sights on your eternal goal. He points you to heaven and leads you there as you remain in his Word—hearing it and shaping life around it. God Gives You 2020 Vision. See God choose to adopt you and See God enlighten your future. |
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