The Good Fisherman

3^rd Sunday after Epiphany – January 23^rd, 2011

Text: Isaiah 9:1-4ff; Matthew 4:12-25

In the Name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit T Amen.

            You’ve heard it said that Epiphany is a season of Jesus revealing, making known, manifesting God’s salvation– it’s the true season of Light – where the glory of YHWH shines forth in the flesh and blood of the man Jesus Christ – the Light of the World; the light of the Gentiles, of Huntington Beach.  This is all true.  And yet it sounds rather odd to talk about darkness in Southern CA, where we average over 266 days of sunshine a year. 

            But you and I both know that Isaiah isn’t talking about the weather and Jesus didn’t come to Galilee to make sure every home had the proper CFL energy-efficient illumination.  Isaiah uncovers what we modern, “civilized” people have largely forgotten, or at least tried to cover up, what in the not so distant past was quite apparent – that darkness is death. 

            God’s people in Isaiah’s day knew this – they sat in the darkness of exile, awaiting the Dawn of the Messiah.  It’s no different today.  For as hard as it is to find darkness and bad weather in California, it’s even harder to admit that you sit in darkness, sin and death.  That you have sinned in thought, word and deed.  You see, sitting in the dark is a lot like being lost you don’t really know how lost you are – or how thick the darkness is - until someone shows you a map or turns on the lights.   

            Jesus exposes the darkness of our sin in one short little sermon.  He cuts to the heart.  “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  The light also exposes the way we sprint blindly into arrogance and gossip, lust and disobedience – obeying false gods in order to brighten our day for just a little bit.  Yes, believe that you are indeed a great sinner, but believe that Jesus is a far greater Savior.  Jesus’ comes not in terror or judgment or punishment; He comes to scatter the darkness with His Good News.

              That’s the difference between Isaiah and Matthew.  We no longer wait for the Messiah.  New Light has dawned.  The Day of the Lord has come in Jesus.  In Christ’s forgiveness, God’s verdict of the Last Day slips out.  For the Light of Bethlehem’s manger has moved from the Jordan River to the wilderness to Capernaum for you.  The reign of God on earth has arrived in the flesh and blood of Jesus.  And wherever Jesus reigns, He reigns with forgiveness of sins, life and salvation abounding like an ever-rushing river.

            To the world around us, the light of Jesus’ ministry looks rather dim, dull even some skeptics say.  Calling disciples, healing, preaching, casting out demons…dying and rising; none of this really sounds like the kind of kingdom or King anyone would have expected.  Where’s the conquering?  Where’s the victory; where’s the healing? 

            Because if it’s hard to see the darkness of our sinful condition, it seems just as hard, if not harder, to see the light of God’s salvation when the gloom of this sinful world overshadow the ones we love: where growths and tumors intrude on our family and friends; where little 8 year old boys are killed in tragic accidents; where wicked men slaughter innocent people – a creation held captive to sin and death – shrouded in darkness.  

             

            Into this darkness walks Jesus: God of God, Light of Light- in Him is life and that life is the light of Zebulun and Naphtali, of Capernaum and all people; light and life for you.  He is your Good Shepherd; He is your Good Fisherman.  See how easily He calls His disciples.  With a short sermon and two performative little God-does-what-He-says words: “Follow me.”  Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  The Word is spoken and all is accomplished.  Jesus speaks and His disciples follow.  Jesus preaches and sinners are forgiven.  Jesus heals and the afflicted are restored.  Jesus casts out demons and the prince of this world is thrown down from his self-imposed throne.  

           

            The God who gave victory to Gideon’s 300-man light brigade is the same God who now comes and shines with heavenly light in the flesh and blood of Jesus; He wins victory on a Friday afternoon amidst clouds of thick darkness.  The glory of the Lord is no longer in the temple; He has taken up permanent residence in human flesh.  From Bethlehem to Capernaum and from Capernaum to the cross.  Follow God’s glory as He goes, not in a pillar of fire or smoke, but in a pillar of skin and bones.  Jesus the Greater Gideon goes once again to fight in battle for us.  There is God in crucified, blood-shed-and-poured-out-for-you glory. 

           

            Shall anything separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? The forces of Midian or the devil himself? Disease or famine, sword or persecution? The ICU or tragedy – even death?  No. Nothing will stop this Savior.  For the people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light and those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness on them – on you – Light has shined.  And not just any Light; for that was no ordinary darkness. 

           

            Matthew tells us John was arrested; handed over.  The forerunner is at it again – always pointing to the Crucified Lamb of God.  Jesus too is handed over, betrayed, arrested.  John goes where Jesus goes – birth, baptism, arrest and death.  And Jesus goes where you go – birth, baptism, obedience, temptation, bearing diseases and suffering, yes even death so that in His death you are given life, consolation.  The oppressor’s rod is broken, the yoke of your sinful burden has been laid to rest on the arms of Jesus and Satan’s rule is cast out as easily as Jesus casts His saving nets.  This Good Fisherman; He rescues you, pulls you through water to Himself– fishes you out of the darkness – with a Word as strong and powerful as the call to His first disciples: I baptize you...follow me.  Not maybe, not sort of, not kind of…but immediately – the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand in Jesus.

            I’m sure it was a beautiful morning when Jesus walked into Capernaum, fished his disciples out of their boats and set them about the Father’s business.  But there is no more beautiful morning this side of heaven than when the light of God’s Word breaks into our lives and speaks a Word of hope and eternal comfort: the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. 

            Do you find yourself suffering tragedy and in need of comfort?  Jesus is at hand.  Are your loved ones or friends sick or distressed; do you find yourself overwhelmed by the shadow of death.  Are you blinded by this world and in need of saving light?  Jesus is at hand.

            That’s why Jesus calls His disciples: to spread the light of His Gospel, to rescue, preach, teach – the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  So, He sends them fishing with the same Word He used to pull Andrew and Peter and James and John from their boats and into His net.  And that’s the same Word He uses to cast His nets and gather His Church.

            For the reign of heaven is not a “what.” But a “who!”  You need look no further than Jesus; in Him, God’s Kingdom has come and continues to come.  Wherever you find Jesus, there’s the Kingdom. 

            Thy Kingdom come.  Thy Kingdom poured over you in the water.  Thy Kingdom fed to you in the Supper, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily body and blood.  Thy Kingdom proclaimed into your ears: “I forgive your trespasses as you trespass against Me.”  What joy.  You go where Jesus calls you: Come, Follow Me.

In the Name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit T Amen.

An Overdue Dawn Treader Review

There once was a boy named Eustace Scrubb and he almost deserved it, after all he didn''t read the right books.  And there once was a director named Michael Apted and who didn''t read enough of the right books (and from recent news reports, neither has Liam Neeson, a.k.a. Aslan's voice in the movies).  This could be the kind of post that goes through and petulantly nit-picks everything the new Voyage of the Dawn Treader missed and/or added to Lewis' book that is so beloved by many, including this current critic.  I shall save such an endeavor for a sequel: Dawn Treader Review: The Nerdy Edition.  Much could be said for much was lost in the details.  As I have mentioned with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows it's the substance of the books that is in the details.  Theology is in the details.  And in this case it's the Christology or should we say - Aslanology that's in the details.  So here's some of the details I thought the new Dawn Treader movie got right, even if they did embellish a little or add here and there.  Sometimes creativity can be a license for good not ill (how do ya like that Beastie-blast from the 90's?).  Here they are in no particular order, well, except for the last point; the closing line was the piece de resistance.

• Eustace Scrubb was brilliantly cast.  His mannerisms, his snooty, bratty arrogance and idiocy were done quite well.  Not sure how much the child actor read the book to become familiar with the character, but he pulled it off smashingly.
• The opening scene in the Edmund's room at the Scrubb's home.  The painting moved.  The ship really did look Narnian and the water came rushing in the room only to find the children no longer in a cramped bedroom but in Narnia.  I thought this scene wonderfully captured the magic of being brought into Narnia.
• The Dawn Treader...what a noble Narnian ship it was.  The careful attention to detail, the real boat they built to create the set - it was money well spent (unlike the $ I spent to see it in 3D - not a fan of that at all; 3D is for suckers).  Both the ship and her crew seemed to fit the part well.  Here you can tell they payed fairly close attention to the details of the book - dragon head and tail, the gilded  and green sides, her sail, even down to the Aslan icons on board. 
• You must allow one nerdy moment though.  Eustaces' baptism was well done -albeit differently than in the book, however it was a nice parallel.  In the book it was done near/in a pool of water in the dark of night.  Eustace was unendingly overwhelmed at his dragon nature that had consumed him.  He was clawing at it and scratching.  The movie showed that briefly, but it was much more intense in the book.  He could not shed his dragon skin.  Aslan had to do that for him.  And it felt like claws - again, the movie portrayed this - but Aslan did not touch Eustace in the movie, only in the book to you get such rich intimate (let the reader understand) God-with-you details.  Now the fiery baptism in the movie was cool though too since it had some Biblical backing to it.  I'd love to know how they decided to go that route in the movie and what the conversation was that took place.  At any rate it was good they had it despite placing too much emphasis on accentuating the positive of Eustace's dragon nature.
• Reepicheep; the song he sang: He was singing it in the beginning of the movie on the bow of the Dawn Treader.  He's the Elijah of Narnia, leaving not his cloak but his sword behind as he enters Aslan's country through the chariot of shell and water.  He's the first one to mention Aslan's country in the utter east and he's the first to taste the sweet water that signals the utter east.  Reepicheep is one of the most endearing characters in the books and I'm thankful the movies captured that well.

Where sky and water meet

Where the waves grow sweet

Doubt not, Reepicheep

To find all you seek

There is the utter East.

• The lillies.  Easter.  Aslan.  Nothing more needs to be said.  Even the water was calm.  That a Revelation type scene complete with the wave.
• Jill Pole is mentioned at the end...anyone heard any rumors about the Silver Chair?  They sure left it open at the end.
• But they saved the best for last.  The quotation at the end by Aslan.  "You'll find me in your world but I go by another name...I have brought you here that knowing me here for a little while, you may know me better in your world." (pardon the paraphrase).  The correct quotation in the movie covers a multitude of Hollywood sins.  If there was one thing I was hoping they hadn't messed with it was this.  And they got the line right.  That;s the whole point of the Narnia books, pointing to Jesus.  Lewis used these books, the fantasy genre and all his creative genius to sneak past those watchful dragons.

If you think I missed anything I'd be curious to hear what you thought of the movie and where it was faithful or untrue to the book.  As I said earlier, perhaps I'll post something of a geek-squad review with more critical elements, but that's all I've got to say about that...for now.

Water and Blood and Jesus

+ The Baptism of Our Lord – January 9^th, 2010 +

Text: Isaiah 42:1-9; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 3:13-17

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

            The greatest events in Scripture all have to do with water.  Think about it: Creation, the flood, the exodus, wandering in the wilderness, the entrance to the Promised Land, Jesus’ miracles and ministry – His crucifixion – there’s even water flowing from God’s throne in Revelation. 

            You're welcome to challenge this, but I think you could only add blood to the premise.  Which only helps strengthen the case.  Water and blood and Jesus.

            Everything is there for you in Jesus’ Baptism: the Son is in the water, the Spirit Hovers and the Father’s voice resounds.  Creation, redemption, sanctification, fulfillment – it’s all in the water – liquid salvation.

            So, Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to John to be baptized by him.  At Jesus’ Baptism, John is still the forerunner.  His entire identity is wrapped up in water.  The same is true for Jesus.  Baptism and Jesus always go together.  So, it’s no coincidence that Jesus’ is anointed into His public ministry in the Jordan River.

            The Jordan River appears to be an ordinary river - more like a creek – the people of Israel have been crossing and bathing in this river since the days of Moses.  But, oh is it ever polluted.  I’m not just talking about the silt and reeds.  Think of all those people coming to John to be baptized in repentance for the forgiveness of sins; it’s unholy water.  This time, when Israel wades into the Jordan River something new – a new Promised Land, a new Paradise – happens under the sun and in the water – God in the flesh goes to the Jordan River to be baptized by a sinner with sinners for sinners.  That’s what Jesus wades into, a slough of iniquity.  A dirty, sinner’s bath.  The Sinless for the sinner.  So much for a nice dip in the river. 

            And John calls Jesus out on it too.  He blurts out the elephant in the river:  “What are you crazy?  I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?!”  John knows what kind of runoff is in that river.  He knows the kind of people he’s been baptizing – no sin, no baptism; that’s how it works; Jesus is not one of them.  He bears no guilt.  He has no sin.  He is innocent, a spotless Lamb without blemish.  Heaven is already open to Him, His Father is already His Heavenly Father from all eternity; all that the Father has is His; and the Spirit dwells with them in eternity.  John is right.  Jesus has no need of Baptism.

            But you and I do.  We need His Baptism – we need what happens to Him in that water.  We were in bondage to sin, death and Satan and the worst part is was no one’s fault but ours, we the liars , the gossipers and backstabbers, murderers, cheats and scoundrels – we, the chief of sinners were in prison and could not free ourselves from darkness and separation - sin and death.  And you might think that you are alone.  But you are not.  He has not come to break bruised reeds and snuff out smoldering wicks.  He comes to the Jordan for you.

            Jesus stands in the Jordan for all of Israel, for you Muttering Moses’, for you Conniving Cain, for you Desiring David, for you Betraying Peter, for you chief of sinners .  Christ goes down into the water without guilt.  Without sin.  Innocent.

            And He comes up out of the water guilty, impure, unclean – the greatest sinner of all.  A reverse Baptism.  John resists, but Jesus insists.  There is no other way.  “Let it be for now,” Jesus says, “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  So, John pours the water; Jesus is anointed for death.  And like a divine sponge He soaks up all God’s wrath for you.  There’s no one so bad that Jesus did not die for them, none so good that they do not need Him.  In Him is the liar and the cheat, the pervert and the thief; you are in Him.  He is doused with your death so that you are drown into His life.  Every Baptism is a successful drowning into life.

            The tides have turned.  Jesus’ Baptism is a great reversal.  A super exchange, a sacred swap – the Holy for the unholy, the Sinless for the sinner, the Living for the dead, the Son of David for the all sons of Adam.  Jesus Baptism is your Baptism.  Jesus’ death is your death.  Jesus’ life is your life.  He is the stand-in for all humanity.  One life for all.

            Heaven is open.  The Son is in the water; Spirit hovers and the Father’s voice resounds.  Nothing pleases the Father more than this Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.   “This is my Beloved Son in whom I was, I am, I will continually be pleased.”  His sacrifice is a delight to the Father.  Through Jesus’ Baptism – life death and resurrection - God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. 

            For Jesus, the cross looms large over Baptism.  Baptism in the Jordan.  Baptism on the cross.  Water gives way to blood and fire.  Death gives way to resurrection.  Death has sheathed it’s sword, the angels no longer guard the way to paradise, Jesus leads you there through His Baptism, through His death, into life.  “Behold, my chosen Servant in whom my soul delights.”  The Spirit is upon Him from all eternity.  You see Jesus, you see the Spirit.  And in Him, the Spirit now rests on you.

            That’s why it had to be a dove descending.  The feathered Spirit rests on Jesus, having found a perfect fleshly olive branch.  Peace with God.  Jesus has suffered all God’s wrath for you.  Jesus is the end of punishment for you.  The Victor.  The Fulfiller.  The Accomplisher.  The hell destroyer.  The former things have come to pass and new things He declares:

            A new and greater flood gives way to a new creation set free.  Jesus’ ministry is your Freedom.  He releases us from sin’s captivity for fruit bearing life.  Heals and bears our diseases.  Casts out Satan and his hordes.  Raises the dead.  The Key of David unlocks heaven and slams the gates of hell shut with a flood of water and blood.  He is pierced and Heaven is open.  Who do you see through the torn curtain? 

            Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, takes away your sin.  And if He has taken it away it is no longer yours, but His.    Your apathy, your lies, Your sins – whatever they may be, great or small, it matters not – they no longer belong to you, but Him.  Sin, death and evil are gone. 

            Into your empty hands He puts His peace.  Into your ears He sings a new song of absolution.  Into your open mouth He puts His own body and blood.  He gives you faith in Him and fervent love toward one another.

            And over your head He pours forth a new and saving flood that drowns all sin in you which you have inherited from Adam and which you have committed since.  It may only look like water, but Jesus is there.  For no one who goes into the font after Jesus comes out the same.  Down with the old and up with the new.  All of your guilt and shame is covered by His robe of Baptismal death-and-life-fulfilling righteousness.

            Water and blood and Jesus – it’s all there in your Baptism.  Should your sin disturb you or Satan fire his darts at you, point to the font and soak his lies in the Promise: “I am Baptized.  There my Savior was baptized into my death and there I was baptized into His.”

            In Jesus, Baptism is your ark, your exodus, your anointing, your death and resurrection.    Your Jordan where the Son stands, the Spirit hovers and the Father’s voice resounds: “You are my beloved child with whom I am and I will eternally be pleased.

               

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

Christmass for the Outsiders

The Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6^th 2011

Text: Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12

Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ + Amen.

            Where is He who has been born King of the Jews for we have seen his star in the east and we have come to worship Him?  That’s what the magi asked Herod.

            And now that the bowl games are all but over, the after-Christmass sales have been picked through, tossed aside and replaced with pink and red hearts and all those cookies and treats have moved from your counter-top to - well, let’s just say, your stomach - it appears that Christmass is finally over.  For some this brings sadness –loved ones are gone, it’s time to go home and put away all the decorations.  For others this means reprieve: the relatives are gone, you finally get to go home and what a relief, no more schmaltzy Christmass music repeating every hour at Target. 

            After all the tinsel and glitter you’re left asking the same question:  “Where is He who is born King of the Jews that I might go and worship him?  Where did Christmass go?  It was over before it even began!”

            In a twist of irony it seems that once all the ribbons and lights, trees and ornaments are down you finally find the real and enduring meaning of christmass in the Church.  Here in the Church the real Christmass never goes away. 

            That’s the promise of Epiphany.  It’s a continuation of Christmass, and yet it’s a season unto itself.  At Christmass the Word was made flesh.  During Epiphany we see God’s glory revealed in the flesh and blood of the man Jesus, manifested in Jordan, at Cana, calming the sea, seeking and saving the lost.   Which is why Epiphany has also been called “Christmass to the Gentiles.”  The Magi – the first gentiles to worship Jesus – were led by the star to Bethlehem where they found Jesus.  Christmass for the outsiders.      

            But it’s not so much about the wise-dudes searching for the newborn King, as it is the Light of this newborn King finding them; not so much about the gifts they bring – although they’re important – but about the One they fall down and worship: Little child Jesus.

            We probably have a camel-load full of questions about Epiphany: how many magi were there, 3, 33, 300?  Where did they come from?  How long did they travel?  Was the star a natural or miraculous phenomenon?  Was Jesus closer to 6 months or 2 years old?  And the list goes on and on.

            Where is He who is born King of the Jews?  That’s the Epiphany question.  And if you answer this question right the rest of Jesus’ life – and the whole church year - falls into place.

            The magi asked the right question, but in the wrong place, Jerusalem.  The capital.  The holy, royal city.  King Herod the Great was there.  Although as history reminds us, he wasn’t really a king and he wasn’t all that great either.  But it makes sense that the magi would go there.  If a king of the Jews was to be born, where else would he be but crawling around the halls of Herod’s palace? 

            However, Herod was not the Great King foretold by the Micah and Isaiah and the prophets.  To find this King, they had to find Bethlehem.  And to find Bethlehem they had to go to the Word of the prophets:

And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.

            So it’s off to Bethlehem.  The star reappears - like a divinely ordained global positioning unit this light guides the magi to the Light of the World.   the star was amazing, the journey was arduous, the gifts were fit for a king – but the magi fall down on their knees and touch their foreheads to the ground, the deepest sign of respect there is in the Middle East, and they worship the little Child. 

            Where is He who is born King of the Jews?  The Magi do not worship God in the highest heavens.  They worship the Child, the baby Jesus.  The glory of the Lord is not in the burning bush or in the pillar of fire, nor in the tabernacle or the temple but in the flesh and blood of Jesus, this little baby who bears your flesh and blood.  This little baby, who can’t even articulate a meaningful Hebrew word is the eternal Word by whom all things were made.  The magi were led by a star to the Child Jesus, through whom all stars were created.  They fall down and worship the Star of Jacob who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man.

            Jesus’ birth may have been poor and lowly and His crib no more than a feeding trough.  But, His manger is wide enough for the whole sinful world and all the havoc and chaos in it.    The radiance of God’s glory manifested, made known, revealed and shining through the flesh and blood of Jesus. 

            Maybe Epiphany finds you lonely after a rough holiday season with family….maybe Epiphany finds you mourning, waiting, hopeful, overwhelmed, confused or lost in the darkness of sin, death and the devil.  When the world is at its absolute darkest Christ’s salvation is most radiant.

            Where is He who is born King of the Jews?  He is nailed to a tree.  Behold the Light of the World whose death is covered by the darkness of sin.  This too is epiphany…the One mounting the cross is God in our flesh.  He reigns from His crib, His mother’s lap and now the cross.  No kingly accessories in sight: only a crown of thorns; a throne of wood; and a robe of blood.

            When the world is at its darkest hour.  The sun shrouded in darkness.  God is hung on the cross.  Jesus’ greatest glory.  Your greatest glory – Jesus, swaddled in your death destroying death.  That’s how far God is willing.  To bring you back to Him.  To save you from sin, death and hell.  To find you.  To Epiphany Himself for you.  And again the sign: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.  Arise, shine; your light has come.  Go and tell your neighbors, friends, co-workers that they too might come and worship Him.

There’s no need for a star; that was for the Persians.  God has other signs for you and the world. 

            What God began in Bethlehem He continues in the Lord’s Supper.  After all, Bethlehem means House of Bread.  And that’s exactly what this altar is: your bread box, your Bethlehem.    That’s why Christmass is never really Christmass without Holy Communion and the Holy Communion means that God’s people are again celebrating Christmass.  You don’t need to go on a 700 mile camel-journey to find God; just get out of bed on Sunday morning – or Thursday evening - and come to your Bethlehem.                

            Where is He who is born King of the Jews?  In His Word, a Lamp shining in dark places.  In your Baptism, a daily reminder that Christmass never ceases.  In the Lord’s Supper - His House of bread and wine.  Every Lord’s Supper celebrated is Christmass all over again.  Here the Living Bread who comes down from heaven is the Child in the manger and is now given to us at the altar.  Here you worship and adore on bended knee The same Jesus who was worshiped and adored by the magi. A Child, a King, your Savior.

           

In the Name of Jesus+ Amen.

Holy Smoke: The Joys of Christian Liberty

It has been said that when you walk into a church it should look like a church, sound like a church and smell like a church.  What does a church smell like?  Well, just ask Moses and Aaron or Zechariah and the Apostle John.  In Revelation the heavenly divine service is accompanied by many things, including incense.  It was also the gift the magi brought to Jesus and it is the prayer of the saints in the Old and New Testament: "Let my prayer rise before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

That's what we sang last night at Epiphany Vespers as the holy smoke attended the chancel.  It was beautiful.  It smelled great.  People were genuinely interested and learned about a custom of the church that they had never experienced before.  The use of incense won't add to the effectiveness of the Gospel.  The Gospel is effective all on its own without any merit or worthiness in us.  But the Lord chooses to use means to save and provide and He chooses to use earthly means, after all, as Lewis reminds us, God likes matter He created it (Lewis was also a smoker by the way!).  And so it only makes sense to use other earthly things like incense or processions or canticles or paraments or stained glass windows (and the list could go on and on) to point to the Gospel and when and where this is done in Christian freedom, out of service to the Gospel it is a good, right and salutary thing.  This use of incense at Epiphany Vespers, or any other service for that matter, is one of the great joys of Christian liberty.

But, caution, smoking may be harmful to pietists.  It's too "Catholic" you'll hear (whatever that means).  Ironically, as Pastor Cwirla pointed out, many of these same people stoke the potpourri and Yankee candles in their homes to the point of no inhale.  Enough ad hominem for now.  If incense is too "Catholic" then what else falls into that category?  The Roman Catholics have readings from Scripture is that too "Catholic"?  Should we stop doing that too?  They also have the Lord's Supper, Baptism, the Creeds, pews, stained glass windows, candles, statues, etc., etc., etc.  Once we get over our it's-too-Catholic-legalism you can arrive at the place of Christian freedom.  Of course there's always a danger of wrapping yourself in false piety and turning liberty into a new slavery.  Or bouncing from one extreme - legalism - to the other, license.  Both are really just a new slavery and the same old Pharisaic Old Adam at work.  People are of course free (in the Christian freedom sense of the word) not to enjoy or use incense.  However the wind blows both ways.  On the one hand, the holy smoker ought not make a law where no law exists.  But the one who, in freedom chooses not to use incense cannot declare thou shalt not on something that has not been forbidden.  If it's an aesthetic reason for not liking incense (or health concern, i.e. severe asthma) then that is one thing.  However, if it becomes a dogmatic "thou shalt," or "thou shalt not" the discussion has moved beyond Christian freedom and can endanger the freedom of the Gospel itself such as was the case with St. Paul and circumcision with Timothy and Titus.  The day someone tells me to stop stoking the charcoal because it's too "Catholic" or isn't Lutheran, etc. then I will pour another spoonful of resin and give thanks and haze. 

At the end of the day aesthetic arguments are nice, but the ones that point to Jesus are the best.  That's the purpose of incense after all.  It was used in the OT as a sweet aroma to the delight of YHWH's nostrels.  And there's nothing more pleasing to the Father than His own beloved Son fulfilling all righteousness (Matthew 3).  So, why not light up the incense as a pleasing aroma inlight of Christ our Paschal Lamb who has been sacrificed for us as we pray, praise and give thanks - a living sacrifice that flows in response to the gifts given from Christ's sacrifice on the cross to our sacraments in the Church.

Thankfully, incense is catholic in the best sense of the word.  And if we tossed out everything that smelled a little too close to Rome, well then we'd be hanging out in a different church with Andreas von Karlstadt and his iconoclastic cronies.  The Lutheran Reformation, as our friend C.P. Krauth said, is more about what was retained than what was thrown away.  It was a conservative reformation.  Church history and the Lutheran Reformation are full of these kinds of examples.  But that's another post for another day.  This one's just about all burned out. 
But just a few  words on logistics are necessary.  Practically speaking, you don't need to do it like these guys, even though it's totally cool.

Pick a good smelling frankincense, use it sparingly if your building has poor ventilation, bring it out during the prayers or a canticle, or even before the service just to get the smell of church in the air, and make sure to practice how you'll use it ahead of time.  People will appreciate it.  They told me so last night.  Don't overlook a great opportunity for catechesis.  The preschoolers also loved it and it was a great way to show them one of the gifts the magi brought at Epiphany, what kinds of thing are in the Scriptures, how we use them in the church and who would have ever guessed that a 3 year old would have tried to eat it like popcorn (don't worry, no preschooler were harmed in the making of this post).  But seriously, she tried to eat it...and failed, thankfully!

Speaking of Christian freedom, all this talk about smoke reminds me of Gesmokelcheit - a favourite CTS tradition - and a great post I read earlier this week on a "theology of pipe-smoking" from Andrew DeLoach, Esq.  Here's the link if you have facebook Toward a Theology of Pipe Smoking...or here for all the non-FB folks Toward a Theology of Pipe Smoking.

Here's brief trip down the holy smoker's hall of fame.  Maybe this will inspire you or just make you appreciate God's good gifts whether it's the leaf or the hops or the barley.

I could really go for some Longbottom Leaf right now.  Prost to the eternal Shire and to Christian Liberty!

The Boy Who Lives

+ 2^nd Sunday After Christmass – January 2^nd, 2011 +

Guest preaching @ Trinity Lutheran, Whittier, CA

Text: Luke 2:41-52

Grace Mercy and Peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ + Amen.

            In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ life begins and ends in the temple.  That’s no coincidence.  There’s no such thing as a coincidence in Scripture – only divine fulfillment of YHWH’s salvation woven into the tapestry of the Old and New Testaments.  Cut any page of Scripture open and it bleeds the blood of Christ.

            Jesus’ life begins in the temple.  Simeon recognized this while holding Baby Jesus in his arms.  His eyes gazed upon the salvation of both Jew and Gentile.  It is a blessed irony - Mary went to the temple for purification even as the Purification of the whole world is held in her arms.  They go to the temple to fulfill the Law even as the Law is fulfilled by that infant lowly, infant holy.  Jesus the perfect temple goes to the temple He has come to replace with His own flesh and blood, suffering and death.  Yes, His life begins in the temple.

            Now Jesus is 12.  It’s the Passover.  The Pascha – the suffering.  Yes, there is celebration of the Exodus when God delivered His people Israel from Egyptian slavery and death through the blood of the Passover lamb.  And yet there was suffering.  God;s people suffered.  The Lamb suffered.  And God’s wrath passes over them because of that Paschal – suffering - Lamb.  The Passover is only Passover because there is suffering.  So it’s up to Jerusalem.  Back to the temple. 

            But there’s a crisis on this family pilgrimage: Jesus is lost and cannot be found.  Except He’s not lost like our kids at the grocery store and he’s not mischievous like all 12 year old boys.  But Mary and Joseph don’t see this yet.  They did what any parent would do – overwhelmed by fear and love – they searched for Him among their relatives – no Jesus there; hastily returned to Jerusalem and searched for Him there too – but still no Jesus.  After three days they found Him in the temple.  And Mary frantically asks Jesus what any parent would ask their 12 year old boy: “Son, why have you treated us so?  Behold, your father and I have been searching for you under every camel and in every corner of Jerusalem in great distress.”

            But Jesus isn’t just any old 12 year old boy.  What was Jesus doing in the temple?  Swinging from the cedar rafters?  Playing pranks on the Rabbis or getting into the incense and setting things ablaze?!  No, they found Him sitting among the temple theological professors, listening to them, and asking them questions.  And all who heard Him were standing outside themselves with amazement at His understanding and His answers. Jesus’ life begins in the temple.

            It is no coincidence that 12 year old Jesus is found after 3 days, in the temple, in Jerusalem, during the Feast of Passover.  This sounds like a set up…a divine set-up; a death and resurrection dress-rehearsal.  Jesus is lost and found… exactly where He is supposed to be.  In the temple.  Doing the things, the stuff, the business of His Heavenly Father.

            And what do you suppose they talked about?  The text doesn’t say.  But I think 12-year-old Jesus did for those Rabbis what Resurrected-from-the-dead-Jesus would do for His disciples – He opened the Scriptures to them.  There’s even a one-word clue: must.  It is necessary.

“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”  Luke 4:43

"The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Luke 9:22

“This Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfillment."  Luke 22:37

The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and^(C) be crucified and on the third day rise."  Luke 22:7

            The Rabbis were astonished.  Mary didn’t understand it all just yet.  But she “treasured all these things in her heart.”  Twenty-one years later, back at Jerusalem again, she would see with her very eyes what her Boy meant that day in the temple when He said:  “I had to be in my Father’s house.  In this way, Mary and Joseph were the first to stumble over the cross of their Son, certainly not the last.

            You see, there are two ways of misunderstanding Jesus.  There is the way of Mary and Joseph and the disciples, who although they did not understand every Word that came from His mouth, still believed.  And then there is there is the way of the Pharisees and Sadducees, they stumble over the cross too – and ended up in unbelief and rejection of the Messiah with stones in hand. 

            That is why Jesus goes down with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth and was submissive to them.  He was obedient for you who are utterly and deathly disobedient against Him.  For you who sin against Him in thought, word and deed; He comes to the temple with nothing only the thoughts words and deeds of His Heavenly Father on His mind and lips.  For we who love only ourselves with our whole heart, He perfectly loved His neighbor as Himself.  For we who deserve temporal and eternal punishment, He leaves nothing undone – it is finished.  Salvation complete and won.

           

            This is why Jesus was in the Father’s house that day: doing for you, what you could not do, fulfilling the Law, being obedient to His parents, and obedient to His Father, even unto death.  Jesus is the temple, the priest and the sacrifice all wrapped into one, perfect obedient Son.  An infant wrapped in swaddling clothes; a 12 year old boy; a Suffering Servant: His life begins and ends in the temple.

            Jesus, God with us, is at the temple in Jerusalem on the third day during the Passover – the very place where the Sacrifices is fulfilled in the temple.  There He accomplishes a Passover to end all Passovers.  A new and greater Exodus. 

            Jesus lays His body down on the altar you can walk away unscathed.  He is the greater Isaac sacrificed on the hilltop for the sins of the world.  The greater temple in human flesh where the sacrifice and presence of God are all in one place: Jesus.  He is your Passover – your suffering Lamb who once was lost and now is found, who was dead and now is alive.

Again the women searched for Him and after 3 days found nothing but any empty tomb, a stone rolled away and the angels standing guard.  There Mary Magdalene stood, weeping in great distress.  “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not where they have laid Him.” 

“Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom do you seek?” said Jesus.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead,” declared the angel, “He is not here He is Risen.  Remember how He told you…that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

            There are no coincidences in Scripture.  Jesus is right where He is supposed to be in the temple and out of the grave.  The sign of Jonah.  The Scriptures are fulfilled.  Death is defeated and victory is won. 

            And Jesus is still in His temple.  Come, let us go up to the altar -  Where He paints the doorposts of your mouth with His forgiving blood.  And He feeds you with the manna of His own saving flesh given for you– in this suffering, Passover Lamb-of-God-who-takes-away-the-sin-of-the-world, meal.  Your Jerusalem in bread and wine; your temple of Jesus’ flesh and blood.  The Father’s business is done.  And Your life in Jesus begins and ends in Him, the temple made flesh. 

           

            In the Name of Jesus + Amen.

Hello, My Name is Savior

+ Eve of the Name and Circumcision of Jesus – December 31^st, 2010 +

Text: Luke 2:21

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

            Everyone gets all worked up about angels and shepherds and wise guys who haven’t even come yet.  And by this time of the church year you can probably say Luke 2:1-20 in your sleep.  But what about verse 21?  Can you say it without looking?  Or is it like a small town on a road trip…blink and you’ll miss it.  After the census and the angels and their heavenly chorus are over, after the shepherds have gone home praising God for all they saw and heard Luke sneaks in one seemingly unimportant detail.  And at the end of 8 days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the Name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

            Seems pretty normal– not even a blip on the radar, really.  Plenty of little baby boys get circumcised, especially Jewish ones. After all, it was custom to circumcise and name the child on the 8^th day.  Infant circumcision was YHWH’s unique sign with Israel – this child is set aside, marked, sealed and chosen as God’s own.  Plenty of other nations had that kind of sign, but only as a rite of passage from adolescence to manhood.  This was different – a sign of the covenant – God’s own promise – that through the seed of Abraham all the nations of the world would be blessed by a Savior, by the Christ, by infant 8-day old Jesus.   

            Luke states it so matter of fact; it sounds rather ordinary.  But it’s the little details – as small and insignificant as they might seem – that really matter. 

But you, O Little town of Bethlehem, who are too little among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth the One who is to be the ruler of Israel. Micah 5:2

A virgin will conceive and bear a Son.  Isaiah 7:14

You shall call His Name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21 

And at the end of 8 days He was circumcised and He was given the Name Jesus.  Luke 2:21

            You get the point.  Perhaps, then, it’s better to say that God-in-the-flesh – not the devil – is in the details.  Infant Jesus in the details for you.  Born for you.  Circumcised for you.  Placed under the yoke of the Law for you.  That’s really what this occasion is all about.  Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of God, the Son of Mary also becomes for us a Son of Abraham.  The Savior of all is circumcised on behalf of all.  The Lord of the Law is placed under the burden of the Law. 

            “For we,” as St. Paul writes, “were held captive under the Law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.”  “In the fullness of time God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law to redeem those who were under the Law so that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

            That is what you need: redemption, adoption.  A new life.  A new name.  A new mark, seal and covenant.  Outside of this Infant Jesus your only name is sinner, your only life is death and your only mark is a curse.  Outside of this Name and this Savior there is no redemption, only damnation; no adoption, only rejection.  That’s the ugly truth about us.  We’re Hell-bent on sinning.  Self-centered, wanting to be gods, struggling to be in control.  Sure, we’ll make some new year’s resolutions; try and be better people this year, but only lasts as long as last year’s diet and exercise program.  Good intentions.  Little follow through.  Not to say we shouldn’t try.  We should daily drown the old Adam in Baptism.  We should daily struggle against the lusts of the sinful nature.  We should daily put off the old person in Adam and put on the new person in Christ.  But nothing we do will achieve the perfection God requires under the Law.  And so, for you who are born under the Law as a sinner, Christ is born under the Law to fulfill the Law.  The Lord of the Law comes to silence the thunder of Sinai.

            He comes to be for every man what no man has or could be for himself.  He is the perfect infant, the perfect teenager, the perfect adult, bearing your flesh and blood through every stage of life, bearing your flesh and blood at the cross, bearing your flesh and blood out of the grave, bearing your flesh and blood in His own, for you.  He doesn't wait for the age of accountability to start His saving work.  No days off.  Before Jesus walks, before He talks, before He takes a step, before He crawls, before He can even hold his head up by Himself, His blood is shed for you.  8-day-old-Jesus sheds the same blood in circumcision that will stream forth from His side at His crucifixion.

            That’s why we celebrate today:  In Christ you are a perfect Jew who fulfills the entire Law of Moses.   Everything He is and has is given to you – you perfect infant, you perfect teenager, you perfect adult, You faithful, perfect “son of the covenant,” all in Jesus – and if a son, then also an heir.  Christ’s circumcision is your circumcision.    You are holy because He is holy. You are righteous because He is righteous. You are perfect, because He is perfect.  You are all these things not because you’ve resolved to make yourself a better person, but because God grants it all for Jesus’ sake. 

           

            Jesus is you everything you need.  Cut His flesh and He bleeds like you.  Betray Him and He weeps like you.  A loved one dies and He weeps like you.  He carries disease and guilt like you…but greater, for this Savior also dies for you.  That’s what you have in Jesus: an extraordinarily ordinary Savior. 

            His blood is for you; His Name is for you.  It’s all in His Name, Jesus: YHWH Saves, God in the flesh for us.  This Infant Priest prepares and cuts a new covenant.  As He did in the days of Noah, Jesus does one better – a saving flood not just for 8 people but for all who are drown in the font.  God names and claims you as His own.  Circumcision is to the OT what Baptism is to the NT – the flesh is put off, a sign and seal are made.  And there in the font you – infant or adult - are set aside, marked, sealed and chosen as God’s own child. 

            It’s the little, God-in-human-flesh details that really matter: water and Words; Blood and water; chalice and font.  Life and forgiveness.  A New born Savior.  A New Name.  A Blessed New Year.    

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