Sermon for Transfiguration of Our Lord: "A New Exodus"

 + Transfiguration of Our Lord – March 2^nd, 2025 +

Series C: Deuteronomy 34; Hebrews 3:1-6; Luke 9:28-36

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milton, WA

 

 

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

 

 Exile and return. This is the story of the Scriptures. Adam and Eve were exiled out of Eden. And now our whole human nature is filled with the longing to return and soaked with the sense of exile (Tolkien).

 

Jacob fled his brother Esau in an exile and the two were later reconciled. Abram and Sarai also went down to Egypt in their own mini-exile and exodus. And of course there’s the climactic and greatest of the Old Testament exiles. Israel in slavery and captivity in Egypt and out again in divine deliverance and the exodus. The walls of water surrounding Israel. Pharaoh’s army giving chase then drowning and dying. Then the shouts of victory: I will sing unto the Lord for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and rider thrown into the sea. It was an exodus out of slavery into liberation, from captivity to deliverance.

 

From Eden to the New Creation, Scripture tells us the story of a cosmic exodus. But as great as the exodus out of Egypt and through the Red Sea was, God has a greater exodus in store for you in Jesus.

 

God planned an exodus that will out-exodus all the others. What is this plan? It’s what Moses and Elijah are talking about with Jesus on the mountain of his transfiguration. 

 

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.  And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah,  who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,  which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

 

“His departure” – this is an English euphemism for the better Greek word behind this translation, “his exodus”. Moses and Elijah and Jesus were talking about Jesus’ exodus he’s going to Jerusalem to accomplish.

 

“Hey Moses, you remember that time I appeared to you in the burning bush and then the pillar of smoke and fire and led Israel through the Red Sea and drowned your enemies? That was pretty great wasn’t it. Guess, what. I’m going to do something even greater. I’m going to lead my people through the great exodus of the grave and come out the other side alive again. I’m going be crucified and buried in the tomb all people, let the waves of death crash over me and by doing so I’ll destroy death and sin and the serpent forever.

 

And Elijah, you remember how I appeared to you on Mt. Carmel and destroyed the prophets of Baal and saved you and Israel? Well, here. Hold my cup of wine. Listen to this. I’ve got something even better planned this time…a new exodus I’m about to accomplish in Jerusalem. I’m going to let all the fire of God’s wrath for sin fall down on me instead. In fact, I’m going to become sin and give my life for the life to the world.

 

This is the topic of conversation on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus’ exodus. His death. burial. Rest in the tomb. And glorious resurrection. Good Friday. Holy Saturday. Resurrection Sunday. The greatest events in the history of the world is also the greatest exodus of all time.

 

For this great exodus will be the work of the Messiah, the Father’s anointed, chosen One from all eternity, who will gather God’s people who are scattered and suffering in sin and bring them home.

 

You see, the exodus isn’t just the story of God’s rescue and deliverance in the past. It’s also the story of God’s deliverance and rescue for you in Christ. In Jesus’ perfect life, his sacrificial death, his holy rest in the tomb, and his victorious resurrection from the grave, he goes on a great exodus for you to bring you out of the exile of your sin.

 

For that is exactly what our sin is: exile. Captivity. We live in a prison of our own sin. A dungeon of death held in bondage by the bars of our idolatry and the chains of our trespasses. We live in the trenches of a fallen world where we move from one hell-hole to another. If it’s not guilt, it’s shame. If it’s not shame, it’s sorrow. If it’s not sorrow, it’s hopelessness. And further and deeper the darkness gets.

 

But all of that comes to an end when Jesus goes to Jerusalem to accomplish his exodus, just as Moses and Elijah foretold. And just as they discuss on the mountain of transfiguration. Jesus goes to Jerusalem to accomplish his exodus for you. A new exodus of deliverance and rescue. It is an exodus from guilt to forgiveness. From shame to glory. From slavery to release. From exile to the new creation. From death to life all through Jesus exodus to the cross and through the grave.

 

In the old exodus, God declared…I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

 

In the new exodus God declares…This is my Son, my anointed One; listen to him. His death brings you out of the land of death and out of the house of sin and into his holy house of healing and life and light. 

 

The old exodus was an out of Egypt event for Israel. The new exodus is an out of the grave event for all who are in Christ

 

The old exodus had the blood and flesh of the Passover lamb, the water of the Red Sea, and the fiery presence of God dwelling with his people. Now through the new exodus of the cross and grave, Jesus gives you something better: his flesh and his blood. His water and word and promise. His very presence to dwell with you until he brings you through that same exodus of the grave and into the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. 

 

Today, as we join the disciples in the wonder and glory of Jesus’ transfiguration, we look to where he points us. Down from this mountain, across the valley and up to mount Calvary. To his cross and to his exodus he accomplishes there for you. 

 

 

 

A blessed day of our Lord’s Transfiguration to each of you…

 

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

 

 

 

Sermon for Epiphany 7: "The Merciful Father"

 + 7^th Sunday after Epiphany – February 23^rd, 2025 +

Series C: Genesis 45:3-13; 1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42; Luke 6:27-38

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milton, WA

 

 

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

 

There’s a storytelling device that screenwriters use in movies, where they begin the movie with a scene from the end of the story, and then the movie tells you the story of how you got there – like the opening of Saving Private Ryan where he’s at the graveside of Captain Miller in Normandy, or Forrest Gump where he tells his story to people on a park bench. Beginning a story with the end can make for compelling narrative, but it also can help you better understand what holds the story together.

 

And that’s a helpful way of looking at this week’s reading from Luke 6, part of Jesus’ sermon on the plain. It’s a continuation of last week’s reading that began with the beatitudes. Last week, Jesus declared our identity. Who you are. In Christ you are blessed, beloved, redeemed, and rescued. This week Jesus moves from being to doing. From who you are in Christ, to how you live in Christ. 

 

Jesus’ words towards the end of today’s reading help us better understand everything else he says. After giving a number of instructions on how his disciples (then and now) are to live, Jesus says,  “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

 

Those last four words are the key. Your Father is merciful. These words are the ending that we should pay attention to at the beginning of this week’s reading. These words are the key to understanding what Jesus is saying here. God’s mercy in Christ is the foundation of everything Jesus is teaching us here. The heart and center of Jesus’ sermon on the plain is the abundant mercy of a merciful God revealed in the merciful life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for you. 

 

Now, there are plenty of wrong ways to understand Jesus’ words here in Luke 6. One way is to treat Jesus’ words like a check list that we must complete in order to be a perfect Christian…do these things and God will bless you. Problem is, that’s not good news. That’s not the gospel. It’s also not what Jesus is saying. We don’t do these things Jesus says in order to be blessed. We live this way because we are blessed in Jesus’ dying and rising.

 

Another way is to treat Jesus’ teaching here like some kind of Christian karma (which it isn’t)…do good to others and God will reward you and so on. But Jesus says just the opposite…to do good and be merciful not expecting anything in return.

 

Yet another way we misunderstand Jesus’ words is to think, “Well, this all sounds impossible. Nope. Too hard. I give up.” And so we never actually try to live how Jesus teaches us to live.

 

Think for a moment, though; why are these words so difficult to hear and do? Is it because we don’t like what Jesus says? Probably. Is it because it’s hard to love our enemies, become merciful, and give selflessly? No doubt about that. Is it because Jesus’ words reveal our failure to live as those who are blessed and redeemed in Christ? Yes, that too. 

 

The truth is deeper though. We find these words so challenging because they reveal the truth that we do not always live as God’s people. That we do not love our enemies; we do not do good; we are not merciful, we do not give selflessly. The reason Jesus’ words are so hard is because they reveal our sinful hearts. We don’t love our enemies because deep down we love ourselves more. We’re not always merciful because we don’t think others are worthy or deserving of God’s mercy. We don’t give selflessly because we are self-centered. 

 

But even though this is all true, there is a deeper truth in Jesus’ sermon on the plain. The heart and center of Jesus’ words isn’t who we are or even how we live. But who Jesus is and how he lives for you.

 

The heart and center of Jesus’ sermon on the plain is the abundant mercy of a merciful God revealed in the merciful life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for you. 

 

For while we were still enemies of God, while we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died in love for you. When we hated Him by thought, word, and deed, He did good for us by bearing all of our sin. When we cursed Him for daring to say we had sinned, He blessed us with forgiveness, paid for by His blood. When we abused Him and His whole creation for our selfish desires, He prayed for us, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” When we struck Him, He offered more of Himself to be stricken by being nailed to a cross. When we took His cloak and divided it, He offered His tunic for which we cast lots. When we begged for Him to be crucified, He gave His life, not holding it back. Jesus did for us, what we should have done for Him. And by it, has saved us all. Each and every one of these imperatives in His sermon, Jesus fulfilled completely on the cross for you. 

 

That’s what it means to be a Christian. To live in Christ’s mercy. In Christ, you are his baptized, beloved disciple. And in Christ, every day, every moment, every good thing do or say is done because you live Christ’s mercy. It’s true for our salvation and it’s true of our life of good works as well.

 

Remember the beatitudes. This is who you are. You are blessed in Christ. You are alive in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. You live in his mercy. Mercy in the forgiveness of sins. Mercy in his Word which you read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. Mercy in your baptism into his holy Name. Mercy in his body and blood. You are alive in Christ’s mercy. That is who you are. It’s also how you live.

 

You live, each day, in all your vocations, in all you say and do, in Christ’s mercy. You are a good tree which produces good fruit. Our Christian life (of sanctification of good works) described here by Jesus, is like an oversized t-shirt that you grow into. Become merciful. We’re constantly becoming, growing into the disciple Jesus declares you are in his mercy.

 

This is how you live as Christ to your neighbor. So, when you do good works that Jesus gives you to do, praise the Lord that he has given us such fruit of faith to love and serve others. And when we fail to live up to Jesus’ words here in Luke 6, praise the Lord that he is merciful and has kept all these words for you. Whether it’s your salvation or good works, the answer is the same; you live in Christ’s mercy.

 

Are Jesus’ words difficult? They sure are. These are hard things to do: to love our enemies. To do good. To pray for them. To become merciful. To give selflessly. Forgive. Do good, expecting nothing in return. 

 

You can only do these things in Christ. You can only do these things, if your identity is in Christ. And it is. You live in the mercy of Jesus.

 

It is the Father’s mercy that covers all you say and do. And it’s the Father’s mercy in Christ that’s at the center of Jesus’ words and our lives. For we all live under the mercy of Christ. And unlike those movies that begin with their ending, God’s mercy to you in Christ is always beginning, and never-ending. 

 

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

Sermon for Epiphany 6: "The Two Ways"

 + 6^th Sunday after the Epiphany – February 16^th, 2025 +

Series C: Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 6:17-26

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milton, WA

 

 

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

 

Theology might sound like a loaded, academic word. But it simply means words about God. Teachings of God. Study of the things of God. So you may not have gone to seminary or studied at a bible school. You may not have written books or have your own Sunday TV program, YouTube channel, or podcast. But there’s something we all have in common. Something we all are. Every single person here and everyone alive right now has thoughts or words about God – we’re all theologians. 

 

The question is…what’s your theology? What does it teach? Who does it proclaim? 

 

Looking at the Scriptures, and looking at fallen humanity, Martin Luther wisely observed that there are really only two kinds of theologians or two kinds of theologies in the world. Luther called these two different, contrasting theologies, a theology of glory and the theology of the cross.

 

A theology of glory expects the Christian life to be total success, having all the answers, winning all the battles, and living happily ever after. A theology of glory is all about my strength, my power, and my works. It is self-centered. Self-aggrandizing. All about me, myself, and I.

 

The theology of the cross, by contrast, sees God’s greatest success revealed in suffering; His victory in the defeat of the cross. The theology of the cross is all about Christ’s strength made perfect in weakness, his power revealed in dying and rising. It is about the selflessness of Christ crucified for you. It’s about his giving himself unto death for you. It’s Christ at the center. 

 

A theology of glory says that when I am happy, healthy, and prosperous, I know God loves me. A theology of the cross says that God comes to me in my weakness and suffering and makes them his own on the cross.

 

Or to put it another way. A theology of glory wants Easter without Good Friday; the theology of the cross, however, sees God’s great glory revealed in his crucifixion – in dying for sinners, then in his resurrection – making all things new.

 

Jesus is teaching us something similar in Luke 6 in his sermon on the plain. It’s Luke’s version of the Beatitudes. Jesus teaches his disciples then and now the two ways: the way of life or the way of death. the way of his self-giving love on the cross or the way of man’s love of glory. The way of his blessings or the way of woe.

 

Think of Jesus’ words here in Luke 6 in terms of a word-game our kids like to play once in a while. “Would you rather?” 

 

Would you rather be poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted…or rich, full, laughing, and everyone loves you.

 

No problem, we say. That’s easy. We’d much rather have the second list of things. 

 

But notice what Jesus says instead. What does he call blessed?

 

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

²¹ “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

²² “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! ²³ Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

 

Jesus’ words bring a great reversal to what we think is blessed. You’re poor in spirit and have nothing and no one to cling to except God in his grace? You’re blessed. You hunger physically and spiritually? Guess what? You’re blessed by him who promises to feed and satisfy. You weep and mourn in more ways than you can keep track of? You’re blessed in him who is the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and bore our griefs and sorrows.

 

This seems so opposite of what we’d expect blessings to be. What’s so blessed about being poor, hungry, and hated? How can we who weep and mourn rejoice? The answer is found not within us. But in the cross. In Christ crucified. 

 

Each of us in our sinful flesh is a theologian of glory. Our old Adam is a spiritual treasure hunter looking for God’s glory and blessings in all the wrong places. We want what is great, grand, and glorious. We want the riches, the happiness, the laughter, and everyone to love us…we want it all and we want it now. 

 

This is all really another way of saying we’d prefer to be god. But here’s problem with all our idols. They have mouths but do not speak. Ears but do not listen. Promises but cannot deliver and they cannot last. They cannot endure. They cannot save you.

 

A theology of glory will not get you through chemotherapy treatments; it will only tell you God must be angry with you or is punishing you. 

A theology of glory will not help you when you’re wrestling with doubts and depression and worries; it’ll only tell you to pray harder and have more faith.

A theology of glory will not help you when you’re struggling to pay the bills or find a place to live; it’ll just tell you believe in yourself. 

 

The theology of glory might seem like attractive, but it’s really the way of death. The way of life is found only in the cross. And in Jesus who suffered there for you. 

 

So a theology of the cross will tell you that Christ who suffered for you on the cross is with you in your suffering and as you sit with those who suffer. 

A theology of the cross will tell you that no matter how deep the darkness of sin, doubt, despair…the love of God in Christ is always deeper, and he comes to sit with you in the dark and embrace you in his death.

A theology of the cross will tell you that you are not alone in your struggles, but the Lord is with you. he gives you daily bread and he gives you brothers and sisters in Christ to bear your burdens with you. 

 

The theology of glory points you back to you. But the theology of the cross points you to Christ crucified.

 

He is the one we see in these Beatitudes. Jesus is the one who though he is rich became poor for our sakes, so that by his poverty we would be made rich in his grace. Jesus is the one who hungered and thirsted in the wilderness and on the cross to defeat the serpent and destroy death. Jesus is the one who wept for sinners as he entered Jerusalem to save sinners. Jesus is the one who endured hate, insults, mockery, and was cast outside of Jerusalem and onto the cross…for you. And then on the third day risen from the dead for you. 

 

Jesus did all of this for you. So when we look at the emptiness of our hands and hearts, he reminds you that you his kingdom is yours. Be of good cheer, my son, your sins are forgiven! So that when you hunger physically and spiritually, Jesus is the one gives you daily bread at your table and his. So that when you weep and mourn, you are given a promise that one day those tears of sorrow will turn into tears of joy as you laugh your way out of your grave to the joy of the resurrection on the Last Day.

 

For you, Jesus’ baptized disciple, the way of blessing is the way of his cross. And this theology of the cross is the way of life. 

 

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

 

 

Sermon for Epiphany 5: "At Your Word"

 + 5^th Sunday after the Epiphany – February 9^th, 2025 +

Series C: Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 14:12-20; Luke 5:1-11

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milton, WA

 

 

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

 

A little over 500 years ago Martin Luther preached a Lenten sermon where he had this to say about the Lutheran Reformation: I simply taught, preached, wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing. And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.

 

God’s word did everything.             

The same thing is true when we turn to the Gospel reading today from Luke 5. Think of this whole story like a large body of water – say, the Puget Sound. When you first look out over the horizon of this reading, there are a number things happening, just as you would see a number of vessels out on the water standing along Ruston Way. There are the crowds. There’s Jesus sitting and teaching. There’s some tired, and empty-netted fishermen. There’s the miraculous and abundant haul of fish. There’s the confession and absolution and calling of Peter by Jesus. How does all of this happen? 

 

Like boats traveling through the Tacoma Narrows, something is carrying all of these things along through the story of Luke 5. There’s the current. And the current that carries everything along in this story is God’s word spoken by the Word incarnate. Everything in this story depends on God’s word. For the crowds, for Peter, for the disciples, and for you…everything depends on God’s word. And everything you need is given to you at Jesus’ word. Jesus’ word does everything.

 

That is, after all, why the crowds gathered and pressed in on Jesus. To hear the word of God. Jesus moves from the synagogue to the seashore, but his task remains the same: teaching and preaching and proclaiming - God’s kingdom comes in him and by his word. 

 

And just when Peter thought he could get his boat back and finish cleaning up after getting skunked on his all-nighter …Jesus speaks directly to Peter. “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 

 

Imagine this from Peter’s point of view…this would be like me walking up into the cabin of a crab boat on Deadliest Catch and telling Captain Sig Hansen where to put his crab pots. You can imagine what Peter is thinking. He’s worked all night. No fish. Just sweat. Sore body. Tired and probably a little hangry. You can hear these experienced fishermen muttering to themselves over their nets. “Who does this guy think he is, anyway? What does a rabbi and a carpenter know about fishing? Doesn’t he know it’s a waste of time fishing in the deep in midday? Doesn’t he know it’s easier to catch fish in the shallows at night when they’re biting? Yea, stay in your lane, bro.”

 

“Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 

 

Against his reason. His experience. And probably his feelings too. He tosses the nets out again. In that moment Peter has nothing to cling to except Jesus’ word. At your word.

 

Something like this happens when we approach God’s gifts. All we see is plain old water and some words…but at your word, Lord, sinners are baptized and forgiven and hauled into the boat of your church by the nets of holy Baptism. All we see is ordinary bread and wine…but at your word, Lord, you give us your body and blood for our forgiveness. All we see is another sinner standing before us…but at your word, Lord, we hear the promise…in the stead and by the command of Jesus you are forgiven all your sin.

 

Everything in his church, in your life, and your faith…it all depends on Jesus’ word. And the word of God does everything. 

 

So it was for Peter and James and John that day. Before they knew it the nets were breaking. Cords snapping. The boats sinking. This is how Jesus’s word works: more than we can ask for, expect, or deserve. When the Creator comes to his creation and speaks his creative word, there’s always more. When Jesus the Word speaks his word he speaks life and grace in abundance. 

 

But this same miracle that brings more than a boat-load of fish also brings big, tough fisherman Peter to his knees. Trembling. Crying out. “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 

 

Peter is overwhelmed. Not by the fish. But by his sinfulness. He does what each of us in our own sin and sinful flesh do: push Jesus away. Put him and his holiness at a distance. Depart from me. My sin is too ugly. Too deep. Too shameful. I am too guilty. Too unworthy. 

 

Those might be Peter’s words and our words to Jesus…but those are not Jesus’ words to you. When it comes to fishing, Jesus doesn’t go for catch and release. He comes to catch and redeem. Peter wants Jesus to depart. Jesus doesn’t. Jesus stays. Jesus draws near to sinners. Jesus speaks his word that does everything. Do not be afraid.

 

But those words for Peter are also for you and me. “Do not be afraid.” Not because our sin isn’t as bad as we think. It is worse than we think, actually. But that is also the very sin which Jesus died for. That is the very sin that Jesus forgives. That is the same sin that is covered by His blood for your sake.

 

It all happens the same way it did for Peter. At your word, Lord. Jesus’ word does everything.

 

You see there’s more than one miracle in this story. Sure, the fish get all the headlines. But the miracles move from good to greatest. The fish. That’s good. Peter’s trust in Jesus’ word despite all reason and experience – that’s better. Best of all is this: what happens after Peter’s confession. Jesus doesn’t depart from sinners; he draws near to sinners to catch them dead and make them alive again. What Jesus does for Peter he does for you: he welcomes unholy sinners into his holy presence. 

 

Jesus catches Peter and us in the nets of his Gospel and saving death and resurrection. And it’s the opposite of fishing for fish. When you fish for salmon or trout, what’s alive becomes dead. In the holy ark of the church when Jesus hauls you in by the net of Holy Baptism, he does the opposite. You were dead in the water, and now alive again by water and his word. 

 

And it all happens the same way for you as it did for Peter that day. At your word, Lord, Ezra and Ellis are washed, forgiven, and baptized into your death and resurrection. At your word, Lord, baptism saves. At your word, Lord, we who are unworthy are declared righteous. At your word, Lord, bread and wine bring forgiveness and healing. At your word, Lord, you do not depart from me, a sinner, but draw near with pardon and grace.

 

It is for you as it was for Luther and for Peter, and for us all. Everything in our life, faith, and church depend on Jesus’ word. And Jesus’ word does everything. 

 

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

Sermon for Epiphany 4: "For You"

 + 4th Sunday after the Epiphany – February 2^nd, 2025 +

Series C: Jeremiah 1:4-10; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13; Luke 4:31-44

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milton, WA

 

 

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

 

With his powerful, creative word, the Lord said “Let there be light. And it was so.” With personal care he formed Adam from the dust of the earth and built Eve from Adam’s side. When our Lord speaks his word it is powerful, but also personal, and full of promise.

 

With his powerful, life-giving word, the Lord called the prophet Jeremiah, just has he calls all the prophets and apostles. With personal care and craftsmanship, he formed Jeremiah in the womb and appointed him to be a prophet of God’s promises. God’s word is powerful, yet personal, and full of promise.

 

It’s no different when the Lord, the eternal, powerful Word of God, takes on human flesh to dwell among us. Jesus is the Word through whom all things are made…he is powerful and so are the words he speaks. Yet he is also personal and full of promise. The Word became flesh and dwells among us. Where and how you might ask?

 

In his word. Always by his word. For when our Lord Jesus speaks his word to you, his word is powerful – it does what he says; and his word is personal - all of his promises are for you.

 

The same is true when Jesus shows up in Capernaum. Jesus is in the synagogue again. On the Sabbath. Teaching God’s word. His word. The crowds are astonished. Amazed. Jesus teaches with authority…from reading and hearing God’s word we know why. Jesus not only speaks the word of God…he is the Word of God made flesh. He not only possesses God’s authority, he is the authority. What he says happens. When he speaks it is done. God’s word never returns empty. It always accomplishes God’s purposes.

 

But not everyone in the synagogue is appreciative of Jesus’ preaching. There’s a party crasher. A demon – who knows what Jesus has come to do - starts heckling during his sermon. What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.

 

Jesus, however, doesn’t let the demon speak another word. He rebukes it. “Be silent. Come out of him.” Jesus’ word comes with power. Jesus’ Word comes to undo the brokenness of our fallen world. In the synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus cast out the demon with his Word. The same Word he uses to cast out the devil at your Baptism, and to destroy the devil by the great exorcism of the cross. 

 

When our Lord speaks his word it is powerful, but also personal, and full of promise. Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes to the home of Peter’s mother-in-law. She’s sick, suffering from a fever. Not as dramatic as a demonic disruption on the Sabbath day, but no less important to our Lord. 

 

What does Jesus do? He stands over the woman and rebukes her fever – same word in fact that he used to rebuke the demon. For Jesus there’s no clear cut separation of physical and spiritual – both matter to him, for both belong to him. For our Lord spiritual things are given in physical things – water, word, bread and wine. And physical healing that he brings Peter’s mother-in-law, is a sign of his spiritual authority…that his word is powerful, yet personal and full of promise. 

 

Here, we see another facet of God’s gracious reign in our midst. Jesus, who has just cast out a demon, heals Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. The one who controls the gates of Hell cares about the common cold. Here, we see the amazing extent of the compassion of Jesus. He is a God who cares about the smallest thing. He cares enough to enter your house and bring you recovery from a cold. With this small event of healing, God throws open His throne of grace for you. Regardless of how small your concern, you can bring it before Jesus. He sees and cares about the smallest moments of suffering in your life.

 

And with the same word that he created the heavens and the earth, and the same word he spoke to Jeremiah and the prophets, and the same word that he cast out demons and rebuked diseases…it is the same word that is powerful and personal and full of his promises for you. 

 

This is why Lutherans call what happens on Sunday morning, Divine Service. From the baptismal invocation to the closing benediction, God is serving you with his word. Take a look in your hymnal today or this week and you’ll notice every page of the Divine Service is full of God’s word. We hear God’s word. Pray God’s word. Sing God’s Word. Proclaim God’s word. Receive forgiveness by God’s word. Eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood by his word. 

 

When our Lord speaks his word it is powerful, but also personal, and full of promise. Here our Lord takes water and pours it over you and says this washing away of sins, and says…this is for you. 

 

Here our Lord declares to you by his word – the same word that rebuked the demons and disease – that your sin and death are also rebuked and you are restored. His word of forgiveness is powerful yet personal. Jesus’ word of forgiveness is for you. 

 

Here our Lord places his promise and word in ordinary bread and wine – where the physical and spiritual are joined together, heaven comes to earth, and you receive a medicine of immortality. All by his word that says, take eat and take drink…this is for you.

 

And on days when you are at the bedside of a loved one. When you’re listening to your neighbor’s cares and concerns. When you’re alone at dining table that used to be full of people. When you’re standing over the graveside of a loved one. When you’re staring in the mirror at your own failures and sinful flesh. On those days, remember the word our Lord spoke to Jeremiah and the crowds in Capernaum. Remember that our Lord’s word comes not only with power – to do what he promises – but his word is personal. For you.

 

“Do not be afraid… for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon for Epiphany 3: "Good News to the Poor"

 + 3^rd Sunday after Epiphany – January 26^th, 2025 +

Series C: Nehemiah 8:1-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Luke 4:16-30

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milton, WA

 

 

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

 

In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah God’s people returned from exile in Babylon. Rebuilt the temple. Rebuilt the walls. Resumed the holy feasts of Passover and the Feast of Booths. The people were gathered for worship – for Old Testament divine service around the holy things God gave to give his people his holiness. Why did all this happen? So the people of God could hear God’s word and have his promises delivered right into their earballs.

 

So Ezra the priest brought the Torah before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. ³ And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand.

 

In the early days of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus heads to his hometown of Nazareth. He goes to the synagogue. The people are gather. The scroll of Isaiah – the largest of the Old Testament scroll – is handed to Jesus. He stands to read it. He rolls the scroll to just the right place and reads. Why?

 

Same reason as in Ezra and Nehemiah’s day. So the people of God could hear God’s word and have his promises delivered right into their earballs. Only this time something new happens. Not only do God’s people hear God’s word from Isaiah, they also hear the word of God spoken by the Word made flesh who speaks his word into the earballs of the people gathered.

 

The same thing happens here. Sunday after Sunday. Week in and week out. You wake up. You get in your car. You come to the Lord’s house. Sit in your favorite pew – or perhaps second favorite spot if the first one’s taken. You could spend your morning doing many other things. You could sleep in. You could kick up your feet on the couch. So…why do we gather here? Every now and then it’s good to take a moment and ask yourself…why do you go to church? 

 

Ask a bunch of folks and you’ll probably get a bunch of answers. Fellowship. Friends. Food. A sense of community or maybe your parents made you. Maybe a friend invited you once and you’ve been coming since. These are not bad reasons…but they’re not the real reason. Not really. Why are we hear? The same reason Ezra and Nehemiah and the disciples were gathered together in the Scriptures…to hear the word of God proclaimed. As Jesus says when he quotes his prophet Isaiah: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

 

Why are we here? So that we, the baptized people of God, can hear God’s word and have his promises delivered right into our earballs. We’re here because Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, promises to be here with us, for us, and delivers his promises to us. We’re here because faith comes not by sight, by what is appealing to our eyes and our sinful hearts and minds…but by the word of God. We’re here to hear the good news that you cannot get anywhere but the places where God promises to deliver his gifts: in his holy word, in holy baptism, in holy absolution, in holy communion. 

 

There’s an old proverbial story that makes the same point. Someone once asked a Greek orthodox priest why they should go to church since God was everywhere. His reply was a good one: “the same reason I go to a drinking fountain when I’m thirsty. Water is everywhere in the atmosphere, but if I want to take a drink…I go to the water-fountain.” 

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what happens in this place, in our Lord’s house, is no different. 

At the baptismal font you are washed and absolved…and good news is proclaimed to you in water and word. At the lectern you hear God’s word of Law and Gospel in prophets, apostles, and gospel writers. At the pulpit, you God’s word of Law and Gospel proclaimed. At the altar you receive God’s word, Jesus’ body and blood and promise in the bread and wine.

 

Martin Luther put it this way in his Large Catechism: “Everything in the Christian Church is ordered toward this goal: we shall daily receive in the Church nothing but the forgiveness of sins through the Word and Signs (one of Luther’s words for the Sacraments), to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here.”

 

Or, as Jesus says it in Luke 4: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

 

And what is this good news? That we who are dead in our trespasses and sins are justified freely by Christ. That we who are caught dead-to-rights by the Law are forgiven of all offenses. That we who are guilty are declared righteous. That we who deserve judgment are set free because Jesus was judged in our place. That we who were captive to sin and selfishness are liberated by the blood of Jesus. That we who are blinded by sin and overwhelmed by sorrow, shame, and sadness are given faith in the promises – our eyes are opened by the word God delivers into our earballs – and his word, those promises – he creates faith, sustains faith. That we who are oppressed by shame and guilt, who are weighed down by worries and cares and concerns big and small and everything in between, that you are given liberty and favor. And all of this happens in and through God’s word that you hear, sing, pray, and meditate upon. 

 

Admittedly, this is not always easy is it? We probably all have Sundays – yes, pastor’s included – where we’d rather stay in bed and not leave the house. The Christian life is one of constant struggle between our old sinful flesh and our new nature baptized into Christ. That’s why some days it’s a struggle to get to church. A struggle to pay attention. A struggle to open your Bible and read. A struggle to pray. A struggle to love your neighbor, especially when they’re not always lovable. A struggle against boredom and complacency. It means repentance from all the ways our old sinful nature despises preaching and God’s Word, refuses the gifts of Christ, treats Jesus as something optional or secondary, even wants to toss Him over a cliff and be done with Him.

 

This is why Jesus was born. Why he went to the synagogue in his hometown on the Sabbath day. Why he opened the scroll of Isaiah. To fulfill Scripture, yes. But also to save sinners…like the ones in Nazareth. Like all of us here. 

 

This is why Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and Preschool exist: by God’s Word and for God’s Word. That’s our calling, our vocation. We are to be hearers Word, receivers of the Word, and then speakers of God’s Word. We’re sent to our homes and neighborhoods, our family gatherings, parks, practice, and parties. Jesus’ Word is our life as a congregation too.

 

This is why our life of Christian stewardship is important. It’s about more than money; it’s about supporting the work of God’s Word.

 

This is why our work of evangelism is important, for God’s Word is meant to be proclaimed and delivered to those who have not heard.

 

This is why we show mercy to others in their physical and spiritual needs, because God has shown mercy to us; and by showing mercy to others we reveal that we have heard his word. 

 

This is why we sing, rejoice, give thanks, and praise as we gather around God’s Word together.

 

This is why we have Sunday School, Bible class, and preschool: to give, proclaim, and teach God’s Word of life to our children.

 

This is why God brings you here Sunday after Sunday. To proclaim the good news to you. To deliver his word of promise and life – you are forgiven and justified and beloved by God in the blood of Jesus. 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon for Epiphany 2: "From Cana to the Cross"

  

+ 2^nd Sunday after Epiphany – January 19^th, 2025 +

Series C: Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church

Milton, WA

 

 

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

 

Holy Scripture begins and ends with a wedding. It begins with the marriage of Adam and Eve in Genesis and ends with the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation. In the beginning, God takes Adam whom he formed out of clay, and Eve whom he formed out of man, and brings them together, declaring that, “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

 

In the prophets – like Hosea – God is the husband and Israel is his faithless, adulterous, yet redeemed and rescued bride. And in Isaiah, as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

 

And at the end of Scripture, in John’s vision of Revelation, there’s a wedding feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb in his kingdom which has no end. 

 

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
⁷ Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
⁸ it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”

 

So it’s no accident - no coincidence - that when God incarnate becomes one flesh with us in our humanity, the very first miracle he does occurs at a wedding, where he changes water into wine. In the Scriptures, wine is joy. Gladness. A blessing from God. And flowing wine is a sign that the messianic age, and the Messiah himself has arrived at last.

 

When Jesus changes water into wine at the wedding at Cana he not only saves the bride and groom great embarrassment, he shows that he is thew true Bridegroom come to save. 

 

When Jesus comes to the wedding at Cana, and goes to the cross…he comes as the Bridegroom to sacrifice himself to save you and call you his beloved bride. He is the long expected Messiah come to rescue his you, his bride, by his faithfulness unto death. 

 

Already here at Cana, his saving death is already on Jesus’ mind. When Mary, his mother, comes to him and declares, “They have no wine.” He replies. Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

 

Don’t hear these words with modern ears. This is no insult to Mary. It’s not a pejorative, but Jesus’ polite way of speaking with his mother. A title of respect. Want to guess where the other – and only – time Jesus says these words to his mother Mary in the gospels? As he’s hanging on the cross giving his life for the world. And giving his mother into the care of John his beloved disciple. He says to Mary, “Woman, behold your son.”

 

From Cana to the Cross, Jesus is the Bridegroom who sacrifices himself to save you and make you his bride. This is why he has come, he tells Mary. For “his hour.” It’s one of the ways Jesus refers to his coming death on the cross. His hour. His glory. Cana is a miraculous sign. A wonderful, joyous miracle. And it’s meant to lead you to Jesus’ cross. 

 

Think of it like a wedding invitation to “save the date”. Jesus’ hour hasn’t come yet at Cana. But it will. Jesus is the Bridegroom. He is faithful. He has made a vow- a solemn oath - and will keep it unto death. Jesus the Bridegroom will keep the Father’s word and will and ways for us, his faithless, wayward bride. Everything he does. Everything he says. Everywhere he goes. He does and says and goes for you.

 

Greater love has no husband than this. Greater love has no bridegroom like Jesus. Who lays down his life for sinners. He takes all that is ours and makes it his. He takes all of our infidelity. All our iniquity. All our idolatry. And he make it his own. And in exchange he gives you all that is his. Jesus’ faithfulness – yours. Jesus’s forgiveness and life – yours. Jesus’ the Bridegroom with all his blessings – all yours. 

 

This is what Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 when he writes about marriage and man and woman and Christ and the Church. 

 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.^[

 

Did you hear the key words? As Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her. For you.

 

Not only does Scripture begin and end with a wedding…the whole thing is a love story between God and his people. Not one of those sappy, predictable Rom-Com movies. But the unpredictable and unexpected gracious love story of the Bridegroom is so madly and deeply in love with sinners that he who knew no sin becomes sin for you. That he formed woman out of man, also became man born of woman - bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh - to call you his beloved. That he would be the friend and husband of sinners and for sinners and love you with an everlasting love. 

 

And this is the Bridegroom’s solemn pledge to you. To take you, his wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward – and forevermore. For better, and especially for worse. For richer, and poorer. In sickness and in health. To love and to cherish…so that not even death can part you from him.

 

At Cana, Jesus the heavenly Bridegroom changed water into wine. Today he does one better for you, his bride the church. He takes ordinary bread and wine and declares to you a solemn pledge and promise: Take, eat. This is my body given for you. Take, drink. This is my blood of the new testament which is given for you for the forgiveness of sins. 

 

Come. The table is set. All is ready. The marriage supper of the Lamb awaits. Jesus, our bridegroom and host serves the finest of wine and food in his body and blood. Given and shed for you.

 

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