Concordia Christian Academy
Baccalaureate 2019
Ephesians 3:14-21; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 16:33
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Graduates and students, families and friends, faculty and staff of Concordia Christian Academy…
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior + Jesus Christ. Amen.
On his journey through Middle-earth, Frodo had Samwise and the Fellowship of the Ring.
In the Endgame, Captain America had the Avengers.
When Harry Potter faced He-who-must-not-be-named, he had Hermione, Ron, and his friends.
As he fought Doomsday, Superman had the Justice League.
While the rebel fleet attacked the second death star, Luke Skywalker had Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca.
Hopefully, you’re starting to see a pattern. It’s an important one. In real life, as in some of our favorite stories, You are not alone. And that’s a good thing. Indeed, as the preacher of Hebrews declares, in the Christian faith you are surrounded. In Jesus’ death and resurrection for you, you are never alone.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I think of Concordia, I think of community. A community of people called, gathered, and enlightened by, in, through, and upon Christ’s death and resurrection for you. You are surrounded by, and by God’s grace, a member of the great cloud of witnesses, Hebrews calls God’s people. Or, a cast of hawks, as a group of hawks is called.
In Jesus’ death and resurrection for you, you are never alone.
Graduates, these past years you have been surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Wise, caring, encouraging teachers who have taught you everything from the ABCs to Latin roots, witnesses who have taught you the most important thing of all - the love of Jesus crucified for you. You are surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones who have packed your lunches, helped you with your homework, or simply been there with a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.
Parents, friends, and families, you are surrounded. By fellow parents who share the burdens and joys of your holy calling of fathers, mothers, and grandparents. By teachers who treat your family as part of a larger family. By children who share that good infection of joy in Christ’s salvation for us.
Faculty and staff, you too are surrounded, by parents who pray for you, support and encourage you in your vocation of service. By those who teach and work alongside you bearing your burdens and sharing your joys. By students, who I’m sure on more than one occasion, have taught you something while even you were teaching them.
Yes, you are all surrounded. And most of all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.This is a great comfort, to be surrounded. For in this world, as our Lord promises, you will have tribulation. Even so, we live by Jesus’ word and promise. Fear not, be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
Jesus surrounded himself with our sin, wrapped himself in our death, bore every weight which clings so easily to us, and finished the race for us by going to the cross. So that in this life, in this school, and in every journey in life, we would always be surrounded by his grace and mercy. So that even while we live in a world of tribulation and sorrow, we would be surrounded by his forgiveness, life, and salvation. So that when we are tempted to feel that we are alone, we might hear again the Good News that in Jesus’ death and resurrection for you, you are never alone.
You are surrounded. By family and friends. By teachers and classmates. By God’s baptized saints past and present. And most of all, by the love of Jesus crucified for you.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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