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.