From the Pulpit

Posted on December 24, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

The Promise is Greater than Perception

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Christmas Eve 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 24, 2022

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How many times have you heard, or said, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Or, “Seeing is believing.” Or, “What you see is what you get.” When someone says your favorite football team that hasn’t won a playoff game in 30 years is going to the Super Bowl, you say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” Your son tells you that he cleaned his room and you say, “Seeing is believing.” You’re inspecting a used car and the salesman says, “What you see is what you get.” This philosophy can work well, at times, in this life, where a little skepticism can be healthy.

But there are times when what you see is not what you get…when you can’t judge a book by its cover…when first impressions are deceiving.

With Jesus, what you see is not what you get. The Bible teaches in Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” With Jesus, seeing is not believing. With Jesus, the promise is greater than perception.

Shepherds are out in the field at night keeping watch over their flocks. For shepherds in the dark there isn’t much seeing, but more hearing and smelling, trying to keep their sheep safe from wolves and bears. The life of a shepherd is many long periods of boredom interrupted by moments of great fear and struggle. Tonight is a boring night listening to the sounds of content sheep. It’s quiet… a light wind is blowing…millions of stars twinkle in the heavens above as the men wrap blankets around their shoulders against the cool weather. .

Luke 2:9 (ESV) 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” The quiet darkness is overwhelmed by a great light with a messenger from God hovering over the shepherds who are trembling in terror. What is going on?!? What have we done to deserve the wrath of God? What is this creature from heaven going to do to us because of what we have done? Luke 2:10 (ESV) 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

It is Good News. Not good news and bad news. Just good news. Luke 2:11 (ESV) 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Praise God! It is finally happening. The Christ is here. Here…in Bethlehem. The long promised Messiah is here to save His people and His arrival is being announced by an angel of the Lord shining with the glory of God. The shepherds and the sheep stand awestruck by the sight of it all. Then the angel tells them how to find the newborn Christ. Luke 2:12 (ESV) 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13–14 (ESV) 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

A whole army of angels, bathed in light, declare glory to God and peace on earth. This is the most amazing thing any of the shepherds has ever seen or heard. It is awesome.

And then the angels leave and it is dark…and it’s quiet…a light wind is blowing…millions of stars twinkle in the heavens as the shepherd’s stare up to where the angels were just bringing them the promise of a newborn savior, the Christ.

Luke 2:15 (ESV) 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

The shepherds head to Bethlehem to search for the Christ child and as they go they must be wondering about the signs they were given to look for. An angel…shining with the glory of God…told them to look for a baby…wrapped in strips of cloth… lying in an animal feed trough. What kind of Christ is this? They find the baby and they tell Mary and Joseph and the others all about the angels and the announcement and all they had seen, but as they look at the promised Christ He looks like…a normal baby except more humble. Instead of a cradle He is lying in a manger; likely a manger made by hollowing out the top of a large stone. The shepherds do not know it, but they are getting a glimpse 33 years in the future when this same Christ will lie on a stone slab wrapped in strips of cloth.

As the shepherds behold the baby Jesus…the Christ…the Savior…seeing is not believing. This helpless little baby does not look like God in flesh, He does not have a shining halo, He is not shooting beams of light from His face. He looks like a normal, newborn baby boy, but the shepherds know the truth, because they have the promise from the angel. The promise is greater than perception.

Mary and Joseph have been living with the promise being greater than the perception for nine months of pregnancy. Seeing is not believing. What you see is not what you get. Everyone around them thinks they know what happened, but Mary and Joseph know the truth about who this baby is.

Tonight, you have gathered here to celebrate the birth of this child. Unlike the shepherds, you do not get to see and hear the angel and the angel choir. You do not get to see the swaddled baby lying in a manger. You do not get to talk with Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. But you do have the same promise. The promise made to the shepherds; the promise made to Mary and Joseph, is the same promise made to you. Unto you is born a savior who is Christ, the Lord.

God’s promise to you is greater than your perception.

The baby born in Bethlehem that night is Immanuel, God with us. The baby is the eternal Word made flesh. The baby is the Christ. The baby is the Savior. God is lying in that manger wrapped in swaddling cloths. Jesus looks like an ordinary baby and grows to look like an ordinary man, but looks can be deceiving. The promise is greater than perception.

God’s promise to you is greater than your perception. As you look around here tonight at everyone gathered to celebrate the birth of the King it looks like a group of normal people; older folks, younger folks, little children. It appears to be just a collection of people trying to make their way through life, to raise their families, to make ends meet, fighting temptation, and struggling to sit still and not dose off. You look around and you don’t really see anyone special…no one has a halo, no one is shining forth the glory of God, but know…these are no ordinary people. These people here tonight are saints of God made holy by the waters of Baptism. You are a saint of God cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Colossians 1:13 (ESV) 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son…” You have been declared to be perfect because you are covered by the robe of Jesus’ righteousness. Behold! The saints of God. What you see is not what you get.

Baptism does not look like much. A bowl of water, a baby’s wet head, some words, but what you see is not what you get. The promise is greater than perception. On Noah’s Ark eight people were brought safely through the water, and we learn in 1 Peter 3:21 (ESV) 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Baptism is God’s promise to you, Romans 6:3–5 (ESV) 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Seeing is not believing.

Holy Communion does not look like much. An insignificant wafer of bread, a sip of wine, but what you see is not what you get. The promise is greater than perception. Jesus said, “this is my body; this is my blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Seeing is not believing. Faith clings to the promise.

Jesus on the cross being speared by a soldier appears to be the end of Jesus. But Jesus promised to rise from the dead and that is what He does. And people see the resurrected Jesus, and for the disciples, in this case, seeing is believing, and they record what they see as eyewitnesses of the resurrection. You have not seen the resurrected Jesus — not yet — and it is tempting to say, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but you do have the promise, and the promise is greater than your perceptions. You have Jesus. Luke 2:11 (ESV) 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

A blessed Christmas to all. Amen.

Posted on December 18, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

Learn from Joseph

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Advent 4, 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 18, 2022
Is. 7:10-17, Rom. 1:1-7, Matt. 1:18-25

The summer between 8th and 9th grade I was riding my bicycle home from swim team practice on a bike path in Reston, Virginia. Next thing I knew I woke up in the middle of Colt’s Neck Rd. staring up at a paramedic. I had been hit by a car and had a concussion, a badly broken leg and some serious road rash. If only someone would have warned me that I need to stop and look both ways when crossing the street. My summer took a dramatic turn in that moment. I was blessed to have survived.

Life can change in a moment; a phone call, a text message, a tumble and fall, a doctor’s diagnosis, or a visit from an angel.

Joseph of Nazareth’s life is already in turmoil. His fiancée, Mary, is starting to show a baby bump and Joseph only knows one thing for sure, it isn’t his baby. Joseph is torn up. He is angry, confused, hurt, not sure how to respond. But Joseph is a good guy. He knows two wrongs don’t make a right and he still cares about Mary so he decides to quietly break things off so as not to bring additional shame on Mary. But before he does anything, Joseph decides to sleep on it and so he lays down — depressed and brokenhearted.

While he sleeps, an angel of the Lord, a messenger from God, appears to Joseph in a dream. The word “angel” in Greek means messenger. God’s messenger has a message for Joseph. Matthew 1:20–21 (ESV) 20 … “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

One short message and everything changes for Joseph. His plan to minimize Mary’s shame by divorcing her quietly is gone. Instead of the gossips in town thinking that Mary was being unfaithful, they will assume that Joseph took advantage of poor Mary. Joseph takes the shame that people would have heaped on Mary, and he puts it onto himself. This is what all husbands should do for their wives and it is a beautiful picture of what Jesus does for His bride, the Church. Jesus takes all the shame and guilt of the sins of His people and puts it onto Himself … Ephesians 5:27 (ESV) 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.

The angel addresses Joseph as “son of David” even though, as far as Joseph is concerned, any glory of being descended from David is long past. Joseph is just another unknown guy from a nowhere town trying to get by. “Son of David;” what does this have to do with anything? Now, those reading the Gospel of Matthew have just read the first 17 verses which are 42 generations of Jesus’ genealogy going from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, down to … Matthew 1:16 (ESV) 16 … Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.” Jesus will be adopted into the royal line of David through His step-father, Joseph. Those reading the Gospel know this, but this is all news to Joseph.

The first sentence of God’s message to Joseph is almost incomprehensible. The baby inside of Mary is from… the Holy Spirit. Wait….what??? What does that even mean? How does that work? It does not make sense, but it must be true because God is saying it is true. The first sentence changes Joseph’s life. The next sentence is even more powerful.

Matthew 1:21 (ESV) 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This is not just a miraculous pregnancy. This baby is no ordinary baby. He will save His people from their sins. Who can save people from their sins? No one can do that. No one …except …except, God Himself. And this baby is to be called Jesus. Ihsous. That is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua. Joshua in English. Yeshua means Yahweh is salvation. Yahweh saves. Yahweh is God’s name that He told to Moses out of the burning bush. The baby’s name means Yahweh is salvation, and the angel says that the baby will save His people from their sins. How can this be true? Joseph’s head must be spinning. How can this be happening to me? How is this possible? Mary is pregnant with Yahweh who will save? Mary has the long-promised Messiah growing in her womb? How can this be? How can the infinite God be contained in the finite body of a tiny, unborn baby? So many questions brought by the angel’s message from God. So many questions.

Matthew 1:24–25 (ESV) 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” Joseph did as he was told to do even though this turned his life upside down. Joseph does not know what will happen next. He does not know all the implications. He does not have all the answers. He just does what he is told to do.

Joseph here is a great example for us. Joseph does not question the angel’s message in His dream. He does not dismiss it as the result of spicy food before bedtime. He does not demand answers. He does not try to explain it away or make excuses. He does what he is told to do. He follows orders. It almost sounds wrong to us. We have been told to question authority. To not just blindly follow orders. To our ears it almost sounds like Joseph is being weak for just following instructions because in our sinful nature we are naturally rebellious. We rebel against parents. We rebel against teachers. We rebel against coaches, against bosses, against the government. Someone tells you what to do you and you think, “I know better. I have a better way.” In this world, obedience is viewed as weakness, and we applaud those who resist authority.

Joseph does what he is told to do even though it will make his life difficult. Having Christ in his life does not make Joseph’s life easier by doing the right thing. Christ complicates life. Christ brings with Him His cross, and your cross. It would be easier for Joseph to roll over in bed and ignore each of the angel’s messages, but that is not God’s way. Joseph does things God’s way. God’s way is not the easy way, but it is the right way, and while it does not protect you from trouble and attacks from the world, it will keep Jesus as your king. God’s way keeps you on the path to eternal life.

The angel’s short, two sentence message changes Joseph’s life. He goes from being an unknown descendent of King David to being step-father to the King of the Jews. Joseph’s adopted son is the King of all creation, the Christ, the Savior of the world, Yeshua, Yahweh saves.

You have Christ in your life. You are a redeemed child of God with God’s name watered onto you in Holy Baptism. You are a Christian. Being a Christian means living under the cross. This will bring difficulties. How should you live? Do what God tells you to do because He is God and you are not. Love God, love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you. Do not conform to the world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Gather together each Lord’s day to confess your sins and receive forgiveness. Keep intimacy inside the bonds of marriage. Turn the other cheek. Don’t get angry at people. Do not lust after people. Pray. Give generously and quietly. Forgive each other. Care for each other. Serve God, not money. Do not be anxious. Do not judge others. Speak the truth, in love. Confess your sins. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Do what God tells you to do, because you belong to God.

The angel’s short, two sentence message changes Joseph’s life. He goes from being an unknown descendent of King David to being step-father to the King of the Jews. Joseph’s adopted son is the King of all creation, the Christ, the Savior of the world, Yeshua, Yahweh saves.

Joseph will receive three more messages from God through an angel appearing to him in dreams. He is instructed to flee to Egypt before Herod the Great kills all the baby boys in Bethlehem and then, after Herod’s death, Joseph is told to return to Israel and once there he is told to go to Nazareth to avoid Herod’s son Archelaus.

Joseph receives the messages from God and immediately does what God tells him to do. No words of Joseph are recorded in the Bible; he gave no speeches, no pithy, fatherly advice. He is our example of quiet, humble obedience to God. Joseph does what he is told, and protects and provides for Mary and young Jesus. Joseph saves Jesus who saves you and me and all who believe in Him.

Life can change in a moment but God’s promises do not change. Through all of the turmoil and trouble you remain in Christ and Christ in you. You are an adopted child of God. Yeshua, Yahweh Saves, saved you. Amen.

Posted on December 11, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

Grammar is Important

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Advent 3, 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 11, 2022
Is. 35:1-10, James 5:7-11, Matt. 11:2-15

When I was in sixth grade, I had an English teacher I really liked, because instead of learning grammar that year we focused on creative writing. One special project I remember was writing, illustrating and binding an original comic book. It was a fun project, but I did not learn much about subjects and predicates and independent clauses and it turns out, grammar is actually pretty valuable in life. Today we see the importance of present tense and future tense.

Last week we had John the Baptist out at Jordan River preaching his short sermon, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” He baptizes the crowds coming from all over causing quite a stir and attracting the attention of the Jewish religious leaders. John boldly and harshly confronts them and warns them to repent before it is too late. John is at the height of his ministry in the wilderness preparing the way for Jesus.

In our Gospel reading today everything has changed. John has confronted the local king, Herod Antipas, for sleeping with his brother’s wife, Herodias. Herod is offended by this. Herodias is especially offended by this, so Herod throws John in the dungeon of his palace overlooking the Dead Sea. John sits in the lonely darkness of the dungeon, praying for freedom and nothing happens. He prays for freedom and remains imprisoned, scared, alone, facing unknown horrors. John wants Jesus to rescue him. It is not a crazy request. John knows that Jesus is the anointed one of God, He is the Christ. He is God in flesh and John is the one to prepare the way for the Lord. John sends messengers to Jesus to ask, “Matthew 11:3 (ESV) 3 … “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

Too much time alone has gotten John wondering. “Why does Jesus leave me in this dungeon of despair feeling abandoned by God?” You have never been imprisoned by the king for criticizing his romantic life, but you do know how John feels. You have been in your dungeon of despair. You have been at the bedside of a loved one and prayed for healing and it did not come. You have stood by an open grave as your loved one is laid to rest. You have prayed for God to deliver you from your ugly desires and sins and it feels like God is ignoring you. You reach out to God in desperate times and He does not answer you the way you want Him to answer. You have been in your dungeon of despair feeling abandoned by God.

That’s why this lesson today is such a hard lesson. God does not always answer your prayers the way you want Him to — when you want Him to. Jesus sends word to John that He is indeed the Christ of God but Jesus does not do what John wants Him to do. People get offended that Jesus is not some kind of genie with a magic lamp obligated to grant them three wishes. This is truly a hard lesson because it teaches the truth that Jesus does not do everything you want Him to do, even when what you want is a good thing. Jesus does not promise that your life will be easy and trouble free. You already know this, but it is still a hard lesson — and it is also a great comfort. It is a wonderful comfort, because you learn that your suffering does not mean God has abandoned you. You know the truth that even during difficult times Jesus is still God and you still belong to Him.

This teaching flies in the face of so many churches that basically teach that if you have enough faith you will not get sick or have hardships. They teach that if you are sick it is because of some unrepentant sin in your life. If you are experiencing financial difficulties it is because you are not faithful enough. This is terrible theology. This is heresy. Does no one ever die in these churches? Are there no funerals? If you are sick or have troubles you’re told to believe it is because you lack faith which leaves you doubting if you are even a Christian. You think, “a real Christian would not have the kinds of troubles I have.”

Our Gospel lesson this morning destroys the prosperity Gospel; it destroys false preaching that God promises health and wealth if you have enough faith. The truth is that God is with you through all the trials of life, but there is no promise of an easy road. Matthew 16:24 (ESV) 24 …Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Jesus teaches, Matthew 7:14 (ESV) 14 …the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” As Jesus says in our lesson today, Matthew 11:6 (ESV) “6 … blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” And know, Jesus’ most offensive act is dying on the cross for the sins of the world.

Being a follower of Jesus is not easy. Jesus makes lots of promises, but Jesus is not your genie to grant wishes. Jesus does not do whatever you want Him to do and this can be offensive to your sinful nature because you so much want to be in control; even control of God. Being a follower of Jesus actually makes your life harder in many ways. It calls you to resist your sinful nature and live as a redeemed child of God. It calls you to live in truth and light in a world of darkness and lies. It is a blessed life, but it is not an easy life. John the Baptist learns the hard way that being a faithful follower of Jesus can bring severe consequences.

This is where grammar helps us understand Jesus’ promises. Jesus makes promises in the beatitudes, in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Lots of promises and this is where we need to look at the grammar. Only the first and eighth promises here are in the present tense. Matthew 5:3 (ESV) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” You are right now in the Kingdom of Heaven. As a baptized child of God you are under the rule and reign of Jesus; right now. And no one can take that away from you. The eighth beatitude is also present tense. Matthew 5:10 (ESV) 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus promises that you are blessed with a blessing for the judgment day because you are — right now — under the reign of Jesus, and you are destined for eternal life with Jesus in the Heavenly City of New Jerusalem.

Jesus has not abandoned John in his dungeon of despair and He has not abandoned you even in your misery and suffering. You remain under the reign of Jesus right now. Jesus is your king and you belong to him. You are His treasure.

The other six beatitudes about mourning, meekness, hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercifulness, being pure in heart, being peacemakers, these are all future tense promises. They shall be comforted, shall inherit the earth, shallbe satisfied, shall receive mercy, shall see God, shall be called sons of God. These will be fulfilled — when Jesus returns. And so we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus. Come quickly.”

Present tense or future tense? Makes a big difference. It manages expectations according to God’s promise. There is one last beatitude and it has a lot to say to John the Baptist and a lot to say to you and me as we go through life. Matthew 5:11–12 (ESV) 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Jesus has not abandoned John in his dungeon of despair and He has not abandoned you even in your misery and suffering. You remain under the reign of Jesus right now. Jesus is your king and you belong to him. You are His treasure.

Jesus is offensive to the ways of the world. Jesus does not do what people think He should do. Herod Antipas and Herodias are offended and attack John the Baptist. Christians throughout the centuries have been attacked and that continues to this day. Jesus’ kingdom suffers violence and attack but this does not change Jesus’ promise to you. You are and remain Jesus’ treasured possession. He forgives you and redeems you. Matthew 10:28 (ESV) 28 … do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Learn from John the Baptist that life is hard and being a Christian does not mean that God will take away your difficulties. You already know this. There will be pain, and suffering and death. But as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death you fear no evil — for the Lord is with you. His rod and his staff they comfort you. In our gathering here this morning you have the rod of God’s Word and the staff of baptismal remembrance and the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion. The Lord’s rod and staff comfort you on your journey. Through the trials and turmoil and struggles of life you do not need to fear evil. God is with you. You are in the Kingdom of Heaven. You will be comforted and healed and raised from the dead. Amen.

Posted on December 4, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

Repent! For the Reign of Jesus is Here

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Advent 2 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 4, 2022
Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12

Today you will be able memorize the sermon word for word. When you go home you will take the sermon with you; fully memorized. Don’t doubt yourself. You can do it. Now, I am not talking about my sermon, but John the Baptist’s sermon. God’s prophets often were men of few words.

The Prophet Jonah, once God’s whale convinced him to do it, preached this rousing sermon to the people of Nineveh. Jonah 3:4–5 (ESV) 4 … “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.” Apparently short sermons can be effective. Eight words in English, just four in Hebrew and the people of Nineveh believe God and repent.

John the Baptist also is brief in his wilderness preaching. Matthew 3:2 (ESV) 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Nine words in English, seven in Greek and the people confess their sins and are baptized in the Jordan River. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We learn in Matthew 4:17 that Jesus also uses this same, simple message. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is a short enough sermon that you have already memorized it. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

There are not many words, but the words carry a lot of freight. Repent means to turn; to turn away from sin and evil and unbelief, and turn to God.

People come from all around to hear John’s message and respond by repenting and being baptized in the J0ordan. Others do not repent. The religious leaders; the Pharisees and Sadducees come out to John’s baptism and John questions their repentance because John knows they trust in their lineage. They are children of Abraham; God’s chosen people, but do they fear, love and trust in God above all things? Do they love God and love their neighbor? Do they know that they are by nature sinful? Do they show the fruit of good works flowing from faithful repentance? John warns them, Matthew 3:8 (ESV) 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:10 (ESV) 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

This word, “repent”, is devastating to your ego. To repent is to admit that you have a problem. To repent is to admit you are not perfect. To repent is to admit you are wrong. To repent is to admit you are not independent; you cannot do it on your own. To repent means turning from selfishness to selflessness. Too easily and too often, you walk the wrong path, do the wrong things. You follow the false gods of your own feelings and ideas. The call to repent knocks you flat and leaves you gasping for air because you know the truth about yourself and the truth is not pretty. Repent!

“Repent”, however, is not the end of the story. The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. The King-dom. The domain of the King. Who is the king? God is king. Jesus is king. The Kingdom is where Jesus does His Jesusing. It is where Jesus reigns as Lord. The Kingdom of Heaven is the reign, the rule of God in Jesus. God in flesh, God with us. The Kingdom of God is not a place, it is an action. It is the activity of kingly rule. God is beginning to act. God is coming near. The long expected Messiah of God is at work in the world. His rule, His reign, His authority has come.

How does King Jesus rule? He rules in humble service and sacrifice. He reigns by lifting up repentant sinners, washing them clean, and clothing them in the robe of His own righteousness. King Jesus rules by connecting to the sins of the world in His baptism in the Jordan River. Jesus rules by becoming sin for you and dying on the cross to pay for your sins. He rules by saving sinners and bringing them into His Kingdom.

King Jesus rules in humble service and sacrifice but make no mistake — do not be fooled by His humility — Jesus is King. Repent, for the gracious reign of God is here. Repent, for the glorious reign of God is coming. The complete, total reign of God is coming when Jesus returns in glory and ultimate authority and the fruitless trees will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

On that day Jesus will gather the good wheat and bring you into his barn; into the heavenly city to live with Him forever. The fruitless chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Be brutally honest about who you are. Know yourself. Know you are indeed a poor, miserable sinner. Know you are by nature sinful and unclean. Know you are poor in spirit. And know King Jesus promise to you, Matthew 5:3 (ESV) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

You, poor in spirit, repentant sinner, yours is, present tense,the Kingdom of Heaven. You are — right now — in the reign of King Jesus. Jesus is your Lord and master. This truth is hard on your independent, rebellious side that wants to be in charge, but this truth is truly wonderful. Despite what “rebellious you” thinks, what a relief to know that you are not in charge.

On that day Jesus will gather the good wheat and bring you into his barn; into the heavenly city to live with Him forever. The fruitless chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.

It is hard for children to live in a house where there is constant turmoil and tension and rules are unclear and always changing. It is troubling when parents threaten punishment but don’t follow through. Or when a parent just ignores the rules sometimes and other times comes down severely for the same offense. The kids end up walking on eggshells not knowing what is acceptable and what is not. Children do better when rules are clear and parents follow through when rules are broken. With Jesus as King you have a good ruler with consistent rules and abundant grace and forgiveness. This is a great blessing.

You are subject to King Jesus, you submit to His authority. You do not have figure out what is right and wrong. You do not have to make the hard decisions. You are not the judge. You just live out God’s commands under Jesus’ rule and authority. Love God and love your neighbor. Life is still hard. You still live in a sinful world. The devil, the world and your own sinful flesh will continue to try to separate you from King Jesus. You will still struggle mightily with sin and temptation. So you continue to listen to John the Baptist and continue to repent, for the reign of Jesus is at hand.

You are in the gracious reign of Jesus who forgives all your sins waiting for Jesus to return. For now He is being patient, wanting all people to be saved and this can lead some to grow weary of waiting and to think Jesus is not king. But know for certain, the day is coming when Jesus will complete His rule and come in power and glory and destroy all evil. He will come in judgement and separate the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats, the fruitful and the fruitless. In Christ, you are wheat, you are sheep, you are fruitful. Do not let the devil lure you out from the reign of Jesus. You have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to Kingdom of Jesus, in whom you have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. You are a subject of King Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven, now in its gracious incompleteness and forever in His total, complete glory.

And so you pray, “Thy Kingdom Come.” In his catechism Martin Luther explains, “What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.” You pray for Jesus to be your ruler and for you to submit to His reign.

How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

You are safe in His Kingdom for eternity. As you live your life in the light of Jesus’ gracious Kingdom, surrounded by evil and darkness, remember your Kingdom is not of this world. Remember you belong to Jesus. Remember, Jesus is coming soon. So each day when you are tempted to think you can do it on your own, when you are tempted to think Jesus is not in charge, remember John the Baptist’s sermon, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Amen.

Posted on November 27, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

Victorious Victor

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Advent 1 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Vicar Kaleb Yaeger
November 27, 2022
Is. 2:1-5, Rom. 13:11-14, Matt. 21:1-11

Victorious Victim

They hail Him as a victor; as a king who has marched out to war and returned in triumph. They hail Him as a general who has destroyed His foes and brings with Him the spoils of war. They spread cloaks and palm branches before Him, covering the street so that even His mount would not dirty its foot on the city streets. They welcome Him with gladness and joy, crying

Hosanna!

Meaning “Save us!” They cry to Him for their salvation. They recognize Him as their Messiah, the One who has come to fulfill that which was spoken by the prophets. They call to Him because He has been victorious, and now He will rule over the people in peace.

Hosanna! They say.

Hosanna to the son of David

For this man, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee, this Jesus is truly a son of David. He rides into Jerusalem on a colt, on the foal of a donkey, just as Solomon did when David crowned him king. Jesus enters Jerusalem as a king. As a victorious king. As the Prince of Peace who has come to ascend His throne.

Son of David, they call Him. And they welcome Him with one of David’s Psalms. They welcome Him with a Psalm that spoke of God’s steadfast love. David writes that enemies surrounded him, but the LORD fought on his behalf. David praises the LORD, thanking Him for His great deliverance.

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

But the part of the Psalm that the people are quoting says

Hosanna, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

With these words, the people of Jerusalem welcome Jesus into the gates of their city. Another part of the Psalm says:

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.

This Psalm is ringing in the ears of the crowd as they welcome Jesus into the gates of Jerusalem. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. Indeed, the only man who was righteous has just entered through it. Blessed is He! Blessed is He that comes in the name of the LORD!

The crowds hail Jesus as a conquering king. They hail Him as a victor. They hail Him as a general who has won on the battlefield and returns now, bringing with him the spoils of war

But they’re wrong.

Jesus hasn’t won yet. Jesus is riding out to war. He is not returning with the spoils. He is riding to a battlefield that has yet to be soaked with blood. He rides to battle, not on a warhorse, but on a donkey. On a colt, the foal of a beast of burden. Just as the prophets foretold.

Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the LORD.

Blessed is He who comes to do the LORD’s work. Blessed is He, They cry to the king who is riding out to war. Blessed is He, they cry to the Son of David who was the Son of God. Blessed is He, they said, as they hailed the man whom they would crucify. For this is the work of the LORD.

The Psalm the people were quoting says Blessed is He that comes in the name of the LORD! it continues.

We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!

Bind the sacrifice of the feast to the horns of the altar! This feast is passover. The very same feast the people of Jerusalem were about to celebrate. Bind the sacrifice! Bind the lamb! Bind Him to the horns of the altar! For Blessed is He who is about to do the work of God! Blessed is He! Blessed is the victor!

Blessed is the victim. Blessed is the sacrifice. Blessed is He! The One who is riding to war. Blessed is the One who is about to soak the battlefield, not with the blood of His enemies, but with His own. Blessed is He who will make war at the place of the Skull. Blessed is He who is bound and sacrificed. Blessed is He. Blessed is His work. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the LORD to die on a cross.

Hosanna to the Son of David. Hosanna to the Son of God. Hosanna! LORD, save us! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Save us now, O LORD! Save us now!

It was these very cries that Jesus would answer just a few days later. He would do the work of the LORD. The Son of Man would be lifted up. The people would mock Him, telling Him to save Himself, but He would not listen. For He heard their cries of Hosanna when He rode into Jerusalem and this Son of David had mercy on them. He had mercy on Jerusalem. He has mercy on you. The work of the LORD is finished. Jesus died. Victor and victim. Son of David, Lamb of God. Priest and sacrifice. For you.

Jesus rode out to battle that Good Friday and He won. He sacrificed Himself to save the world. Death swallowed Him up so that the world might live. But on that day, when death swallowed a body, it choked on God. It couldn’t swallow the Author of Life. It couldn’t hold Him down, so Jesus was hurled from the tomb three days later, victorious and alive.

So now, we hail Him as a victor. As a king who has marched out to war and returned in triumph. We hail Him as a general who has destroyed His foes; bringing with Him the spoils of war. So we sing

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He! Blessed is He! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!

Together, we cry Hosanna to the LORD! Lord, save us! Save us now! Save us from the terrors of our enemies that surround us. Save us from pain and sorrow! Save us from sin, death and the power of the devil! Hosanna, LORD, save us now!

Jesus already answered that cry on the cross. But He also answers it before your very eyes. Behold, O children of God, your King is coming to you. Humble, in the simple bread and wine which is His body and blood. These are His spoils of war. These are His battle scars. His body, bound as a sacrifice on the cross. His blood, poured out there for you for the forgiveness of sins.

We cry Hosanna! Lord, save us! And the very Son of Man who was lifted up and sacrificed once for all, draws near and answers. He comes in humility. The victorious victim’s body and blood will be given to you to eat and to drink.

Blessed is He. Blessed is He. Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the LORD!

We sing these words as Christ draws near in answer to our Hosanna. We sing them to the victorious victim. We sing them to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, for He has mercy on us. He has washed us in His own blood, the blood of the Lamb and made us white as snow. We cry hosanna, faithful that He will answer.

Jesus answers your cries of Hosanna here on the altar. But He will draw near to His church once again. This time, He will return to reign in glory. On that day, wars, pestilence, sickness and famine will not ravage the earth any longer. On that day, sin, death and the power of the devil will forever be locked away. On that day, we will say once again with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven,

Blessed is He! Blessed is He! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the LORD!

Come soon, Lord Jesus.

Amen.

Posted on November 20, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

No Mushy Middle

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Last Sunday of the Church Year 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 20, 2022
Malachi 3:13-18, Colossians 1:13-20, Luke 23:27-43

There is a television show I like that often depicts people being rescued from dire circumstances. Innocent people are being held hostage by well-armed, evil men who do not care who they kill. The good guys, a team of Navy Seals, infiltrate the target, shoot the bad guys, rescue the innocent people and move them to safety. The people were in great danger, now they are safe. So far from the episodes I have watched no one ever asks to stay in the middle between danger and safety. No one says, “Thanks for the rescue, but I don’t want to get to safety, I will just stay in the middle.”

There is a great temptation to try to live life in between, but we learn from our readings today that spiritually, there are only two categories. You are safe, or you are in great danger. You are righteous or you are wicked. You are one who serves God, or you are one who does not serve Him. There are those in the domain of darkness and those in the kingdom of Jesus. There is a distinction. You belong to the Lord, or you belong to the devil and his darkness.

This stark contrast is a difficult teaching. Our sinful nature does not like the sharp distinction. We want there to be a muddled middle area. We want there to be some gray area. We want to live in the mushy middle where we try to convince ourselves that we are not under the authority of darkness and we are not under the authority of Jesus. We claim to be our own authority. We declare that we are in charge because if we are in charge, we can rule by our feelings and not by the Word of God.

For centuries people have sought to mold and shape God’s Word to fit their desires instead of having their desires molded and shaped by the Word of God. People want to reject that Jesus is only way to the Father because they want every way to be a good way. But there is no other way. Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the light.

Jesus is the Way and He has delivered you from the domain of darkness. He delivered you from the rule and authority of the devil and transferred you to the reign of Jesus; the kingdom of light. You live in the light of Christ.

From John 3:19–21 (ESV) 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

In today’s Gospel reading we witness someone being delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Jesus. Jesus is being crucified on Golgotha, the Place of a Skull. He is dying in a way carefully designed to be utterly humiliating, agonizing and slow. He is not being crucified alone; there is a criminal to His left and another to His right. All three are slowly being tortured to death in excruciating pain and while He is dying, people ridicule Jesus.

The rulers scoffed at Jesus, Luke 23:35 (ESV) 35 … “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers mocked Jesus, Luke 23:37 (ESV) 37 … “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” They all think that if Jesus is Christ the King He should save Himself, but Jesus did not come to save Himself. He came to save you by dying on the cross for your sins.

Luke 23:39 (ESV) 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” This criminal has at least heard that Jesus is the Christ, but, he along with the rulers and soldiers wants to stop the Christ from doing what the Christ came to do. Even Jesus’ disciples wanted to stop Jesus from going to the cross.

Earlier, Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ; the Son of the Living God and Jesus blessed Him. But then Jesus goes on to explain what it means to be the Christ. Matthew 16:21 (ESV) 21 … that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Matthew 16:22 (ESV) 22 … Peter took [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Peter is not going to let Jesus go to the cross. So Jesus rebukes Peter, Matthew 16:23 (ESV) 23 … “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

The Son of God dying on a cruel cross is not the way you would think that God would save the world, but it is God’s way to save. The first criminal views Jesus through eyes of the world. Luke 23:40–41 (ESV) 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” Do you not fear God? This second criminal knows he is a lowly, justly condemned, criminal. And he knows who Jesus is.

Luke 23:42 (ESV) 42 And [the second criminal] said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus replies, Luke 23:43 (ESV) 43 … “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In the literal darkness of Good Friday, this man is delivered from the domain of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Heaven. He does not deserve to be in God’s kingdom, but he is transferred in by Jesus Word.

You have witnessed this very thing happen many times, right here at this font as someone is delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Jesus through water and the Word of God. We renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways and declare faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus said, Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. …” Jesus said to do it, so this is what we do. We baptize and we teach. Baptism is Jesus’ command and it delivers from the domain of darkness and transfers into the kingdom of Jesus. Your deliverance is refreshed and strengthened by Jesus’ Words each week, “I forgive you all your sins,” and by receiving Jesus Body and Blood into yourself.

In the literal darkness of Good Friday, this man is delivered from the domain of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Heaven. He does not deserve to be in God’s kingdom, but he is transferred in by Jesus Word.

Jesus, God in flesh, offers eternal life to all people through His life, death and resurrection. This is the greatest Good News of all time, and yet there is an entire cottage industry of theologians trying to remake Jesus so that He is not the eternal, incarnate, Son of God. They want to deny Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, because those things don’t make sense. They want to deny that Jesus rose from the dead because dead people don’t rise. They want to deny Jesus is the only way to the Father because they think that is mean. They want to make Jesus into just a nice teacher who encourages people to love one another. They want to change Jesus’ identity into a powerless but nice prophet. But that is not who Jesus is.

Colossians 1:15–18 (ESV) 15 [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

Jesus is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary. He was crucified, died and was buried and He rose from the dead. We have eyewitness accounts, but so many want to deny it because they are afraid. They are afraid because if Jesus really did rise from the dead it means that He really is God and if Jesus is really God then He is the Lord. If He is Lord that means He is in charge. Folks hate that the idea that someone else is in charge, but what they should hate is that are in the domain of darkness.

You have been delivered by Jesus. You live in the reign and rule of Jesus. Jesus is Lord. For now, you live in this fallen world and life is still a struggle. You will be called to do difficult things. You will be rejected by the world, you will struggle with a fallen world, but you have joy in the struggle because you are in the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus and He rules with grace and forgiveness and love. In the Kingdom of Jesus you have eternal life.

And who is welcome in Jesus’ Kingdom? Who does Jesus invite? Is it an exclusive club for middle class “good” people? Is it limited to certain people in certain places? Today, in our Gospel reading, we have a fascinating example of who Jesus reaches out to and invites. Jesus is being crucified. The Jewish leaders cried out for blood and stirred up the early morning crowd to chant, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, washed his hands of the affair, had Jesus flogged and sent for crucifixion. The Romans soldiers at Golgotha stripped Jesus and drove nails through His flesh to affix Him to the cross. What is Jesus’ response to these people? “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus welcomes even those who crucify Him; He offers words of forgiveness. All are invited into the reign and rule of Jesus.

You are a baptized child of God. You have been transferred into the Kingdom of God. You have been delivered from the domain of darkness and you live in the light of Christ. Your sins are forgiven. You are safe. Amen.

Posted on November 6, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

Blessed Brokenness

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All Saints’ Day 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 6, 2022
Revelation 7:9–17, 1 John 3:1–3, Matthew 5:1–12

Two men walk past each other on the sidewalk, they know each other, but are not that close. The one man says, “Kent, how’s it going?” and Kent replies…… “fine, you?” “Fine.”

Kent says he is fine, but that is a lie. Kent is broken. Kent struggles each day. His dad recently died and his mom has early dementia and is going to need lots of care. Kent gets up and goes to work each day but he does not like his job and his new boss is awful. There is a woman in accounting that keeps trying to flirt with Kent and he keeps politely discouraging her, but she doesn’t get the hint and Kent finds himself wondering what would happen if he flirted back. Kent wants to just quit and run away. When driving he sees highway signs to distant cities and imagines just turning down the interstate and disappearing.

Kent brings the stress of his job home and too often takes it out on his wife and children yelling at them in a way he would never do at work. There is so much turmoil and trouble. It is hard to keep up with everyone’s schedules and there is hardly any time for romance. Kent worries that his wife doesn’t love him anymore as he has gotten older and heavier. Money is always tight. Yesterday the check engine light came on and won’t stop blinking and Kent is afraid it is going to be another $1,000 that he doesn’t have. Too often the words to the folk song really ring true, “Another day older and deeper in debt.” Kent does not pray like he should or read the Bible regularly. Often it feels like God is so far away. Kent is tired, weak and worried.

But when someone asks, “How’s it going?” Kent says, “Fine.”

And in many ways that is okay. It would be exhausting to tell each passing person about all of the troubles of your life, and, if you did, soon no one would dare ask, “How’s it going?”

In order to get the things done in life that you need to get done you hide your brokenness and pretend that everything is okay. Pretending everything is fine is a survival skill during the work week, but the truth is that we are broken people living in a broken world.

Sunday morning you stop pretending. Sunday morning you come to this place of healing and get on your knees and admit that you are broken. You confess that you are by nature sinful and unclean. You have sinned in thought, word and deed. You deserve immediate punishment from God and eternity in Hell.

Sunday morning you recognize the brokenness inside yourself and those around you. Sunday worship is the gathering of broken people seeking peace with God in the midst of their brokenness.

In our Gospel lesson today Jesus proclaims that your brokenness is blessed with eternal blessings for the last day. Your brokenness is blessed by God. In your brokenness Jesus declares that you have eternal life and will live with Him forever at the resurrection.

Matthew 5:3–6 (ESV) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Poor in spirit. Mourning. Meek, lowly, weak. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness. These are not positive virtues which you should strive to achieve, these are marks of brokenness. Jesus declares brokenness blessed…blessed with a blessing for the judgement day.

In the midst of all the trouble of this life Jesus declares that all your brokenness will be undone. You gather here each week, a collection of broken people in a broken world, seeking peace with God and Jesus grants you peace. Our time together is an oasis in the midst of the great chaos of the world. Now, in this oasis there is the blessed sound of lots of wiggly kids and that is wonderful because together, young and old, united in Jesus, we get a glimpse of what is to come.

Each week you retreat from the chaos of life and gather together in this place to hear once again that you are blessed in your brokenness. You intentionally take a break from the busyness of life to be refreshed and renewed by hearing that your sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus shed for you on the cross, by hearing God’s Word, by singing praises to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and receiving a foretaste of the feast to come in the body and blood of Jesus.

What a wonderful idea to have a day set aside to rest and be refreshed, a day to confess your sins and receive God’s forgiveness, a day to return thanks, a day to be with your church family and loved ones for a day of worship and meals and recreation, a day to be together without the intense hurriedness of a normal day. What a great idea to have a day set aside for all that. I wonder who came up with this idea, a day of rest each week? Hmmm. God himself on the seventh day of creation. After Jesus’ death and resurrection our Sabbath day has moved from the seventh day to Sunday, the eighth day, the day of new beginnings because Sunday is the day Jesus rose from the dead. Christians have set the day apart to retreat from the broken world and know that you are blessed in your brokenness. This is a Holy time together immersed in God’s Word and promises to strengthen you for life in this world. And the devil hates it.

The devil hates a peaceful congregation gathering to hear God’s Word and receive His gifts. The devil hates it, so, as a church, we need always to remain on guard against the devil’s attempts to sow division and discord in our midst. Remain on guard against the devil trying to change our time together from a time of joy and unity in Christ to a time of struggle and strife. Beware of the evil one prowling around looking to divide us and destroy us and to separate lambs from the flock of the Good Shepherd. The devil hates our time together each week.

A once a week retreat from the brokenness of the world for a few hours is good; but it is not enough. Each evening, when you return to your home, how wonderful it is when your home is an oasis from the chaos of the world; a refuge of love and forgiveness and joy; a place where the Word of God is central; a place of forgiveness and love.

At the end of each marriage ceremony I pray, “Bless our homes that they may ever be a shelter for the defenseless, a fortress for the tempted, a resting place for the weary, and a foretaste of our eternal home with you…” Your homes should be a respite from the brokenness of the world, but just like with churches, the devil loves to sow division and discord in families. The devil wants to divide and destroy. He wants to make your home a place you dread rather than a place you look forward to going each day.

Now, home life will never be perfect unless there are no people at home, but you can each repent of what you do to bring turmoil into the home and instead seek to love one another and live together in peace and forgiveness. Seek to make home a shelter, a fortress, a resting place and a foretaste of heaven. Children, obey your parents. Life will go better if you just do what they say the first time instead of pretending you don’t hear them. Parents, do not exasperate your children. Beware of your tone of voice as you speak to the most beloved people in your life. Leave the troubles of the world outside. Before you open the front door to go in, take off the stresses of jobs and school and leave them outside. Inside, work together to accomplish what needs to be done. Take out the trash when it is full. Unload the dishwasher. Help prepare dinner and clean up afterward. Put away the phones and the tablets for a while and spend time together as a family united in Christ. Pray together. Read Scripture together. Love and forgive each other. What a wonderful thing it is for your home and your church to be sanctuaries from the world and foretastes of eternity with God.

You look forward to when your brokenness will be repaired, when you will be comforted from your mourning. When, despite your lowliness, you will possess the earth. When, your hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied. When, you will be at peace with the Lord, forever.

Today we celebrate All Saints’ Day. We remember those of our fellowship who have died in the faith. They are now at peace with the Lord waiting for the last day when their bodies will be raised, and their body and soul reunited in perfection and they will go to live with Jesus forever in the Heavenly City of New Jerusalem.

Today you also look forward to the day when Jesus will return in glory and you will be taken up or raised up in perfection. On that day, clothed in the white robe of Jesus’ righteousness, and waving palm branches you will march with the unnumbered masses through the pearl gates into the Heavenly City to begin eternity with the Lord in unbroken paradise.

You look forward to when your brokenness will be repaired, when you will be comforted from your mourning. When, despite your lowliness, you will possess the earth. When, your hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied. When, you will be at peace with the Lord, forever.

For now, you live as a broken person in a broken world. Jesus blesses your brokenness and makes you to be light and love as you live in His forgiveness — loving and forgiving each other.

The last day is coming, but for now, stay alert. Beware of the devil’s deceptions and temptations to conflict and turmoil; division and destruction. Find peace here, in this place, as we gather together, united in Christ. Find peace in your home as you live in love and forgiveness. Bring God’s peace to those around you as you live as the light of Christ. Rejoice that Jesus blesses broken people and gives eternal life. Live in your blessed brokenness looking forward to the day of perfect healing. Amen.

Posted on October 30, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

The Sound that Sums up the Reformation

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Reformation Sunday
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 30, 2022
Rev. 14:6-7, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36

If you had to sum up the Reformation in one word, what would it be? Just one word. Well, not even really a word, more of a sound. What sound sums up the Reformation? Shhhh.

When I teach about the Ten Commandments students can get very frustrated when they realize that they cannot avoid sin. As you study God’s law you realize that it is not just, “you shall not murder”, but you shall not be angry with someone. You can struggle against sin but you are helpless to stop sinning and when it becomes clear that you sin in your thoughts as well as words and deed you think, “But that’s not fair, how can I control my thoughts?” And so you try to justify yourself by making excuses, “I can’t help it. It is human nature.”

Mom walks in as Jason is punching his younger brother Zachery in the stomach. Zachery doubles up and starts to cry…probably a bit louder than necessary. Mom looks accusingly at Jason and he says, “Zachery punched me first.” Jason believes he is perfectly justified in his actions because he has a good excuse.

It comes naturally to try to justify yourself; to come up with a good excuse. Folks will come up with a good excuse for missing Sunday worship and then cling to that excuse for weeks, months, years. I know I should be coming to church every Sunday, but… I have a good excuse.

Everyone likes a good excuse. A good excuse can justify almost anything.

You lose your temper and yell, but it is justified because that so and so really made you mad.

You cheat on a test at school, but it is justified because the teacher should not have made it that hard.

You know that intimacy outside of marriage is wrong, but everyone is doing it. “I know I shouldn’t do that thing, but it is okay, because I have a good excuse.” Shhh.

Along with excuses you also like to pretend that you have found loopholes in God’s law. Honor your Father and your Mother, you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal. You say, “I know what the commandments say, but I declare there is a loophole in the law so the law does not apply to me.” Shhh.

You try to blame others for your sins. “It’s not my fault. If only my mother treated me better…if only that person did not tempt me. It is their fault, not mine.” Shhh.

You cannot justify yourself by your excuses, or loopholes, or by blaming others. Shhhh.

In our Gospel reading last week Jesus gives us another failed method of justification. Luke 18:9–14 (ESV) 9 [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Pharisee seeks to justify himself by talking about all the good things that he does and by thanking God that he is such a good guy, especially compared to the tax collector.

But, you cannot justify yourself by a list of your accomplishments. Shhhh.

You cannot justify yourself by comparing yourself to someone else. It is very tempting to do this. You say, “I may not be perfect, but, I am not as bad as that other guy so my little sins are okay. I am not as bad as those really awful sinners.” Shhh.

We learn in our lesson from Romans 3 that the law of God stops every mouth and the whole world is held accountable to God. You want to make an excuse for your sin. Shh. You want to talk about what a good person you are. Shh. You want to justify yourself. Shh. You have nothing to say to justify yourself. Justification before God does not come from your clever words or thinking. So shhh.

As God says through the Psalmist in Psalm 46:10 (ESV) 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. …” Be still and know that God is God and you are not. You are not in the salvation business. You cannot save yourself, Romans 3:23 (ESV) 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

All have sinned and you are part of all. When you open your mouth to make an excuse or to talk about how good you are…shhh.

Salvation is yours, but not because of you. You…Romans 3:24–25 (ESV) 24 …are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation [an atoning sacrifice] by his blood, to be received by faith. …”

You so much want to ask, did I do enough, did I give enough, did I pay enough, are my excuses enough? God says…. “shhhhh. Be still… and know that I am God.” The law of God silences your excuses and hushes your bragging and leaves you mute before God. You stand before God in silent weakness.

And it is in that stillness you find the peace that passes understanding. It is in that powerless stillness that you find salvation in Jesus.

In silent helplessness you understand what Jesus means when He says, Luke 18:17 (ESV) 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” It is not about you. It is all about Jesus for you.

Salvation is yours, but not because of you. You…Romans 3:24–25 (ESV) 24 …are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation [an atoning sacrifice] by his blood, to be received by faith. …”

The peace that is beyond understanding comes from knowing where to look when asked, “How do you know you are saved?” You do not look to yourself because that is not where salvation comes from. You look to Jesus. You look to Jesus’ life, death and resurrection for you.

This is what Martin Luther rediscovered in the Reformation. Salvation is not about what you do, or give, or pay. You cannot buy a piece of paper signed by the Archbishop of Mainz to justify yourself. It is not about what you earn. It is about Jesus for you. And knowing it is about Jesus for you, you can trust that it is true. Jesus confirms His promise to you in the words of absolution, “I forgive you all your sins.” Jesus confirms His promise to you in the waters of baptism as we see this morning with little Guinevere. He confirms His promise in His Body and Blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. The Reformation is about repenting of thinking you can save yourself and rejoicing that Jesus is your Savior.

So, Shhhh. Be still and know that your sins are forgiven by Jesus. In silence, understand the amazing Good News. If the son sets you free, you are free indeed. Amen

Posted on October 23, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

A Shepherd’s Blood Cries Out

(Due to tech difficulties, no video this week)

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Pentecost 20 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
Vicar Kaleb Yaeger\
Gen. 4:1-15, 2 Tim. 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-17

The earth is soaked with blood, flowing from the man’s broken head out onto the ground. Black dirt becomes red mud. The body lies on the ground, limbs splayed; his head twisted at an odd angle. His dead eyes stare accusingly at his killer. Abel, the shepherd son of Adam will never again tend his flocks.

Cain is out of breath and soaked with sweat. He wipes his brow, leaving a crimson stain across his forehead. He looks down at his hands, which are red with his brother’s blood. He whips his head around, making certain there are no witnesses. His heart pounds. His hands shake. He checks again for witnesses. Seeing no-one, he finds a big, flat rock and begins to dig a shallow grave for his brother in the blood-soaked earth.

The first murder. A grim scene. Brother turned against brother. Blood spilled on the earth. Why? Why this crime? Why this murder? To understand, we must go back to the beginning.

Adam and Eve had two sons. The first they named Cain. Cain, as the firstborn son, soon was involved in his father’s business. Adam was taken out of the ground in order to work it, so it was right that Cain should work the ground. Cain’s role was to grow food for his family. He was to plant seeds in the ground so that he and his family could live.

The second son Adam and Eve named Abel, meaning breath. In time, they would know that name to be prophetic. Abel was a keeper of flocks and herds.

Eventually the time came for both sons of Adam to make offerings to the LORD. Cain offered from what he had reaped, but Abel offered the firstborn of his flock. Abel’s offering, because it was of the firstborn, because it was of the best, was accepted by God. God looked with favor upon Abel. Cain only offered some of his crops. He did not offer the firstfruits, he did not give God the best of what he had. So God did not look with favor upon Cain.

Cain sees that God favor’s Abel’s offering and not his. He is jealous. The Bible tells us that his face fell. Cain’s reaction to God’s rejection is anger. He is not repentant, he is angry. God confronts him for his anger. God warns Cain, saying:

“…sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

God sees the danger that Cain’s fallen face poses. He warns him, exhorting him to repent, to turn from his wicked ways and do what is right. How often we receive the same warning! Anger comes easily to us as children of Adam. We have inherited Adam’s sin. As we sang in our hymn of the day, in Adam we have all been one. One huge, rebellious man. Our anger is a symptom of that sin. Often, like Cain, we are angry with our own family members.

Anger is dangerous. Things done in anger are often things regretted. Things said in anger can hurt. Anger divides. Anger turns you against your family. When you are angry, beware! For sin is crouching at your door. Rule it, for its desire is against you.

Cain didn’t heed God’s warning. In the very next verse, Cain walks out with his brother into the field. The two of them are alone. Cain strikes. He beats his brother down. The sharp crack of rock against bone sounds over and over again. Cain’s hands shake as his brother’s blood soaks the earth. Black dirt becomes red mud. Cain stands over his brother’s body, sweating. With shaking hands, he digs a shallow grave for his brother.

Cain was a worker of the field. He did his father’s work. He brought life from the ground so that he and his family could eat, and live. But now, instead of seeds, he has planted his brother’s body in the earth. He has sown death. Adam was formed from the dust, and now Abel has been returned to dust. Abel, true to his name, lived as but a breath. Cain returned him to his father’s ground.

Sin was crouched at Cain’s door. Cain did not rule it. He let his anger rule him. He heard God’s warning, but refused to listen to it. As a result, he inflicted pain upon his family, death upon his brother, and guilt upon himself. This should sound familiar. Too often, anger overtakes us. Anger, which leads to a multitude of sins. God’s law is clear. We too hear it, and refuse to listen. In Adam, we have all been one. So too in Cain. We fled God’s law, and in losing him, we lost our brother too. Each singly sought and claimed his own, each man his brother slew.

Jesus tells us that to hate our brother is to murder him in our hearts. Anger and hatred are twin siblings. Anger is a powerful force. It motivates us to move, even against our own family, even against the very word of God. In Cain, we have all been one. Murderers. We neglect our vocations and twist them for petty vengeance. Like Cain, we have sown death. What shall we reap?

What shall Cain reap? He has finished burying his brother. Some time has passed, and he has cleansed his brother’s blood from his hands, though his heart remains guilty. He thinks he has gotten away with his crime, when the LORD speaks to him.

“Where is Abel your brother?”

Cain’s heart pounds. He hears the crack of rock against bone. Blood on the dirt. Crimson mud.

“I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

God confronts Cain. Like his father Adam, he deflects and denies. He lies to the LORD. Adam found that hiding from God was useless. Now Cain finds lying to the Almighty equally useless.

“What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.”

God knows of Cain’s crime. The voice of shepherd Abel’s blood tells God the story. His blood demands justice. It demands repayment. Blood has been shed. Blood is required. A murderer should give what he has taken. Cain deserves death. The first murderer should be the first man executed for his crimes.

“And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength.”

Like his father before him, Cain receives the curse of sin. But Cain’s curse is worse than his father’s. He has sown death into the ground, so he shall never again reap life from it. Still, this seems a punishment too small. Sin requires death. Blood requires blood. Cain’s life is in jeopardy. But God does not kill Cain. Instead, he says:

“You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

Cain, at least, recognizes what he deserves. He recognizes it, and desires to be free of sin’s punishment. But Cain does not repent. He says to God “This is too much! I will get the very thing I deserve, I will be killed, like I killed my brother. I cannot bear it!” We’d expect God to answer “Yes, O Cain, first murderer, you will get what you deserve, you have sown death and so you shall reap it!”

That would be the just answer. That would be the right thing to do. Blood requires blood. But God listens to Cain. He says:

“Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

The first murderer is marked so that he may not die at the hands of another. Blood has been shed. Blood is not required. Cain walks free. He is cursed to wander the earth, but vengeance will not be taken for the blood of Abel. Why? Where is the justice of God? Where is His righteousness? Why does He let this murderer go free?

God desires that Cain repent. God brought Cain forth from Adam and Eve. God formed Cain in his mother’s womb. God knew Cain. God loves Cain. He does not want to see him dragged to hell by the weight of his sins. God desires Cain’s repentance.

We do not know if Cain ever repented. Later in the chapter, we are given a brief genealogy of Cain, but we are never told his age at death. The first son of Adam mentioned in the genealogy of Adam to Noah is Seth, Adam and Eve’s third son. Abel is dead and Cain has disinherited himself.

Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Like his father before him, Cain flees from God. He takes the mercy of God and runs. Where is justice? Blood was still shed. Abel’s blood still soaks the soil of the field. It still cries out for justice, yet Cain still lives. Cain is marked, protected by God, but Abel is still dead. Blood for blood. Life for life.

Blood pours out onto the dirt. A son of Adam becomes a corpse. Crimson rivers flow from His head mixing with the earth, forming crimson mud. The shepherd’s dead eyes are vacant, staring into the sky. His jaw is slack. His body limp. He breathes no more. His blood cries out. It drips from his hands. It gushes from his side. It pours out of the wounds in his feet. Vengeance has been taken, for the Shepherd dies. His blood pours onto the ground at the foot of the cross.

His blood cries out from the ground: “It is finished!” Abel’s blood accused Cain and demanded vengeance. Justice demanded blood. A life was taken, so a life must be paid. And a life was paid. A Son of Adam paid it. Not Cain. Jesus. Son of Adam. Son of God.

Justice was done that day, on the cross. The righteous wrath of God was poured out on Jesus. Cain’s death was given to Christ. Your death was given to Christ. Jesus took the death that all the world deserved and was buried with it. Death was put into the ground. Jesus was planted, like a seed, in His tomb. But He stepped forth, three days later, leaving death behind. The death of Cain. The death of Adam. The death of all children of Adam who fell in Adam’s fall.

Sin crouches at your door. You do not rule it. You deserve death. Yet God has mercy. God has mercy on you. He marks you, like He marked Cain.

Cain’s mark was temporary. It protected him from the vengeance of others while he walked the earth. But God has given you a mark much better than Cain’s. He has marked you with the sign of the cross upon your forehead and upon your heart. He has put His name on you, the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He has washed you in the font. He has sealed you as His own. Cain’s mark lasted for his earthly life. Your mark lasts forever.

The blood of the Shepherd cries out before God. It cries out that justice is done, that wrath need not be poured out on all mankind. Christ’s blood was poured out on the ground for you, for the forgiveness of sins. It was poured out on the cross, so that it may be poured into you. Here, on this altar, we are about to eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus. The blood of the shepherd. The death which brought forth life.

Cain was supposed to bring life from the ground, but he sowed it with death. Jesus, by dying in Cain’s place, finished his work. Christ planted the ground with His own blood. Rising, He gives you the fruit of His salvation to eat and to drink. Come, dear Christian, and take the cup of salvation, poured out for you, for the forgiveness of your sins.

Amen

Posted on October 16, 2022 by pastorkevinjud

Pray always, do not lose heart

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Pentecost 19 2022
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 16, 2022
Gen. 32:22-30, 2 Tim. 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8

Being persistent can really pay off. The salesman ignores your first four objections and presses on to close the deal. Children wear down Mom and Dad until they finally relent and give in. Many dogs and cats owe their cushy lives to the persistence of children. Children get worn down by persistent parents and finally do their homework or cleantheir room. Persistence can get you what you want.

It is still dark outside when the widow gets up, lights a lamp and gets ready to make her way through the early morning streets to the courts to be first in line to see the judge. She is in a long standing dispute but as a widow she has no protection, no influence, no one to speak up for her and no money for a lawyer. All she can do is to beg the judge to rule in her favor.

She has come here many, many times before.Time after time she gets up early to be first in line so she can speak to the judge. And every time, the judge refuses to rule in her favor and sends her away. The judgeis his own man; he does what he wants. He does not care who he hurts,or whether it is right or wrong. He does not fear God or respect men. That morning he takes his seat in court and looks up and groans. There at the front of the line is that bothersome widow — again. She is again standing there waiting to be heard. He has heard it all before and he doesn’t want to have to hear it all again.He’s had enough, and so when the widow comes forward he says, “Okay, okay, I give up. I can’t take it anymore. I rule in your favor. Go now and leave me alone.” Even though he doesn’t fear God or respectmen he gives in so that the widow will causehim no more trouble.

So, what does this parable mean? When we want something from God should we just be persistent and we will receive it? It would be easy to take this lesson and say that you need to be persistent in your prayers and if you continue in persistent prayerGod will eventually give in and grant you your request.

Lord, grant me a big raise. Lord, grant me a promotion at work. Lord, give me a biggerhouse, a bigger television, a bigger car. Lord, give me an A on this test I didn’t study for. Lord, please have this girl like me. Lord, give me the newest, latest, greatest iPhone.

There are many popular churches where this is the main message. If you are faithful and pray the right prayers God will open up the storehouse of blessings and pour them out on you. They teach that the reason you do not have big things is that you don’t prayer for big things. They teach that your faith activates the power of God.

Those who reject God altogether also believe basically the same thing. In the book The Secret,The author, Rhonda Byrne, teaches that there is a law of attraction and your thoughts become things. By visualizing something you canput in an order with the powersof the universe and the universe will deliver. You don’t even need to pray to God, you can just picture what you want and it will be provided.

Is this what the parable is about? Is it teachingyou to be persistent in asking for stuff from God and if you are persistent, God will deliver?Let’s take a closer look. What does this widow want? Does this widow want money or belongings? Does she want power or privilege? No, she wants vindication against her opponent. She wants justice.She wants things to be right. She is not asking for stuff, she is asking for justice.

So, pray for justice. Pray for vindication over your adversaries. Pray for an end to sin and evil. Pray for the devil and his angels to be destroyed forever because they bring so much trouble and heartache into the world.

The evening news can feel like a report on the workings of the devil; wars and violence; threats to use nuclear weapons. A madman killing little children at a daycare center in Thailand. Serial killers on the loose. There are huge, violent, criminal organizations flooding our cities and towns with drugs. And if that wasn’t bad enough sometimes the drugs are laced with fatal doses of fentanyl. We watch coverage of trials where whole families were slaughtered. We hear about children being abused in unspeakable ways by adults in positions of trust. We hear about sin and perversion being promoted and encouraged. We see the anger of people protesting that they cannot end the life of their unborn children without restriction. We can see the devil’s work watching the evening news. Pray for restoration. Pray for justice. Pray for evil to be overcome by good.

So, pray for justice. Pray for vindication over your adversaries. Pray for an end to sin and evil. Pray for the devil and his angels to be destroyed forever because they bring so much trouble and heartache into the world.

We can see the devil’s work amongst our family and friends. We see alcoholism and drug abuse devastating families. There is anger and conflict and infidelity between husbands and wives. Two people who have pledged to love one another forever instead live in resentment and bitterness and betrayal. Far too often we hear about yet another family devastated by divorce as the devil works his evil; tearing people apart. Pray for healing. Pray for peace. Pray for justice.

The devil hates Christianity. Around the world Christians are being persecuted because they are followers of Jesus. On a recent Sunday morning 25 Hindu extremists entered Pastor Arjun’s church in India and beat him for an hour leaving him hospitalized. When the pastor’s landlord heard about the beating he evicted the pastor and his family leaving them homeless. In Afghanistan, Christians are being hunted down and killed. The Church there is now completely underground. There is open persecution in North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Pakistan and so many other countries around the world. The world is hurting. Pray for freedom. Pray for righteousness.

In your life you face illness and injury;pain and disability. People you love are taken from you in death and there is so much sadness and mourning. Pray for comfort.

Life is hard and you struggle to resist great pressure to conform to the pattern of the world. You struggle against the constant messageto give in to the ways of the world and reject Jesus as your Lord and become lord of your own life. There is tremendous pressure to stop struggling and just give in to your everydesire and find true peace and happiness in self- indulgence and self-centeredness. The struggle is real and too often you give in to this pressure to conform and you indulge your desires in ways contrary to God’s will. But you do not find peace and happiness. Instead, you are left feeling empty and agitated. And the world tries to tell you that you just need more of what has left you empty. Repent of your failures. Confess your sins. Receive Jesus’ forgiveness. Pray for righteousness.

There is so much trouble and heartache in the world; so much sin, so much persecution, so much death, so much influence of the devil. When will it end? When will enoughbe enough? When will Christians get the reward promised by God? When will God give justice by eliminating evil in the world? Why does God even allow evil? How long, O Lord? How long will the devil be allowed to continue to prowl like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Come, Lord Jesus! Come now!

Come, Lord Jesus! Come back and bring justice. End all of the trouble and heartache and violence and death. Come, Lord Jesus!Bring justice for your people.As a Christian you recognize that you are a poor, miserable sinner; weak and powerless. Like the powerless widow coming to the judge, you come before God without any resources and plead for mercy and justice.

Jesus has promised to return. He has promised to bring justice.Matthew 5:6 (ESV) 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Be persistent. Be patient. Jesus ascended into heaven 2,000 years ago and you can get discouraged, you can lose heart. You can start to think that Jesus is never coming back. But He will. So pray and do not lose heart.

God has promised to conquer evil and lift up those made righteous by Jesus Christ. This is why you gather togethereach Sunday morningto confess your sins and hear the words of forgiveness and to cry out to God for mercy.

In one of the communion liturgies, I proclaim. “As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” And you cry out, “Amen, Come Lord Jesus.” You pray “Thy kingdom come.”You gather together to eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus Christ given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. You receivethe forgiveness won for you by Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. You receive a foretaste of the feast to come. You are made right with God as you look for Jesus to return and the whole world to be restored.

Pray you remain safe in the ark of the Christian Church; pray you remain awake and faithful until the day of the Lord’s return so that He will find faith on earth. Get up out of bed on Sunday morning and come before the judge and plead for justice and righteousness to come to you and to the world. Do it week after week after week. Be persistent. Don’t give up. Continue to gather togetheras a family around the gifts of the Lord. Rememberwho you are. You are a baptizedchild of God, redeemed by the blood of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Cry out for justice. Cry out for rescue from this veil of tears. Cry out for Jesus to return to judge and destroyevil. Be tireless. Continue to cry out for your need for Jesus to come back. Stay faithful, stay together, remain in Jesus. Be persistent. Pray and do not lose heart.

Amen.