From the Pulpit

Posted on February 9, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Your Guilt is Taken Away, Your Sin is Atoned For

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Epiphany 5 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
February 9, 2025
Isaiah 6:1-8. 1 Corinthians 14:12b-20, Luke 5:1-11

Sermons online:
Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com click “sermons”
Text:                           pastorjud.org
Audio:                        pastorjud.podbean.com
itunes:                        bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

What would it be like to come face to face with God? How would you react? God is omnipotent; all powerful. If you were to meet a very important person you likely would have some awe. To be in the presence of powerful people can be humbling. But more humbling, utterly humiliating, is to be in the presence of God’s holiness. Important people are powerful, but they are not holy. They are flawed humans just like you and me. God is ultimately holy. He is pure and sinless. His holiness makes your sinfulness starkly obvious. Like a bloodstain on a pure white cloth, your sin stands out against the holiness of God.

The Prophet Isaiah encounters God in our Old Testament reading today. Isaiah is given a vision of God in His throne room. Isaiah 6:1 (ESV) 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”

I picture the whole scene to be bright and white and pure. Isaiah must feel very small to be in the presence of the Lord God with the fabric of His robe filling the temple. Isaiah looks up and… Isaiah 6:2–4 (ESV) 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.”

Isaiah is in the presence of the most holy God. Angelic creatures fly around with one calling out, “Qadosh, qadosh, qadosh, YHWH Sabaoth,” “Holy, holy, holy is YHWH of armies.” Isaiah is face to face with the holiness of God. The Lord God is holy and pure, Isaiah is not. Isaiah is a dark blot of sin in the middle of the pure white holiness of the Lord’s throne room. How does Isaiah react? Isaiah cries out, Isaiah 6:5 (ESV) 5 “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

In the face of God’s holiness Isaiah proclaims his sinfulness. What is God’s reaction? Does He smite Isaiah with a lightning bolt and reduce him to a pile of smoking ash? No. The Lord sends a seraphim to go to the altar and take a burning coal with tongs and touch Isaiah’s lips with the coal and the seraphim says, Isaiah 6:7 (ESV) 7 … “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

The coal touches Isaiah’s lips and the holiness of God envelopes Isaiah and he is made holy. Isaiah 1:18 (ESV) 18 “…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…

Then the Lord speaks from the throne, Isaiah 6:8 (ESV) 8 … “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then [Isaiah] [says], “Here I am! Send me.”

In our Gospel reading today we find a similar situation, but instead of the pristine throne room of God in Isaiah’s vision we have the busy, rocky shoreline of the Sea of Galilee with two empty fishing boats and a passionate crowd of people pressing in on Jesus. Before He is pushed into the water Jesus climbs into one of the boats and asks to be taken out a little from shore. It is Simon Peter’s boat and he gets in with Jesus and pushes out a bit. Jesus sits down and teaches the crowd on the shore.

After Jesus finishes teaching He says to Simon, Luke 5:4 (ESV) 4 … “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:5 (ESV) 5 And Simon [answers], “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” The fish just are not around, but this Jesus is someone special, He drove out a demon and even healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Simon likely thinks it is a waste of time, but because Jesus said it, he will do it.

They put down the nets and catch a miraculously large number of fish. There are so many fish that they bring out the other boat and fill both boats until they are about to sink. In contrast to the pristine throne room in Isaiah’s vision, now the Holy Lord God is enthroned on a pile of flopping fish and as Peter understands who Jesus is, he falls down at Jesus’ knees saying, Luke 5:8 (ESV) 8 … “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Peter is face to face with the Holy God and his sin is jarringly obvious. Peter is an unholy mess of a man. Jesus replies, Luke 5:10 (ESV) 10 … “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

Isaiah was touched by a coal and made holy. Peter hears with his ears, “do not be afraid” and is made holy. They pull the boats to shore and Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John leave everything and follow Jesus.

This morning you got up and you came to this place to encounter the Holy Lord God. You arrived this morning spiritually beaten up, muddy, wrinkled and disheveled from a week out in a world that cares nothing for holiness. In this holy place you dropped to your knees and pleaded guilty of your sins. You heard Jesus’ words of forgiveness declaring you to be holy. The words of Jesus make you holy. Psalm 51:7 (ESV) 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Here you sing praises to the Lord and hear the Word of God read and preached, and then you sing the words of the seraphim in the throne room of God, “Qadosh, qadosh, qadosh, YHWH Sabaoth, Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.” Then you sing the words of the people welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as He enters as the sacrificial Lamb of God coming to offer Himself for the sins of the world, “Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”

Jesus makes you holy and calls you to follow Him — and so you follow Him. You are a disciple of Jesus delighting in His will and walking in His ways even while you struggle with being a natural sinner in a sinful world.

And then you come forward to the altar to receive into your mouth the Holy Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus. The holiness of God touches your lips and you are again made holy. You again wash your robe and make it white in the blood of the Lamb. Isaiah 6:7 (ESV) 7 … “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” You are holy because God makes you holy. For now you see in a mirror dimly, but you are ready to meet God face to face. You are ready for the judgement because you are holy in Jesus.

Jesus makes you holy and calls you to follow Him — and so you follow Him. You are a disciple of Jesus delighting in His will and walking in His ways even while you struggle with being a natural sinner in a sinful world. Despite your natural sinful state, you are called to be a follower of Jesus each day in your various vocations throughout your life — as a child, parent, husband, wife, student, worker, employer, citizen, friend and so many more. In all you do, you are called to do it as a follower of Jesus.

And for some, in addition to following Jesus in your daily vocation, you may sense God guiding you toward a life of full time ministry in His Church as a pastor, a teacher, a deaconess, a missionary or something else. That can be a frightening guidance and your natural reaction is to declare, “I am not worthy. I am sinful. Isaiah 6:5 (ESV) 5 …“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a [person] of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips…” That is a natural reaction when you feel God’s call, but just like with Isaiah and Simon Peter, God eliminates that excuse. He has cleansed you with His Word and with His sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and made you holy. Isaiah 1:18 (ESV) 18 “…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Discern God’s guidance, but do not use your sinfulness as an excuse not to follow Jesus. You are washed clean in the blood of Jesus. You are a holy saint of God. Amen.

Posted on February 2, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Love is a Burden

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Epiphany 4 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
February 2, 2025
Jer. 1:4-10, 1 Cor. 12:31b – 13:13, Luke 4:31-44

It feels like we just got the Christmas decorations down and packed away and wherever you go there are heart decorations. February is a month of generally dreary weather and a relatively obscure holiday right in the middle… on February 14. Valentine’s Day celebrates the sweetness of love. It is a day to give flowers and candy and sweet little notes. Kids in school exchange valentines with goofy messages. And there are those relatively tasteless little candy hearts with messages like, “be mine, hug me, you’re sweet, cutie pie,” and the like. It is a sweet little celebration of love in the middle of the dreary month of February.

Valentine’s Day is all about the sweetness of love. And today we get our epistle reading from 1 Corinthians 13; the love chapter. At first glance we can think that this chapter is another teaching about the sweetness of love. This is often chosen to be read at weddings because weddings are all about love. But what is this love that we talk about. What is love? People will say, I am, “in love.” People say, “I love cheeseburgers.” People say, “I love my mom, I love my kids, I love my spouse.” What is love? What does it mean to love someone?

There is romantic love. Google’s AI definition is not bad. “Romantic love” refers to a deep, passionate form of love characterized by intense emotions, physical attraction, a desire for intimacy, and a longing to be with a specific person, often associated with the pursuit of a long-term relationship and mate selection; it involves a combination of idealization and bonding with another individual.”

I worry that when we use the word “love” we too often are thinking only of romantic love. Romantic love is wonderful and powerful, but the love that you are called to as a follower of Jesus is so much more wonderful and powerful.

Even in marriage, romantic love is only one aspect of marital love. During the wedding ceremony the bride and groom pledge to take the other and, “to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death us do part.” There is so much more to marriage than romantic love, or the sentimental sweetness of candy hearts.

While it is often chosen for weddings, 1 Corinthians 13 is not about married love in particular. It is about the love you are to have for one another. Love in the body of believers is not about romantic love at all, but about a serving, selfless love. It is about loving others, even those you do not like.

The church in Corinth is troubled by division and sin and Paul is writing to implore them to be true followers of Jesus and to understand what is most important. What is most important for a church? Is it that the pastors are great orators; preaching prophetic sermons? Is it that the people can speak in many different languages of men and angels? Is it that the pastors and teachers are super knowledgeable and understanding? Is it that people have incredibly strong faith? Is it that the people give generously or are willing to die for the faith? All of these things are good and important, but what is the most important thing?

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (ESV) 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Love is more important to the church than all of those other things. Love comes from God. John 3:16 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God loves you. You are called to love one another. The five word summary of all the Ten Commandments is, “Love God, love your neighbor.”

Love all people, and particularly love those around you. Of course that is the difficulty. C.S. Lewis once said, “It is easier to be enthusiastic about Humanity with a capital ‘H’ than it is to love individual men and women, especially those who are uninteresting, exasperating, depraved, or otherwise unattractive. Loving everybody in general may be an excuse for loving nobody in particular.” Wow. This is truly convicting. When you hear, “love your neighbor,” you can default to, “I love all people.” But what about that one person? The one annoying, rude, frustrating, problem person that you have to deal with? The one who is constantly pushing your buttons and making you angry? The one you think about all the time? That incredibly frustrating person for whom Jesus died? Do you love him? Do you pray for her?

What is love? St. Paul explains this in our reading today and it is an incredibly blunt, condemning teaching. Sometimes people will claim that the Bible is just an old book, 2,000 years out of date and does not have anything to say to us today. They are so wrong. Paul’s insights here into our natural inclinations are astounding.

1 Corinthians 13:4–6 (ESV) 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”

Valentine’s Day love is all about the sweetness of love. Paul teaches us about selfless, serving love. It sounds terrible, but instead of the sweetness of love, here Paul teaches about the burden of love.

There is a great quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book, “Life Together.” “The brother is a burden to the Christian, precisely because he is a Christian. For the pagan the other person never becomes a burden at all. He simply sidesteps every burden that others may impose upon him.”

“The Christian, however, must bear the burden of a brother. He must suffer and endure the brother. It is only when he is a burden that another person is really a brother and not merely an object to be manipulated. The burden of men was so heavy for God Himself that He had to endure the Cross. God verily bore the burden of men in the body of Jesus Christ. But He bore them as a mother carries her child, as a shepherd enfolds the lost lamb that has been found. God took men upon Himself and they weighted Him to the ground, but God remained with them and they with God.”

Love is a burden, but what a wonderful burden. Jesus loves you, you love others and they love you. In marriage, both partners are called to love selflessly. In pre-marriage preparation I teach that if each person in a marriage is most concerned about the other person’s needs and desires then both will be fulfilled and find joy in the marriage. If either partner is most concerned about themselves it brings great trouble. As in marriage, this is also true for the gathering of the followers of Jesus. In the Church we are called to love others selflessly.

Love is patient. Love is patient even when the other person has once again gotten on your last nerve and does not deserve patience. Love is kind even when you want to settle the score. Love does not envy others’ abilities, or appearance, or possessions. Love does not boast about itself to others. Love does not one-up the other when they tell a story. Love is not arrogant or rude. Love humbly considers the needs of others and is not pushy or careless with others and their feelings.

Love does not insist on its own way. Ouch!! Why is St. Paul picking on me? What if my way is the best way? It doesn’t matter. In our life together as redeemed children of God we work together in love and seek to avoid stepping on people’s toes, we do not demand to do it my way. Life together in love can be messy and inefficient. Love is not irritable or resentful. It is so easy to default to living an irritated life being surrounded by others and their foolishness. It is natural to resent others’ presence. Love anyway. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing. Love does not celebrate unrighteousness or delight in hearing about evil or perversion.

Love. You are called to love like Jesus. You are to love like Jesus not in order to earn forgiveness. You are to love like Jesus because you are already forgiven. You are loved by God through your Savior Jesus. You live in the love of Jesus and strive to love like Jesus.

You are loved by Jesus, but it is hard to feel the love of Jesus. Jesus can feel very far away. His love can seem cold and distant. You know the truth. “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so,” but you see in a mirror dimly and it is a struggle to feel Jesus’ love. It is a struggle to love like Jesus.

Your love for others flows from Jesus’ love for you even though you cannot clearly see Jesus’ love. Jesus’ love is an abundant, overflowing love that you are called to imitate. Love bears without limits, believes without limits, hopes without limits, endures without limits. This is an amazing love. This is Jesus love for you, and… 1 Corinthians 13:8 (ESV) 8 Love never ends…” Jesus’ love never ends. The things of this world will go away, but Jesus’ love is for eternity. “…As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV) 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

The day is coming when Jesus will return and take those living up into heaven and raise the dead and then you will live forever face to face with Jesus. Then you will know Jesus’ love fully, the love He fully has for you right now.

How frustrating that here in the love chapter you find condemning law, but you also find great hope because you learn the kind of love that Christ has for you, even while you struggle to love like him.

So, once again broken by God’s law, struggling to love like Jesus, repent of being loveless and selfish and come to the Lord ’s Table to receive His body and blood under the bread and wine, not directly seeing Jesus face-to-face, but looking into a mirror dimly. Come as sinners, unable to love like Christ loves. And in the Holy meal you are loved once again by the Lord Jesus. Leaving here go and love like Jesus. Love the one you don’t like. For…1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV) 13 … now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Amen.

Posted on January 26, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

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Epiphany 3 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
January 26, 2025
Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10, 1 Corinthians 12:12–31a, Luke 4:16–30

The most monumental occurrence in all the history of the world is happening, but it is happening so quietly at first and then grows with bursts of excitement followed by long periods of silence. An angel appears to a young woman in Nazareth to let her know that she would be the mother of the Son of God. Joseph is told by an angel in a dream. Unborn John the Baptist and his mother Elizabeth rejoice at Jesus’ presence when Mary comes to visit. It is all very quiet. But then on the night of Jesus’ birth the big event is announced by an angel along with an army of angels to shepherds near Bethlehem. The shepherds spread the Good News. At the Temple, Simeon and Anna recognize the newborn Christ and spread the word. The Magi from the East follow a star to the one born King of the Jews. At twelve years old Jesus is back at the Temple and you wonder if any of the teachers have an inkling that this boy is the Christ. And then 18 years of quiet until Jesus heads down to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Afterwards… Luke 3:21–22 (ESV) 21 … the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The witnesses must be astonished and tell everyone what they saw. The people of Capernaum see Jesus drive out demons and perform miracles and the news of Jesus and what He is teaching and doing spreads all around Galilee.

And then Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth, a small village 30 miles west of Capernaum. The people of Nazareth have heard about all what their home town boy is doing in Capernaum and the surrounding areas. They have heard of the teachings and the driving out of demons and the healing of the sick and even turning water into wine. They have wondered when will Jesus come home to visit His family so they can see Him face to face and watch Him do some miracles and other amazing things? And now He is here. Jesus is here…in Nazareth…on the Sabbath…at the synagogue. He stands up and slowly walks to the center of the synagogue to read and is handed a scroll from the prophet Isaiah. A murmur is heard from those seated on the three levels of stone benches surrounding the central floor. Jesus sets the scroll on the reading platform and rolls through it until He comes to this passage.

Luke 4:18–19 (ESV) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

What does this mean? Why did He read that section? Is that all? Jesus rolls up the scroll and hands it to the attendant and sits down. All eyes are on him. What will He do next? Luke 4:21 (ESV) 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus is saying. Luke 4:18–19 (ESV) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus announces that He is the one Isaiah is talking about. He declares in His hometown synagogue that He is the Holy One of God, the Christ, the Messiah. He has been doing amazing things in Capernaum and the surrounding area. He has been driving out demons and healing the sick and infirm. Crazy things happened when He was baptized in the Jordan. They have heard all that Jesus has done and now they just heard Jesus declare He is the fulfillment of prophecy. This is incredible. This is an historic moment. This is amazing. But hold on. Hang on just one minute here. We know this guy. How is it that this guy is declaring Himself to be the Messiah?

Jesus knows what they want. They do not want to take Jesus’ word that He is the Messiah; they want Him to prove it; to do something miraculous right here. The people of Nazareth have known Jesus His whole life and now He takes a trip down to the Jordan to get baptized and comes back claiming to be the Messiah. Who does this guy think He is? It is said that familiarity breeds contempt. The people of Nazareth think they know everything about Jesus, but they are missing the most important thing. And so, when Jesus declares He is the anointed one, they want Jesus to give them a show.

There is a danger of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you forget the most important thing. Jesus’ name gets used in so many ways. People use it as an expletive to replace foul language. His name is tossed around as if it had no value or power. Politicians and celebrities will invoke Jesus to try to bolster their positions on various political and social issues, but rarely, if ever, do they talk about who Jesus is and what has He come to do. They use Jesus but lose that Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay for the sins of the world. They use Jesus for their own purposes, but forget that Jesus came to save sinners like themselves. Many people claim to be Christians, followers of Jesus, but live like unbelievers. They view God’s commands as mild suggestions at best. People reduce Jesus and become so familiar with their reduced Jesus that they get confused and forget who Jesus is and what He has done. In our society we have a therapeutic Jesus, a life coach Jesus, a political Jesus, a social justice Jesus and so many others. So many ways that Jesus is reduced to fit people’s desires. The people of Nazareth desire for Jesus to do a show for them to prove what He is saying, but that is not how Jesus operates. They get angry and try to kill Jesus and then they get their miracle as Jesus just walks away.

With Jesus coming in the flesh as a baby in Bethlehem it can be easy to forget that Jesus is Lord. Jesus looks like a regular guy and it can be hard to remember He is God in flesh. He is the savior from sin. You have heard all that Jesus has done. That he died and rose from the dead. You know Jesus is God in flesh, but there is a great temptation to want Jesus to be a manageable Jesus; a Jesus you can control. Not Jesus, Lord of the universe, but my Jesus, my assistant, my helper, who does what I tell Him to do. The temptation is to want a Jesus who is all about helping you to be successful in life; a Jesus who is an accessory rather than Jesus, Lord of your life.

There is a similar danger with the Word of God. When Jesus reads the scroll in the synagogue in Nazareth there is likely one copy of the scriptures in town. Scrolls were hand copied and cost as much as a house. That was the case until Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press around 1454. Even then a Gutenberg Bible cost around three years’ wages so normal folks could never afford it. So, just like the people of Nazareth, until fairly recently with the industrial revolution and lower printing costs, coming to weekly worship to hear the Bible read was your only way to learn the Word of God. The Bible at Church was precious; it was the only one in town.

Over the years printing technology has evolved and now Bibles are printed in abundance. You can purchase on at the dollar store. What used to cost three years wages can now be had for less than 10 minutes wages. You can download a Bible app on your phone for free. Bibles are plentiful. There is such an abundance that you can start to forget how precious the Word of God is. There is a danger that with Holy Scripture being so abundant we take it for granted and forget its value and power. Just like with Jesus. We can start to think we know all about Jesus and forget His power and value. We can forget the reason Jesus came to earth.

At Jesus’ baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon him and the voice of God the Father said, Luke 3:22 (ESV) 22 … “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Spirit of the Lord is upon Jesus. He is the anointed one to proclaim good news to the poor. Jesus is the Messiah come to set the people free from bondage to sin, death and the devil. As He travelled, Jesus would often free people in physical bondage to sickness and demon possession. This was amazing and miraculous work by Jesus, but this is not the main reason Jesus came. His physical healings point us to Him freeing all people from the spiritual bondage to sin and death that has bound people since Adam and Eve fell. Through His sacrificial death and His conquering resurrection, Jesus frees the whole creation.

Jesus is God in flesh, God with us who has come to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is the Lord Almighty. He is Prince of Peace. He is the King of Kings. He is Immanuel, God with us. Stay on guard against letting being God with us make him so familiar that you forget He is God with us and reduce Jesus to your helper instead of your savior.

That is what makes weekly worship so powerful. Here you remember what Jesus has done for you. Here, as you gather in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, you remember that you are a child of God adopted in baptism and set apart from the multitude of unbelievers. Gathered together, you hear God’s Word of forgiveness and love. Here you receive the Body and Blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. Here you remember the power and value of God’s Word, the power and value of His sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, and most of all the power and value and Lordship of His Son, your Savior, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is Lord and Savior. He is almighty God who has come to save you. Amen.

Posted on January 5, 2025 by pastorkevinjud

Arise, shine for your light has come

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Epiphany 2025
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
January 5, 2025
Is. 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12

Sermons online:

Text and Audio:         immanuelhamiltonchurch.com click “sermons”\
Text:                           pastorjud.org
Audio:                        pastorjud.podbean.com
itunes:                        bit.ly/pastorjud
Full Service Audio:    bit.ly/ImmanuelWorship

Today we celebrate Epiphany one day early. Epiphany, on January 6, commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem and marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas.

There are three mysteries in the story of the Magi. First, what was the star? What was this star which guided the Magi to Bethlehem? There are several theories to explain the star of Bethlehem as a natural phenomenon. Some people say that the star was a comet or meteor, because the text implies movement. Matthew 2:9 (ESV) 9 … And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.” But as a meteor or comet, this does not make any sense because this is not how comets and meteors behave. They move quickly and do not stop over a place on earth.

Perhaps one of the best theories is that of Johann Kepler, a seventeenth-century German astronomer. Kepler was a Lutheran, who once studied to be a pastor. In his work as an astronomer, Kepler found evidence to promote the ideas of Nicholas Copernicus, who proposed the earth, the moon and other planets revolve around the sun, not the sun, the moon and the planets revolving around the earth. Regarding the star of Bethlehem, Kepler proposed that it was an alignment of Jupiter and Saturn in the year of Jesus’ birth, to form a bright light in the heavens. According to the symbolism of the ancient Middle East, Jupiter, the greatest of the planets, was the king of the planets. Saturn was linked with the Jews. Therefore, the alignment indicated the birth of the promised King of the Jews, that is, the Messiah.

Another alternative is that the star was indeed a miracle of God. God can use natural phenomena, but He can also suspend natural laws. What we do know from God’s Holy Scripture is that there was a star that guided the Magi to Jesus.

The second mystery is the Magi, the Wise Men. Who were they? What were they? Only the Gospel according to St. Matthew speaks of the Magi. Matthew 2:1 (ESV) 1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem…” In Christmas illustrations, there are always three Magi, because there were three gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh, but in the text we do not find a specific number. The word, “magician”, is from the root of this word, Magi, which came to mean wise man. The Magi were a caste of priests in Persia and Mesopotamia who were also students of the stars and medicine. In time they became advisors to the kings of Persia and Mesopotamia, the countries to the east of Israel in the areas known today as Iran and Iraq.

We find the word for Magi in the second chapter of the book of the prophet Daniel. After Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the king made him governor of the whole province of Babylon, and prince of the governors over all the wise men; the magi of Babylon. Because of Daniel and the captivity of the Jews in Babylon, the Magi may have known something of the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, and therefore, traveled to Bethlehem to worship the Christ Child.

The Baby Jesus Himself is the third mystery in the story. The Magi found Him in a house in Bethlehem sometime after His birth. Contrary to many nativity scenes the Magi almost certainly did not arrive to worship the infant Jesus the same night as the shepherds. A choir of angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. The baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger is the sign for the shepherds, while the star was the sign for the Magi. The trip of the Magi to Bethlehem may have lasted more than a year.

The Magi came first to Jerusalem, where they asked, Matthew 2:2 (ESV) 2 …“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Going to Jerusalem to ask about the new king was not a particularly wise move because there was already a king in Jerusalem; Herod the Great. Matthew 2:3-8 (ESV) 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

But, this was, of course, a lie; Herod had no intention to worship the Christ Child. His plan was to kill Jesus to protect his throne. The Magi did not return to Herod because they were warned by an angel and this made Herod furious. Herod knew that Bethlehem was the town where the Child Jesus was born, but he did not know which child…in which house. Therefore, Herod ordered the slaughter of all the boys in Bethlehem two years of age and younger. We remember this event each year on December 28, the Day of the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents.

The greatest mystery in this account of the Magi, and the greatest mystery of all is the Child who avoided King Herod’s sword. He is the Word made flesh that lived among us. As St. John says in his Gospel, John 1:1-3 (ESV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:14 (ESV) 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The Word was made flesh, born of the Virgin Mary. He grew up as the son of Mary and Joseph. He was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and began His public ministry; teaching and healing and driving out demons. He sacrificed Himself on the cross and was resurrected the third day. We are all sinners and cannot justify ourselves before God, but we have the promise of eternal life because of Jesus Christ; the Word made flesh.

How was the eternal Son of God made flesh? We do not understand this mystery. The greatest mystery is also the most precious gift for us.

When the Magi found Jesus they offered Him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. The value of gold is obvious. It was a gift fit for a king. Incense was burned for its fragrance in the presence of a king, also in the temple in the worship of God. So, the incense was a gift for a king, also for a priest. We believe in Jesus as King of kings and our great High Priest in heaven, the only Mediator between God and men. Myrrh was used as oil to anoint kings, prophets and priests, also to prepare dead bodies for burial. Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus’ body for burial after His crucifixion. Myrrh from the Magi is a glimpse forward to the cross and tomb.

The most precious gift of all is the Child Jesus Himself who brings to you God’s forgiveness and eternal life. Not only just for you, but for all people.

Epiphany means manifestation; the manifestation of God in Christ. The visit of the Magi was the first manifestation of the Savior to all nations. The Magi were foreigners; Gentiles; they were not men of Israel. We see with the Magi that the Savior’s promise is for all nations.

Jesus came first to the Jews, according to the promise that God made to Abraham and the patriarchs. But after his resurrection, He sent his church to proclaim the gospel to all parts of the world. St. Paul says in our epistle, Ephesians 3:6-10 (ESV) 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

The manifold wisdom of God in Christ Jesus has been made known to us Gentiles and like all those who have received new life in baptism, we are the church. As the Church, we bring this wisdom of God in Christ to others. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we talk with our family and neighbors about the great mysteries of Christ and all He has done for us. This baby in Bethlehem, worshipped by the Magi, hunted by the King, is the Word made flesh. He is God incarnate who has come to be the sacrificial Lamb to take away the sins of the world. He is the one who sets you free from your sins. Jesus is the greatest mystery; the greatest gift of all. He is God in flesh made manifest to the world; beginning with the mysterious Magi from the East and continuing today, here and throughout this nation and the world. Amen.

Posted on December 29, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

The Lord returns to the Temple

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Christmas 1 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 29, 2024
Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:22-40

Herod the Great expanded the temple mount, doubling its size to a magnificent 36 acres above the rest of the city. The temple atop the mount was refurbished and expanded and is now the visual focus of the whole city of Jerusalem with the pinnacles soaring 150 feet up from the top of the mount. The temple and its plateau mount are a bustling center of activity bringing in people from all over.

Jews come to worship and pray and bring sacrifices. Gentiles can come up onto the mount, but not inside the temple. Jewish women can come inside the women’s courtyard to pray and watch sacrifices in the inner courts through the passageways. It is a constant bustle of activity with so many people coming and going — bringing sacrifices and offerings.

There are those who come to the temple to fulfill Jewish laws and rituals and there are those who are at the temple waiting for Israel to be redeemed.

Anna is a prophetess who stays at the temple. That day Anna sits off to the side in the women’s courtyard watching all the comings and goings. Anna is an elderly widow who worships with fasting and prayer day and night at the temple. Her eyes are growing weak but she still watches all that happens. She is waiting for the redemption of Israel; she is waiting for the Christ to come. It is winter and she pulls a shawl close over head and shoulders against the chill. As she adjusts her shawl, just then she sees it.

Her eyesight is not so great but she can recognize Simeon easily as he sits across the way keeping an eye on the gate. Simeon is also a fixture at the temple and is waiting for the Christ to arrive. It is said that the Holy Spirit has revealed to him that he will not die before he has seen the Lord’s Christ.

Simeon quickly stands up and is suddenly on the move. Anna struggles to follow him with her eyes as Simeon zig zags deliberately through the crowd towards a destination Anna cannot see. She gets up and tries to follow, but she loses sight of him in the crowd so she squints and scans the mass of people. Simeon emerges from the throng moving towards the Beautiful Gate on the Eastern side of the Temple. Simeon approaches a young couple. The woman is carrying a baby and the man holds a small cage with two birds. They must be coming for her purification and the baby’s redemption. With the help of a walking stick Anna continues towards Simeon and the family as fast as her 84-year-old legs will move. She keeps her eyes on the small group as she walks. Simeon marvels at the young family and then takes the baby up in his arms and looks heavenward. He begins to speak and Anna is now close enough to hear, Luke 2:29–32 (ESV) 29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Could this really be the one? Is this little baby in Simeon’s arms really the Lord’s Christ? Simeon declares his eyes are open to God’s salvation. Simeon proclaims that this baby has come for Israel, but also to open the eyes of the Gentiles.

600 years earlier, the prophet Ezekiel had a vision of the glory of the Lord departing from the Temple — no longer confined to the Temple and the Holy of Holies. Ezekiel also prophesies that the glory of the Lord will return to the temple one day. Simeon and Anna are seeing the fulfillment of that prophesy before their eyes. Others are around, but are unaware of what is happening. The Glory of the Lord has returned to the Temple as a tiny baby boy.

The boy’s mother and father marvel at what Simeon is saying. For them it is one more confirmation of what was told them by angels 10 months before. Luke 1:31 (ESV) 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. Luke 1:35 (ESV) 35 … “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Simeon blesses the three of them and then addresses the baby’s mother with a troubling warning. Luke 2:34–35 (ESV) 34 … “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

The sword of the Christ’s revelation will go through Israel bringing great opposition and revealing hidden evil. You would not think that the bringer of salvation would cause such trouble and conflict, but He will. The darkness rebels against the light. The Christ has come as a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel, but He will face constant opposition and danger. He will be arrested, tortured and executed on a cross in order to silence Him from bringing the Good News of salvation. Despite all they will do to him the Christ will rise from the dead and ascend into heaven and send the Holy Spirit upon His followers. They will continue to spread the Good News of Salvation in Jesus of Nazareth despite opposition and danger and even death.

This is a dark and troubling warning. This baby, the Lord’s Christ, will bring trouble. The shepherds were given a sign of a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger. The second sign is that the child is destined to be spoken against.

The shepherds received the announcement about the Christ from the angels, sought Him out, and then spread the good news of the birth of the King. Anna receives the message about the Christ from Simeon; she gives thanks and spreads the message of the Song of Simeon to all who are waiting for the redemption of Israel.

Her pregnancy with Jesus was announced by angels to Mary and Joseph. Elizabeth and unborn John the Baptist recognize the Good News upon Mary’s visit. On the night of Jesus’ birth, shepherds receive the announcement from an army of angels, and now 40 days later Mary and Joseph get additional confirmation from Simeon and Anna as to the identity of their child.

Jesus is the Christ, but life for Jesus will not be an easy life. He will reveal the evil intent of many who pretend to be religious leaders. There will be those who want to silence Him; kill Him.

Life as a follower of Jesus is not the promise of an easy life. Still today, Jesus brings opposition from a world that pretends to follow God but has evil intents. As followers of Jesus we continue to learn how to live together in the face of this opposition and evil. In his letter to the Colossians St. Paul instructs us how to live with one another with all the ongoing temptations and distractions and false teaching. Colossians 3:12–13 (ESV) 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

There is such a tremendous temptation to let impatience and anger and pride destroy relationships. This is dangerous in families and it is especially dangerous in the Church; Christ’s body on earth. The Church is where the truth of God’s Good News is proclaimed and people are set free from the curse of sin, death and the devil, and the evil one wants it to stop. This gathering together of believers is your source of comfort and support on the difficult journey of life. So… Colossians 3:14–15 (ESV) 14 … above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

What a great picture of getting ready each day by putting on, like clothing, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and above all these…love. Christ is born. Jesus, YHWH saves, has come to be God with us. So each day, as a baptized child of God, start your day by putting on your Christmas best, your Christian best, to live in the love and light of Christ; to live as the love and light of Christ in a dark world that wants to silence Jesus.

And each week, as you receive the body and blood of Jesus…as you hold the body of Christ in your hand like Simeon did at the temple so many years ago…know that as a child of Christ… as the Lord’s servant…you are ready to depart in peace.

Your eyes have been opened to know that Jesus has given you the gift of salvation for the Last Day. You have peace with God. And so, like Anna, you thank God and speak of Him to all who are waiting for Jesus to return. Amen.

Posted on December 22, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Why is this granted to me?

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Advent 4 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 22, 2024
Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-56

When Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was pregnant with George, who knew about it? Quite possibly, most of the world. In March 2013, People Magazine had a picture of the princess on the cover, “Pregnant Princess Diaries, How Kate’s getting ready, cravings, clothes, baby names. All about the royal birth countdown. The princess is pregnant with possibly the future king and most of the world knows about it.

Mary is pregnant with the King. The King of the Universe is growing inside the womb of Mary. This news will rock the world. This is not just the king of England. This is the King of everything. This is the biggest news of all time. God is incarnate. God is in flesh. The Son is coming to be God with us; Immanuel. This is the most important birth to ever have occurred up until that time and even until today. This is huge. Who knows about it? Is this big news in Israel? Is word spreading throughout the world? Are there reporters asking Mary about her cravings, clothes and baby names? Not at all. Who knows about Mary’s miraculous pregnancy? The people in Nazareth will soon know Mary is pregnant, but not who the baby is; they will not understand the significance. Mary knows because it was revealed to her by the Angel Gabriel. Joseph knows because it was revealed to him by an angel in a dream. Mary and Joseph know, and that is it. Two people know who this baby is.

After letting the Virgin Mary know that she was going to become pregnant from the Holy Spirit, Gabriel gave Mary some evidence that what he was saying was true. Gabriel told her that her… Luke 1:36–37 (ESV) 36 … behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Mary declared to Gabriel…Luke 1:38 (ESV) 38 “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

After the angel leaves, Mary’s head must just be spinning. She said, “let it be to me according to your word,” but what does it all mean? What is going to happen now? Was the angel and his message real or did she have a hallucination. The angel said Elizabeth is pregnant. That is impossible. Elizabeth has never been able to have children and now she is an old woman. But nothing is impossible with God.

Mary leaves Nazareth to go to visit Elizabeth in the hill country of Judah. Luke 1:40 (ESV) 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” Coming for a visit, one relative greets another who is visibly pregnant; a very normal occurrence. On the surface everything is normal…well not really normal. As you zoom in on this scene you notice Elizabeth’s face is the face of an old woman — wrinkled and sagging from years of toil and life. Her face is wrinkled, but her belly is swollen, six months pregnant. When Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting, the baby leaps in her womb. After conceiving John, Elizabeth kept herself hidden for five months and has just now come out of hiding. She is an elderly woman who is six months pregnant. What kind of sidewise looks is she getting from others? She is experiencing a miracle of God and the people are likely trying to explain it away. Elizabeth is experiencing a miracle of God and so is her relative Mary.

We do not know what Mary’s greeting was. Was it just, “Shalom Elizabeth!” or did Mary explain what was happening. Had Elizabeth already somehow heard Mary was pregnant with the Son of God, does Mary tell her, or is this revealed to her by the Holy Spirit? Through the power of the Holy Spirit, unborn John the Baptist recognizes embryonic baby Jesus, the Savior of the world. In any case, now we know that the number of people who know about Mary being pregnant with the Son of God has doubled. Luke 1:42 (ESV) 42 and [Elizabeth] exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” All of these amazing things are going on, but it is all hidden. If you were watching you would just see two women talking. The glory of God is hidden.

Elizabeth then questions Mary, Luke 1:43 (ESV) 43 … why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Elizabeth declares that she is not worthy. Now, Elizabeth has a higher social standing than Mary. Elizabeth is old and respected, Mary is young and unproven. Elizabeth is married to a priest, Mary is married to a carpenter. Elizabeth is 6 months pregnant with a miracle baby who will be a prophet of God. Mary is pregnant with God and Elizabeth knows it. “Why is this granted to me?”

Elizabeth has a humble joy. She rejoices at Jesus’ presence, but she knows she does not deserve it. She knows she does not deserve to be in the presence of God and yet He is here with her, yet in such a hidden, humble way. To look at this scene you would only see a young woman and an old, pregnant woman. It is strange that an old woman is pregnant, but you would never know the Messiah is present unless someone tells you, or the Holy Spirit reveals it to you.

God comes to Elizabeth in her barren emptiness and causes her to conceive and be pregnant with John the Baptist. God comes to visit Elizabeth in the form of a divine embryo growing inside of Mary. God is present — but God is hidden. It is such a sharp contrast. God has come to earth in human flesh, but He has come in the most humble way. And He still comes to humble people in humble places.

And this is earth shattering. This turns on its head all of what we are told about the ways of the world. Jesus comes not for the rich and powerful; the influencers, the movers and shakers of life who think they have it all together. Jesus comes to the downtrodden and desperate. Adult Jesus gets in big trouble with the religious leaders because He eats with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus comes for people who need forgiveness. Jesus comes to those who are not worthy; those who do not deserve His presence. Jesus comes into the quiet, hidden places of our lives to bring the Good News of forgiveness of sins.

Jesus’ ministry was marked by humility. He was a homeless, travelling teacher. He walked from town to town with a ragtag entourage of disciples. He did miracles, but until the raising Lazarus outside Jerusalem, He did the miracles in quiet ways without a big show. Jesus came in humble power. He is God with us, but you would not know it by looking. Jesus does much of his ministry in unexpected places with unexpected people. In Galilee He works around the edges of the Jewish land. He goes to foreigners and Samaritans. He teaches. He heals. He feeds. He brings the bread of life and living water in His words.

You can start to believe that Jesus is only for those who have life altogether, but that is a lie of the evil one. Jesus is God in flesh, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and Jesus is your humble servant who takes your sin upon Himself.

Jesus comes to you on the edges of life. When you are hurting, Jesus is there. When you are sick or injured. When you are in the hospital and the sleepless night drags on. When you are growing ever weaker and death draws near. When you are lonely…even in a room full of people. When you are confined to nursing center — trapped by your own body’s inability. When you are in prison. When you are grieving the death of a loved one. When you are hurting because of division and discord in your family. When you are caught between being a child and an adult and you start to wonder, who am I? When you are hurting because you have again committed that same stupid sin that you promised never to do again. When you are anxious and afraid. Jesus comes to you on the edges of life when you are hurting. Jesus comes to you to bring words of hope and healing. He gives you the peace of God which surrounds you even on the edges. He brings you the forgiveness He earned on the cross. In the valley of the shadow of death, He brings you eternal life.

You can start to believe that Jesus is only for those who have life altogether, but that is a lie of the evil one. Jesus is God in flesh, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and Jesus is your humble servant who takes your sin upon Himself.

Jesus comes to you on the edges — hidden in water – in words – in bread and wine. You cannot see Jesus in these forms, but He is there. He is hidden and still powerful. Hidden, but delivering His promises. Hidden, but still able to forgive all your sins and give to you the incomprehensible peace of God to guard your hearts and minds.

At first only two people knew about Jesus, then four, and then more and more. Now the news has travelled around the world. Sadly, many refuse to believe the Good News is for them. Jesus is not the Savior that people expect; He is not the Savior that they are looking for. They are looking for a Savior to do things their way. But God’s ways are not our ways. The Good News of Jesus’ forgiveness is still spreading, and Jesus still comes in humble, hidden ways to hurting, anxious people; that is His way. Amen.

Posted on December 8, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

God’s Bulldozer

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Advent 2 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 8, 2024
Malachi 3:1-7b, Philippians 1:2-11, Luke 3:1-20

John the Baptist is sent by God on a mission of earth moving; a mission of roadbuilding. Fulfilling the words of Isaiah the prophet John is… Luke 3:4–6 (ESV) 4 …“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

John is sent by God to fill valleys and level mountains. John is God’s earthmover…God’s bulldozer. His job is to prepare the way of the Lord. John is God’s bulldozer.

No, it may just be my inner six year old boy talking, but bulldozers are pretty cool. I love to watch the bulldozers on the gold mining shows. Bulldozers are incredibly powerful. A small Caterpillar D1 dozer weighs 9 tons and costs over $200,000. It is 80 horsepower and can push about 2 tons of dirt at a time. The Cat D11 dozer is a behemoth 850 horsepower, 114 tons and costs over $2 million. It can push 45 tons of dirt with a blade 20 feet wide and 7 feet high. I enjoy watching the big dozers moving tons of earth to get down to the gravel pay layer where the miners hope to find gold.

Sometimes they get down a ways in the overburden and find a rock hard layer of permafrost. The blade of even the biggest dozer cannot penetrate this layer so the miners deploy a ripper, a curved, sharp-tipped arm that extends down from the back of the dozer to rip through the permafrost and expose it to the sunlight so it can thaw.

John the Baptist is charged with earth moving, but John does not have a bulldozer. Caterpillar won’t make their first bulldozer until 1945. So, what kind of bulldozer is John? John’s blade and his ripper are the Word of God. With God’s Word John pushes people to turn from their sin and rips into their belief that they can save themselves by strict obedience to the Pharisees’ many additional commandments. John pushes and rips and exhorts folks to return to the Lord, their God. The Pharisees instituted an extensive legal code in order to avoid God’s judgment, but they lost sight of God, and His mercy, and His promised Messiah. John proclaims a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He calls people to turn from sin and self-righteousness and believe in the coming Messiah.

And like a bulldozer, John is not subtle as he pushes and rips with the Word of God. Luke 3:7–9 (ESV) 7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 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.” John is clearing the way for Jesus and ripping deep into the false securities of the people.

Different people react differently to his words of warning. Many hear John’s words and repent. They turn from their sin and receive John’s baptism of repentance in the Jordan River in order to be prepared for Messiah’s arrival. They ask John “What then shall we do?” John tells them to be generous with those in need and do what you have been given to do with honesty and integrity.

Some are just curious. They come out to see this crazy wilderness prophet and investigate what all the fuss is about, but they are not interested in John’s message. They resist repentance, and instead trust in their ancestry and their own works. They are the children of Abraham and they have everything under control. They do not need a coming Messiah.

Bulldozer John speaks the blunt truth to all, including those in charge. Herodias, Herod Philip’s wife who is living with her husband’s brother, Herod Antipas, hears John’s words of warning and is greatly offended. Who is this wilderness madman to tell me who I should be sleeping with? Herodias will demand that John be arrested and thrown into prison and Herod Antipas will comply.

John is in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord. He is spiritually filling valleys and lowering mountains and straightening curves. John calls on the people to turn from their sin and believe that the promised Messiah is near. The children of Israel entered the Promised Land through the Jordan after the exodus wilderness wanderings. In the same way, the children of Israel who repent pass through the waters of the Jordan in baptism and return to the Promised Land knowing the Messiah is near.

God’s law is still proclaimed today. John’s message to repent is still being preached. When the world hears God’s Word of law warning them to turn from sin and return to the Lord their God, how is it received? When you, a follower of Jesus, hear God’s word of warning to repent…how do you respond?

Many hear God’s law and get angry and reject God’s call. Martin Luther addresses these people in his Large Catechism writings about the First Commandment. “They utterly disregard whether God is angry at them or smiles on them. They dare to withstand His wrath, yet they shall not succeed. Before they are aware of it, they shall be wrecked, with all in which they trusted. All others have perished like this who have thought themselves more secure or powerful.

Such hard heads imagine that God overlooks and allows them to rest in security, or that He is entirely ignorant or cares nothing about such matters. Therefore, God must deal a smashing blow and punish them, so that He cannot forget their sin unto their children’s children. In that way, everyone may take note and see that this is no joke to Him. These are the people He means when He ways, “those who hate Me” [Exodus 20:5], i.e., those who persist in their defiance and pride. Whatever is preached or said to them, they will not listen. When they are rebuked, in order that they may learn to know themselves and make amends before the punishment begins, they become mad and foolish. They rightly deserve wrath…”[1]

In Old Testament times…at the time of John the Baptist…at Martin Luther’s time…and still today… there are so many who do not listen to God. They have turned away from God and have become, “people with brute hearts who think that it makes no great difference how they live.” [2]

God’s law preached by John the Baptist or by preachers today is a call to repent; to have a change of heart; to turn away from sin and return to God – to know you need a Savior because you cannot save yourself.

Hearing God’s law I believe there is a danger that you can sometimes feel like you have God’s law under control and most of what He is concerned about does not apply so much to you. That God’s law is mostly about those other people, the ones proud of their sin; that God’s law is aimed at those who are proud of engaging in ongoing, open sexual immorality, or theft, or violence. And God’s law certainly is targeting those people to turn from sin and return to the Lord. But God’s law is also targeting you and your own struggles with secret temptations of thoughts and words and deeds. But sin is not just sexual sin or stealing or violence.

This is where God’s law rips deep into the permafrost of your heart. Reading the list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5 you see that sexual sins are listed, but a much greater emphasis is put on sins of division and anger and strife.

Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV) 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

The plowing and ripping of God’s law in your life hurts. Valleys are filled. Mountains are lowered. Curves are straightened. As a baptized child of God, let the ripper arm of God’s law pull up the permafrost of stubborn sin in your life and expose it to the light of Christ’s forgiveness and love.

There are four warnings of sexual sins, two for having other Gods, one for drunkenness, and eight examples of infighting and divisions. This is a reminder that it is far too easy to fall into the sin of division and discord. This happens in families, at work, at school, in the community and in God’s family here at Immanuel. Anger and rivalries and such are the devil’s work getting you to proudly believe that you are right and they are wrong. The devil wants you to get annoyed and angry and judgmental at your fellow believers in Christ so he can use that crack of annoyance to drive in a wedge of division and tear apart God’s Church. Be on guard against the devil’s temptations of anger and division.

God’s law is for you. As a follower of Jesus, you feel the bulldozer of God’s law pushing away daily sin and ripping deep into the longstanding hardness of your heart and it is painful. It is tempting to try to justify your thoughts, words and deeds that you know are contrary to God’s will. It is tempting to reject God’s call and believe everything is just fine. It is tempting to ignore God’s law and bury your sin deeper and deeper. Anything but say those most difficult words. “I was wrong. I messed up. I sinned against God. It is my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault.”

The plowing and ripping of God’s law in your life hurts. Valleys are filled. Mountains are lowered. Curves are straightened. As a baptized child of God, let the ripper arm of God’s law pull up the permafrost of stubborn sin in your life and expose it to the light of Christ’s forgiveness and love.

John’s message is, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus is coming to reign, but His reign is not immediately a reign of judgment and punishment, but rather a reign of forgiveness and love — a reign of service; sacrificing Himself as the payment for all sin. John 3:17 (ESV) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Advent is a difficult season. Advent is a time of waiting. Advent is a penitential time when you look deeply and honestly at yourself and allow the Word of God to dig up your stubborn sins and have them melt away in the light of Christ’s love. It is a time to ponder, once again, your helplessness to save yourself and the great joy of knowing that, on the cross, Jesus has already forgiven your sin and freed you from the guilt and shame.

Advent means coming and coming means preparing. Jesus is coming back and you do not know when. To stay prepared you continue to hear the Word of God’s law which convicts you, and hear the word of God’s Gospel which sets you free in the blood of Jesus. Living in the light and love and forgiveness of Jesus you bear good fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) 22 …the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Despite the pain, let the bulldozer of God’s law do its work in you. You are God’s treasure and He loves you enough to refine you like gold into His most precious possession. You belong to the Lord Jesus. He is coming back to claim you. Stay ready. Amen.

[1] Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions—A readers edition of the Book of Concord – 2nd Edition, pg. 362

[2] Ibid, pg. 361

Posted on December 1, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

The Main Ingredient in your Advent Soup

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Advent 1 2024
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
December 1, 2024
Jeremiah 33:14–16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 19:28-40

Today is December 1. You are at the starting line of a very busy month. There are just so many things to get done before the 25th. If December was a pot of soup it would be overflowing onto the stovetop. So many ingredients get added to this December advent soup. So many different things get mixed together that there is a danger of losing the flavor of the main ingredient.

This is a busy time in the church and in life in general. Retailers try to make big money before December 25th so they try to start the Christmas season earlier and earlier each year to get people to buy more and more.

Christmas decorations seem to go up sooner each year. Now, just after Halloween, many folks begin the celebration of this season of lights by draping houses and bushes with hundreds…thousands of twinkling lights and yards are full of Christmas inflatables. Christmas trees are decorated and wreaths are hung. A Cincinnati Christian music radio station started to play Christmas music on Reformation Day. There is a tremendous wave of early Christmas cheer that is difficult to resist, but I do wonder if we are a little premature in our celebrations. Advent is, after all, a season of waiting…of anticipation.

A lot of this early celebrating is a fairly recent phenomenon. It was not that long ago that Christmas trees did not go up until Christmas Eve.

Now, retailers want to make more money so they start earlier and earlier, but I wonder if there is something else behind society’s desire to extend the Christmas season. I wonder if folks are trying to find meaning and joy in the lights and the decorations and presents and traditions and memories rather than finding joy and meaning in Jesus coming to be Immanuel; God with us. Is it possible that people have made Christmas celebrations so complex and extravagant that Christ gets obscured and forgotten? All of the busyness of Christmas preparations can be overwhelming as we skip over the anticipation of Advent and try to celebrate Christmas for the whole month of December.

For adults, December can seem like the shortest month of the year with all the preparations; cookies to bake, presents to buy, parties to attend, cards to write and on and on. The joyful anticipation can be tarnished by fatigue and guilt that their Christmas celebration won’t be just perfect.

For children, December can seem like the longest month as they await Christmas day and the presents. School days just drag on. Joyful anticipation of Jesus’ birth can get tainted by a case of the “I wants” and the “Gimmes”.

As we add so many ingredients to the mix, this season of Advent becomes a complex soup. So many things blended together; so many ingredients competing for your attention. This first Sunday in Advent I encourage you…keep Jesus as the main ingredient.

The word, Advent, means the coming or arrival of something awaited and momentous. Advent is a season of anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ. Advent isn’t easy. We are an impatient people and Advent is a season of waiting. Advent is a season of waiting and waiting is hard.

December can be so exhausting that by the time we get to the 25th, we are already tired of Christmas. This year, let us all set aside some time each day to rediscover the sense of Advent waiting and anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ. Let us keep Jesus as the main ingredient in our advent soup with thoughts of Jesus first arrival 2,000 years ago and looking forward to Jesus’ second coming. If you are able, gather each Wednesday at 6:15 PM for some homemade advent soup before our Evening Prayer service. Pick up an advent devotional booklet to read as a family each day. Maybe read the 24 chapters of the Gospel of Luke one per day in the days of Advent. Keep Jesus and His first arrival and His promise to return the focus of your advent.

During this time of year look forward to the celebration of Jesus, the son of God, breaking in on the world and coming in flesh as a baby born to Mary in Bethlehem. That baby is God in flesh, God with us; Immanuel. Look forward to the celebration of the incarnation; God becoming flesh and dwelling among us as the Lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world.

Also ponder Jesus coming again in glory on the last day; the judgment day. Look forward to the day when he will break through into our world in overwhelming glory and power and destroy evil and restore peace and righteousness.

Christmas images can seem sweet and heartwarming as you picture baby Jesus asleep on the hay, while Jesus’ return in glory and judgment can be more troubling. Jesus’ return comes with a sense of anxiety and fear. You struggle with sin, and for sinners, Jesus’ return is unsettling. “What if I’m not ready? What if I am caught in the midst of some sin?” As a poor, miserable sinner, it is hard to look forward to Jesus’ return. So, the season of Advent is also a penitential season; a time of the year, much like Lent, of self-examination when you sorrow over your sins and look for salvation in Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb, born in Bethlehem, the city of David.

The Christmas story can seem to be all sweet and wonderful, but Jesus’ first arrival as the baby in Bethlehem is actually full of hints of what is to come for Jesus. Jesus comes as the sacrifice for sin. The baby swaddled in a stone manger foreshadows a crucified Jesus wrapped in a shroud lying in a stone tomb. There is a gift of myrrh — a burial spice. There is Herod the Great trying to kill Jesus. Herod’s successor, Pilate, accomplishes the task. Jesus comes to be the once-for-all sacrifice for sins; your sin and mine. Advent is a time to reflect on our sin and heed John the Baptist’s call to, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Advent indeed is a complex season. It is a mix of memories and decorations and sadness and generosity and joy and anticipation. As all the elements of the season mix together keep Jesus as the main ingredient.

During the reading of the lessons you may have wondered, “we are in Advent, why the Palm Sunday reading?” This is a traditional reading for the first Sunday in Advent. The events of Palm Sunday help us consider Jesus’ arrival. The folks in Jerusalem that day look forward to Jesus entering the city. They hear he is coming and they get ready. They gather and wait; they have been waiting a long time for the Messiah and he is almost here. They can see him coming down the Mount of Olives. The king is coming!

The people cry out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and glory.” From the Gospel of Matthew we know they also shouted, “Hosanna in the highest!”

The Lord Jesus is right there with them riding on His donkey and they cry out to him, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Lord is right there with them.

You sing the same words. You will sing them today in the Sanctus. “Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord!” And why do you sing these Palm Sunday words? You sing them because Jesus is right here with you today in sacrament of Holy Communion. Jesus said, “This is my body, this is my blood.” He comes to you in these veiled forms to strengthen and preserve you until the time when he comes again. As you sing out with those lining the streets of Jerusalem you know Jesus is present with you today and you look forward to Jesus coming again in victory.

That Palm Sunday Jesus rides the donkey colt down the Mount of Olives. Forty-seven days later he will be back up on the Mount and ascend into heaven with his disciples watching. After He ascends, angels of the Lord appear and tell the disciples, Acts 1:11 (ESV) 11 … “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus will return. Not like he came the first time as a humble infant wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. He will return. Not in humility riding a donkey of peace. He will return. Not veiled under bread and wine, water and the Word. He will return in full glory and he will conquer evil once and for all.

So now you wait. You wait for Christmas when you celebrate Jesus’ first coming, and you wait for Jesus to come again to restore all things. This advent season is a time of waiting. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Amen

Posted on November 24, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

Jesus is Coming Back. Stay Awake!

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Last Sunday of the Church Year
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 24, 2024
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Jude 20-25, Mark 13:24-37

We have come to the end of another church year and Jesus still has not returned. Jesus is coming back…but when? It could be this afternoon and it may not be for thousands of years. Jesus promised to return, so, as a follower of Jesus, you wait. However, while waiting, many people get distracted trying to figure out when Jesus will return, but Jesus does not want you to guess when He will return. Mark 13:32 (ESV) 32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Jesus is coming back and there will be the judgement and Jesus wants you to be prepared when He arrives.

Mark 13:34–37 (ESV) 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

As you wait for Jesus to return you must stay awake. Not physically awake, but spiritually awake. You need your sleep and you need to stay on guard. Do what you have been given to do and stay ready for Jesus to come back. Live out your good Christian character.

The great basketball coach John Wooden once said: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are…the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

Do what you have been given to do even when no one is watching. Do the right thing every day and if you find yourself doing something you would not want to be doing when Jesus returns…stop doing it. Repent. Cut that sin out of your life. Confess that sin and receive forgiveness. This is an ongoing struggle. This process has to be repeated often, stop, repent, confess, be forgiven. Battling sin is frustrating, but in your frustration with your natural immorality, do not give up the fight.

Jesus returning on the Last Day is a troubling teaching. You know you should be doing what you are supposed to be doing. You know that you do not want to be engaged in open sin when Jesus returns. You also know that you are, by nature, sinful and unclean and your struggle with sin and temptation is real. Jesus gives a serious warning, Mark 13:37 (ESV) 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Jesus returning for judgment is troubling because you know that on your own you will not be ready.

In our reading from Jude you get instructions on how to live in preparation for Jesus’ return. How do you take care of each other in this dangerous world full of people warring against the truth? Jude is a short book with only one chapter, so there are no chapter numbers. It is often an overlooked book, but Jude has much to say to us today. The book of Jude is an appeal to followers of Jesus to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. It is a stern warning against false teachers. Jude 4 (ESV) 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Jude warns that God will punish sin. Jude shows how God punished those who turned away from him with three examples. Jude 5–7 (ESV) 5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.”

Jude exhorts to contend for the faith that was delivered to us from the apostles and do not give in to false teachers and Jude does not pull punches when describing false teachers. Jude 8 (ESV) 8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.” Jude 10 (ESV)10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.”

What is truth? How do you know what is true? Do you, like a growing number of people, follow the ways of unreasoning animals and understand instinctively by following your feelings, or do you abide in the truth of God delivered to you in the words of Holy Scripture? Do you follow your feelings — or the Bible?

Jude 17–19 (ESV) 17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”

A very great danger that has lurked from the earliest days of the Christian Church is false teachers who want to abuse the grace of God to permit, and even promote, sexual sin and other sins. These minions of the evil one; these wolves in sheep’s clothing, want you to follow your feelings and be led onto the road to hell. Jude warns against giving in to these false teachers.

Jesus’ return for judgment is troublesome. God punishes sin and you are a sinner. Jesus is coming back for judgment and you are by nature sinful. How do you stay ready for Jesus’ return? Jude tells you how, he does not leave you in fear. Jude points you to the truth of scripture, that Jesus is the savior from sin; the one who paid the price for you out of love.

Jude 20–21 (ESV) 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

Build yourselves up in your most holy faith. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:24 (ESV) 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Build yourself on the solid rock of Christ. Keep yourself in the love of God. As God the Father tells Peter, James and John at the transfiguration, Matthew 17:5 (ESV) 5 …“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Listen to Jesus and do what He says.

Pray in the Holy Spirit. As a baptized child of God your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Bring your praise and concerns and desires and confessions and thanksgivings to the Lord. And when you do not know what to pray, the Holy Spirit will pray for you Romans 8:26 (ESV) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Keep yourself in the love of God. Jesus loves you, this you know, for the Bible tells you so. John 3:16 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus the Lord. Come to worship. Hear your sins are forgiven. Hear God’s Word declaring His love and forgiveness. Receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. Keep yourself in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Jesus is coming back. You are in Christ. You know that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Abide in Christ. Abide in His Word. And look out for each other on this journey toward the Last Day. Jude 22–23 (ESV) 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

As brothers and sisters in Christ you are called to care for each other. Jude here speaks of three levels of caring for those who are in danger of going astray. There are those who are uncertain in their faith. They have doubts. They wonder, “Is forgiveness really true? How can God do that? Am I really saved?” To these we admonish them to trust the promises of Christ and put aside their doubts.

To those who have almost been led astray by false teachers we should snatch them like a burning stick of wood from the fire and get them away from the eager claws of the devil wanting to pull them down to hell.

To those who are on the verge of turning aside from the narrow path to heaven to go on the wide and easy path to damnation you offer loving and merciful assistance, but you do it in fear and humility lest the one offering help is pulled in by the temptation. Lutheran theologian Paul Kretzmann writes about dealing with others getting caught up in sin, “In our entire attitude there should not be the least indication of pride and presumption, but only a holy horror of sin, of the spotted garment of the flesh. And as for ourselves, it must be our constant effort to keep the garment of salvation, of the merit of Christ, with which God has clothed us, unspotted both by false doctrine and by carnal life…” When helping others caught up in sin you need a healthy fear of the attractiveness of sin and the power of temptation.

Jude ends his short letter with a wonderful conclusion pointing you back to the one who has the power to save. The one bringing mercy and forgiveness. The one who makes you holy. Jude 24–25 (ESV) 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.

Jesus is coming back and you don’t know when. In Christ you are ready. Stay awake. Amen.

Posted on November 17, 2024 by pastorkevinjud

How do you wait for Jesus?

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Pentecost 26, 2024 Proper 28
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
November 17, 2024
Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-13

There is a great difficulty in being a Christian who comes to church; it is the hypocrisy; the hypocrisy of a broken person coming into a holy place. You are called to be perfect in Christ — to love God and love your neighbor — and you try. Sometimes you do ok and other times you fail miserably. Over and over you fail to live up to being who you are as a Christian and you still come to Church to gather with others and you think, “If these people only knew the real me. If they knew my struggles…if they knew my failures…they would kick me out and forbid me to return.” If only they knew…but they do know. They know about you, because they are thinking the same thing about themselves. It is shocking hypocrisy. This church is full of sinners and the one up front is the worst.

I’ve told Bible class groups, but I’m not sure if I have ever said it in a sermon. After I graduated from seminary and was driving up to Hamilton from St. Louis I feared God would strike me dead before He would ever let me become a pastor. I had gotten through seminary and field work and vicarage and driving up it struck me that this is all for nothing. Who am I fooling? God will never allow this. Pastors are good people and I am not a good person. Well…God let me to live…and be ordained and has allowed me to serve here for 23 years. Apparently God really can use broken people.

The church here is full of broken people. This is most certainly true. But do you know what else is most certainly true? The church here is full of perfect people. You are perfect. I am perfect. Jesus has declared it to be so. Jesus declares broken people to be perfect, because Jesus is the single sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:14 (ESV) 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

To be sanctified is to be made holy. You are perfect in Jesus – righteous, innocent and blessed — and you are being made holy. This is quite a paradox. You are holy and you are being made holy at the same time.

You have been forgiven in Christ. Jesus promises, Hebrews 10:17 (ESV) 17 … “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” You are safe in Jesus’ love. Romans 8:35–39 (ESV) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

You are more than a conqueror through Jesus. You have been made perfect in Jesus and He will not remember your sin. In Christ, you are well equipped for the challenges of life in this world as you wait for Jesus to return. You are ready for Jesus to return, but for now…you have to wait. And the wait can be long and difficult.

The day is coming. The day is coming when Jesus will return and it will be the end; and a new beginning. I think we sometimes have the sense that the goal of the Christian life is to die and go to heaven as if that is the end. Certainly, many from our fellowship have died and their spirits are at peace with the Lord, but their bodies are still in the cemetery. They are at peace, but there is still evil in the world. There is still violence and anger and hatred and selfishness — and sickness and injury and disability and death. Those who have died are at peace, but you are still in the struggle. You are still looking for Jesus to return and eliminate evil forever and raise the dead.

The day is coming, as we hear in our reading from Daniel 12:1–2 (ESV) 1 “…there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

There shall be a time of trouble. In our Gospel reading Jesus warns the disciples about the coming destruction of the temple in 70 AD at the hand of the Romans, but it is also a warning for us today waiting for the last day. Mark 13:5–8 (ESV) 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.” The wait for Jesus’ return will be tumultuous and difficult.

Mark 13:9–13 (ESV) 9 “…be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” We see this happening to the apostles in the book of Acts and it is still happening today around the world. It could happen to you as a follower of Jesus, because the world hates Jesus.

You are ready and you are waiting. So how do you wait? You gather here each week to receive what you need for the journey. You have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus. There is a new and living way to God through Jesus’ flesh who is the once-for-all sacrifice for sin. He is the sacrifice and He is the great High Priest. How do you wait? The most powerful thing you can do during the wait is to come to church and be a part of a congregation of Christians as we read in Hebrews 10:22 (ESV) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” As a baptized follower of Jesus, washed with pure water, you come into the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to receive, once again, through your ears and your mouth, the forgiveness of sins in God’s Word and in His precious Body and Blood. Here you are strengthened for the journey and preserved for everlasting life. You worship during the wait.

How do you wait? Hebrews 10:23 (ESV) 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” As Jesus teaches, John 8:31–32 (ESV) 31 … “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Hold fast to the truth of scripture. Strive to know the truth so well that you can easily spot counterfeit teaching. You study during the wait.

How do you wait? Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” You gather as the fellowship of believers to be encouraged to do acts of mercy and witness.

Gathered together you inspire each other to love and to service. By the physical act of fellowship together in person you encourage one another. By knowing that your struggles are not yours alone but the common struggles of all Christians, you are able to carry on as broken people made perfect in Christ. It can be lonely to be a Christ-follower in a world that hates Jesus, but knowing that you are not alone in this world of falsehood and hatred strengthens you for the journey. For families raising children in this sin sick world it is good to know you have a support system here to help. You are not alone.

Worship, Study, Mercy, Witness, Fellowship. Come to church each week to join with your fellow believers as you wait for Jesus to return. Come to church each week until the time comes that you are physically unable to get to church and then we will bring church to you. Make church attendance each week a top priority. You know this, of course. You are here, I am preaching to the choir. You are ready now and you are waiting for Jesus.

The day is drawing near. Jesus is coming back. Stay ready. Keep waiting. “The one who remains to the end will be saved.” Amen.